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?
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.
I think I am reading too much :(
Morning everyone. I am reasonably new to this cancer world and still in the overwhelmed stage. I had a right breast mastectomy on NYE and the pathology report showed nothing in lymph nodes, but small invasive cancer in breast tissue. I am oestrogen and HER2 positive. I had first of 12 weekly paclitaxel chemo treatments on Wednesday. I started Herceptin last week (every 3 weds for 12 months) and will start goserelin (zoladex) next week (every 4 weeks for 5 years). I have been reading so much from this site and others and have delved into various posts on this forum and what I'm reading is making me feel quite low. The side effects that you are all experiencing on the hormone suppressant drugs read like a horror movie. It makes me wonder if it is worth it before I've even begun. I am 46 and until BC hit I was playing competitive sport 3 times a week, walking 5km a day and teaching full time. With all my reading I now fear that in a few months I'll have the body and mind of an 80 yr old and I'm not coping with that. I know it is different for everyone, but I've not heard anyone say that that the side effects aren't bad or that they have been able to continue their lives as before. I'm already grieving for the life I used to have and I'm struggling. I am usually so positive. I'm definitely not doom and gloom, but today is not a good one for me. Not sure what I am expecting people to say, I just needed to get it out. Thanks for listening x
Finished IV treatment still tired etc, why
Hi all, Just wondering if anyone has any answers. I finished chemo last july, had surgery August, finished herceptin 3 weeks ago. Im on taxomflin tablets since August for 5 years? Still tired easily, slight dizziness/light headed, weak knees and can get shakey if too much activity. Fatigue kicks in regularly. Dont get me wrong im getting better all the time. So the question is does anyone know if this is recovery from treatment, still or the tablets. I thought i would be normal by now. Please dont tell me this is the new normal, i will scream Anyway id really appreciate some advice
Help! Oestrogen And progesterone negative but her2 positive
Hi, Just wanting to see what others have done in my situation. My breast cancer is oestrogen and progesterone negative but her2 positive. I have recently completed chemo, radiation and have herceptin until july. My oncologist seems confused on what to do now, he has mentioned hormone therapy, but has said he doesnt think it will do alot for me, he has also mentioned removing my ovaries which i wasnt too keen on because im not 30 yet and havnt had the chance to have kids. I live a fair distance from a major city so its not easy to get a second opinion. Would love to hear what treatment options you got, thanks alot!
Anyone having Perjeta for early breast cancer ?
I was dianosed with stage 3 , HER2 positive, HR-, breast cancer on April 2018. Had Chemo (A/C, Taxol + Herceptin for 1 year), double mastecomy, radiotherapy and finally DIEP surgery. All is OK, but I seem lots of women here who also had Perjeta (Pertuzumab) together with Herceptin. I know Perjeta is commonly used for HER2 metastatic breast cancer, but it seems it is also used with early breast cancer in some cases. Do you when when that is the case?
To keep my port, or not keep my port.... that is the question
Hi all. Twelve months ago I was diagnosed with grade 3, HER2+ BC with a high proliferation rate of 71%. Now I only have 3 lots of Herceptin to go and then I will finally end 12 months of treatment. My oncologist has asked me to consider keeping my portacath in for another 12 months. Keeping it means I will have to go back to the chemo unit every 6 to 8 weeks to have it flushed. I was told the reason they suggest keeping it for another year is that I have the greatest chance of recurrence in the next 12 months. If my BC doesn't come back in the next 12 months then my chances of a recurrence significantly drop. I have had so many problems with my port, including having to have a second surgery because it had flipped. It has finally come good in the last 2 treatments. Just wondering what other ladies with HER2+ BC and ports have been told regarding keeping their port in. It would be great to hear what you decided to do about your port and whether you had a recurrence within 12 months of finishing Herceptin.
Herceptin restarted and 1st week back to work
Started back at work this week at 4 hours a day. Felt quite good but did find focusing a little challenging 1st couple of days. So many new processes to learn my head was spinning. I was able to remain somewhat active after work which was the plan with a 4 hour day. My oncology appt went well and my heart has recovered from the AC and Herceptin from 44% back to 56%. So Wednesday they call me and herceptin was restarted with a loading dose...13 days past my previous dose due. What I was surprised at was how tired and achy it made me. I had only had 2 since chemo stopped...one the following week and the next one I was still suffering chemo side effects. So imagine my surprise to feel super sleepy with aching knees the next day and requiring nanna naps next 3 days. Fortunately it seems to have passed. The downsude of the oncology appt is that I have osteopenia. Darn it. So once a wee bit fitter will be recomnencing some weights. My brain is switched back on though. I just feel so much more alert and itch to do things. ..which had completely dissappeared on chemo. Yesterday I scrubbed my filthy oven...which nobody thought to do in the 10 months since my diagnosis, surgery and chemo. I was exhausted at the end of the day but also ecstatic that 1. Felt like doing it. 2 Did do it. 3. Was able to get off the floor...which I couldn't do 2 weeks ago as my legs were so weak. So lots of private high fives there for me...but very tired and very sore today. So good to feel a little like the old me again. The genetics people contacted me too through the week after I called again. My initial results were back....but they had obtained an original DNA sample from Scotland to retest against...as they are convinced with my family history that I am BRAC1 mutation +. But......my 1st results show I am not...so woohoo.....I am confident it won't change but should know for sure soon. Such a relief that only have to deal with this breast cancer crap and not fear something else and needing more surgery. So taking it easy today but might do some walking in the hydro pool. Kath x
working and Herceptin Treatment Schedule
Hi to you all, I've been back to work for nearly 2 months and from next week I will be returning to my original roster of 1 week on, 1 week off. With herceptin scheduled every 3 weeks this poses a problem as I work away in remote central Qld. I am wondering if there are others that for whatever reasons have herceptin treatment other than 3 weekly. I see the oncologist next week but would like to have something up my sleeve in case they don't want to do it cause it doesn't suit then. I already know from the nurses there isn't anyone else doing this while working away in the Townsville clinic. It's becoming more obvious that this job isn't going to suit my cancer but I'm not ready to guve up just yet. Thanks, Kari
Chemo and Herceptin
Dear All I am a blog virgin who has just had surgery to remove a small but aggressive tumour that was HER2 positive and now is looking at having Chemo and Herceptin. I would very much like to hear from anyone out there who has gone through this treatment to get a sense of what's in store. Jude