Your posting on my wall did not mention taking Zometa. I am reading a book named "The End of Illness" by David Agus M.D. It is not strictly a cancer book, but Dr. Agus is an oncologist so he mentions a lot of examples that are about cancer. He quotes a study published in the NEJM in Feb 2009 about Zometa. Let me quote: "Those who received the bone-builder experienced a reduction in their recurrence of the cancer by 36 percent. Here's the stunning part: this particular drug doesn't even touch the cancer. This case demonstrates that if you change the soil (breast cancer classically metastiasizes to bone), the seed (the breast cancer cell) doesn't grow as well. The drug changed these women's systems, thereby having a marked effect on their cancer."
Tami, you definitely need to be on Zometa or its equivalent Reclast. It will make it hard for the cancer to make any headway in your bones. I have been on it since my diagnosis and it is only recently it has begun to give me unpleasant side effects. I plan to talk to the doctor about the frequency of infusions, but I will continue taking it because I want to survive. I will learn to mitigate the side effects as much as I can because the Zometa is so important.
I know you won't agree with me, but I consider you lucky as the disease hasn't metastized to soft tissue. All the oncologists I consulted said the disease progresses faster in the soft tissue. At my diagnosis, the cancer was not only in my bones, but also my stomach and colon, and later it went into my liver. The doctors who would give me a timeframe said I had 3-4 years. I just passed 3 years in August. The chemo got rid of the cancer in my liver. My stomach and colon seem to be working okay, no cancer activity. My pet scan showed only a little activity in my bones. Thanks to a combo of hormone therapy, chemo, and Zometa and a doctor that stays on top of my case, I have hope that I'll outlive the odds.
Hang in there, Tami. Talk to your doctor about Zometa.
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October 2012
Thank you so much for responding to my question. I appreciate you candor and suggestions. I hope we can continue to converse.0February 2013
Your posting on my wall did not mention taking Zometa. I am reading a book named "The End of Illness" by David Agus M.D. It is not strictly a cancer book, but Dr. Agus is an oncologist so he mentions a lot of examples that are about cancer. He quotes a study published in the NEJM in Feb 2009 about Zometa. Let me quote: "Those who received the bone-builder experienced a reduction in their recurrence of the cancer by 36 percent. Here's the stunning part: this particular drug doesn't even touch the cancer. This case demonstrates that if you change the soil (breast cancer classically metastiasizes to bone), the seed (the breast cancer cell) doesn't grow as well. The drug changed these women's systems, thereby having a marked effect on their cancer."
