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Trooper49's avatar
Trooper49
Member
9 years ago

Her2 positive.

Hello! I was diagnosed 5 months ago now with Her2 positive in 15 lymph nodes (22 removed). Although no lump showed up in  my breast I had a right mastectomy and the axillary node clearance.  Tomorrow I am due to have my 6th and final EC dose (3 weekly intervals) before starting on Taxol weekly with Herceptin being added on the second dose. 
Have handled the treatment quite well for my age (67) which is why my Oncologist recommended 6 treatments instead of 4. Apart from the week of what I call my 'battery gone flat' all has been ok as long as I prepare around this week and rest when I have to. 
Has anyone out there had similar to me and would love to hear how it all went.  My treatment will be ongoing for some time with radiation then Herceptin as the final treatment. Many thanks.
her2
  • Lmc1310's avatar
    Lmc1310
    Member
    9 years ago
    hello Trooper49 - I was also diagnosed with ER+ Her2 + but had a 2cm tumour and just the one lympth node and one intramamory (sp?) node positive. I am on 4 x AC every 3 weeks then 12 taxol weekly and herceptin then 5.5 weeks radio. I was dx in mid November so a bit behind you. What is EC? I have only had 2 x AC first one no problems but became more tired coming up to the second dose. Blood results were borderline but went ahead with dose 2 and great day 1 but since i just need to sleep. I was walking 5ks before dose 2 and at 65 felt the fittest and trimmest i had felt in years. Now I can't manage much at all. So you are doing really well Trooper which is great and very best wishes. It was so good to see a new post on Her2 thread, thank you.


  • Amazonia's avatar
    Amazonia
    Member
    9 years ago
    Welcome Trooper49,
    I had Dx August, (L) mastectomy and sentinel node September with 2 nodes out and clear.
    I too have done the AC, x 4 which I suffered with...nausea, chronic fatigue, taste problems and a heightened sense of smell that did not help with nausea worse.
    Now on Hercepin and Taxol, just done week 7 and happy to say It's easier than AC.
    Still have annoying reflux and some nose bleeding with blowing, mild joint pain but thankfully no neuropathy or nail problems. I'm not sure if it helps but have advice from a friend in the UK with similar treatment who insists that I paint my nails with black varnish.
    Apparently it is to protect from sunlight and oxygen which can deteriorate compromised nails.
    It's a small task so have done and so far so good.
    My hair has started growing back ever so slightly and hoping the side effects stay as is for last 5 and then I'm onto prophylactic (R) mastectomy and implants reco.
    As side effects tend to be cumulative on Taxol towards middle of cycle, be vigilant and feedback early to your Oncologist as they map doses accordingly into the future in the hope of relieving the worst problems.
    Hope this helps.
    best of luck, 
    A.
  • primek's avatar
    primek
    Member
    9 years ago
    I am 12 months on and had ACT-H. ..currently still on Herceptin. Mine is also hormone positive. I'm 52 now. My nodes where clear so don't need radio. I had a mastectomy also.  Found it all hard. I had allergy to taxol so needed higher doses of steroids which resulted in fluid retention in my upper body. I also gained lots of weight as I hated veggies on chemo and craved carbs and fat as for me it was the only thing that tasted okay. I did get some neuropathy and blurry eyes, nose drip with blood and balance issues...but it's all gone now. The herceptin has caused a drop in my heart function but so far with short breaks it recovers quickly.

    Yes you need monitoring. Yes you get fed up. But it's doable and obce the chemo part is finished you'll start feeling a lot bettet.

    My niece was her2 + (at 30) and had no lump but 10 positive nodes. 14 years on...she is cancer free.  She was on the clinical trials for herceptin.

    Hope all goes well for you. Kath x
  • RNSW's avatar
    RNSW
    Member
    9 years ago
    Hi @Trooper49,
    You have done so well to get to where you are. I didn't have the herceptin but I had the 4 big 3 weekly doses before 12 weeks of taxol. I found the taxol easier but by the end of it I was glad it was over.
    All the best
    Rita xo
  • Afraser's avatar
    Afraser
    Member
    9 years ago

    Hi Trooper49

    Glad to hear you are going well. I was diagnosed at the same age 4 years ago, left breast mastectomy, axillary clearance (16 gone, only one positive, I did have a breast tumour though), Had 3 months of A/C three weekly, then weekly Taxol and Herceptin. As I had (or thought I had) virtually no side effects from A/C, I though Taxol would be no problem. As far as I know, I had no side effects with Herceptin. I got nothing awful, but a few things I could have preferred not to have. Mainly peripheral neuropathy - not everyone gets it, and most get it mildly if at all, but watch out for pins and needles feelings in fingers and toes and take it seriously (and get your oncologist to do so) if it starts. It's damage to nerve endings, usually temporary, but it can take a long time to revert to normal. Some treatments may help reduce damage. Many people get soft tissue problems (slightly blurry eyes occasionally, nose bleeding) - these all stopped after treatment as far as I was concerned. I also lost most of my taste buds for the duration. Excellent if you are trying to lose weight! Most people advise to eat spicier, stronger tasting food but that made no difference to me and the things I could taste were all mild - egg, banana, salad and avocado.  Some people also get a very dry mouth - mine was fine, but I did occasionally get a slight metallic taste. No nausea, no fatigue but didn't have those with A/C either. Best of all my hair started growing back while still on Taxol.

    Best wishes for the next 12 weeks, every one done and dusted is a good thing!!