MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'herceptin'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:08:37 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4968811&cid=t_101858_136_f&fid=35316&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnotjustaboutcancer.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F06%2Ftreatment-week.html If you are reading this post on a site other than Not Just About Cancer (besides Facebook or a feed reader), you are reading stolen content. (Source: Not just about cancer) Not just about cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4968811 Fri, 24 Jun 2011 19:10:00 +0100 4968811 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4953279&cid=t_101858_136_f&fid=35316&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnotjustaboutcancer.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F06%2Fshort-term-planning.html I kind of left you in suspense yesterday.I was sitting an exam room, waiting to see my oncologist to discuss whether I could continue my break from chemo. Here's what happened next:We waited.We played a little Lexulous.I knit. My hands shook a little. And then the door swung open and Dr. B. entered the room. Dr. B. is not my oncologist. The cancer centre has a title called GPO (which I assume means general practitioner - oncology) for doctors who work with the oncologists. I hadn't seen Dr. B. in more than a year and without hesitating, we hugged each other - something I've never done with any doctor. She's wonderful and she's the only doctor I trust as much as my oncologist.After a physical exam (liver is where it should be and the size it should be. Chest sounds fine) and looki... Not just about cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4953279 Fri, 17 Jun 2011 13:00:00 +0100 4953279 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4934729&cid=t_101858_136_f&fid=35316&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnotjustaboutcancer.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F06%2Fnot-so-jaded-after-all.html Yesterday, I had an appointment with my oncologist, the first since our decision that I should take a break from chemo and do Herceptin only for three months.I usually do my appointments over the phone but I decided to go into the cancer centre so that I could have a physical exam and meet with him face to face. Also, I wanted Tim to come with me, so that he would get the same info as I did first hand and have a chance to ask questions. One of the great things about doing appointments on the phone is that I can carry on with my life around the house as I wait for my call. I was reminded of this after waiting first in the waiting area and then in the exam room for nearly an hour.But it was worth it.The first person I met was the nurse who works with my oncologist. It was the first time we m... Not just about cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4934729 Thu, 16 Jun 2011 23:38:00 +0100 4934729 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4876484&cid=t_101858_136_f&fid=35316&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnotjustaboutcancer.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F05%2Fin-translation.html The cancer centre has implemented something new. When patients check in for treatment, we're asked to fill out a questionnaire related to our well-being (it has some acronym but I can't remember it). We're given the option of filling it in on a central computer but I'm really squeamish about germy public terminals. I always ask to fill the thing in manually (furthering my feeling that I am more of a Luddite than some of my seniors).Filling out the form involves reading statements such as "I am in pain" and then circling a number between 1 (no pain) and 7 (excruciating pain - or something like that). Most of my numbers were very low except for the ones about my emotional well being and sleep habits. My answers resulted in the following conversation with the well-meaning nurse who checked me... Not just about cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4876484 Sat, 28 May 2011 17:00:00 +0100 4876484 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4684673&cid=t_101858_136_f&fid=35316&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnotjustaboutcancer.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F04%2Ffat-not-unfit.html I am overweight.It's worth noting, that, even with years of therapy and a good feminist critical analysis, it still feels shameful to write that.But it's the truth that as a result of genetics, too many diets started at too young an age (I was put on my first one when I was nine), too many emotional issues related to food and sheer laziness/inattention I am carrying around at least forty extra pounds.Yet I wouldn't say that I'm unfit.My cholesterol, blood sugars and blood pressure are all excellent. I have a resting heart rate of 66. And I have heart scans every three months (because Herceptin can damage the heart), so I know that vital organ is pumping along very efficiently.I average 5.5 hours of cardio exercise every week. I run 3-4 times a week, for more than forty minutes. And, now th... Not just about cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4684673 Thu, 07 Apr 2011 18:53:00 +0100 4684673 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4664422&cid=t_101858_136_f&fid=35316&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnotjustaboutcancer.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F03%2Fill-take-it.html No nausea.No bad taste in my mouth.No rage or sadness.No aches and pains.I'm just very, very tired.I'm not complaining.If you are reading this post on a site other than Not Just About Cancer (besides Facebook or a feed reader), you are reading stolen content. (Source: Not just about cancer) Not just about cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4664422 Thu, 31 Mar 2011 13:41:00 +0100 4664422 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4653506&cid=t_101858_136_f&fid=35316&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnotjustaboutcancer.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F03%2Fwhat-if-nothing-changes.html Today is a treatment day.For the first time ever, I will have Herceptin on its own (if you don't count the Demerol and Gravol I get to keep the shakes and fevers at bay).Some people have almost no side effects with Herceptin. Some feel like they have the flu. Will the fact that my body has such a strong response to Herceptin mean that I feel more of its side effects?The break from chemotherapy is meant to help me heal and rebuild - physically and emotionally.The break from chemo is also a risk.Here's hoping it all works out for the best.If you are reading this post on a site other than Not Just About Cancer (besides Facebook or a feed reader), you are reading stolen content. (Source: Not just about cancer) Not just about cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4653506 Tue, 29 Mar 2011 13:00:00 +0100 4653506 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4636618&cid=t_101858_136_f&fid=35316&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnotjustaboutcancer.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F03%2Fgiving-in-to-monkey-brain.html HerceptinI think I'm happy with the outcome of the brouhaha over Herceptin in Ontario. For those of you outside the province or outside the loop. Jill Anzarut, a 35 year old breast woman undergoing treatment for breast cancer made the news last week when she announced that the province had to pay for Herceptin because her Her2+ tumour was less than one centimetre (that's about 1/4 inch) in diameter. The province initially refused to budge but eventually caved after a massive campaign played out in the social and traditional media. Access to Herceptin will now much more room for discretion when it comes to providing access to the drug.I feel good about this. It's not that I think that every drug should be funded for every person. Her2+ cancers are very aggressive and, as best put by Stephen... Not just about cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4636618 Fri, 25 Mar 2011 17:33:00 +0100 4636618 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4575216&cid=t_101858_136_f&fid=35316&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnotjustaboutcancer.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F03%2Fnow-this-could-be-fun.html I've written before about the one major limitation of Herceptin - that it doesn't cross the brain-blood barrier. A couple of years ago (after meeting several young women with metastasis that had spread to the brain), I underwent a brain MRI. To my very great relief, there was no evidence of trouble but I think I'll will be requesting another before too long.A few days ago, my friend Deanna posted a link to Breast Cancer? But Doctor...I Hate Pink and to Ann's take on the news that Viagra may help Herceptin to (ahem) penetrate the blood-brain barrier and thus help reduce the size of brain tumours. As Anne tells it:"Herceptin, the wonder drug, has a flaw: it does not cross the blood-brain barrier. The blood-brain barrier was erected designed by nature to protect our brains from dangerous... Not just about cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4575216 Fri, 11 Mar 2011 16:18:00 +0100 4575216 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4570714&cid=t_101858_136_f&fid=35316&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnotjustaboutcancer.