About to start chemo - taxol and herceptin

Hi

Im about to start the exact same thing as yourself. The oncologist explained to me that its only in small tumours, with no node involvement and HER2 positive that this type of treatment is given. He said only 20% of BC diagnosis is HER2 positive and then when you add the Stage 1 type tumour the % is even lower, hence why there is not much around re information etc.

He assured me that the symptoms are "milder" with the common ones being feeling achy, runny nose and the one they worry about is tingling/numbness in fingers/legs. There is also not much risk to your red/white blood cells in this regime. He said to me its still "chemo" but the mildest kind i can give you for your situation and for maximum effectiveness.

The Herceptin will continue for another 9 months after the chemo is finished. In my case where im hormone positive too, i will then start on the tablets as well.

Im going cold cap for my treatment too, ive chosen private as thats where i can access the cold caps and also where my oncologist practices. My doctor also mentioned that he has had good success with cold caps with the taxol chemo.

Ive attached the study he referred me to that shows the effectiveness of this kind of treatment

http://www.breastcancer.org/research-news/herceptin-plus-taxol-reduces-recurrence

Best of luck with it, i start in early January, will keep you posted of any symptoms etc