Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin
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Just-sher
I am getting 6 rounds of TCH - go in every 3 weeks. I am not getting weekly Herceptin.
then when that is done, have surgery
then radiation - 6 weeks is what I was told
also continuing on just Herceptin every 3 weeks to complete one year.
Based on how big my mass was, the surgeon and oncologist both recommended Chemo first to get it to # 1 stop growing, and # 2 get it to shrink. That way lumpectomy could/would be an option. So far it is down at least 3 cm or more. At it's biggest was 4.6cm. My oncologist is the Director of the Breast Cancer program at Washington University School of Medicine. He told me that there was a good chance the cancer would be gone by the time I was done with Chemo. Based on what has happened so far, looks like he is right.
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stlcardsfan - hey there.....I am planning a trip for November and my oncologist encouraged me to go. Said they can work around H if needed.
Even thou my tumor was large as well, my breast surgeon doesnt think he can get clear margins without taking to much of my breast. He said I have no way around a mx. I am ok with that. I am meeing with PS this week to get opinions. I will be having 6 weeks of rads as well.
I hope all works out with your heart monitor. I go for my first Muga after starting treatment on Tuesday. I am interested to see what it shows.
Hugs to you all!
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just-sher: we had the same diagnosis! Thought extensive DCIS, turned out 2 small invasive tumors. I'm ER/PR+ and HER2+ which is why chemo. I get all 3 (TCH) once every 3 weeks for 6 cycles, then will stay on Herceptin for the full year. What fun!
I'm day 11 from my first round and actually feel almost normal today. No anti-nausea meds this morning and feel good. We'll see how #2 goes, and I hear the Carboplatin tends to be cumulative.
I have the dry mouth, icky taste thing. Had a glass of wine last night and it didn't taste good and gave me heartburn. Beer seems to be okay! Lots of small meals for me -- eating every 2 hours and that seems to be keeping me afloat.
Getting my head shaved today.
My DD age 15 will be going with me to hold my hand and take photos. Not looking forward to this.0 -
Anyone get TCH before having surgery and have a problem with insurance paying for it?
Seems Herceptin - from what I can tell online - is not FDA approved for HER2+++ before surgery. Just after surgery.I just found out that my last two chemo's have not been paid by my insurance, and starting to freak out. I got the letter yesterday that insurance needed more information about the treatment.
I figured the place that I am going - teaching hospital and all - would have checked with my insurance before starting me on this course. I am supposed to go in next week for # 4.
Funny thing is, # 1 got paid in less than 2 weeks. And they have paid for all the other stuff that gets done on treatment day, like blood draw, testing, doctor visit, etc, Just not the drugs.
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Ladies I caught up reading all the posts, Congrats to everyone deported or soon to be, I thought I was the only strange one who wanted my port It was a part of me for so long and was even though took awhile to get use to it was a blessing! My surgeon wasn't sure for HazMat reasons if it was ok ,but he made sure I got it! Wink Wink. Herceptin caused me the chills my amazing Nurse/Friend tested this by taking my temp before and after it dropped 4 to 5 degrees so she would warm it before I got it that made alot of difference. I had no premeds and it took like an hour for H only I also got a full bag of saline started before and finished after H. I was one to have good luck with chemo,except for my hair I had minimal side effects. I still worked my fulltime job was allowed to sit down when needed. My blood count never dropped. I consider myself so fortunate,DRINK LOTS OF WATER is still the best thing you can do for yourself, I could tell when I was not hydrated well I felt like crap. I still dont have nails growing good, I am going to try the white vinegar. My hair is growing well SIGH still not my bangs so still wearing bandana around my Big obnoxious forehead. Hopefully soon it can go. Alot people say I rock the bandana look !! I try to keep up on the posts, I miss all my girls that were with me. Bold, Lisa , everyone else!!!!!!!!! I am doing very well. I have a 9 month Rad checkup next week. I looked at my calender from last year on April 27th It will be 1 year from my last Chemo!!WOW I just can not believe how time goes!!! Love to all my old friends and new ones on here as well!!!! LIVE,LOVE, LAUGH0 -
Stcardsfan: TCH is a standard protocol and has been for several years. I had my TCH txs before surgery and continue on Herception until mid April. There has to be something wrong with the coding of the application. I had Medicare reject my Herceptin only txs twice, but it was all in the paper work not in the accepted treatments.
