2009 Herceptin group

BrandonMom

I had the 12 taxols/herceptin with the pepcid, benadryl, and steroid pre-meds. The interesting thing is that pepcid is given as a antihistamine according to my onc. One of the little known facts is that pepcid is actually a good antihistamine!  Of course, the side-benefit of helping with the stomach, especially with all those steroids is a good thing.

Just so you know, all the pre-meds are really for the taxol.  Once you finish the 12 taxol/herceptins,  your infusion of herceptin will be much quicker, because that's all you get.

mamakaren, my son is a childhood cancer survivor, and I think the fact that they didn't order more tests or tell you anything while you were there, is actually a good sign.  Childhood cancer is treated so differently that adult cancers.  In general, if the tests are pointing to childhood cancer, you know right away. If it isn't, then the doctors follow whatever established protocol for giving you the good news that it isn't.  Not fair to parents, but bad news is communicated almost instantly, or you know something is up because after a scan, they will order another test, etc.  They just don't let you walk out if the scan shows something suspicious.  What were her symptoms that led to a bone scan?  A lump/bump?

SusieMTN

Gearing up for my Herceptin this week!  Joint pain is getting more annoying!  But I am also on Arimidex, I believe that also causes joint pain.  So glad I don't have to take steroids, first you feel a little too good and then comes the "what can I eat"  Hated that it had that effect on me.  On Rad too so my Herceptin day I get to go to two places, unfortunately in opposite directions. Maybe I will sleep during infusion! If I don't tho I have an amazing book I am glued to! 

Everyone:  Enjoy your Sunday!  Be kind to yourself, we have been and go thru so much!  

jkcrml

Hi would love to join this bus- in fact I will bring all the wine! This Thursday I will get my 2nd treatment of TCH- I have had 2 weekly treatment of Herceptin. The main side effect I have is eating the 2nd day- if it's not nailed down I'll eat it; I'm hoping that SE goes away!

Karen

GramE

I get another Herceptin on Thursday, followed by the routine MUGA scan.   Monday I have a DEXA scan.   Funny in a way,  MUGA is "routine", when before I had never heard of it.    Have a good week and HUGS,   Nancy

Estepp

I get that Nancy!!!! ....

suemed8749

Me too, Nancy. My onc wants me to have one more even though I finish Herceptin this Thursday. I tried to talk him out of it, but he wouldn't buy it, so I'm scheduled for the 9th.  

GramE

congrats sue.  do you get your port out or did you have a port?  I heard some keep it for a year after treatments are done.   

suemed8749

Thanks! I have a port now, and I'm not sure when it will come out. I know that he wants me to have a PET/CT when I'm done, so maybe when those results come back all clean (crossed fingers, toes, and everything else), I can get it out.

GramE

Toes, eyes, fingers, toes all crossed for good scans and tests.   Time for my blankie and pillow.   Have a good week everyone.  HUGS,  Nancy

jmdtaurus

i finished herceptin may 2008 and would go for another year if i could!  when is the party?

momgovero

Hi there!  I am actually doing my treatments in St. Louis.  I live a little over an hour south of St. Louis.  My treatments are at the Siteman Cancer Center, or the Center For Advanced Medicine or Barnes, whichever you want to call it.  I go every Wednesday.  Last Wednesday took all day long.  I don't know if every Wednesday will be like that, hope not.  I am having slight pains in my hips and shins.  It is more like a throbbing pain, every now and then, not constant.  It seems to come when I sit "wrong" or too long, not sure.  Anyway, so far, it's bearable. 

Jaimieh

I hope you are feeling better Shari.  Just think 1/2 way, 1/2 way..... 

 Mamakaren~ Glad to hear that you Mom is doing well.  I hope your daughters test came out okay. 

suemed8749

Welcome Momgovero! This is a party bus nobody wants to hop on, but since we were pushed on kicking and screaming, we might as well do what we can to make the ride bearable!

Are you doing TCH? I did TCH last April - July, and found it "bearable" as you said. Did you have a Neulasta shot after chemo? That always gave me achey bones. I was going through reconstruction at the same time, so my plastic surgeon always helped me out with the good pain killers!  I had no serious side effects, and hopefully, you will do just as well. Now I get Herceptin every 3 weeks and other than a drippy nose, I haven't noticed any side effects. My MUGA scans have been good throughout.

Hoping everything is going well this week for the party bus riders!

Sue

mmm5

Congrats SUE

What a wonderful day to celebrate getting that last Herceptin, I have 2 more and just can't wait.

I was at Onc's today and he said I could schedule Port removal, he doesnt insist on scan after treatment for stage 1 but can if I want, can' t decide.

I know yours will be fine, everyone I have spoken to and I have gotten 2 opinions state rare recurrances for HER2 early cancers that get a year of Herceptin!
Celebrate!

Beach

Well I've always liked a good party......no matter what the reason!!  Good to find this group despite the unfortunate circumstances behind it. 

I'm new here and have only just just had my first chemo treatment this past Tues.  I'm on FEC for three cycles, then go on to Taxotere and Herceptin, so have no idea what to expect, but all of the info so far has been helpful!!  I guess I will be on the 2009/2010 Herceptin Party Bus........time to hang on!!

Best Wishes to all on this journey....

mmm5

Welcome Beach!!

