I am in a delima

Hi all, I saw my onc and it seems my new breast cancer is different to my original, I have a new primary in my remaining breast, this time seems not as agressive and only HER1+ to 2+, I have always been HER3+, is this better or worse? Perhaps the Herceptin has mutated the cells and slowed it up, does this mean I am cured on the other side, so many questions and my onc says Abraxen not available in Australia yet and probably not for another 5 years, what is wrong with this country, do they think we are not the same human beings as everyone else, I have today composed and sent a 10 page fax to our state member of parliament, you have probably heard of John Australia, the prime minister of Australia, I have it on good authority that because his wife had Breast Cancer, Herceptin got fast tracked and was made available to the public, only hope she needs Abraxen in a hurry. All of my dosing with Taxanes was in vein because the drug I was taking for nerve ending damage all this while impairs Taxanes, I still got all the neuropothy but did not suffer low blood counts. I am having my herceptin on Tuesday and my onc is going over the other info I gave him, apparently I can have Gemza so I want it with Methotrexate and either Xeloda or 5FU. I can't even find out what size cancer we are dealing with, the severe radiation I had obscures everything, my onc says that my BC is just smouldering, my CA-15.3 is still 15 the same as previously tested. He also said that no one wants to do anything about my shoulder problem becasue I have the big C, so I asked does that mean I have to get a private orthopaedic specialist, he said no we will just sort my chemo out first, apparently have to have increasing doses of methotrexate, I had it in the beginning after AC and Rads, C.M.F by trying with other chemo may have better results. Well until Tuesday I still don't know where I am headed, I have had a few rough days home here with my family, being in limbo is a reality check regarding survival, so hopefully more positive post next week.


Love & Hugs Lyn.

hi Lyn--
I am sorry that you have a recurrence--and I'm sorry that you are having trouble accessing services. That ISN'T fair...you are not an alien :-)

If there is anything I can do, please let me know. When my article has been posted (in one month) maybe you can send it around to some of these people in your country (doon't know if the content will be helpful enough however). It sucks that the Prime Minister's wife has to get sick before changes happen in health care delivery for other BC patients. There are way too many women affected by this disease. Sounds like you need a lobbying effort--I know that's tough to do when you aren't feeling well.

See my additional post today about still working on the story--I have a question for you.

Good luck :-)
Val

Hi Lyn:

My mother had a similar problem (she is in Paksitan)...We wanted to treat her with Abraxana as the Taxotere although effective was very hard on her...Her onc recommended that we could get the abraxane from the Middel East (dubai , Bahrain etc)...we did not do this, but Im sure you could import the chemo regime and it should not be too expensive as generally Abraxane that is made availble to these countries is provided at a discount as such countries are still classified as developing nations.

Shahyan

Dear Lynne
I a, looking at new chemos and will probably go back on xeloda as it worked before but my onc also mentioned gemzar was now approved as well so there are some more. Abraxane would be good to have a sa possibility.I would also like to see a few vaccine trials here in Australia.It is very frustrating.
love
linda

Hi Lyn
I am also in Australia and have just had another tumour in the same breast. I would love to chat with you more re the Aussie connection etc.
Jackie

Hi there, love to chat with you, my email is alexandere666@iprimus.com.au I have had my internet down for a few days and with the new board I have to wade back through it.

Love & Hugs Lyn