Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin
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LisaGH If you are out among humanity during chemo give yourself a A+. Your SE's seem "normal". Beginning to seek out foods that don't taste weird, etc. is par. You are doing great. It will go really fast and you'll be on the flip side. I kept concentrating on finishing 3 and then I felt like anything after was heading toward the finish line.
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Number 6 (and final) chemo will be March 11th. So far I would say number one before it all started was the worse just "not knowing"
I have cried very little since I got the diagnosis (maybe 3 times). I cried the morning of my chemo about 10 minutes before we left for treatment. I just knew what I had ahead of me and just the thought of starting this year long process was overwhelming to me and actually worse than what I am going through now. Yes, I am fatigued and my tongue is sore, I get a foggy brain ect.....but that morning, I just didn't know what was going on and I just wanted my life to be "normal"
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nora - The finish line is in sight!!!0
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Thanks to you all. I still am waiting for my hair to start shedding. Day 13 now, so should be close I think.
It feels good to finally feel physically good too! I love that. I am eating meals, hungry, and so thankful to feel decent.
Hope everyone had a good day- and thanks for sharing. I still miss my old 'normal' life. Herceptin is good but the whole HER2 positive stuff is just scary. Glad research is promising, but still relatively new.
Appreciate any and all words of wisdom all along the way.
Congrats Nora on getting to the last treatment! That's fabulous! Happy for you.
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The way I've been choosing to think abou the whole scary HER2+ thing is: years ago, women were diagnosed with BC and had no idea whether they were HER2+ or not.
I refuse to think of my HER2+++ status as a death sentence. Science knows more about BC now, so they can better treat it. We're fortunate that way.
I'm not saying this right - but I hope you guys get the point.
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thanks for sharing. I like your note!
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After my 1st TCH my onc. gave me a prescription for ,mouth sores. I didn't have anymore after I took that. I am wondering how many of your onc. are just for BC. Mine is a lady and she is around 40 and she has 300 BC patients.
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HER2+
I'm not sure how old this information is but on Dr. Susan Love's site the information below is posted.
(Note that other chemo regiments have been tested other than just Adriamycin. This is why this information may be a little dated):
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My tumor tested positive for HER2. Does that mean my chance of recurrence is much greater?
Not necessarily. While it's true that some early studies found that women with HER2-positive tumors had a higher rate of recurrence, other studies haven't found that to be the case. The reason for the discrepancy seems to be that HER2 alone doesn't mean much. We have to consider a lot of other factors as well.
First, HER2 is still an enigma. It is present in most ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), a precancerous breast disease, but is present in only about 25 percent of all invasive breast cancers. Since DCIS usually doesn't progress to invasive cancer, HER2 may be telling the cells to grow, but not necessarily to invade other tissues-a condition for malignancy. This may mean that HER2 needs other factors to become malignant.
Second, HER2 probably doesn't act alone. Like most cellular criminals, it does the most damage in collusion with other molecular bad guys. Some studies have found that HER2 may not cause much trouble unless other proteins such as epidermal growth factor receptor are also present.
Third, the likelihood of recurrence depends on the type of treatment. Overall, the studies suggest that HER2 signals a worse prognosis primarily in women who have node-positive disease. Studies also suggest that women whose tumors are HER2-positive may do better when chemotherapy includes doxorubicin (brand name Adriamycin). The significance of HER2 in women who have node-negative disease isn't as clear because fewer have HER2-positive tumors.
source link
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Thanks Lago. I have been trying to research her2+ and the ER/PR story and its difficult to find info. I am going with the "positive story"!!!
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Anniemomofthree these were a couple of links I had bookmarked as well:
Viagra may enhance herceptin delivery
Can you see the remake of this commercial with breast cancer women: Viva Viagrayou might find this interesting. link
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Lisa and Annie When I was first aware of HER2 I panicked because everything I read had the word "agressive". Lago is right....a lot of that info is outdated. In no way do I think HER2 is a death sentence. My oncologist is wonderful, but very honest. He regards Herceptin as a major breakthrough in BC treatment, "something an md sees once in a lifetime". Pejkug I too believe with the mindset now that "one treatment is not best for all" has changed the way BC is treated. Let the Herceptin roll! libraylil0
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Ladies:
I start my first round of TCH on 3/14. Not looking forward to it but it definitely seems manageable after reading all the posts. Since it is on a Monday (my onc is letting me travel for a few days before starting) I am taking that first week off to see how it goes. Anyone else out there starting around this time?
