Deb's Latest Update 11/22/2010

A lot has happened since my last update in September. In August a new tumor had shown up in my lungs. In September it had grown a little. At that time I was hoping to get on a new investigational drug called T-DM1. Sadly, I did not get in. So, in September I went back on the dreadful Tykerb drug. I took it for about 6 weeks. In early November, I had a CT scan and my new tumor had not shrunk at all. But, It hadn't grown at all either. The side effects from the Tykerb were pretty unbearable. Luckily, the clinical trial I wanted to get into has a "mercy" rule. Basically if the medication you are on is so intolerable that you cannot continue, they will bypass the inclusion criteria stating that my tumor had to have grown while on the Tykerb. Well, I got in thanks to the "mercy" rule.

It's been about three weeks since I stopped the Tykerb. I have finally gotten back to normal - no more finger cuts, no more rash, stomach issues, no more miserable! Yea for me!

In two days I go to St. Louis to meet with one of the doctors there and start my first T-DM1 treatment. For those interested, T-DM1 is a new type of drug which combines the new wonder drug Herceptin with DM1 (a chemo drug). The Herceptin finds the cells that overexpress a protein called HER2 which is found on my cancer cells. Then, it releases the chemo into just those cells. This means that you can undergo chemotherapy without killing any of the healthy cells in your body. This means no hair loss, little nausea, hopefully only slight side effects. It is one of the first drugs of its kind. I am very excited to have gotten in. It has shown great promise in metastasized breast cancer that is aggressive like mine. I am hopeful that maybe this drug is the key for me!!

We'll be traveling to St. Louis every 3 weeks. Wednesdays will be our treatment day. We'll make the 4 hour drive, spend hopefully no more than an hour or two there, then head back home. It'll be a full 10 hour day. But, until the FDA approves T-DM1 for everyone we'll continue to go, as long as it works! I believe they'll scan me about every 9 weeks to make sure. I will continue to check in with my oncologist here while on this treatment. Hopefully all will go well.

Last week my mom and I flew to Pennsylvania to attend my Great Aunt Audrey's funeral. She died from metastasized breast cancer. I don't think anything has ever hit home like her passing. She was a great inspiration to me over the years and I will miss her dearly. I am thankful to have had her in my life. I am especially thankful this time of year to have all of you in my life! Family and friends are definitely the greatest blessings! If it wasn't for all of you I wouldn't be able to get through each day. So, thank you for your friendship, love, prayers and support.

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Love,

Deb