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F03%2Fmixed-but-good-i-think.html And I'm not talking about the weather, which while it has been mixed, has been pretty consistently bad for the last twenty four hours. We had a big dump of snow (the photo above was taken from my front door), followed by freezing rain, which will be followed by ordinary rain.Good thing I just bought rain boots.My GP called me last week to let me know the results of my endoscopy (I won't get in to see the gastroenterologist until March 21st). All my results were negative - no celiac, no bacterial infection, no cancer. It's all good.Then I talked to my oncologist on Friday. We discussed my scope results and my digestive symptoms (diarrhea, heartburn, abdominal pain). He expressed surprised that I was still feeling lousy on Friday after a Tuesday treatment. I told him that my recovery time ha... Not just about cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4570714 Thu, 10 Mar 2011 18:07:00 +0100 4570714 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4197360&cid=t_101858_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FfSAWlxdOWBA%2F Hello, everyone. Yet another day is unfolding here on the Pharmalot corporate campus, where the sun is shining, the dogs are barking and the short people are hustling off to the local school house for a few hours before the holiday weekend begins. As for us, we are savoring a needed cup of stimulation and perusing the news of the world. As always, we ask you to join us and, of course, we wish you a pleasant day… Roche Ends Hep C Collaboration With Ligand Pharma (Reuters) Glaxo Closing Toothpaste Facilities In Australia (MSN) Amira Pharma Cuts Staff In Half (San Diego Union-Tribune) Testosterone Lotion Wins Approval (Bloomberg News) State Senator Tries To Find Buyer For Roche Plant (WMBF) Glaxo Exits US Penicillin Biz, Sells Plants To Dr. Reddy’s (Associated Press) UK’s NI... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4197360 Wed, 24 Nov 2010 12:20:53 +0100 4197360 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3896098&cid=t_101858_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FPyHmKCZ3g8s%2F Hello, everyone. Nice to see you again. As promised, we have returned. We trust you had a pleasant and productive week while we were away. And we want to say thanks for the nice send-off notes so many of you posted. Much appreciated. As always, though, the time has now come to reach for that favored cup of stimulation as we gear up for another week. Here goes… Glaxo Starts Final Clinical Trials For Shingles Vaccine (Reuters) Roche Buys Imaging Company For $100 Million (SwissInfo) Pfizer Tries To Remediate Former Upjohn Site (North Haven Citizen) Archimedes Pharma Sets Up Shop (The Star-Ledger of NJ) Genzyme Shareholder Sues To Block Deal That Hasn’t Happened (Boston Globe) Taiwan Seeks To Remove Non-Tariff Barriers To China (Focus Taiwan) Jailed Psychiatrist Pleads Guilty Over ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3896098 Mon, 23 Aug 2010 11:34:15 +0100 3896098 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3816671&cid=t_101858_136_f&fid=39212&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbahtocancer.com%2F2010%2F07%2Fall-about-persephone-part-1%2F As I mentioned last week, the team running the Persephone trial have been good enough to answer some questions about Herceptin and the trial. Here they are. Even though I’m done with Herceptin, i found this really interesting. I hope you do too. * -Why is Herceptin such a wonder drug? Herceptin has proved to be a major advance as it helps to cure a certain type of aggressive breast cancer described as HER2 positive. This cancer is made of cells which contain HER2, a molecule involved in the rapid multiplication of cancer cells. - In layman’s terms, what is the Persephone trial and how did it come about? The PERSEPHONE trial is about finding the right dose of Herceptin for the patient. At the moment, Herceptin is given for a whole year based on evidence from an international t... Bah! to cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3816671 Tue, 27 Jul 2010 06:39:38 +0100 3816671 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3676897&cid=t_101858_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FqLtn3zuuNJc%2F In a blow to its plans to grow beyond oncology, Roche has delayed development of its taspoglutide by at least 12 to 18 months after studies showed a higher-than-expected rate of side effects, including skin reactions, digestive symptoms, cardiovascular and respiratory probelms. (here is the statement from Ipsen, which licensed the drug to Roche). More time is needed to identify patients who may be sensitive to the drug and and remove them from the trials. Roche’s oncology franchise, which includes Herceptin, Avastin and Tarceva, accounts about 50 percent of its pharma sales. The drugmaker planned to seek FDA approval next year for its med, a once-weekly injectable that would compete with Byetta, a twice-a-day injectable from Lilly and Amylin, which hope to transform their own diabete... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3676897 Fri, 18 Jun 2010 12:53:36 +0100 3676897 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3652609&cid=t_101858_136_f&fid=35303&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.assertivepatient.com%2F2010%2F06%2Friding-the-roller-coaster-again.html Yesterday turned out to be one of those days, so I guess it's no wonder that I slept until 10:30 this morning!Actually, the day was more like playing on a teeter-totter than riding a roller coaster--remember standing on the seat of a teeter-totter (or see-saw) and then someone would jump off the other end and you'd go flying? Well, that was how my day went: Up and down with lots of bumps. I did manage to keep my balance, though, and I feel fine today. First was my phone conversation with Dr. Eulau about the results of my X-ray: He said there is erosion in the bone in my right femur because of a tumor. Treatment? Four weeks of daily radiation. Argh--there goes my summer!Then I went off to see Dr. Lee, my lovely medical oncologist, and to get treatment, which these days i... The Assertive Cancer Patient blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3652609 Thu, 10 Jun 2010 18:41:15 +0100 3652609 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3648750&cid=t_101858_136_f&fid=35316&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnotjustaboutcancer.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F06%2F10-in-june-part-one-health.html The last month has been challenging, as far as my health is concerned. There is nothing seriously wrong with me and as far as the cancer is concerned, I'm in fine shape. Instead, I've been dealing with some unpleasant and uncomfortable digestive issues. Whether this is due to my age or the toll of long term systemic cancer treatment, I don't know. I just know that, by the time I went to see my doctor, I was feeling prettty miserable.I suspected my gall bladder was the source of the problem but we had the benefit of a recent abdominal CT scan that showed that organ to be fine. My doctor diagnosed me with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (or GERD) and instructed me to stop consuming coffee, tea, chocolate or coffee (my immediate response was the somewhat ironic, "I'll die!" She also gave me s... Not just about cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3648750 Wed, 09 Jun 2010 18:31:00 +0100 3648750 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3632401&cid=t_101858_136_f&fid=35316&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnotjustaboutcancer.