Mrs Carol W

Hi Kath, I know exactly how you are feeling having been in that exact situation myself. I had been told that towards the end of my treatment I would start to feel very low and even though i didnt want to believe it, the person who told me was correct. I think we all go through our highs (wonderful to be alive days) and lows (how long will it last). To have friends lose their battle really does bring it close to home. I finished chemo & rado in 2008 and Herceptin in Jan 2009 and everyday is a new day.  I tolerated both the chemo and the herceptin without to much trouble - a small price to pay to stay alive. I have a saying on my desk 'Unless its life threatening, it doesnt matter' and that keeps me from sweating the small stuff. Kath, accept your low days and enjoy your high days. Pretty soon, you will have more highs than lows and hey, isn't life  just wonderful. !!!!

Stay positive kathm ... I finish my Arimidex in a month or so and after 5 years I simply can't wait. Last week my heart surgeon told me my heart was back to normal at last after my 'Herceptin' fiasco ... it's only taken 4 years! LOL

Some days are better than others ... I too have lost dear friends to Cancer and when that happens you question your own mortality wondering what's around the corner for you ... but I try to shake off the worries and stay focussed on all the good things in my life rather than the irritations.

The network of caring professionals that are around us all is amazing and the knowledge that there are others out there trudging along on the very same journey as myself inspires me and I am truly in awe of the strength of women and how well they deal with everything.

God bless you all.

Rennay

i katsam,

thanks for the reply. i now know what my problem is. i have just lost a friend to cancer. she started off with breast cancer and then it became metistatic in the bones then liver. she was there for me when i first was diagnosed and i think i am not only greeving but a little scared as well. it always seems make you analyze everything again when this happens. normally when i hear about things like this i tend to  become positive again fairly quickly but this time i think it is a little too close to home and it is taking a little longer than usual , however i know i will get back on track.

thanks for your reply kathm   

hi kathm,

i also have also been positive all the way trough my treatment, but i also have down  days every know & then. it has been nearly 16 months since i finished trarment. i look at it this way there are more  good days than bad, so can your chin up.

cheers katsam

hi all, i finished herceptin in sept 2009. i had no problems with my heart i suppose i was lucky. i am still having trouble with aching joints though. i still sometimes get cramps & runny nose.

cheers katsam

hi all, i finished herceptin in sept 2009. i had no problems with my heart i suppose i was lucky. i am still having trouble with aching joints though. i still sometimes get cramps & runny nose.

cheers katsam

Hi all, in 2009 I was invited to participate in a clinical trial (ALTTO Trial)which is investigating the effectiveness of lapatinib (tykerb) versus herceptin for HER-2 cancer. Is anyone else on the trial?  I was randomised to the lapatinib only arm of the trial (arms were- hercpetin only, lapatinib only, or herceptin for 6 months and lapatinib for 6 months). I finished taking lapatinib in April 2010. Lapatinib is an oral drug that has been proven to be as effective as herceptin for HER2 cancer, but apparently with much less side effects, especially as far as the heart goes (ie: it is supposed to be much kinder to the heart which is one of the main reasons why it is being pursued as an alternative to herceptin) . I took lapatinib for one year and so far all my heart functioning tests are excellent! I was so pleased to be able to just take tablets at home without having to go to the hospital for herceptin. Just wondering if anyone else is on the trial....I am yet to find anyone else who is!

Cheers, Celeste

Hi all, in 2009 I was invited to participate in a clinical trial (ALTTO Trial)which is investigating the effectiveness of lapatinib (tykerb) versus herceptin for HER-2 cancer. Is anyone else on the trial?  I was randomised to the lapatinib only arm of the trial (arms were- hercpetin only, lapatinib only, or herceptin for 6 months and lapatinib for 6 months). I finished taking lapatinib in April 2010. Lapatinib is an oral drug that has been proven to be as effective as herceptin for HER2 cancer, but apparently with much less side effects, especially as far as the heart goes (ie: it is supposed to be much kinder to the heart which is one of the main reasons why it is being pursued as an alternative to herceptin) . I took lapatinib for one year and so far all my heart functioning tests are excellent! I was so pleased to be able to just take tablets at home without having to go to the hospital for herceptin. Just wondering if anyone else is on the trial....I am yet to find anyone else who is!

Cheers, Celeste

A Chinese nurse advised me to drink two glasses of hot water just  before my chemo treatment. The chemo nurses also soaked my arm in hot water before they attempted to insert the cannula ... all this of course was towards the end of my treatment and it did seem to help. Too late for you but if someone else is having difficulty it might help!

Hi Rennay,

I feel for you - my only heart issue was that the hypertension that I had prior to surgery got worse leading to higher doses of Catapres and the Arimidex side effects listed elsewhere.

Like you I had quarterly heart ultrasounds but did not have problems so could complete the full year of Herceptin. I have heard of others not being able to complete the program.

My attidtude is what will be will be the doctors have so many treatment options available and what they advise depends on so many factors.

We are so lucky this and many other treatments are available on the PBS now thanks in part to lobbying by BCNA 

I try to remain positive and took pleasure in helping to organise my stepsons wedding a year ago; We have my older sons engagement party in a week and look forward to more family weddings and will damn well see some grandchildren arrive on this earth and hopefully grow to maturity as Mum did.

Hope this helps,

Carol