Sorry you had to join but you will find much help here, I am almost done with year of Herceptin and the boards have been invaluable to me! Your Tx are hard but very doable, hang in there and before you know it you will be done! The good news is you have a good prognosis and Herceptin is really doing the trick for so many!

swimangel72

I get my next-to-last infusion of Herceptin this coming Monday! It won't be long now, yay! I'm wondering what kind of gifts should I get my infusion nurse and nurse practitioner? I'd bring in baked goodies - but they are always on diets. Maybe a pretty Spring potted plant? Or just a thankyou card with a gift-card inside? Anyone have any ideas?

lexislove

A spring potted plant...so they can keep it at their nurses station and other patients can look at a beautiful flower / plant.

Estepp

I brought in a huge basket full of fresh fruit... scented candles... different teas...and lotions...:)

Beach

mmm5,

Thanks for the welcome and words of encouragement.  Congrats on nearing the end of your Herceptin treatment.......good to see the bus has a revolving door, as it's a little difficult for me to see it at this point!! 

Best wishes being sent to all of you.......and those who are nearing the end of this tour, come back to visit......us "newbies" will need all of your infinite wisdom!!!  

kim40

Move over and make room for me!  I will be starting Herceptin soon.  I go back on the 14th of April for my 3rd dose of FEC and then move on to Taxotere and Herceptin.  For those who are coming to the end - Congrats and post often and let us know how you are doing.  For all of us newbies, we are all in this together!!

Beach

Hey Kim come sit next to me.......seems like we're on the same tour.  I, too, am on FEC but only had my first dose this past Tuesday.  Will get 2 more and then also move on to Taxotere and Herceptin.  I don't see much on the boards about FEC.....is this the Cdn version of AC??

Genia

I will be starting Herceptin next week, every three weeks for a year.  I don't think it will be bad.....sure hoping not.  I had 6 tx's along with my chemo.....just had uni mastectomy a couple of weeks ago. 

The fun never ends..... ugh

kim40

Hi Beach!

I believe it is.  Are you starting your Herceptin when you start Taxotere?  I'm not sure if my onc is starting me on the 4th or if it will start after the Taxotere!  I must ask him on my next visit.

Seven11

I did on one of my H treatments, Laura.  I asked the nurses to slow my drip a little.  They did and I haven't had a problem since.

Beach

Morning Kim....

As far as I have been told the Taxotere and Herceptin will start at the same time, on the 4th dose......that will be early June for me.  What have your side effects been on the FEC so far?  Something changed last night for me (had been 4 days since first treatment)......my upper body including my head and neck started to get very sensitive, almost felt bruised and a wave of exhaustion came over me......went to bed and slept for 12 hours.  Up until this point, I have not had any major side effects or nausea......was all of this similiar for you???

GramE

I had 12 weeks of Taxol and herceptin, lumpectomy in December and since then only H every 3 weeks.   I get more tired each time and my bones ache so bad the night of treatment that I take tylenol 3 (with codeine).   

I am known as the bingo lady ( among other things !! )  --    in the past every Friday and Saturday night I played from 6 pm till midnight.  Early birds, regular, and late birds.  My Tx is on Thurs, so that Friday night I only do the early birds or I would fall asleep driving home.  By Sat I am good to go the whole time.   As when I had chemo, I make a special effort to drink some ginger ale, water or juice every hour for a day or 2 after treatment - keep hydrated and flush it through your system.  

don't forget that herceptin can be hard on the heart muscle and extra chores or work can put a bit of strain on it and cause the tiredness.   Even the every day things one normally does can make one more tired.    

KM47

Hi Beach,

My schedule was three FEC treatments and then three Taxotere with Herceptin starting with the Taxotere (ie treatment #4).I have had four of the six treatments, with my fifth treatment (and second Taxotere and Herceptin) scheduled for the Tues after Easter.

I got through the FEC really well. I had a strange taste in my mouth for about a week afterwards - it wasn't metallic. It was more like an absence of taste really. And for about a week I didn't really feel quite myself but I did not feel nauseaous or have any aches.

Wish I could say the Taxotere has been as easy! I took far more steroids with it so for the first few days I was extremely tired (due to taking ages to go to sleep at night) but not at all sleepy. On day three I started to get achy - nothing severe but enough to feel lousy. That lasted a week. I hope it is the Taxotere and not the Herceptin - I won't know for sure until I have the Herceptin for the first time without the Taxotere I guess.

Unfortuntely I also got an infection a week after the last treatment and am currently in hospital until I'm no longer neutropenic -- but that could easily have happened on the FEC I guess.

Everyone seems to be different and we all get different side effects. I hope your tiredness gets better soon.

K.

mamakaren

Hi party bus gals,

Welcome to the rookies (lol) Hope everyone is doing good. I remember taking taxotere and it made me feel worse than any other med. It really did something to my mind mentally and my body felt as if i had got into a car accident. I have been on off my chemo for about a good 5months and am on Herceptin alone and i have been feeling good. I guess it takes time for the chemo to ware off.

My mom is ok. I got here report and it said that 11 out of 12 lymph nodes are infected. I don't know whats gonna happen I feel so scared. I guess all we can do is pray that the chemo is effective.

hope you all have a good night.

traceyz

Hey Karen,

I just want cha to know that we are still here and praying for your mother. One of the ladies that goes to a support group meeting that I often attend had 14 out of 14 nodes positive and she is still here 11 years later!!!! So prayer is power and it's better than medicine! Everthing is really gonna be ok Karen, you will see.

Take good care!

Tracey