Still in remission-Thanks to Herceptin!!

Great news Denise. Let's hope the casted net of personalized medicine discoveries will widen the path for many more breast cancer patients to join you to long remission.

Tender

Just so you know the possibilities - I have a former colleague at work who has been on Herceptin for 11 years and still doing excellent.

Hi Denise,  I haven't logged in for a while but couldn't help myself when I read your post.  I just wanted to say BIG CONGRATULATIONS on being 5 yrs out and NED.   Your post is so inspirational to me and I'm sure it is to the others here.  One can never have enough hope to hang on too.  I know of some other woman that have been on herceptin for years and are doing GREAT like you.    Here's to another 50 or so years of ned coming your way. 

Chelee

That is so great to hear!  I'm sorry to ask, but they want to put me on herceptin too, although I've never heard of staying on it so long.  I thought it was only for 1 year?

Always good to hear from you Denny.

Denny,

Maybe not.  I found a link that indicates they are very close to coming up with a vaccine for HER/2+ breast cancer.  Does anyone else know about this?  Here is the link:  http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/121459.php

I am going to ask my oncologist on my next visit on July 6th.

 Hugs and best wishes to all,

Erica 

I know the vaccine showed excellent results in an early human trial.  I believe they are developing 1st for Her2+ who are not eligable for Herceptin (2+ by IHC, but FISH- aka low protein expressors).   A retrospective look at some studies show these women may benefit from Herceptin, but are not eligable for Herceptin.  I am sure the company is going for  this population 1st because its a potentially a quick way to approval.  No women that is Her2 3+ or Fish+ will agree not to get Herceptin, so they have to test the vaccine in women that are not eligble for H.  They don't test with H because H is effective enough that it will tend to mask any positive effects of the vaccine.  It would take a massive clinical trial to tease out the effect (very expensive).  However, it the vaccine shows effectiveness in Her2 2+, they will get approval and with income coming in from that patient population, start testing it in Her2 3+ and Fish+.

Of course if effective for Her2 IHC 2+, then we'll all be figuring out a way to get it off-label.

hollyann~ My oncologist said the same thing.  There are also additional trial in Washington and at Walter Reed Medical Center (my onc. wants to help me get into this one).  

Estep - Wow!  Thats great to hear. 

Thanks so much for posting.  I'll have to makr this one as a favorite to refer back to during my next anxious period.

Jaimieh - Are you Fish positive or IHC 3+?  Do you know what phase the trial is in that your onc suggested?  Good luck with it and please keep us posted.

Thanks Laura for that!!!

I needed to hear it. I have my 3 month check tomorrow and I can't sleep! Just want this all over with. In 78 days, I will celebrate that 2 year mark. I have the joint analysis saved to my favorites and i do keep referring to them when Im having anxiety times *thanks again orange1*

My onc told me the same thing last week - I'm at the three year mark, and he made sure that I understood how signifiant (his word, repeated frequently) 3 years is.  

My radiation onc told me similarly that I should be celebrating since I have surpassed the three year mark. My last med onc appointment in March, he let me stretch out appointments with him to every six months. He said it was because all my tests have been clear of cancer for three years.

*smiles*

Thanks for askin about me Orange1...

It went well. My onc just said that I was looking good, and asked how I was feeling. I said I am good when I don't have to see him..lol. He laughed and understood. He wasn't even going to do an exam, I asked if he could check a "bump" that has been there for months and has not changed in size. He says it's in the skin and most likely a gland or duct that could be blocked.

I asked was he sure?! He laughed again and said yes it's not BC. My time with him lasted maybe 10 minutes and then I had my Zometa and Lupron. I am feeling a little achy right now, but it has lessened. I just have a hot water bottle to help. Untill next time.......gak!

Lex.. GREAT to hear!... how is your rads boob doing? Are you just having implants exchanged with no flap surgery? I have exchange in two weeks.. no flap... rads.... and I am praying!!!!!

Hi

I haven't ever checked out this thread before but I do have a question about Herceptin - I have only 5 sessions left before my 1 year time is up - as far as I have been told I will only get Herceptin for one year but I notice many of you ladies have been getting it for a number of years.  Why is it only offered for a year?  I asked my Herceptin/Chemo nurse and she coudln't answer the question but maybe you ladies can as you appear extremely knowledgable on this subject.

 Also, Orange - when did you finish having radiation?  Within 2 weeks of finishing radiation I got a weird raised rash on my lower back and side/stomach and when I spoke to the onc & radiaition people people they told me it was known as radiation dermatitis.  I was told to use GLAXOL BASE cream and within a few weeks it went away although when I get hot or go out in the sun it does show up a little, kind of as though it has scarred.  Maybe that's the same for you.

I am going now to see if I can find out any more info on Heceptin to see if I can find out some answers.

Love to all

Gaynor