I sent my rejection notices to my onco's PA and she got it squared away.
You don't need the hassle so I hope you get it squared away.
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Swampy - thanks for the reply.
Everytime I think about this my I get stressed out. As my hubby says - RELAX! Go take a Ativan!
I will let the Dr, Cancer Center and insurance fight it out!
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Thanks everyone for the well wishes! I made it through surgery great. I am just sore and tired. The surgeon did a lot of lipo for me. My boobs and body look great! I am very happy. AND, I am now deported!!!!
The only pre-med I took before my Herceptin was 2 Tylenol. The nurse said that the Herceptin can cause flu-like aches and the tylenol helped with that. I had virtually no side effects with it.
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Congratulations, Christy!!!! Hope you have quick easy healing!
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From one Missourian to another - congrats Christy!
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Hi Everyone. i got caught up on everyone again - I think!
Frosty- Bad news, the bad tasting wine gets worse, but beer seemed to stay OK for me.
I am more than a little concerned. I went to my GP for some back pain, what felt like a broken rib, but I had done nothing that would have caused a break. I was guessing that tamoxifen and herceptin had given me brittle bones. GP sent me for routine x-rays and they came back with "an abnormality" on one of my ribs - right where the pain is. The GP has ordered a bone scan which I get next Tuesday.. Meanwhile, I had my routine followup with the boob surgeon yesterday and when I told him about the rib thing, he got very concerned. He said the bone scan is the correct course but that I also need to have a CT guided biopsy. Now I am really worried. The thought of this crap comming back at all, much less so soon, has me freaked out.
Thanks for letting me vent.
Lisa
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My thoughts are with you, Lisa. That is not fun. Just when you think you might be headed for okay, something else gets thrown at you.
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Lisa I hope there is nothing on the bone scan to biopsy. I hope you just really pulled something possible from barn work.
Christy~ Thrilled for you!!! Did you get the arnica from the center ?? Dr S is deporting me also and I am so excited for stage 2.
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Jamie...Yes, The Center sent it to me last week.
Lisa...I hope everything is ok with your ribs. I discovered when I had my CT scan last month that I have a benign tumor called hemangioma on my upper backbone. It really isn't anything to worry about, but my onc is going to keep an eye on it.
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Lisa1964 Love Thoughts and Prayers are with you Dear!!! Everything will come out ok I promise !!! 0
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Lisa1964 - We are all praying that it is notihing!
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Lisa, so sorry to hear about your rib pain. Hopefully it is nothing and you will be able to stop worrying. I hate all the worrying. It seems like it's always one thing after another. I, too, have been worried over a "suspicious" cyst they found on my ovary. Saw a gyn-onc and removal is the best course of action, as they don't biopsy ovarian cysts. I'm waiting for a surgery date. It's no fun.
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Lisa it might sound awful but I know allot of doctors through this journey have request tests etc they get a kick back so hopefully that is what yours is all about I truely hope its nothing and I think it will be your young and you wont have to go through this again since you just got done with so much of it too I am sure your safe its a good feeling I get even though I have never meet you. Good vibes are being sent to you from all of us
MAURA
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ccbaby: Congratulations on getting deported! Hope your feeling better soon after your surgery!
Lisa: Oh boy, I sure hope this turns out to be nothing for you! I can only imagine what might be going through your mind! Let's pray it is nothing major. It's nice that the doctors watch us so closely but I think our minds automatically go to what we have already lived through and of course, we don't want to think of having to go through this again. Hang in there!
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Lisa: I don't post much anymore but check the boards on a regular basis. I'm praying that the problem with your rib is minor. Try to enjoy yourself this weekend.0
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Lisa - the chances are this is NOTHING and I am believing that is what the outcome will be. I know they try to be so careful and that is a GOOD thing, but scary in the meantime. I have been having this persistent shoulder pain on one side for a month or two. Finally asked the oncologist about it - I didn't actually say what my fears were, just wanted him to look. He moved it around a bit and concluded it was some sort of rotator cuff pull or problem and wasn't concerned. But now that it still hurts, I keep wondering...just a little.....if I should have more of a test to be sure. So it is hard if they do test and hard if they don't. Either way, you will know everything shortly and can put this behind you and go back to living your good life!