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F06%2Fwell-hello-there.html Yikes!It's been a while, hasn't it?I seem to have lost my blogging mojo. I remember a while back when Average Jane wrote that her blogging had been derailed (my word, not hers) by Twitter and Facebook. I get that now. Whenever I have a quick observation or a link to share, I can gratify myself instantly with Twitter (I'm lauriek, by the way). And while each tweet does go to Facebook and the sidebar of Not Just About Cancer (on the right - see it there?), it hasn't done much for my blogging.I don't want to give up the blog though, so I'll try and re-commit to posting regularly (how's that for hedging my bets?).On the cancer front, there is a little news. I loved having a break in April. That month also brought another clean CT scan. My oncologist continues to be happy with how things are go... Not just about cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3632401 Fri, 04 Jun 2010 17:09:00 +0100 3632401 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3526947&cid=t_101858_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FGcH7rZ8YJbU%2F Another month, another list. Once again, there is speculation about which medications will generate the most revenue over the next few years. Interestingly, the latest conclusion mirrors another recent list that suggests conventional pills will easily be eclipsed. Only two small molecules make this newest ranking, which was compiled by EvaluatePharma. Not surprisingly, one of them is AstraZeneca’s Crestor cholesterol fighter, although the newest list differs slightly from this list. And so once again, there are myriad implications raised, including the strategic direction pursued by the biggest drugmakers and the costs for patients. The percentage figure refers to sales growth from 2009 to 2016… 1. Humira (arthritis) Abbott Labs/Eisai - $10.1b; 9 percent 2. Avastin (cancer) Roc... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3526947 Mon, 03 May 2010 12:47:00 +0100 3526947 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3515577&cid=t_101858_136_f&fid=35303&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.assertivepatient.com%2F2010%2F04%2Fsome-good-news-for-a-change-.html I went in to see Dr. Lee today, and also to get treatment (we're calling it targeted therapies light: reduced doses of Herceptin, Avastin, and Tykerb--the only one that bothers me is the Tykerb), and of course I had my list of questions for Dr. Lee. But he had a surprise for me: My CEA (tumor marker) has dropped substantially in just a couple of months! That means less cancer in my body. Now, I had asked to have this test a few weeks back, but with everything else that was going on, I kinda forgot about it. It was great to get some good news for a change. Dr. Lee said he wasn't sure why my marker had dropped so far, but we agreed that the radiation I had in January had probably reduced the total volume of cancer, or my tumor load, so the marker dropped. And ... The Assertive Cancer Patient blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3515577 Thu, 29 Apr 2010 05:23:18 +0100 3515577 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3499311&cid=t_101858_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FgAQqzpPFA-Q%2F And so another work week is about to draw to a close. What are you planning for the weekend? Mowing the lawn? Riding a bike? A walk in the park? We look forward to spending time with our short and not-so-short people and running with the official Pharmalot mascot. While you ponder your own choices, here are a few items to help you round out the day. Have a nice time, whatever you do and see you soon… Australia Tells Docs To Stop Kids’ Flu Shot (Bloomberg News) J&J Shareholders Reject Say-On-Pay Proposal (Associated Press) EU Sees Genzyme Drug Shortage Through September (Reuters) Pfizer Ends Trial Of Sutent In Liver Cancer (Associated Press) EMA Backs Nycomed COPD Drug (Reuters) EU Approves Diovan For Children (Associated Press) Roche Files For New Herceptin Use In US (Reut... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3499311 Fri, 23 Apr 2010 11:43:46 +0100 3499311 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3468018&cid=t_101858_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FZbwVlkKVymw%2F And the winner is…. Roche’s Avastin, which is used to treat various cancers. Everyone loves a list, of course, so Reuters compiled this ranking and the most interesting finding is there seems to be just one pill that will be among the biggest sellers in 2014. In other words, injectables will dominate. Assuming this is reasonably accurate, what might it say about big drugmakers? Will they spend more in the lab or strike still more deals with smaller prey developing the next big thing? Will pills become passe? And what will it mean for patient costs? Consensus sales forecasts for world’s top 10 drugs in 2014: 1. Avastin (cancer) Roche - $8.9b 2. Humira (arthritis) Abbott - $8.5b 3. Enbrel (arthritis) Pfizer - $8b 4. Crestor (cholestero... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3468018 Wed, 14 Apr 2010 15:58:25 +0100 3468018 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3456847&cid=t_101858_136_f&fid=35316&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnotjustaboutcancer.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F04%2Fhow-its-done.html Everyone makes mistakes. And sometimes things go wrong that are not anyone's fault but someone has to take responsibility for making things right.Over the last couple of years, I have come to realize that this is a deeply held value of mine, one I am trying to share with my kids. Mistakes don't necessarily make me angry but I can get royally pissed off profoundly annoyed when anyone - adult or child - tries to shirk responsibility. On the other hand, when people step up, acknowledge their mistakes and make a genuine effort to make things right, my resentment tends to evaporate entirely.Some examples: 1. A few weeks ago, a received a notice from the Ottawa Public Library that a digital book I had ordered was ready for download. The same day, the library's new web site went live. When I trie... Not just about cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3456847 Sat, 10 Apr 2010 13:30:00 +0100 3456847 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3429448&cid=t_101858_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2FrsVT21QODtA%2F US prescription sales rose 5.1 percent last year, to $300.3 billion, a big increase from the 1.8 percent rate in 2008, thanks to manufacturer coupons, rebates, price hikes of 3 percent to 4 percent, and low-cost generics, which accounted for 75 percent of all prescriptions. Nonetheless, demand remained at “historically low levels,” according to IMS Health, which released the data. Overall, the rate at which prescriptions were filled rose 2.1 percent in 2009, to 3.9 billion dispensed, up from 1 percent the previous year. However, another recent report noted that the rate at which scrips were submitted to a pharmacy but never picked up was 6.3 percent, a 24 percent increase over 2008 (see here). Other contributing factors included inventory management by retail pharmacies; greate... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3429448 Thu, 01 Apr 2010 12:08:20 +0100 3429448 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3416247&cid=t_101858_136_f&fid=35303&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.assertivepatient.com%2F2010%2F03%2Fsurvival-in-metastatic-breast-cancer-patients.html The headline on this research presented last Friday in Barcelona sounds good: "Survival in metastatic breast cancer patients is improving: targeted therapies have contributed."Well, that's something I know from my own experience, and that sounds good. But then when you read the presentation, by a Dr. Marie Sundquist from Sweden, it doesn't sound so good. Dr. Sundquist will tell delegates that for 288 patients with grade III tumours, the most aggressive type of breast cancer, the median survival time increased from 10 months for the 1985 to 1990 period to 17 months for the 2000 to 2004 period.Then for those patients with HER2neu-positive cancer: Prior to the year 2000, 40 HER2 positive patients had a median survival of 14 months compared to 21 months for ... The Assertive Cancer Patient blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3416247 Mon, 29 Mar 2010 16:14:39 +0100 3416247 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3399131&cid=t_101858_136_f&fid=35316&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnotjustaboutcancer.