Just found out I'll be doing chemo and Herceptin

bill1951

Just found out I'll be doing chemo and Herceptin

bill1951

There probably arn't a whole lot of men here so I will be getting my advice from a bunch of beautiful women which is a whole lot better.

I'm 56 and just had my right breast removed (modified radical)

The test results came back and I am HER-2 positive so what do I have to look forward to ?????

Bill

Yogi70

Hey Bill, sorry you have to be here but you are  welcomed. I had a modified radical in Feb 2008.  I'm doing chemo and herceptin now. What chemo combo are you doing?  I've done 4 dense dose AC and I am now on Taxol and Herceptin.  Then I start radiation.  Are you er-/pr-?

Anonymous

I too am sorry you have the need to be here Bill, but yes, you are very welcome...

My bc situation was different than yours so cant help with the herceptin or chemo, but will give you all the support you might need as so many others here will too...

Hugs

Jule

Cathy-CA

Hi Bill,

I have finished the chemo portion of my treatment and am in the Herceptin only phase.  I did six rounds of taxotere and carboplatin combined with Herceptin.  They were three weeks apart and am continuing with Herceptin every three weeks until I've been on it a year.

I found chemo to be a lot easier than I had been led to believe.  There are a lot of medications to deal with side effects and my oncologists did a lot of pre-meds.  Taxotere and Herceptin can cause an allergic reaction, but I was given benedryl and steroids before treatment to reduce that chance, aloxi which is a powerful anti-nausea drug, tagament to prevent upset stomach, and Neulasta after treatment to keep the white blood counts up.  Herceptin can cause heart failure in a small number of cases, so had an echocardiogram before I started to make sure everything was okay.  Those continue every three months as monitoring and, so far, so good. 

I didn't have any of the major side effects that some people experience, but the minor ones were constipation (from the pre-meds), significant hair thinning (but not total loss), discolored/bruised fingernails, nose bleeds (but I've had those all my life, so didn't considered it a big deal), some tiredness, and my least favorite -- the dry mouth/loss of taste buds.  I'm a month out from chemo and hair is coming back, taste buds are coming back, fingernails are growing out and I'm training for the 60-mile Breast Cancer 3-Day this fall.  Was on a 5-mile training walk this morning, so energy is definitely there, although I did exercise all through chemo because I think it helps so much.

Herceptin alone doesn't cause much in the way of side effects, so have nothing to report on that front. 

Be happy to answer any questions you have.  The chemo board is organized by month, so once you know when you are starting, you might want to start posting with that group.  It helps to go through it with others and compare symptoms and info.

corkyandme

Bill,

 I just started my chemo for the first time. I am also taking taxotare,cytoxin and herceptin. Will be taking 4 treatments then herceptin for a year.

Summary;

Wildest ride you have ever been on! Fear is much greater than the acutal happening.

Port installation is the most discomfort I have felt,but lasted only a week.

Just when you think you are over it along comes a whole new SE!

Nothing severe, just new. Never had any nausea, took all meds as directed, both before and after treatment.

Muga scan for me due to cardiac problem this past year, not a tough one. Nosebleeds now,due to chemo and drying out. Bone pain for 36 hours and done. Due to Taxotare and then the Neulasta shot, but was well taken care of with pain meds.Will be losing hair this week, but not yet. Starting to feel sore at scalp,so I know it's coming. Had one day totally lost to fatigue, flu like symptoms, when white cells were bottoming out, and now feeling great, ready for round two in another two weeks. I do rest a lot, but no other effects at this point.May you be as fortunate as I feel I have been.

corkyandme

Be sure to take the little hints that really do help.

One is keep chewing on ice during your chemo treatments, both myself and others found that so far, no mouth sores, or change of taste for me because I kept ice during the entire treatment. Drink, drink, drink, get that poision in and out, as fast as you can, so plenty of fluids, always. I kept my electric blanket on the bed( it's 95 degrees now) but when you get the chills, after treatment, it's nice to just hit a dial and warm up when it hits.

swimangel72

Hi Bill - I'm sorry for your dx..........I'm on Herceptin and Navelbine, even though I don't have mets. Sometimes I feel like I'm the only one on this course of tx, but my onc said Navelbine is the "lightest" chemo - won't make me lose my hair - won't add to any heart problems (since Herceptin can cause heart problems) and it's been proven that Herceptin works best in conjunction with chemo - any chemo - depending on your pathology. Since I'm just Stage 1, Grade 1, he felt this combo would be the easiest tolerated. The Navelbine is for only 4 months - the Herceptin will continue for a year.

If you haven't seen it already, check out this web site dedicated to Her2+ BC patients - there are other men there already:

http://her2support.org/

janie44

Bill,

I am sorry you have to join our club.  AC is a standard regimen that most all of us do who have chemo.  After that, if you have another regimen, it will be based on your profile, your oncologist, and you usually have input as well.  AC causes the immune system to drop and you have to be careful.  There are shots that help combat this.  Hair loss and nausea are also usually present.  There are many medications that help tremendously with the nausea these days.  Each individual responds to the nausea meds differently and has his/her own favorites.  It is good to have whatever settles your stomach on hand.  You need to get some Biotine mouthwash because anything with alcohol may burn because your throat and mouth may be irritated.  I had Taxol following AC and it was hard on the joints, bones and nails.  I personally thought it was rougher than the AC, but many think the reverse.  However, bear in mind that this is doable and you will get through it.  I had 52 weekly Herceptin infusions following chemo and also had radiation at the beginning of the Herceptin TX.  After chemo, Herceptin is a walk in the park with only a few minor annoying side effects.  I was one of the original guinea pigs who did the Herceptin clinial trial and rejoiced when the results were announced, greatly improving our prognosis.  Best wishes and we are here to answer any of your questions. 

Janie