5 years still here

[Collswims]

It’s been 5 years since I was diagnosed stage IV her2+ breast cancer. I still get infusions every 21 days of herceptin and perjeta but they are keeping me here in this life. My scan earlier this month was clear and my echocardiogram was normal. Had my last medical appointment for 2018 last week, woohoo! But, as all cancer patients know those dr appointments will never end, so come January it all begins again. But....I am still here.

[Nicu697]

Wish only the best for you in the new year

[Ytabnm]

Congratulations! You keep fighting.

[Rhwright12]

Hi! I’m 2 1/2 years in with bone mets...also on Herceptin/Perjetta...my blood work just recently came back NED...I noticed u said your scans were clear...will u continue with the Perjetta even when NED? My ONC doesn’t want to commit to an answer...any thoughts? 😀

[Collswims in reply to Rhwright12]

My oncologist does not want to stop treatment. I have mixed emotions about all of this; roll the dice and stop treatment? Being a stage IV cancer patient is difficult and expensive and overwhelming and complicated. In some ways there is a small part of me that wishes I didn’t make it to five years. These past five years have been wrought with challenges from my stage IV cancer dx. The financial aspect and maintaining solid health insurance coverage is extremely psychologically stressful.

[Rhwright12]

I pray for your insurance situation to get better. My husband carries my insurance which right now is reliable. Hope that never changes! Right now I’m still in good health...going to Yoga and Body Punp class in an hour...

I’m Er* so I’m also on Zoladex Arimidex and Xgeva for bone mets...so getting off Perjetta and keeping Herceptin would just be getting off 1 of 5 meds...😂😂😂 I guess I didn’t explain that I’m well medicated!