Enhertu as preventative for recurrence
Hello all. Hope this finds you well.
I was diagnosed with stage IIB HER2+ breast cancer in two masses and a lymph node left side, by FISH back in September, was put on TCHP, dropping the P after the first 2 treatments after severe, crippling GI side effects that landed me in the ER. I finished treatment the first week of January. While I only showed tumors in my left breast and metastasis to the lymph node there, I opted for a double mastectomy and got the LYMPHA procedure as well. My pathology came back with a 75% response rate, and precancerous cells in the right breast as well.
While I am considered cancer free by all measurable tests currently, my oncologist is starting me on T-Dxd next week. I can’t pair it with the pertuzemab, so it will only be the T-Dxd for me. I will be getting 14 cycles, with a cycle every three weeks.
I am curious about anyone else’s experience with this situation. And also what side effects/the levels of side effects people have experienced in this situation.
I just started getting my hair back and was thinking I would be starting physical therapy post LYMPHA and then start radiation, and moving back into normal life. Now I am looking at another full year of chemo. I’m a single mom of a 10 year old boy, and I am having to get significant amounts of help with him, and am going from my STD into LTD, which will run out before this phase of treatment is over. I can’t work my job, even part time, as it is far too physical to do while on treatment. I can’t afford to live where I live now on governmental disability income, and I am also worried about losing the incredible health benefits I currently have with my employer.
I am…..scared, sad, and finding it difficult to stay hopeful at the moment.
Any info I can get right now about what reality I am looking at with Enhertu would be helpful.
Thank you so much!
Comments
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@forgottenfraggle I’m sorry you’re dealing with all of this, but I’m glad you found your way here. There is a lot of helpful information and support on this site. Are you ER/PR‑negative and HER2‑positive? I don’t have personal experience with Enhertu, but I’m curious why your MO is choosing to move to a new line of treatment instead of continuing with Herceptin alone.
I also don’t have any experience with radiation as I was Stage IV de novo from the get go. I am HR- and HER2+. I had docetaxel with H&P and now I’m just on H&P.
I hear you. I feel you. It’s a scary place to be for sure. I also have kids, which makes it even harder. Just try to breathe and not think too far ahead. Easier said than done, I know. One day at a time. You can do this.
There is another Enhertu thread that you could try posting on. You might get more responses there. I wish you the best of luck with your remaining treatments!
Edit: I apologize. The link I recommended below is for Stage IV only. Hopefully others will see this post and respond here. You could also try other HER2+ threads…
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