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I never thought of my Her2 status as a death sentence. I had a sense of relief when I found out my pathology. I knew that targeted therapy Herceptin was available.
Kriskat, just stay ahead of the SE and you will sail through your first treatment. I made the mistake of having my Nuelasta shot 3 days after my first TCH. That extended the not so good days. This time it will be the day after. I took the antinausea meds before any signs of nausea and I was fine. Just remember to drink lots of anything to flush out the drugs from your body. Good luck....
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When my doctor and I were waiting for the biopsy results, she said regarding Her2 status, that 'this is one time you WANT to see positive on your results.' As we were talking, the phone call came from the lab and it said her2+. She was very glad that I could receive Herceptin. I took my cues from her. If she thought it was a good thing, I took it that way as well.
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Hi - my onco told me there were two MAJOR breakthroughs in the treatment of breast cancer over the last 50 years. The first is called "chemotherapy" and the second, easily, is "herceptin." He said this is the game changer for BC. When I asked him why i should be "happy with my diagnosis" he said that I am HER2+ and and highly sensitive to ER/PR (in the 80/90 range).
I am still trying to understand what the ER/PR sensitivity really means from a data perspective. Anyone have data on this? I have heard, anecdotally, the more sensitive the better. However, given my age of 43, I think this could be opposite. Not sure.
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I am so hung up on the lymph node issue lately. I'd feel so much better about my situation if my nodes were all clear. Been trying so hard to stay positive about the future. My family, onc etc think I am not thinking about this stuff but in reality I do think about it a lot.
I had asked my onc about my chemo ending after the last treatment on the 11th and then I'm on the herceptin only. I said, "How do you really know I am clear and all is fine" She then said, "We really dont but we are basing this off the fact that we took out all of your cancer, the chemo is finding anything that may have gotten out of your nodes and the herceptin is going to take care of the rest" So, we just wait for it to return and call it stage IV if that happens and live our lives as best we can like it's not going to? This just sucks. Sorry I am being so negative! I think I need an attitude adjustment today!
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Nora - it is weird getting to that last treatment, isn't it. I am just processing that i am halfway done. I had the same discussion with my onc about "what next?" I am in the wait and see mode? I need a major kick in the butt to try to just live and forget about all this BC stuff. Not sure how successful I will be at forgetting....
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Annie,
Yea, I know what you mean. I do think you're right and a lot of it has to do with the fact that it's my last chemo treatment coming around the corner. Yes, I'm sooooooo happy about it but scared all at the same time.
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Isn't it funny how we all get worried right before our first chemo and then everyone seems to be a bit anxious right before their last chemo?
It's certainly one big rollercoaster ride....
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It is VERY NORMAL to have fear resurface at the end of treatment - or at the end of any stage of treatment. I was totally sure this would not happen to me - I was going to be 'different.' I had a huge floor to ceiling calendar where I checked off every treatment - i was totally focused on being DONE.
And then....as it got closer, I got really scared of being 'on my own' - in fact I almost tried to enroll in a clinical trial that wasn't even well-suited for me just because I wanted more drugs being poured into me. I would never have believed I would feel that way. But I did.
But then, as usually happens, time does its work, and by the time I was a month or two done with treatment, I got used to being finished and started feeling REALLY better, and just loved it.
I think the best advice I could give (in this and every other area of bc) is to be gentle with yourself. We go through all this different stuff, from the shock of diagnosis, and then various surgeries, treatments, recovery, decisions, etc etc etc. It is A LOT. So if you are scared of ending treatment, just accept it and be scared for a little while, and in time, it will fade.
So exciting to see so many of you finishing up.
And to those of you just getting started, I wish you an easy journey. Stick close to this thread - the ladies here will help get you through it!
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Amy,
I like that...accept it and just be scared for a little while...yeah, I like that a lot.