Hang in there.
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Christy.... congratulations on your surgery and getting deported, and even lipo, wow, but you are so skinny I don't know what they would lipo!!! but you do look good. Hope you get better fast.
Lisa 1964... I hope your rib turns out to be fine. You have been through enough!
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i just finished my last tch tx....yeah! suffering the se now, but what the hell, keep telling myself only a few more hours and then its OVER!
Anyways, ive posted a few times but really have been following.
Question for you ladies....
I am pre-menepausal and went for a consult with rad onc. and he recomm rad, 25 rounds with 5 boost.
Im a bit distressed because I want to be done, but also want to do everything I can so this doesnt ever come back. I did have a BM, clear margins and I was a bit taken back when the rads onc said my chance for local recurr is 30% and doing rds would bring it down to 8%? Does that seem true to you ladies? Bit confused on those percentages? I have read that rads is beneficial to premenepausal women who test + for 1-3 nodes. I had 2 out of 22.
Just wanted some feedback and wondering if any women was put in this position and how did u decide.
Take care..
Rose
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nanadada: how big are your deposits in the nodes? The size and grade often determines the possibility of other nodes involvement. I see that you had about 1/2 (a little less) of nodes removed.
My oncologyst classified my case as borderline for radiation - more in the gray area - and my deposit in the node is 1.1 mm (a micrometastase). I had chemo but will meet the radiation oncologist on Mar 18 regarding the possible radio therapy. I already decided not to have it but we'll see what she has to say.
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Dear Jenna...
My nodes were not questionable. I asked my onc that question and he said the cancer was favorable. How nice right? I am in the REAL gray area, and what my rad onc said was that pre-menepausal women benefited highly witht he rads. I have to admit the % he gave me where a bbit confusing. He said chance of local recur is 33% and with rads is 8%? I had a BM with clear margins...All soo confusing. I am strongly considering the rads, 1 + oint he made was my tumor was on the R/B @ 11:00 hour which makes it a bit safer, if u can say that, on how the beam is aimed. He told me no direct hit to lungs and heart.
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Hi ladies,
I am getting ready for my 4th TCH treatment, and things are going very well. Aside from some fatigue, I have been able to continue my daily routine, even working full time and running 12-15 miles a week. I am going to have my bilateral mastectomy with immediate Gflap reconstruction at the end of May, and I am starting to get a little anxious about it. Prior to my cancer diagnosis, I was never sick, and with the exception of having my port installed, I have never had any sort of surgery. I've never even stayed a night in the hospital! I am 31, very active and fit, and my oncologist and plastic surgeon seem to think I will do very well, but I am worried about the down time and of course the pain. Can anyone give me any ideas of what to expect? Thanks so much in advance! Brandi
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Brandi: If you can do all that while having TCH you are a super hero!!!! I doubt having surgery will effect you at all.
Sue
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Brandi~ What type of gap flap are you having ?? I had hip flap at the end of January and I would be happy to tell you about my experience
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Hi ladies
I wonder if anyone can tell me about their experience with their hair regrowth after finishing herceptin.
It has been 10 months since finishing TCH (6 rounds, every 3 weeks, I finished this in late May 2009). I continued heceptin (every 3 weeks) and finished this 6 weeks ago (late January).
The worst issue for me is my hair. I feel so discouraged about it.
After all this time it is only about 1.5 inches on top and VERY thin (you can see my scalp shining through). My eyebrows fell out about a month after my last TCH treatment and have not returned. My eyelashes are still really short and again very thin.
I have read here that others have found that their hair came back very slowly and I would so appreciate hearing from anyone who could tell me what happened to their hair after stopping herceptin?
Diagnosis: DCIS, HER2+0 -
Oh thanks! I'm just trying to keep my routine the same! I made a decision as soon as I was diagnosed, that this cancer is not getting me - I've got a life to live, and I'm looking at this as a blessing, not a disease. I just got married in June (2009), and my husband and I have so much we want to do. Somehow, this is all part of God's plan - I just hope one day I'll figure out what part it is, but, if I don't that's ok too. Sometimes He does work in mysterious ways!
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