Chemo and Herceptin

Hi Jude

I too had HER 2+ grade 3 tumours and had 6 TCH chemo, 33 radiotherapy and 12 months of herceptin. I finished active treatment in June this year. Everyone reacts differently to treatment and you may even find that you react differently to each individual treatment. I was dreadfully ill after my 1st chemo treatment and ended up hospitalised for 5 days. If you are really sick, don't do as I did and leave it thinking that this is the way it is meant to be. Don't go on for more than 24 hours. I spent 4 days on the toilet with a bucket in my lap thinking this was just the way it was meant to be.  Don't be afraid to call the hospital and ask for advice and tell the oncologist every single side effect as they will be able to do things to help. Have some lemonade icy poles in the freezer. They were my best friend and were the only things I could keep down. Herceptin made me woosy for a couple of days after each treatment. I would go downhill as I was having the treatment where as many others are fine for a few days and a lot of people have no problems at all with the herceptin. If you can manage it, get someone to go with you. If nothing else, it won't be as boring.  And above all else, remember that you will get through this. Short term pain for long term gain. Good luck with it all. Karen xox