HER2/nHER2/neu+,Grade2, Stage 2A, O nodes 2.5cm.

Hi Kimmysue:

I can't say my dx was *exactly* the same as yours, but not terribly far off.  Here goes:

Stage 1, 1.1 cm, grade 2, 0 nodes (but in my lymphatic tissue), Er+, HER2/neu+

I did chemo (A/C and Taxol) on a dose-dense routine.  Began Herceptin during the Taxol.  Then radiation.  Still taking hormone therapy (started with Tamoxifen, but then had an ooph and went to Arimidex).

Between having a poor grade and HER2/neu, I couldn't avoid the chemo.

Best wishes in making your treatment decisions.

I am currently taking Abraxane every week (12 total - 8 left), Cytoxan every 3 (4 total 2 left), and Herceptin every 3 for the next year (14 total - 12 left.  I am part of a research study.

I am a hairdresser and so far only missed 1 day in the past month because of queasiness.  They've changed that med, so am hoping this month will be fine.  I've not been overly tired yet, but they did have to give me a sleeping pill last week as I can't get to sleep, especially on chemo night.  It is helping too.

 My hair started coming out around the 16th day, but I still have enough to wear without a wig at the moment.  I do have several inexpensive wigs in different styles and colors to wear in the shop when I need them.

Remember to tell your onco anything that changes or effects you during treatment.  There are so many helpful hints and meds to make it so much easier than ever before.  Good luck!

Hi KimmySue

My diagnosis is similar to yours, although I had a smaller tumor but 2 positive lymph nodes. I did 4 dose dense AC and 12 weekly Taxol. I started Herceptin with the Taxol (also weekly) and continued with it every 3 weeks till one year had passed. I had 7 weeks of radiation and am now on Arimidex. The AC wasn't easy on me, but still doable. I think the side effects were partly caused by the Neulasta shot I got the day after chemo to keep my white blood cell count up. I spent those 8 weeks at home taking it easy. Taxol was a lot easier, and I was able to resume my daily activities. Good luck to you, and keep us posted!

Lise

Hi Kimmysue---My diagnosis was pretty much the same as yours, except I'm triple+ I started chemo in December (Four rounds of AC then four of Taxol w/Herceptin. Still doing Herceptin every 3 weeks until January 09. I didn't do radiation, as I decided to have bilateral mastectomy after I finished chemo. I just didn't want to go through mammos, biopsies, etc., for the rest of my life. I'm feel great. I wish you luck with your decisions.

I am almost halfway through 6 cycles of TCH (every 21 days) and then herceptin every week for 9 months.  All the doctors I saw said either TCH or ACTH would be fine and you will find a whole thread on here for ACTH vs. TCH.  I went with TCH becase of the potential complications of A.  Good luck with your treatment, mine has been pretty okay so far!

KimmySue,

I am sure you are feeling a bit overwhelmed at this point......like all these tests/appointments/surgeries/reports are coming so fast...your mind can't even process...overload....

I am Her2+ and started chemo today...TCH (taxotere/carboplatin/herceptin)

I will have the TCH every 3 weeks for 6X...herceptin every week for 6 months...followed by radiation after chemo and hormone pills......

Do a lot of research online on your options.......ask a lot of questions....and trust in your oncologist and your team of doctors.....This isn't their first time.........

God Bless!

Beth

kimmysue: I think you will do great on TCH. The only side effects I have had are the horrible taste buds, bone pains and some diarrhea.  I get my treatments on Wed and don't start to feel yuck until Sat and then it lasts till Wed and then back to being fine again.  I have two little girls (6 and 4) and a 4 month old son and I am able to still keep up so I know you can too!!  It is so much worse in your head then it will actually be.  Can you believe we have to deal with all this junk? I just want to enjoy my kids every minute so I just treat cancer as my job and get through it.  Good luck with your treatment!!!!  lfasano44 

Kimmysue -- just wanted to offer you  my encouragement, too!  I did this and I know you can do it too.  I have a 5 1/2 yr old and a 4 yr old -- both girls.  With the help of my husband and some great childcare I was able to work full-time and take care of my family through my treatments.  I won't say it was easy or fun, but you can do this.

As for guilt about missing your daughter's youth -- stop it right now.  You are not missing it.  More importantly, you are doing what is necessary to ensure that you will be around for the rest of their youth and their adult lives too!!  Trust me when I tell you that kids are resilient and they won't think a thing of this -- mine didn't!

I will tell you the best advice I got.  I was apologizing to a client for not being immediately available due to my treatments.  She told me that there were many people who could pick up my work if needed, but to remember that *I* was the only person who could get my treatment for myself.  When taking care of yourself and doing something else conflict, just remind yourself that *you* are the only person who can get this treatment.  Therefore, it's the most important thing to do and everything else can be shuffled/delegated/put off as needed.

Best wishes to you!