I took treatment #5 today, one more to go, and frankly I can't wait to be done. I'm more than ready to get on with my life. Right now the idea of being scared to end treatment hasn't hit me. I just want my life/energy back. I am going to fight for a PET scan, and then if it is clear (and knowing it doesn't pick up anything under 7mm) I am willing to call myself clean and move on.
I can get there without the PET, but it will likely take longer.
In the end though, BC isn't much more of a risk to my health than my driving if I can get a clean PET. lol At least that's how I feel about it.
Course I'm on steroids right now so not too much is buggin me;)
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good advice, Amy.
I still remember what my Mom told me when I first found out I had BC. I said, "Mom, this is Nick's senior year, I had so much planned to do this year and so many things I want to accomplish, I don't have time for this!" She looked at me and said, "When exactly is a good time to have cancer? Where on the calendar would you place it to be more convenient and easier for you?"
True words of 9 year BC survivor and a wonderful role model for me
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Well, ladies if it will help to set your minds at ease I was a "lab rat" in Boston for TCH in 2007. My docs have watched me like a hawk! Last March when I saw one of my docs for follow-up he said, "You're perfect!" ...With that I immediatedly turned to my husband who was there in the exam room and said, "Did you hear that? 'I'm PERFECT!'" We all had a good laugh.
I had 5 nodes involved. Three under my arm that were removed and 2 that were "suspicious" under my collar bone and were left behind.
My daughter's bout with cancer, than my own 23 months later, drew me deeper into my faith in God than anything I have ever been through. The simple truth is this: what does "worry" change? How much control do any of us have...about anything? We can make choices...but there is not much that we truly can control.
Blessings,
Kathy
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Nora_AZ if you told me you had 10 nodes invaded, yes I would understand your concern but 1 node is a lot different than even 3 nodes from what I am reading. Even still they removed the nodes so they took the cancer with them. I think that goes for those even with more nodes.
I just had dinner with a woman from BCO who was diagnosed in 1990. 6 years later she had mets. Now think about it… it's 2011! She still works. Actually she came in town on a bus from a neighboring state. She looked great and was a hell of a lot of fun! Oh and guess how many nodes she initially had invaded… none. It's not all about the nodes.
In her case I think her first once didn't treat her aggressive enough. (Should've had Tamox). You are being treated aggressively and with Herceptin. The odds are really in your favor. But one thing I realized when I went to dinner with her (and a few others) is even if you do get to stage IV it is not a death sentence. You can live a long time and have very productive years in that time. This women looked healthier than many people I know who don't have health issues!
What next? Seriously we never worried about this before. In life there is always a (good) chance of getting some kind of disease or health issue as we age. Why should we now worry about it every day. Just do the things to keep yourself healthy. I'm assuming it's gone and won't worry about it until I have a reason to worry.
I am so glad chemo is over!
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Lago,
You are so right! I am trying to get to that point too where my positive thoughts override the dark ones.
So how's the hair doing?
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Question for all you premenopausal women - when did your periods stop after you started chemo? Is going into the 3rd chemo and still having it normal?
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I was premenopausal. I never kept track of my periods because I have my tubes tied. I would say it was an immediate thing though. I did "try" to have one period. It amounted to about 2 hours. Then for about 8 weeks I would occasionally spot, nothing since then though.
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Hi motherofpatient - got period on day one of TCH #1, got it on day two of TCH #2. Thought I was dying on the second round. Now i am on day 9 of TCH #3 and nothing. Thinking it is done?!!
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Hair on head is growing. Maybe I'll take pictures tomorrow. I hsaved the stubble on my legs about a week ago. I might have a little stubble again but not worth shaving. All other hair seems to be MIA but I can't see the small stuff anymore without my glasses. Chemo did a job on the eyes too.
motherofpatient. I had my period 2 weeks before chemo. It's been MIA since. My onc is monitoring me (blood tests) to be sure I stay that way since I'm on anastrozole starting today.It's been 6 weeks since my last chemo. Still have some hot flashes at night.
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mother of patient - I was 51 and still having regular periods when I started chemo. I had 1 period between tx1 and tx2 and haven't had once since. That was Sept.0
