Hi, I've not posted on here before but am very concerned about my Mum and would really welcome your thoughts and advice. My Mum was diagnosed with breast cancer earlier this year and had a breast removed as well as all the lymph nodes under her one arm. She has just finished chemo and is due to start radiotherapy soon. She has then been prescribed Herceptin for 12 months. She has read some blogs on the internet, which have worried her and has now decided not to take the Herceptin! She's made this decision without speaking to her consultant! Don't know what to do for the best, I want her to discuss this with the professionals but she won't! We lost my Dad to cancer ten years ago and it seems crazy not to take the treatment that's on offer. Please help!
| Posts 1 - 6 (6 total) | |
|---|---|
|
iodine Joined: Oct 2002 Posts: 7128 |
Nov 9, 2007 12:48 am
iodine wrote:
Hello holbygirl, I am so sorry about your situation with your Mum. I don't really have a lot of advice to offer, mostly we don't judge people's decisions about their treatment here.. I certainly understand your concern about her decision and not discussing it with her doctors. It would concern me, too. There is a special board a few scrolls above this one " HER2 + positive" with a lot of gals on herceptin. Perhaps if you post there they can be of more help to you. The internet is both a good and bad place to get info. Lots of places on the net give crap info, I found a bunch of them when I was diagnosed and was so happy to find this one which gives up to date information. Please let us know how it goes. Dotti---BE NOT AFRAID, Pope John Paul
|
|
roseg Joined: Sep 2004 Posts: 7435 |
Nov 9, 2007 05:38 am
roseg wrote:
Gosh - herceptin is much, much easier to tolerate than chemo. What are her concerns? As far as drugs go it is a winner. Can you find out where on the Internet she's been looking? There are some real nuts out there. I think you are right to be concerned. I would start by investigating what her concerns are. I assume she is her+. Is it her heart? Herceptin can cause heart problems, but hardly anybody I've run into has had them, and they're rarely permanent -- as opposed to breast cancer which is! As Iodine says, this site has good honest information about this drug. Educate yourself so you can face off with your Mum. Rose
|
|
BethNY Joined: Nov 2004 Posts: 3772 |
Nov 12, 2007 10:48 pm, edited Mar 11, 2008 02:44 PM
by BethNY
BethNY wrote:
Make a deal with her. Tell her to try it and see how she feels. The side effects are minimal. The day of tx she may feel a tad bit flu like-nothing tylenol and some rest won't fix. The only issue with herceptin is monitoring her heart, which her docs will do. Herceptin is the best security blanket she will have for life.... tell her to come read the her2 positive section here. I only play to WIN. www.breastreconstruction.org
|
|
Rocktobermo… Joined: Sep 2005 Posts: 3142 |
Nov 13, 2007 12:13 am
Rocktobermom wrote:
I did Herceptin and although it was a tiresome schedule, it gives a much better outcome and it's doable. It's not as bad as chemo and you do find a routine. I am a single mom, my daughter is 6, I worked full time and it's over. She won't feel like she did before!!! Never knock on Death's door --- Ring the bell and run!
Dx 7/18/2005, IDC, 1cm, Stage I, Grade 3, 0/2 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2+ |
|
tapmrv Joined: Nov 2007 Posts: 8 |
Nov 15, 2007 02:02 am
tapmrv wrote:
I agree with the use of Herceptin. Did the 12 month routine and worked full time during the treatments. The only concern was reduction of the heart muscle. Tests would be done every 3 to 4 months on the heart. Any change is reversible. Treatment can be temporarily stopped. Doc stated that the 12 months reduces the remaining risk of recurrance by 70%. |
|
Yazmin Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 93 |
Feb 24, 2008 11:55 pm, edited Feb 24, 2008 11:57 PM
by Yazmin
Yazmin wrote:
Quote: .....What are her concerns? As far as drugs go it is a winner.... Oh, yes? from the horse's mouth: http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/news/news5.05.00.asp |
© 2008 Breastcancer.org. All rights reserved.