Forum Discussion
43% cardiac output. How come I feel so well?
I went for my 3 monthly heart scan last week, I continue on herceptin. I had to stop for 4 weeks as my cardiac output dropped to 44% . It was rechecked in a month and back to 58% ...but better method was used apparently, so herceptin restarted. So there I was last week...new technician who says oh a couple of ways to do this...chucks the stuff in my veins then says...oh this method can have a 5% inaccuracy. To say I was pissed off was an understatement. My comment was well that's not good...it could mean my treatment being stopped. So results back in 43% I am livid. Will have to wait now and see the decision of the oncologist.
When it was 44% I was symptomatic. Breathless when walking. Fluid retention...heart pounding. I was 18 kg heavier too, though. I have since lost that. I have recommenced swimming. ..the last 2 weeks doing 32 laps of a 25 m pool. I have got my step rate up daily and started Zumba again. 1 hour sessions...not doing the whole lot, needing to sit out 3 or 4 songs in the hour ...but it has been 38 degrees on those days.
So...could it really be only 43% and me feeling so absolutely well and fit again. Or is it just a flippin bad test.
What do you think ladies?
When it was 44% I was symptomatic. Breathless when walking. Fluid retention...heart pounding. I was 18 kg heavier too, though. I have since lost that. I have recommenced swimming. ..the last 2 weeks doing 32 laps of a 25 m pool. I have got my step rate up daily and started Zumba again. 1 hour sessions...not doing the whole lot, needing to sit out 3 or 4 songs in the hour ...but it has been 38 degrees on those days.
So...could it really be only 43% and me feeling so absolutely well and fit again. Or is it just a flippin bad test.
What do you think ladies?
40 Replies
- Kath, I realise this must feel disappointing for you as I know you were keen to get through the 12 month treatment but try and take comfort in the minimal difference between the 6 and 12 month courses and the fact that you have a number of other positives in your favour; including the work you are doing at the moment to improve your health and fitness. It sounds as though the risk of continuing treatment would have vastly outweighed the benefits for you. Wishing you all the best and hopefully you'll manage a celebration to mark the end of your treatment and the start of your new life beyond breast cancer xx
- Kath - I understand your emotions! There are years of experience behind the comments offered to you today. Perhaps if they had said at the start of treatment that Herceptin is 6 months and maybe 12 months with review at 6 months you would be a little more accepting.
Hey how lucky are you, your treatment for BC is over!
Hope your heavy heart lightens as the day goes on and you get a good nights sleep!
Take care xx - That's the way. You have done everything you can and you know that even chemo tends to go over the known therapeutic amount of treatment - just in case! Now you just have to believe. Easy to say I know, but you have coped with so much, it must be possible to pull out one more stop and celebrate the end of treatment. Very best wishes.
- Saw the oncologist today and their decision is that Herceptin in stopped. They feel the risks are too high to continue. They told me about new studies of 6 montly herceptin showing minimal % difference to the 12 months. They had consulted with the head of breast oncology.
So my treatment for bc is over.
I'm trying to focus on tbe positive things that have been said to me.
-Your surgery was curative.
-Lymph nodes clear.
-You completed all your chemo
-6 months Herceptin shows minimal difference to 12 months
-There are other options if recurrence.
I have a heavy heart but I will overcome the fear and look forward believing I am cancer free.
Kath x - I've done 11/17 Herceptin. So really only just over the halfway point. I'll update as I know more.
- Kath, sounds great, and that you have it in hand!! How long do you have left on Herceptin?? Keep us updated how it goes. Hugs Melinda
- Fantastic!!! So good that your breast care nurse is stepping in to assist. Totally agree with going for the retest with the same technique - which is what they should be doing each time. I would have thought consistency was imperative. You must feel at times that your treatment plan is like the game chinese whispers as it gets passed from one to another to another!!! I'm sure a lot of us in suburbia don't realise how lucky we are to have a lot of our services on our doorstep and have a choice of hospitals, doctors etc. Hopefully you won't have to wait the two weeks. Xx
- Thanks everyone I have also enlisted the help of my breast care nurse and have also asked the question if they had adjusted the dose with my weight loss. I know they did just prior Xmas but since recommencing and that date I dropped 15 kg. Which might have also meant too higher dose. And I want a retest with the same darn technique.
I am a nurse so lingo is not an issue and enlisted the bc nurse so its not me questioning their practice but a colleague.
I'm not blaming anyone, just looking for solutions so treatment can continue. The bc nurse is goimg to phone the oncologist herself. This oncologist is not a breast cancer specialist so he needs to discuss with the one who planned my treatment initially. I'm remote so it poses issues at times like this. - Kath, you still have the opportunity to argue your case with your oncologist - utilise the break to gather your argument and hone it to a precision presentation and that hi-lights all of the important aspects of your receiving this treatment, use his own words and percentages to make your case, if necessary role play it to your hubby to try and present it clinically. The word probably in "probably not to restart" is an opportunity - run with it!!! Big hugs. Xx
- Yeah ...well going to argue that one. Mine went up too ...3 months on down again. Only 6...I don't care if 2 breaks.
