TRIPLE POSITIVE GROUP
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Laolson it could be so many things other than cancer.
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Hi all, I've been too sick to post often. Still have very horrible nausea every day from one treatment to the next. Am eating very little and when I do I end up vomiting and get diarrhea also. Everything tastes bad. I know I'm dehydrated. But can't seem to drink enough. I have 3 different anti-nausea drugs, none really help enough so I can eat or drink. Loosing weight too fast.
I hate being sick ALL THE TIME!
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You can ask to go back for extra fluids. That will help you feel a little better. The bad taste is awful. So sorry.
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Debiann - I had to laugh when I read your post (previous to your last one)....I too thought that I would for sure GO from a heart attack some day. All my family members who are no longer with us have died from heart attacks and I've been seeing a cardiologist for years for irregular heartbeat, left bundle branch block and most recently high blood pressure....I was convinced that my future had a heart attack in it. When I was diagnosed with B/C, I told my doctor, "Well, at least now I have options." He and the nurse laughed but I think they thought I was nuts.
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The choice isn't always up to us, but the heart attack seems so much easier.
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the choice is not ours, I say that all the time. I had liver issues prior to BC, very high, mine turned out to be diet, which I got under control. If the arimadex can make it high again, what are your options for food? My taste is just coming back for normal almost. I was terrible at hydrating so I know that played a part in my whole side effects problem . I am getting better at it and hope the arimadex does not make things worse. Hang in there girls.
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Hi All, just a quick update. My Mom's Liver test came back negative, but the Oncologist would still like her to make an apt with a Gastro doctor to see why the liver enzymes are high. I think she is going to wait to see if the numbers come down during her next routine bloodwork. She stopped doubling up on the Arthritis medication. I truly think it is the Armidix, because whenever she approaches about 6 months of taking these medications, she starts to get more and more side effects. She will probably ask her Oncologist to take another break from the pill and then try and power thru for the next 2 years.
Thank you Lago once again for putting things in persepctive
.Take Care,
Laura
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Best news Laura!
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I'm going to throw a wrench into the mix. I was Triple Positive and did not have chemo. My tumor was point 8 cm, so the size is what made the difference. That said, they did need to take my case before a "tumor board" and get all kinds of opinions.
So it's not always for certain. I came very close to needing chemo. My onc's quote was "We don't want to poison you for no reason."
nice.
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I had the taxol and herceptin cocktail. my tumor was .7cm or 7mm no nodes, grade 2 and I had two different opinions from UCSF where I was, and Cedar Sinai in LA where I had been treated 25 years ago. The LA guys said I didn't need chemo, the UCSF guys said 12 wks of taxol/herceptin and then herceptin alone every three weeks for the rest of the year. It was very confusing as I fell into the "grey area" as they call it of tumors less than 1 cm but greater than .5 cm . The UCSF guys said they didn't want to do too much, but right after I was diagnosed the Dana Farber study came out that recommended T/H for even very small tumors so I went with that, even though the Cedars guys still said they didn't think I had to do anything but take a hormonal pill and I'd be just fine. Having gone through this once before with TN breast cancer in my 30's I went with the short course chemo, as I was pretty paranoid by that time. I cold capped, didn't lose my hair (on my head). I was pissed off about having to do the T/H at the time, since I'd already done chemo once 25 years ago but figured since I was already a two time loser/winner (I'm still here) I'd go with UCSF. I finished chemo in mid April. Had I not been through this once already I might have made a different decision.
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My tumor was small but HER2 was 3+ so chemo was not presented as choice for me it was if I wanted to "be cured" this is what I had to do 6 rounds of chemo with herceptin then tamoxifen. I have wondered about herceptin alone but have not seen any info on that.
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Greta,
An oncologist friend of mine in Japan told me they are doing or about to do some trials on that protocol over there. So far they seem to think H works better when paired with some form of chemo...for now.My HER2 was 3+ also
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Suladog thanks for info. It just makes me wonder why the chemo if the Herceptin is the one that has an impact on HER2.
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Greta some drugs work better in combinations with others. They have found some chemos work better in combination with other chemos too.
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My MO said studies have shown Herceptin is more effective with chemo than just on its own.
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molly,
yes, and that's also why some women I know with larger HER2+ tumors and no nodes are also being given the perjeta/H combo. The thing they're really looking at says my MO is the length of time women with , smaller than 1cm tumors need to take Herceptin. There is some thought that a full year is likely "overkill" as my Dr says but there have been very few studies done on that so far so 1 yr it is.
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thanks everyone for input. My MO said herceptin for one year too.
