Plan of attack
I've detailed the schedule which doesn't mean much to non BC readers other than to note the dates - FINISH dates! Wednesdays is my choice of chemo day but if there is something on I can move it to Tuesday or Thursday any week.
My treatment is tailored to the type of cancer I had (ER-, PR-, HER+) to help ensure any rogue cells gone undetected are eliminated and that it does not return!
All the drugs will be administered intravenously - not using a port. For the first phase of chemo (3 months) the drugs are Adriamycin + Cyclophosphamide (known as AC). With the first phase I will definitely lose my hair (day 14 starts and all gone by day 16) but other side effects are variable. For the first 24 hours I need to be a bit careful not to share glasses, etc with others - my body fluids have poison in them (just an extra precaution cos I don't want to 'harm' anyone else). I am likely to feel crook 6-12 hours after treatment and this may last 3 to 5 days. This can also vary with some feeling very few side affects. One can only hope to be in that category!!!
Then in the second week from treatment my immune system can bottom out so I need to be careful of germies (had my flu vac last Friday).
In the third week after treatment I should feel the best. Then whammo with chemo again.
With Phase 2 of chemo (3 months) the Taxol drug can also have side effects particularly as the doses progress - diarrhoea and tingling in hands/feet. [haha rereading.... the diarrhoea is NOT in the hands and feet] However, my hair can start to grow back gradually. This is a weekly IV drug for 12 weeks.
Treatment with Herceptin (trastuzumab) is called Targeted Therapy as opposed to Chemo, Hormone or Radio Therapy. HER2 positive means the cells have higher than normal levels of protein. Herceptin stops these from growing and dividing.
Before this phase I will have a heart scan again - first one next week and also had an ECG while in hospital for surgery. One side effect can be an impact on the effective functioning of the heart - just means if there are signs of this they stop treatment for a bit, the heart comes good and they starts treatment again.
The Herceptin I have every 3 weeks starting with the start of the second phase of Chemo and continues for 12 months - 18 doses.
I will also probably be having Radiotherapy for 5 or 6 weeks after phase 2 of chemo finishes which would start just before my birthday in September.
