Anticipation

Hi Jenny

I fist diagnosis was straight to secondary as well as HER2+, I have only one chemo left - first 3 were FEC, second 3 docetaxel, Herceptin/Perjeta.  I am not sure if Perjeta is used for advanced BC only but maybe you should ask, from what I understand it is only recently come onto the free list with medicare and works as an ally with Herceptin.

I much prefer the joint pain and tiredness that I get with the doc than the nausea, mouth dryness and associated side effects that came with FEC but everyone is different.  Do you have a port in?  I had it from the first dose and even though it can be a small annoyance at times it makes it so much easier on chemo day.

Hair started falling out as everyone predicted around day 18 but I have kept most of my eyebrow and eyelashes (thinned out), make sure you have a couple of comfortable head scarves/hats ready, I thought it would be cooler without hair but my scalp is still so sensitive to the elements whether hot or cold and having it covered actually makes things cooler!!  My hair is starting to grow again already.

You will get so much info and I think it really does depend on what type of chemo you are getting.  Good luck, I have got through it reasonably unscathed.

Kari