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Fperspective-in-grey.html On June 30th it will be three years since my first clean scan, after the cancer had spread to my liver.For almost three years, I have had no evidence of disease (been NED, in cancer lingo).And yet I remain in treatment.I am asked frequently why I continue to receive chemotherapy and Herceptin, if there is no sign of cancer in my body. And the truth is that I often ask myself the same question. Certainly, I don't feel like I have cancer. And I do feel that the cumulative effects - both physical and emotional of ongoing treatment are wearing me down.I am stuck in cancer's grey area.My oncologist said to me last summer, "For all we know, you could be cured."We just don't know enough.Another oncologist I spoke to, hinted that some would take me out of treatment at this point. A third suggested... Not just about cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3399131 Tue, 23 Mar 2010 19:20:00 +0100 3399131 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3378684&cid=t_101858_136_f&fid=35303&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.assertivepatient.com%2F2010%2F03%2Ftravel-advice.html Yesterday was a crazy day. Younger Son needed me to go with him to get his state ID card, and we drove all over town searching for a driver's licensing office, because the one in the north end of Seattle, our part of town, had closed while I wasn't paying attention. Of course, we didn't find out that it was closed until we drove up there. Then, after calling information, we drove to the south end, only to find that that office had also closed--why directory assistance gave us the phone number and address, I have no idea. So we ended up downtown, which is always difficult because of traffic and parking, plus that office is really busy. Anyway, he got the ID card, and I renewed my driver's license as well. Turns out I was driving on an expired license.... The Assertive Cancer Patient blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3378684 Wed, 17 Mar 2010 22:35:32 +0100 3378684 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3302589&cid=t_101858_136_f&fid=35303&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.assertivepatient.com%2F2010%2F02%2Fpushing-back-my-second-walk-in-a-week.html I had another long (make that looooonng) day today, starting when I left the house at 10 to head for my cancer center. All I had before I left the house was coffee, because I wake up slowly and can't eat for an hour or two, but I threw a banana in my bag for later. Good thing I did, because Dr. Lee decided to give me treatment, so I was there until something like 3:30, which is five hours. I started with the blood draw, and then I waited more than an hour to see Dr. Lee. The waiting room was crowded, and some people were getting frustrated, and rude, in my book, but I didn't let it disturb my wa. (One woman was using her cell phone in the middle of the waiting room to loudly announce her appointment time, and then of course the time at that moment. She did this th... The Assertive Cancer Patient blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3302589 Wed, 24 Feb 2010 01:47:23 +0100 3302589 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2730323&cid=t_101858_136_f&fid=37846&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhealthinfoispower.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F08%2F24%2Fto-fight-cancer-know-the-enemy%2F An Op-Ed entitled “To Fight Cancer, Know the Enemy” was published in The New York Times on August 6, 2009.  The author of the Op-Ed was James D. Watson, Ph.D.  James Watson co-discovered the DNA double helix structure; a discovery for which he received the 1962 Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine. In the [...] (Source: Libby's H*O*P*E*) Libby's H*O*P*E* blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2730323 Mon, 24 Aug 2009 16:55:12 +0100 2730323 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2512857&cid=t_101858_136_f&fid=35316&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnotjustaboutcancer.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F06%2Fyou-cant-always-get-it-channelling.html Mixed results from my appointment with my oncologist yesterday. First of all, I was late. As I was riding to the hospital, I noticed that it was getting harder and harder to pedal. When it actually became impossible, I got off the bike and checked. My front brake was squeezing the front wheel. Hard. I think I had been riding like this for some time - and tightening every time I braked. I just thought I was tired and out of biking shape. I solved the problem by releasing the front brake entirely (I'm sure that's not the safest thing). This meant that when I hit the big hill before the hospital, I was already wiped out from pedalling with all that friction.I arrived at the cancer centre twenty minutes late and a hot, red, sweaty mess.When I finally saw my doc, he easily agreed to a break in ... Not just about cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2512857 Thu, 18 Jun 2009 16:08:00 +0100 2512857 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2406029&cid=t_101858_136_f&fid=35316&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnotjustaboutcancer.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F05%2Fcash-would-be-nice.html The last time I checked in for chemo, I accidentally handed the receptionist my Subway card, instead of my green hospital card.She thought this was so funny, that she showed everyone in the room. I pretended to be angry, trying to grab the card back. It felt good to laugh in that, sometimes sad, place.I told her though, that my subconscious had been at play. I gave her the Subway card because I feel that after so many rounds of chemo, I should get some sort of bonus prize. (Source: Not just about cancer) Not just about cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2406029 Wed, 13 May 2009 14:00:00 +0100 2406029 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2260489&cid=t_101858_136_f&fid=35316&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnotjustaboutcancer.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F03%2Fwhat-if.html "We have all the tools to eliminate mortality from Her2 positive breast cancers in the next 10 years."-Dr. Eric Winer, Director, Breast Oncology Centre, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (February 28, 2009, 9th Annual Conference For Young Women Affected By Breast Cancer).Her2 is a protein. And it fuels cancer cells. Her2+ breast cancers are always very aggressive and, had I been diagnosed before Herceptin was widely available, I am sure that I would not be alive today. Now, a whole host of new drugs are being developed to attack this breast cancer that affects primarily younger women.Dr. Winer's words are among the most hopeful that I have heard in a long time.And then today, I heard a story on the CBC about a man who is being forced to choose between taking an oral chemotherapy drug for his br... Not just about cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2260489 Wed, 11 Mar 2009 01:58:00 +0100 2260489 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2241118&cid=t_101858_136_f&fid=35316&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnotjustaboutcancer.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F03%2Fliving-with-it.html I have just come back from an echo-cardiogram appointment (I have regular echos to make sure that Herceptin isn't damaging my heart) or rather what I thought was an echo appointment. It had previouslybeen scheduled for Thursday, February 26 (when I was travelling to Dallas for the Conference for Young Women Affected By Breast Cancer) and I'd had to reschedule. I had entered the appointment (I use Google Calendar) for Friday, March 6 at 3pm. It turns out the appointment is for Tuesday, March 10th, at 3pm.Since I was told about the appointment over the phone, I have no idea where along the channel of communication the mistake was made - as it came out of the caller's mouth, or as it went through my (increasingly sieve-like) brain. I guess it doesn't really matter, though (and next time, I wi... Not just about cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2241118 Fri, 06 Mar 2009 22:09:00 +0100 2241118 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2005959&cid=t_101858_136_f&fid=35316&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnotjustaboutcancer.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F12%2Fday-my-life-changed.html I had an echocardiogram today. They are a pretty routine part of my life; I have them every few months to make sure that the Herceptin isn't damaging my heart. So far, so good.It's kind of boring lying there, so I started to play a little game with myself. When I lay down at the beginning of the test, my resting hear rate had been 65 bpm (beats per minute), when I worried about my results, I noticed that it had shot up to 75 bpm (I could also see on the screen that my heart was whooshing away but I couldn't tell whether it was doing it's job efficiently). I took a few deep breaths and my bpm dropped again. I remembered that I have only bought one Xmas present and my rate went back up into the 70s. Up and down it went (I hope that I didn't affect my results by doing this). And then it occur... Not just about cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2005959 Wed, 03 Dec 2008 04:00:00 +0100 2005959 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1895597&cid=t_101858_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F427427604%2F If numbers tell the story… Pfizer reported that profits tripled thanks to higher sales of the Lyrica pain pill Lyrica and lower costs from 11,000 jobs that were cut last year. Net income rose to $2.28 billion, or 34 cents a share, from $761 million, or 11 cents, a year earlier, when Pfizer took a $2.8 billion charge for the Exubera inhaled insulin device. Revenue was roughly flat at $12 billion. The drugmaker raised the lower end of its forecast for 2008 sales by $1 billion to between $48 billion and $49 billion, and plans to save at least $2 billion as part of cost cutting announced last year (here is the Pfizer statement). Schering-Plough third-quarter earnings fell sharply, hurt by special charges and falling demand for its cholesterol drugs, but results beat expectations. Earning... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1895597 Tue, 21 Oct 2008 12:35:11 +0100 1895597 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1883566&cid=t_101858_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F421681523%2F What? No deal between Roche and Genentech? Unlikely, despite the veil of silence surrounding the transaction, according to Wall Street analysts, who are pontificating today after seeing Genentech’s robust earnings report. Consider this: Avastin sales were up 18 percent to $704 million; Rituxan sales rose 15 percent to $655 million and Herceptin sales increased 15 percent to $368 million. “While management refused to discuss the Roche situation, we believe a deal is inevitable, and that an agreement would be facilitated by a recovery in the credit markets,” writes Cowen biotech analyst Eric Schmidt in an investor note this morning. “Although we are frustrated by the lack of communication from Roche/Genentech regarding a full business combination, we believe there is... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1883566 Wed, 15 Oct 2008 15:31:45 +0100 1883566 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1746399&cid=t_101858_136_f&fid=35284&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcancerspot.org%2F%3Fp%3D391 Joey’s new mantra: It could be worse. He uses it to excuse his questionable behavior—like when he was playing at the dinner table recently, waving his arms all around like we tell him not to do, and he knocked over his cup of milk. “It could be worse,” he announced after locking eyes with my [...] (Source: my Breast Cancer blog) my Breast Cancer blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1746399 Sun, 31 Aug 2008 01:56:34 +0100 1746399 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1618105&cid=t_101858_136_f&fid=35284&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcancerspot.org%2F%3Fp%3D348 See these boobs? Protruding outward in all their glory. Pushed up in a fancy bra, positioned under a tight pink shirt, pointing right at you as you read this post. These are the very boobs that threatened to take my life almost four years ago. Well, the cancer inside the boob—just the left one, to [...] (Source: my Breast Cancer blog) my Breast Cancer blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1618105 Mon, 14 Jul 2008 01:15:41 +0100 1618105 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1603444&cid=t_101858_136_f&fid=36051&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FCancerCommentary%2F%7E3%2F330736360%2F The US FDA has recently approved a new genetic test for breast cancer: the SPOT-Light HER2 CISH kit. This novel genetic test - a product of Invitrogen Corporation - determining whether patients with breast cancer are good candidates for treatment with the drug Herceptin (trastuzumab). The SPOT-Light HER2 CISH kit is a test that measures the number of copies of the HER2 gene in tumor tissue. This gene regulates the growth of cancer cells. A healthy breast cell has two copies of the HER2 gene, which sends a signal to cells, telling them when to grow, divide and make repairs. Patients with breast cancer may have more copies of this HER2 gene, prompting them to overproduce HER2 protein so that more signals are sent to breast cells. As a result, the cells grow and divide much too quickly. Read ... Cancer Commentary blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1603444 Wed, 09 Jul 2008 12:26:31 +0100 1603444 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1596525&cid=t_101858_136_f&fid=35316&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnotjustaboutcancer.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F07%2Fhow-to-decide-if-drug-is-worth-cost.html I have a new post up at MyBreastCancerNetwork.Com.Living With Metastasis: Avastin - How Do We Decide If A Drug Is Worth the Cost?Here is an excerpt (the paragraph in italics is a quote from an article in the New York Times, to which this is a response):...If a drug like Avastin can prolong life by, let’s say four months, is it worth the cost? I know what my kids would say. Also, what exactly does it mean when it is said that patients in a clinical trial ‘lived four months longer’? I always return to Stephen J. Gould and “The Median is not the Message” when I need to be reminded that statistics do not always provide the clearest picture. “Gailanne Reeh remembers what life was like within a few months of those initial scans, when her cancer began causing terrible symptoms. Her... Not just about cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1596525 Tue, 08 Jul 2008 15:39:00 +0100 1596525 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1531418&cid=t_101858_136_f&fid=35316&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnotjustaboutcancer.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F06%2Fcancer-is-chronic-illness.html My father-in-law, himself a cancer survivor, sent me a terrific article from the New York Times:"Cancer as a Disease, Not a Death Sentence"That about sums it up, for me.I particularly enjoyed the following anecdote, so reflective of my own experience (the drugs are different, except for the Herceptin):''Dr. Esteva described a breast cancer patient first treated with a mastectomy and the antiestrogen tamoxifen in 1995. Five years later, cancer had spread to her lungs, prompting treatment with a newer anticancer drug, an aromatase inhibitor. When that no longer worked, her cancer was found to possess a molecular factor, HER-2, and she began treatment with Herceptin, a designer drug tailor made to attack HER-2-positive breast cancer. Herceptin therapy was able to stabilize her metastases for ... Not just about cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1531418 Fri, 20 Jun 2008 13:49:00 +0100 1531418 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1463888&cid=t_101858_136_f&fid=35316&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnotjustaboutcancer.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F05%2Fteaching-and-learning-about-persistence.html Part One (in which running is harder than walking)Yesterday, my oldest son and I went running.He is a couch potato and I want him to get fit and get moving.I used to be a runner but stopped shortly before my surgery in 2006 and have not run since.S. balked at this proposal at first but I stood firm. Then we saw Run Fatboy Run and he came around (he adores Simon Pegg. And the 'slacker turns long distance runner and gets the girl' theme really appealed to him. Whatever works, I figure).We did Week One of a beginner's run/walk programme. We ran for one minute and walked for two minutes for a total of twenty minutes (we also did ten minutes of walking to warm up and cool down on each end). Even though I walk almost every day (and sometimes quite briskly), I really felt it (I was also running i... Not just about cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1463888 Thu, 22 May 2008 17:52:00 +0100 1463888 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1458628&cid=t_101858_136_f&fid=35316&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnotjustaboutcancer.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F05%2Fthumpity-thump-or-rather-whoosh-whoosh.html Last week, my appointment with my oncologist was cancelled. Apparently, he was very sick with a high fever. Having a cancer patient's selfishness, my first thought was, "Oh! It's good that I won't be coming into contact with him then!" Then, my more empathic self remonstrated and I wished him well, poor man.The nurse who works with him was kind enough to confirm my CT results. The tech who did the scan (or rather her radiologist boyfriend) was right. My scan was clean and there is still no sign of cancer on the liver.However, the nurse also told me that my heart scan revealed that my ejection fraction (the measurement of my heart's ability to pump blood) was down to 48%. Fifty-five per cent is considered normal (before I started treatment, my EF was 56%), so this is not as bad as it sounds... Not just about cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1458628 Wed, 21 May 2008 16:04:00 +0100 1458628 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1446424&cid=t_101858_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F291382043%2F Some folks will be pulling all-nighters reading the abstracts released by the American Society of Clinical Oncology this evening. (Please look here). But if you simply want to glean a few highlights, here are the latest news summaries moving over our transom… Lilly Drug Slows Lung Cancer (The Wall Street Journal) Rash Most Common Side Effect In Vectibix Trials (Yahoo/Reuters) Avastin Improves Brain Cancer Survival (Yahoo/Reuters) Herceptin Enhances Tykerb For Breast Cancer (Yahoo/Reuters) Amgen Says Denosumab Combats Rare Bone Tumors (Yahoo/Reuters) (Source: Pharmalot) Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1446424 Fri, 16 May 2008 03:42:00 +0100 1446424 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1420509&cid=t_101858_136_f&fid=35316&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnotjustaboutcancer.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F05%2Fwhen-bizarre-begins-to-be-normal.html I have had two scans over the last few of days.On Friday, I had a CT scan and was taken aback (but pleasantly so) when the technician informed me that she had checked and that there was no change from my previous scan and that there is still no evidence of cancer on my liver.The events leading up to this conversation were a little outside the norm of what one should expect in a professional hospital setting, so I thought I would share them with you (actually, my spouse, when I told him, kept repeating, "You have to blog about this!).I left for the hospital at around noon on Friday, still a bit woozy from the chemo and light-headed from fasting all day. I dodged construction in order to check in and seat myself in an unfamiliar waiting room. A few minutes later, I was handed two half liter ... Not just about cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1420509 Mon, 05 May 2008 18:11:00 +0100 1420509 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1245259&cid=t_101858_131_f&fid=35743&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthegenesherpa.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F02%2Fflu-and-personalized-vaccines.html As I sit here shivering, febrile and with myalgias, I had a thought. "Hey wait a second....I got the flu shot this year". Yes, it is true. For the first time EVER in my adult life I had received the flu vaccine. It's funny, becuase if you think about it, Flu Vaccine IS personalized medicine/Genomic Healthcare.You may be saying, HUH? But it is the truth. The flu vaccine is a combination of two genes...well the protein products of those genes. Yes, much like humans there are several different types of the "flu" Influenza virus. They are classified according to these genes Hemagluttinin and Neuraminidase. Hemagglutinin also called H and then subtyped by number, is useful for the little influenza to stick to the cells it wishes to invade.Neuraminidase also called N and then subtyped by number ... Gene Sherpas: Personalized Medicine and You blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1245259 Wed, 20 Feb 2008 12:10:00 +0100 1245259 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1155945&cid=t_101858_136_f&fid=35316&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnotjustaboutcancer.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F01%2Fi-resolve-part-3-get-organized.html I had chemo and herceptin yesterday, along with a serious dose of Demerol to keep weird reactions at bay (apparently, I am "special". There are a handful of other women who get the herceptin over 90 minutes or an hour, instead of 30 minutes but I am the only one who gets a regular dose of a heavy duty narcotic to go along with it). I did do some pretty weird twitching, though, so I doubt we will be eliminating the Demerol any time soon.The third part of my S.M.A.R.T resolutions involves getting my life organized, a subject that tends to make me want to dive for the covers. We have more clutter in our house than anyone I know. Than anyone I have ever visited. There are piles everywhere and one room we can't even go into because there is so much junk. And all too often, we end up buying thin... Not just about cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1155945 Wed, 16 Jan 2008 18:09:00 +0100 1155945 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1142497&cid=t_101858_136_f&fid=35316&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnotjustaboutcancer.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F01%2Freports-of-my-imminent-death-are.html I have this book with a flowchart in it. It shows how cancer cells mutate and grow. It has lots of little arrows pointing to the possibilities.Cancerous cells can be treated and eradicated or turn into a cancerous tumour.A tumour can be zapped with chemo and disappear or it can metastasize.Once cancer is beaten, a person may be "recovered" or they may have a "recurrence."But there is only one arrow leading from "metastases" and it points towards "death."This flow chart really upset me when I saw it (it's in a freakin' cookbook).And it pissed me off.Then I went to the National Conference for Young Women Living with Breast Cancer. There were only a handful of us there with metastastic breast cancer (six or seven out of a few hundred, I'd say). But one was a conference organizer. And we all l... Not just about cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1142497 Thu, 10 Jan 2008 18:17:00 +0100 1142497 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1140990&cid=t_101858_136_f&fid=35316&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnotjustaboutcancer.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F01%2Fsorted.html No chemo this week.Vinorelbine and Herceptin next week.And then back to my regular schedule.We talked for a while about how the importance (and uncertainty) of finding the balance between keeping the cancer at bay (and staying in remission) and giving me the highest quality of life possible. And because we are, in many ways, covering new ground (and cancer treatment is so individual, as is cancer for that matter), there is a bit of guesswork involved in figuring out where that balance lies.I'll write more tomorrow, when the house is quiet and I'm less tired.I'll relax completely once I have next week's chemo booked but I am feeling relieved. And I am enjoying the surprise week off from treatment.And depending on the results of my next CT (set for February 13th), I can look forward to more ... Not just about cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1140990 Thu, 10 Jan 2008 03:02:00 +0100 1140990 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1131198&cid=t_101858_131_f&fid=35743&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthegenesherpa.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F01%2Fgarbage-in-gospel-out.html There is an old saying called "Garbage In, Garbage Out" This saying was coined by George Fuechsel an IBM hack. Other such terms like FUBAR, SNAFU, and even KIBO reflect some of the issues we have going on with personalized medicine and even medicine as a whole.This term is especially poignant today when the Wall Street Journal casts a shadow on the field of pathology and personalized medicine testing for breast cancers. The drug Herceptin is one of the Vanguards of what I called personalized molecular medicine therapy.You see, Herceptin therapy is targeted towards a certain type of breast cancer. In this type of breast cancer your cells have a protein located on them that can encourage cells to grow. When this protein is blocked, cells die. Therefore, Cancer is beaten back. The catch, if y... Gene Sherpas: Personalized Medicine and You blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1131198 Fri, 04 Jan 2008 21:27:00 +0100 1131198 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1025435&cid=t_101858_136_f&fid=35316&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnotjustaboutcancer.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F11%2Fcontemplating-return-to-two-dog-and.html Tonight, I am stoned from the Demerol that I am given to mitigate the side-effects of the Herceptin.Boy, typing is hard when I'm stoned.I am reading, A Three Dog Life, a memoir by Abigail Thomas.She starts her book with the following quote from Wikipedia; Australian Aborigines slept with their dogs for warmth on cold nights, the coldest being a 'three-dog night.' I am loving this book. I am seriously too stoned to be coherent as to why, so here is the blurb from Abigail's web site: When Abigail Thomas’s husband, Rich, was hit by a car, his brain shattered. Subject to rages, terrors, and hallucinations, he must live the rest of his life in an institution. He has no memory of what he did the hour, the day, the year before. This tragedy is the ground on which Abigail had to build a new life... Not just about cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1025435 Wed, 14 Nov 2007 02:14:00 +0100 1025435 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1009481&cid=t_101858_136_f&fid=35316&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnotjustaboutcancer.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F11%2Fi-am-spectacular.html The results are in:My liver functions are normal. The condition of my liver has improved. There is no evidence at all of metastasis (no sign that I have cancer at all, in fact).Why am I so surprised by this? I have had a dull ache (sometimes a sharper pain) in the area of my liver for the last couple of weeks. It's exactly where the stitch started last year, the stitch that led to the discovery that my cancer had spread. I have had moments of pure unadulterated terror, when I have thought of what it could mean.It turns out that the pain, which I had been hoping was in my head (but knew in my heart to be real) is due to scarring. You know how scar tissue is so tight and inflexible? The scars on my liver are causing it to retract, making it sensitive.My oncologist seemed even happier than he... Not just about cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1009481 Wed, 07 Nov 2007 00:00:00 +0100 1009481 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=954387&cid=t_101858_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F170606829%2F The drugmaker missed analyst estimates as demand for Tamiflu fell and growth of the Herceptin breast cancer drug slowed. Revenue climbed 5.7 percent to $9.4 billion, as sales of Herceptin increased only 18 percent, the slowest rate in at least five quarters, Bloomberg News notes. And Roche expects core earnings to grow faster than sales in 2007, while revenue from pharmaceuticals is forecast to grow more than 10 percent. Here’s the statement. Sales of Avastin, the first treatment to choke off blood to tumors, jumped 45 percent, above analyst expectations. The med is approved for colon and lung cancer in the US as well as breast cancer in Europe. It faces competition, though, from ImClone’s Erbitux, which is also approved as a colon cancer treatment, Bloomberg reminds us. Sales... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=954387 Tue, 16 Oct 2007 11:43:19 +0100 954387 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=911905&cid=t_101858_97_f&fid=35050&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmaGazette%2F%7E3%2F162457276%2Fbreast_cancer_drug_herceptin_eradicates_tumors.html Results of a study of Herceptin have shown that, when combined with chemotherapy, the drug has let to complete disappearance of tumor in the breast or lymph nodes in three times as many women as with chemotherapy alone. Prof. Dr. med. Wolfgang Eiermann, Medical Director of the Red Cross Women’s Hospital in Munich, Germany stated “Herceptin has been proven to extend lives across the spectrum of HER2-positive disease, so these latest findings will be welcome news for the unfortunate few with inflammatory breast cancer, which is an especially devastating form of the disease.” HER2-positive disease is found in up to 30% of women diagnosed with breast cancer and the tumors associated with HER2 are fast growing with a high likelihood of reoccurence. The posi... PharmaGazette blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=911905 Fri, 28 Sep 2007 15:10:16 +0100 911905 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=904632&cid=t_101858_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F161496557%2F Welcome back. We hope you are refreshed and attacking the middle of the week with vigor. A new day, of course, also means new developments in the world at large. And there are many to track… Amgen Touts Positive Phase 2 Data For Extended Aranesp (Yahoo/Reuters) Wyeth Seeks Prevnar Approval In Japan (Yahoo/Reuters) Herceptin Eradicates Aggressive Tumors: Study (Yahoo/Reuters) Elusys Wins $12M Government Contract For Anthrax Therapy (press release) Schering-Plough Sees Strong Demand For Bonds (Yahoo/Reuters) Share / E-mail (Source: Pharmalot) Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=904632 Wed, 26 Sep 2007 11:22:08 +0100 904632 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=830935&cid=t_101858_87_f&fid=34865&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecancerblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F30%2Ftoday-i-am-grateful%2F Filed under: Cancer Survivors, Today, I Am GratefulThe following post is one of a series of posts appearing Monday through Friday on The Cancer Blog. This feature -- Today, I am grateful -- allows me to share with readers my appreciation for all the treasures in my life, both big and small. In my post-cancer world, I find It healing for my soul to be mindful of the good in my life. It is my pleasure to share my gratitude with you. The night before my lumpectomy, way back in December 2005, I was consumed with fear, worry, and panic. Since I'd found it, the lump in my left breast had been sitting untouched for nearly two weeks. I imagined the mass spreading with each day and believed I could detect its growth each time I felt for it. A doctor told me if it was growing like I thought it was, ... The Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=830935 Thu, 30 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 830935 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=818943&cid=t_101858_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F147456750%2F Nearly six years after the breast-cancer treatment was first subsidized by the Australian government for late-stage sufferers, an analysis of all Australian women who have taken the Roche drug has found an urgent need to review guidelines. Despite a compelling body of evidence that Herceptin can increase the risk of cardiac failure, a University of New South Wales study has found that only 3 percent of those prescribed th med had their heart checked before and during treatment. “We were all extremely surprised with the results,” Robyn Ward, a University of NSW professor, tells The Age. “We just couldn’t believe that people weren’t monitoring the safety of what was still a very, very new drug.” The study, which reviewed 1,469 women who received the med b... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=818943 Thu, 23 Aug 2007 20:48:58 +0100 818943 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=811871&cid=t_101858_87_f&fid=34865&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecancerblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F21%2Flist-of-cancer-worries-yields-good-news%2F Filed under: Cancer SurvivorsYesterday, I saw my oncologist for one of my every-three-month follow-up visits. As always, I went armed with my list of questions -- which is really my list of worries -- and one by one, I rattled them off. On a little sticky note, I had written: Lymph node Digital mammogram Next MRI Heart Colonoscopy And this is what my doctor had to say about my concerns of the day: The occasionally-swollen lymph node on the right side of my neck is nothing to worry about. It wasn't even palpable today. When it is, it's normal. He promises. It's time for my next digital mammogram and ultrasound too. I will be contacted soon with my appointment. After consulting with another oncologist, it was determined I will continue receiving breast MRI scans. Not a... The Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=811871 Tue, 21 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 811871 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=800062&cid=t_101858_87_f&fid=34865&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecancerblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F15%2Fthought-for-the-day-fighting-the-system-for-the-right-to-live%2F Filed under: Thought for the DayFighting cancer is physically and mentally draining. Getting better should be the main focus of cancer patients, but often, it's not, because cancer can also be draining on your bank account. Even if you have health insurance, some drugs aren't covered, and they're not cheap. I started thinking about this when I read this article on breast cancer patients in New Zealand who have gone to court to all but beg the local drug-governing body, Pharmac, to cover their treatment, Herceptin, in their fight against their aggressive cancer. A 12-month course costs upwards of $70,000, and they just can't afford it. Really, beyond the ridiculously wealthy, who can comfortably afford $70,000 a year? Certainly not I. Apparently the women don't meet certain criteria that wo... The Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=800062 Wed, 15 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 800062 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=720030&cid=t_101858_87_f&fid=34865&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecancerblog.com%2F2007%2F07%2F08%2Fone-last-treatment-one-year-ago%2F Filed under: Breast Cancer, Cancer SurvivorsSomehow, it's been one whole year since my very last treatment for breast cancer. This time last year, a final dose of Herceptin whirled through my veins, capping off 52 weeks of therapy with this targeted drug and completing a total of 18 months of intensive cancer care. Where has the time gone?It's gone to a preschool job, writing jobs, a revamped exercise routine and an overhauled diet; to kindergarten pick-ups, reading and writing practice sessions, arts and crafts and play dates; to beach trips, family trips, a Canyon Ranch trip; to trick-or-treating, Christmas cheer, backyard Easter egg hunts; to birthday celebrations, anniversary celebrations, the arrival of my new baby niece; to growing out my hair, ditching an anti-depressant, and clean ... The Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=720030 Sun, 08 Jul 2007 04:00:00 +0100 720030 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=623480&cid=t_101858_87_f&fid=34865&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecancerblog.com%2F2007%2F05%2F18%2Fdiabetes-drug-may-be-fast-tracked-for-breast-cancer%2F Filed under: Breast Cancer, Drug, Research, Daily newsDrugs currently in trials for obesity and diabetes may soon be fast-tracked for use in the fight against breast cancer. Typically, it takes many years to research and develop new drugs. But these already-developed drugs, if successful, could reach the market much quicker.The drugs, believed to work by blocking the enzyme PTP1B, could help breast cancer patients because the enzyme is found in high levels in about 40 percent of these patients.Studies on mice show blocking production of the enzyme significantly slowed tumor development. In some cases, it stopped the spread of the cancer and it might even stop some tumors from forming.This is "very important and surprising," says one researcher who remarked that the excitement over this dis... The Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=623480 Fri, 18 May 2007 04:00:00 +0100 623480 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=612015&cid=t_101858_87_f&fid=34865&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecancerblog.com%2F2007%2F05%2F15%2Fwe-meet-again-more-about-jacki-donaldson%2F Filed under: Breast Cancer, Cancer Survivors, Jacki DonaldsonIt's been one year since I began writing for The Cancer Blog. According to statistics generated by this site, I've written 27,381 words and 793 posts. If you've been reading for this entire time, you surely know a lot about me. Not only do my posts reflect current news and issues, but they feature all sorts of personal stuff too. When considered together, my work here reflects just about every piece of my cancer journey, my inner most thoughts, my morals and values, my take on the world. But for those of you who haven't been reading for long, for those who have forgotten how I fit into the cancer puzzle, for those who want a recap, here's a rundown on me: Jacki Donaldson.I was born and raised in Ohio but have also lived in Nevada... The Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=612015 Tue, 15 May 2007 04:00:00 +0100 612015 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=590967&cid=t_101858_87_f&fid=34865&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecancerblog.com%2F2007%2F05%2F05%2Fnew-drug-combo-fights-certain-breast-cancers%2F Filed under: Breast Cancer, Drug, Research, Daily newsOn Tuesday, researchers announced that a three-drug cocktail may help women with HER2-positive breast cancer better than any other drug used on its own. About one quarter of women with breast cancer make up this HER2 category.Tests on mice revealed using the three drugs along with breast cancer drug tamoxifen helped wipe out tumors altogether. And the tumors did not come back. This is the first time mice were cured of a very aggressive human breast tumor. Incidentally, when a single drug was used, tumors returned within several weeks.The three wonder drugs used in this study -- all are monoclonal antibodies that precisely target certain aspects of tumors -- are the experimental drug pertuzumab; trastuzumab, also known as Herceptin; and ... The Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=590967 Sat, 05 May 2007 04:00:00 +0100 590967 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=589133&cid=t_101858_87_f&fid=34865&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecancerblog.com%2F2007%2F05%2F04%2Fbreast-cancer-drug-herceptin-approved-in-europe%2F Filed under: Breast Cancer, Drug, Clinical Trials, Research, Daily newsBreast cancer drug Herceptin has been approved in Europe for use with hormonal therapy for postmenopausal patients with HER2 and hormone receptor positive metastatic disease.Herceptin, made by Swiss drugmaker Roche Holding AG, is already approved in Europe for early and metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer. This new approval is based on data from an international late stage clinical trial showing the combination of Herceptin with hormonal therapy doubled the median progression-free survival time.Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments (Source: The Cancer Blog) The Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=589133 Fri, 04 May 2007 04:00:00 +0100 589133 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=589131&cid=t_101858_87_f&fid=34865&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecancerblog.com%2F2007%2F05%2F04%2Flocally-advanced-breast-cancer-chemo-before-surgery%2F Filed under: Breast Cancer, Drug, Chemotherapy, Clinical Trials, Research, SurgeryChemotherapy given before surgery to remove cancer is called neoadjuvant treatment. An oncologist might recommend this based of the size of the tumor -- it being very large. The idea is to shrink the tumor and then have surgery to remove the cancer. Having chemotherapy administered while the tumor is still there can show what drugs are working and what drugs have no effect on the tumor. Chemotherapy when started immediately, not after surgery with healing time needed, gives the patient systematic treatment right away. This could be beneficial and is why physicians might recommend this form of treatment. The truth is they don't know if it is better or not. Of course, every case of breast cancer is different. W... The Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=589131 Fri, 04 May 2007 04:00:00 +0100 589131 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=579292&cid=t_101858_87_f&fid=34865&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecancerblog.com%2F2007%2F04%2F30%2Fstudy-finds-receptor-responsible-for-herceptins-poor-anticancer%2F Filed under: Breast Cancer, Drug, Research, Daily news, Cancer SurvivorsTwenty to thirty percent of breast cancers over express a protein referred to as the human epidermal growth factor receptor, better known as HER2 over expression. Herceptin is an agent that is targeted against the HER2 receptor and helps to slow or stop the spread of cancer cells that over express this protein. Unfortunately, some women that do have the over expression of HER2 on their breast cancer cells do not respond to treatment with Herceptin. The Journal of the National Cancer Institute has published a report that says among breast cancer patients with HER2 over expressing cancer cells, those whose cells also express a receptor called p95HER2 have a poor anti-cancer response rate with Herceptin. The study include... The Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=579292 Mon, 30 Apr 2007 04:00:00 +0100 579292 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=498625&cid=t_101858_87_f&fid=34865&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecancerblog.com%2F2007%2F03%2F24%2Fthought-for-the-day-advocacy-knows-no-borders%2F Filed under: Breast Cancer, Services, Daily news, Cancer Survivors, Thought for the DayAdvocacy runs far and wide. Thank goodness for that.Think about this:A new breast cancer non-profit organization has been launched especially for South Africans affected by the disease.Founded by Samantha Galliet, the 31-year-old breast cancer survivor who made headlines with her "David and Goliath" battle to get life-saving Herceptin treatment, created PinkLink to give patients affected by breast cancer a voice.PinkLink, focusing on the need for self-examination and awareness to encourage prevention and early detection of this silent epidemic, is intended to be a one-stop-shop with valuable South African based information on doctors, treatments, financial considerations, and health issues.Read |&nb... The Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=498625 Sat, 24 Mar 2007 04:00:00 +0100 498625 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=478736&cid=t_101858_87_f&fid=34865&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecancerblog.com%2F2007%2F03%2F13%2Fbreast-cancer-drug-tykerb-wins-fda-approval%2F Filed under: Breast Cancer, Drug, Daily newsTykerb has been approved by the FDA for use in conjunction with the chemotherapy drug Xeloda. Tykerb is a cancer medication that more precisely targets tumors without killing lots of healthy cells in the process. Herceptin and Tykerb target a protein called HER-2/neu but work in different ways. Herceptin targets the outside of the HER2 protein and Tykerb works from the inside of the cell. This difference can give advanced breast cancer patients another drug to switch to if Herceptin stops working for them. Glaxo said that Tykerb will be available in two weeks. The results of a study showed that Tykerb worked so well that the international study was stopped early and all the participants were offered the drug. The FDA said it was too early to know... The Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=478736 Tue, 13 Mar 2007 04:00:00 +0100 478736