Newbie and a question re liver issues.
New here, so first post š I was diagnosed in November last year with HER2 + BC with lymph node involvement, and while not struggling so much with chemo so far, apart from last one in round 1 (but for other reasons), Iāve had a few ā curve ballsā thrown at me along the way.
I had the first 4 two weekly rounds with the āred devilā ( which I chose to call āangelā) but a large clot firmed near my portacath when it was placed (itās also in the right chamber of my heart) so now on blood thinners and unsure what will happen come surgery in June if it hasnāt dissolved by itself! It is an unusual thing to happen, so go me! Iāve never had clots before, am a fairly fit 64 yr old and have never even had problems with swollen feet on planes. Go figure š¤·š¼āāļø
Then, after my fourth go at round 1, I became incredibly tired, and basically slept for 4 days. I became so weak, that I passed out and ended up in a wheelchair for several days. My oncologist put me in hospital for hydration and blood transfusions where they discovered I had a major lung infection called PJP. I was in hospital for 2.5 weeks on IV antibiotics and was even oxygen dependent for about 4 days. A very sick girl! So I think the problem wasnāt as much the chemo, but the infection that was lurking for weeks - Iām guessing the chemo didnāt help, though.
I had the first 4 two weekly rounds with the āred devilā ( which I chose to call āangelā) but a large clot firmed near my portacath when it was placed (itās also in the right chamber of my heart) so now on blood thinners and unsure what will happen come surgery in June if it hasnāt dissolved by itself! It is an unusual thing to happen, so go me! Iāve never had clots before, am a fairly fit 64 yr old and have never even had problems with swollen feet on planes. Go figure š¤·š¼āāļø
Then, after my fourth go at round 1, I became incredibly tired, and basically slept for 4 days. I became so weak, that I passed out and ended up in a wheelchair for several days. My oncologist put me in hospital for hydration and blood transfusions where they discovered I had a major lung infection called PJP. I was in hospital for 2.5 weeks on IV antibiotics and was even oxygen dependent for about 4 days. A very sick girl! So I think the problem wasnāt as much the chemo, but the infection that was lurking for weeks - Iām guessing the chemo didnāt help, though.
The good news is that even though I missed four chemo sessions, my lump had reduced greatly from originally 37 mm to 27 mm (just after the fourth dose ) to now 18 mm. Depth and width also less, so Iām glad that nasty round did itās work! Lymph node also smaller than last time.
The question is, has anyone experienced any liver enzyme level problems? Iāve just done round 2 of my 12 week regime with wk 1 being a mixture of Perjeta, Herceptin (Trastuzumab) and a Taxol. Blood test from the first one showed levels twice as high as they should be. The oncologist came and said āall fine to go ahead, as this level is āgrade 1ā Grade 2 is apparently 5x and Grade3, 10x. If levels go up, they will reduce the meds.
My big concern is of course is that if this happened in wk 1, what on earth would it be like by wk 12? The first two drugs are only given every four weeks, but I believe I have them later as well after radiation therapy.
These are the drugs attacking the protein and making it less likely for return, so biggest worry is that I wonāt be able to have them at all.
Iām just wondering if anyone has had a similar experience?
Sorry such a long post, but Iām tired of these ācurve ballsā š
