← Return to Deciding whether to go on abemaciclib (brand name Verzenio)

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@beeme

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.

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Replies to "Your question is very timely for me. I am one of the Mayo Connect people who..."

I think that as this med is now approved for non MBC profiles we are going to hear more about it and concerns also. Another big decision coming our way. Please let us know what you learn. Thank you. So appreciate this forum so we can learn from each other. 🌸