Any Her2/Neu Starting Chemo in October?

Kim,

I saw my date had a question mark.  I started on 9/11, appropriately enough, and will be ending around Christmas.

Thank you,

Katie 

Hi mattscot

I am also using MSKettering.  They recommended the AC T dose dense to me as well.  I felt strongly about not wanting the AC and they didn't object ot switching me to TCH.  I have my 2nd treatment next week. 

What you are saying about east vs. west is correct.  In doing my research and obtaining other opinions I have found that on the west coast AC is not widely used.  In my case, the second opinion I obtained was from a local oncologist and he only uses TCH.  He felt that this was best for me.

What's important is that you pick a treatment that you are comfortable with whether it be AC T or TCH, this way you won't second guess yourself.  Best of luck to you.  MSK has a great reputation and I am very happy with them.

I terrillee , Im having my 3rd AC treatment tomorrow ( have to have 4) then 12 weekly of Taxol and Herceptian, bit worried about herceptain damaging my heart Im having an echocardiogram on thursday. I have Chemo on a monday then the week off work to get over it I take multi vitimins drink heaps of water and walk ( no matter how bad I feel ) 5kms every morning. Couldnt do this without family and friends I hope Taxol is easier hate the sick feeling from AC

i live in australia so didnt get the the show LIFETIME maybe Ill try and download off internet.

I also wish I could walk everyday. I am pretty much down for about a week to a week and a half after tx.  I do try to get in as much exercise as I can the week before the next tx.  My next tx (4th) was suppose to be the friday after Thanksgiving but they are closed so I have to do it the Wed before Thanksgiving Oh well, another one out of the way.  The last time I was at the doctors office a group of us were talking about SE's and almost all of them were complaining about weight gain during chemo.  Is anyone putting on weight?  I've lost about 10 lbs.  but even the doctor told me at the beggining of this that I might put on a little weight. I just can't eat, I've been forcing myself but it's not easy.

Take care.

I also am trying to get the energy to walk or get some exercise.  Right now I am so preoccupied with my hair falling out that I hate to go sweat.  Stupid I know.  They told me to expect my hair to come out this week or next.  I am doing the weekly regimen.  My third treatment will be this Thursday.  All the anxiety of each step is almost to much to bear.  I felt ok when I got up this morning but now after a full day at the office I am pooped and walking sounds miserable.  I am also scared of gaining weight.  I already wasn't happy with my weight.  However, they are telling me most of it would be fluids and that it will reduce once treatment is done.   I put a positive post on my carepage earlier and now feel like negative Nelly.  Take care all, Cristl

Hi Angie,

I've gained about 15 lbs since starting chemo - I've completed 3 of 4 tx so far.  It's really a bummer and my face looks like the moon to me, particularly with the sparse hair on my head.  My husband was trying to describe my hair to his mother, and he said, "remember Fire Marshall Bill" on the show In Living Color?  That's what it looks like.  Thanks, honey.  lol

I haven't shaved my head, either -- just cut it really short -- and it seems to have stopped falling out for now.  It's probably around the 80-90% range that's gone.  Haven't noticed anything starting to grow, though.  And it's really a different texture, too, dry, like straw.

hi I just wanted to check in ... I have a start date of 12/12....

my original rec was AC T H ... and then I received an Oncotype score of 16 (10% reaccurence) with a finding of Her-  ..... (contra to my FISH of 2.3)   ... As Oncotype is just starting to test Her2 status this is a pretty new issue..    If not for my Her2 questionable status I could go chemo free.. but it is too much of a gray zone and I will be treated as Her2 positive... 

Now my treatment will be Taxotere, Cytoxan + Herceptin every 3 weeks 4x 

Going wig shopping this weekend

Hang in there

my2boys: I am right there with you, had my 5th tx on Wed too and feeling pretty yuck today.  I know the week will get better. Sorry about your hair, it is so hard. Happy Thanksgiving everyone. Lauren

Hi Kimmy sue,

 no one reccomended  I could go forward without chemo... however If I did not have the FISH and went with the oncotype dx alone that determined I was Her- ... that would have been a strong option based on the test results.  ILC is invasive lobular... I am pleolithic ilc which tends to be rarer type of ilc (I have read that there is a link with BRCA 2 which I tested positive for)

My onc decided on TCH due to positive studies.both with Her+ and Her- (just TC) and his feeling that given my situation (borderline or possible Her- )he did not think the AC cardiac toxicity issues for me were warranted.

I would like to read your blog thanks (how  do I do that?)

That is a great story. I always appreciate reading/hearing things like that. Thank you for posting it.

Sorry I've been away - trying to sort out business sale and get my life back together. I had my 10th treatment on Tuesday this week. Two more of this, Herceptin and Taxol, then two weeks off (comes right at Christmas - sweet!). If all goes well I should start FEC+Herceptin on December 30 for a 3-month run.

The only real side effect I've had that's been a problem is mouth and throat sores. They seem to come in large groups and stay forever. Otherwise, it's been great. I've had a bit of hot-flashing, hair loss (of course) and weight fluctuating, but nothing horrible. I'll admit, I'm a little nervous about the FEC. Has anyone else had this protocol? What were your effects?

I'm in a trial for this treatment. I'm hoping to help them prove that this treatment is preferable and doesn't cause bad heart problems.

Just so you know, I'm praying for you all.

Much love,
Anna

Angie - are you still making a holiday trip?  I can relate to the "is this my last..."  DH doesn't understand, he's trying real hard, but just says "You have to make sure it's not".  Hard to bust his bubble.  Hope all of you are going to have a wonderful holiday!  Everyone has something to be thankful for...

Hi Everyone.....and Happy Thanksgiving to you all.  Still waiting for my upswing.....patiently waiting.  It's only day 8 so hopefully I will begin to feel better soon.  Last time I didn't feel better until about day 10. 

A helpful hint for the tasteless mouth thing.....gatorade.  I sip it all day long and it stimulates the taste buds.  For those of you desperate to taste ANYTHING, I would recommend you try it.  I did notice that the taste buds came back to life after the last treatment at around day 11, so hopefully we will be tasting our turkeys tomorrow. 

Thank you all for the words of encouragement about the hair loss.  I contacted my hairdresser and she is meeting me on Saturday morning before the salon opens to shave my head.  I think that this is probably the best way to get on with my life and stop worrying about my hair.  I've already gone through 2 lint brushes.....what a mess!

I think that the worrying about the cancer coming back is something that we will all feel for a while after treatment.  In speaking with other survivors I am told that the longer you go without a recurrence, the less you think about it. 

When you are feeling crummy from a round of chemo, just remember that you are doing everything in your power to NEVER have a recurrence...this is what helps me through those long nights.  Hang tough ladies....this is a rough patch in our very long lives and we will pull through.

God Bless you all....always.

Anne