HER2+ ER+ - huge side effects
Hi I was diagnosed with HER2 positive and estrogen positive breast cancer in October 24 Am having chemo / Herceptin - perjeta weekly until 20/1 then prob surgery end of February. As I’m older 73 am so worried about survival rates and if the treatment will work I’ve had no ultrasound or anything to see if the tumour has reduced and I have a satellite cell next yo my tumour - multi 3 breast cancer it’s been terrifying to say the least and still in shock and have had huge side effects - numbness - chemo rash and sores all over my body / hair loss despite having the gold hat and diarrhoea
Potential liver issue
Triple positive Radiation and chemo AC and paclitaxol completed by March 2024 Lumpectomy Feb Early stage On letrozole, zoladex and finishing of my 17th cycle end November of Herceptin. Also taking 5mg of cholesterol tabs. Gp rwq blood to monitor the cholesterol tabs and if they working. Liver issue picked up. Oncologist req abdomen scan. Been feeling ok but for the last two days terrible nausea after eating. Headaches (which I never get) fatigue (which has also been ok) Has anyone been through something similar, what was the outcome? Look forward to hearing from you x
brain fog post chemo treatment
Hi All Just a question about brain fog and how long people experience this after chemo treatment has stopped. I finished chemo about 5 weeks ago and am in my last week of radiation. I expected to have a clearer mind by now. Just wondering about other people's experience with brain fog post treatment. thxs fionaChemo almost done...next is surgery. Hair growth questions.
Hi all, it's been a little while, hope you all doing well and this year brings you all good health and happiness. I am almost done with my chemo (AC and 12 weeks paclitaxel, 4 perjeta and another one (not sure of name), 2 more infusions of paclitaxel. Did anyone find bits of fluffy hair starting to grow already? I don't want to get too excited but am starting to notice some growth. Anxious and excited about my appointment tomorrow with the surgeon to discuss surgery options and how the tumors have responded to the chemo. Any advice would be appreciated. Still awaiting genetic testing results. Now the fun part. We have a family wedding in October this year and some other events and I am very excited for my hair to start growing. Any tips or advice. Scalp treatment or oils etc vitamins. Should I have a shave after chemo so the hair grows evenly and also what kind of length can I expect in 6 months or so. How did you hair grow? Lastly. If anyone is based in Sydney and would want to meet for a chat, support, pray , let me know. Would love to meet some ladies, we can encourage each other. Can direct message me if you like. Thanks and look forward to hearing your progress xxx
Processing the journey
Moderator moved @Tania_G post from activity section to 'General Discussion' section: Hi everyone, Was diagnosed back in July 2023 stage 3 HER2+ breast cancer. Have done two rounds of chemo. Had surgery in December 2023 and am now getting ready for radiotherapy. I'm experiencing a lot of confusion and loss as I now begin to process this journey. Getting used to my new body and trying to work out who I am psychologically. Any advice?
DMX or Lumpectomy
I was diagnosed in September 2023 as Hormone negative HER2 +. My first thoughts were DMX & get rid of it, surgeon said "no I needed chemo first" which caused my first & only meltdown pretty much all day if I was on my own as I wasn't in control. I finished my chemo on Thursday just gone & have surgery booked for 22nd Feb. I went back & saw surgeon on Tuesday just gone to discuss options, she has now said "it's my choice what I want" as my daughter made a point of bringing up I had my head set on a DMX. I'm now conflicted as to what to do, I'm swinging every few hours between the two. I don't have access to a McGrath Nurse & have relied on the support from family & work colleagues so far. My chemo nurses have been great but now can't help as it's my decision & not their speciality. Oncologist has said only 1% chance of recurrance if clear margins from the lumpectomy but then more chemo if not clear, I don't want to do that again even though it wasn't as bad as I was expecting. I will be continuing with Herceptin until September this year. Sorry for the essay.
Treatment after mastectomy
Hi, I had a left mastectomy 3 weeks ago with lymph nodes removed. My cancer is ER/PR+ HER2- Pathology came back with no cancer in nodes and all margins clear. I’m waiting to see oncologist now for further treatment options, but just wondering if anyone has been through similar and not had any chemo or radiation?
Preparing for Taxol/Paclitaxel
I am starting my TH regime on the 22nd of August. 12 weeks of weekly Taxol/Paclitaxel. Looking for any tips or recommendations to make this part of my journey as least unpleasant as possible. Feeling very anxious about it especially the prospect of developing neuropathy. The cancer centre has cold caps and cold gloves… are they worth the discomfort? Any other things I need to get now in preparation? Also during treatment what has made life easier for you? Skincare, shampoo, foods etc etc?
Thank you for this online forum
Hi everyone. I was diagnosed late June/ early July and had my first chemo treatment on August 1st - docetaxol/ carboplatin/ herceptin/ perjeta- yes Im all the positives! I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who has posted in the past as I found searching for side effects in this online community very helpful. It’s all very overwhelming and knowing that others have had a sudden runny nose and a cough a week after treatment was extremely reassuring. So again - Thank you all!
TDM1 - what to expect
Hi, Am post neoadjjuvant therapy, mastectomy and ALND for 2 separate tumours, one HER2+ and the other HER2-, both estrogen and progesterone positive. 1 lymph node positive. I had near complete response to treatment (<1%) and a tiny mass still in the lymph node. Recommendation is to switch from Herceptin to TDM1. I see the oncologist on Monday for further information and to start this new drug. Any experience with side effects and what to expect would be appreciated. Although I know they do this for any residual disease, there was so little that you do start to question the need. So would appreciate both good and bad view just to get myself prepared. On another note, my breast surgeon discussed CTK4/6 with an AI. This was not even on my radar. I will find out more on Monday but very curious and like to have knowledge to make the best choices. Love to hear from anyone who has experience in these treatments. Best wishes to you all.