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I was diagnosed in may with IDC and just completed a lumpectomy. My nodes were clean and my margins were clear. Tumor was 2cm. The her2 was a 2. I am to have chemo and the doc picked taxotere, carboplatin, and herceptin for 6 rounds and then herceptin for the rest of the year. I looked online and do not see many people using this now adays. The most common now seems to be taxol and herceptin for 12 then herceptin the rest of the year. I am going to ask the next visit but was wondering if anyone had any insight. I live quite a ways away so thought it might be to cut down travel time but surely they would not make a decision like that based on that and not ask/tell me????? Just trying to read up on it as much as I can and there is not much recent on that combo, or I have not found it yet. Thanks in advance.
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gooseberry, I had Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin (TCH) 6 years ago. I think it is possibly more of a West Coast thing.
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gooseberry I had Taxotere, Caraboplatin x6 and 1 year of Herceptin. That was 5 years ago. I agree that many are doing taxol x12 and 1 year of Herceptin but some still are doing what we were prescribed. The NCI still has that as one of the chemo cocktails on the stages I and II breast cancer pdf on pages 44- 45 in the chemotherapy regimens section.
See phamphlets here: http://www.nccn.org/patients/guidelines/cancers.aspx#breast
you will have to scroll down
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Gooseberry, that is the regime I am doing, I am/was grade 3 stage stage 2a started on 5/20 had #3 of 6 on July 1st. I am in NE TN, so it's not a west coast thing. Taxol and docetaxol are both Taxanes with similar s/e profiles. I am able to work the fatigue has been tolerable. Push myself at times and learning to pace myself. I am doing the cold mitts an booties during the T infusion to prevent nail loss and neuropathy. Wasn't fond of my hair before so
notagreatloss, too hard to part withtoo traumatic. I went to have the wig washed/refurbed today where I bought it and tried on a few new ones had some fun again. I do suggest trying on in person. My hair was slow growing in the past so I think I may be sporting a wig for at least a year. This is probably more of a post for Hair, hair, hair.The tastebuds enjoyed a filet today. Have a relaxing weekend.
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I had TCH in FL, so east coast, in 2011. My understanding of the 12 weekly Taxol/Herceptin regimen is that it is used for stage 1, per this link:
http://www.breastcancer.org/research-news/herceptin-plus-taxol-reduces-recurrence
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I am a stage 1, clear nodes and margins. Seems to be more aggressive chemo than I need??? I don't know, guess I will have to ask. I always have big questions after i leave the appt. Thanks for the info...
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Gooseberry, I had a 2cm w/ clear nodes and margins (bmx) and I had the taxatore, carboplatin and year of herceptin. My MO would have liked to have added the perjeta too, and did the neo-adjunctive chemo, but I had already had the tumor removed by the time I was sent to him. I'm on 10 years of arimidex now.
Unfortunately its an aggressive treatment for an aggressive cancer. 2 cm is the borderline between stage 1 & 2, so its been growing for awhile and you want to kill any cells that got out of the breast. Good luck to you.
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Gooseberry I too have TCH for 6 rounds then Herceptin for a total of one year and tamoxifen for 5 years. I am from south Louisiana. My MO said standard procedure. I will probably start treatment next week. My tumor was less than one 1 cm margins clear and no node involvement. Caught very early as well.
Rosesrx where did you find the ice mitts and booties? I was told to bring bags of frozen peas and place on toes and fingers during the Taxotere infusion.
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Gooseberry your stage is one thing but there may be other reasons why they are going more aggressive. Might be age, family history, multi-focal. Ask your MD.
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I did taxotere, carboplatin, 6 times, with herceptin even though I was equivocal for her2, and did the perception for one year, 17 times i guess. The carboplatin is also a platinum drug, and you should ice you fingers and toes for that too, as platinum chemo also cause neuropathy.
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I need ideas please! Ok I am supposed to ice toe and finger nails during Taxotere infusion but unclear what/how to do this plus keep my hands available to eat ice chips. Also I was told infusion would take 1 1/2-2 hours. I have a small ice chest but really need to know how y'all handled this! Thanks !
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gretagirl, I just pulled one hand out of mitt to grab cup of ice. slide them in and out not using the velcro straps. Tried popcicles once and it was a disaster. If my sugar wasn't out of whack I would love to do a fruit slush. I haven't had any sores in my mouth, unfortunately it won't prevent the altered taste which may be due to the carboplatin.
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Thanks ladies, I better understand it now. The tumor size is probably the main reason. There is no cancer in my family anywhere and the BRCA was neg. but honestly from what I know about her2 positive, I would probable be a basket case if the chemo was not aggressive. So I will be getting a port and echo and all that these last few weeks and then beginning the chemo in aug. It should end very close to my bday baring any reactions or delays or anything. So that is going to be memorable, if I feel like even celebrating by then
lol thanks again this forum is invaluable to me 
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