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Deciding whether to go on abemaciclib (brand name Verzenio)
Breast Cancer | Last Active: Jan 28 5:33pm | Replies (69)Comment receiving replies
I'm going to Rocky Mountain Cancer Center. I do have a primary doctor as well as my oncologist. I'm just surprised that my oncologist suggested it but really didn't give reasons why? He did say that it was showing good results for people like me but didn't get into what "people like me" are. Plus when I started researching it; it didn't seem to be for "people like me." I need to know what it is about me that makes me a good candidate. I thought I didn't have the traits they mentioned. So I asked to table it for 6 weeks so I can research it more; so we could have a deeper conversation. I do have severe asthma and the trial was so small. I'm not near Mayo, but there are many hospitals. I'm just wondering how to get a second opinion as I want to do the best I can for myself and not make a bad decision. I feel like they're throwing so many things at me without telling me the why? Thank you for replying.
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Your question is very timely for me. I am one of the Mayo Connect people who reads the posts but has never commented. I am a Stage II breast cancer patient at Mayo Rochester. I was diagnosed at my yearly mammogram in November 2020. I had a lumpectomy and four lymph nodes, one positive, removed in January 2021. I had 25 radiation treatments and didn't need chemo based on my Oncotype score of 11. I started anastrozole in April, I've had very minimum side effects. I recently had my first mammogram since my diagnosis and all was good. I met with my oncologist after the mammogram and we talked about me starting Verzenio. I am a good candidate based on my KI-67 score of 24. We discussed all the pros and cons, the biggest con for me was the cost. I really didn't worry about the side effects because my out of pocket expense being so high per month I couldn't afford it and figured I wouldn't be taking it. I was referred to a Patient Coordinator at the Mayo Specialty Pharmacy who had me fill out an application to apply for Lilly Care. I heard from her yesterday and I was accepted for the program. Now I need to think about the side effects and like you they are daunting. I reached out to my oncologist right away and she has set me up for an appointment with a chemo nurse educator to answer all my questions. I'm still a little scared but I trust my oncologist and my entire team at Mayo so if they feel the drug is a good fit for me then I will try it.