I saw my oncologist earlier today and showed him the wound with the satellite lesions. He was a bit disappointed because he had heard that my tumor markers had really gone down dramatically. But he agreed that I had plateaued - or rather that these satellite tumors are apparently resistant to the Abraxane. So, we will change it up again.
I told him my theory about not having t-cells to fight the cancer along with Abraxane. He will talk to Dr. D at UW about this, I think, to make sure I'm telling the story correctly. I wondered if maybe I go off Abraxane and allow my lovely Herminator-2 cells to regenerate. He didn't really think that that was advisable. I don't blame him.
He will also talk to Dr. D in Seattle about using Imiquomod with Abraxane, although it's his understanding that Imiquomod (an ointment) usually works only on superficial lesions whereas my lesions are deeper in the skin tissue.
We also brought up other options. One is to add Herceptin back into the mix with Abraxane. Another is to just do Herceptin. And, the fourth option is to do surgery.
So, a variety of potential courses of action. I'm okay because I know we'll do something. I do have faith that by the time we knock out those satellite lesions, by whatever method, I'll be in some kind of remission. So, just a few more months . . .
Monday, December 20, 2010
Oncologist Today
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
4 comments:
Hi Dee, Don't forget I am your Herceptin buddy. I have it Wednesday. Want to join me? Why did they take you off it? I miss sharing the Herceptin experience with you.
Hi Joanna,
I went off Herceptin last summer because it caused an "inflammatory flare" in my left armpit. It caused pain - bad enough that I had to go on pain pills - so I went off it. Then, it was a matter of starting Abraxane and I guess they wanted to see how I would respond to just that one drug. But, if I start it again, I will surely be your Herceptin buddy!
Hi Dee,
I take Celebrex because theoretically, it reduces inflammatory processes that can trigger cancer progression. (insurance only covers it for osteoarthritis so that has to be part of the diagnosis.). Would it be useful for you if you go back on the big H?
@Joanna, it might be useful to go back on Herceptin. Because Abraxane has knocked out my white blood cells (those lovely Herminator-2 cells produced by the vaccines I received), I kinda think that I need something that attacks the Her-2 receptors on the cancer cells. Herceptin might do the trick . . .
Post a Comment