nitewind

Yes, the dosage was lowered. I think that's why I had an easy time of it. I went in every Friday and my infusion only took 30 minutes.

Good luck to you

hugs

susan

I had my herceptin weekly, I also had a port so it didn't really bother me. I started out on the once every three week plan and I began to feel very tired for a few days after my infusion. Doc suggested we try weekly and that solved my problem. It wasn't hard for me because I live just across the street from my cancer center, so I always walked there. Best of luck to you.

hugs

Susan

Snowy, just wondering why you dread the port so much? I couldn't have made it without mine. After a while, I forgot it was there. It sure made things easier for me, I finished my year of herceptin this past December and had the port removed in March. I got my infusions of herceptin every Friday and the port made it so much easier on me. I hope you will rethink the port, it seems that the idea of using your legs or feet would be very painful.

Good luck to you in whichever way you go.

Hugs

Susan

Hi Henny and congratulations on your clean scan, great news! About the nails, I've always had very strong nails, I used to have to have my dh clip the ones on my right hand because they were just to tough for me to do. I had the a\c, taxotere, rads and finished my year of herceptin this past December. My nails are a mess. Some will grow a little, but will break and split quite easily. I've even had some split in half so it's like I have two layers of nails,yuck! I've recently tried coating them with something called "hard as nails", to soon yet to see if it will make a difference. I'll let you know if it works for me. Again, congrats on the clean scan, that's the most important thing!

Hugs

Susan

I was diagnosed in May of '06, lumpectomy July '06, Er/pr- and Her2+++ had 4 A/C followed by three taxotere, 32 rads, and finished my one year of herceptin on Dec,7th '07.  So, I'm 17 monthes out from my surgery, feeling okay, just nervous. It's like someone took away my security blanket! Seeing my oncology nurses every week gave me a feeling of safety, now I won't see the onc till February. Hopefully, at that time he will order an echo for my heart and let me schedule a date to have my port removed.

Hugs

Susan

I remember the anxiety very well. when my surgeon told me the news, he said "The bad news is that you are Her2+ and the great news is that you're Her2+" needless to say, I was confused. But he was so excited about this drug called Herceptin. He said that it was working so well in blind trials that they felt it was unethical not to give it to the women who were just taking the placebo. This is a breakthrough drug and now it's being followed by Tykerb. They're doing so much research, maybe we are the lucky ones to be Her2+.

Take a couple of deep breaths and most importantly try not to research to much on Her2. Most of the info out there is pre herceptin.

I had chemo, a/c and taxotere, radiation and I just finished a year of herceptin last Friday. Please do visit the her2support forum, The ladies there have taught me so much in this last year and a half and they are the sweetest bunch you'll ever meet.

Keep a good outlook and never give up, you'll do just fine.

Hugs

Susan

Hi Rmrm, I'm in total agreement with MaryJo. I had my lumpectomy in July of '06. It was 2cm  no lymph node involvement but Her2+++. I struggled with the chemo decision for about a month before I came to the conclusion that I didn't want to take a chance and do nothing. I had the A/C chemo 4 doses, followed by Taxotere ( I had three of them) and started Herceptin. I will get my last infusion of Herceptin on Dec 7th, that will make one year of taking it.

The chemo was no picnic but it was very doable! I had heard so many horror stories and that's why I was so panicky. It wasn't near as bad as I thought it would be. As far as nausea, your doctor will give you meds for that and they do work. Yes, you will lose your hair, but trust me, it does grow back, (I've been wigless for about 5 monthes.)

Whatever decision you make is yours but please don't be scared away because of fear of the unknown. That's truly the worst part, not knowing what to expect.

Good luck with your decision and please keep us posted.

Hugs

Susan

Happy Thanksgiving to all! I am especially thankful for this thanksgiving. Last year when I started my chemo, I set a goal. I was going to prepare Thanksgiving dinner for my family in 2007 (No way I was able last thanksgiving). I'm so happy that I'm here and I'm working on that dinner! My sons and their families will be here and I can't put into words how wonderful that makes me feel. 18 monthes ago, I thought I was doomed and would never prepare another feast for my family, I thank God everyday! My best to all of you and hope you have wonderful holidays.

Love and Hugs

Susan

Just got back from seeing my primary doctor. I just love this guy, he is so thorough. He was putting me thru the paces, checking all my reflexes and the strength in my hands and arms. I did fine till I had to follow his little flashlite with my eyes. Seems that when I move my eyes back and forth, everything kind of goes off focus and I have to stop and close my eyes for a minute or two. He said he'd like to have an MRI done but knowing that I am very claustrophobic, we will start with a scan. I'm scheduled for this Friday at 8 am. If he sees anything unusual, we will go from there. This is what I had expected from my oncologist but no luck there. So, anyway, Friday is the scan, Monday I see the eye specialist and Monday afternoon I see the urologist for a scope (sounds like fun, huh?). Don't you just love doctors and tests?
Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers, I'll let you know how it goes.
Hugs

Susan

I hope  you can talk to your mom some more about the Herceptin. I feel that it is a Godsend especially now that early stages are qualified to get it. My surgeon was ecstatic telling me about this drug, he feels that it's a "magic bullet". I'll be finishing up my year of herceptin in about three weeks and I can honestly tell you that I had no side effects from it. Like the girls said, they monitor your heart and keep a close eye on it. But truthfully, I'm so blessed that I was able to get this incredible drug.

Good luck in talking with your mom. I hope for the best for her.

Hugs

Susan