2009 Herceptin group

CONGRATS on the good mammogram mamakaren!!  YAHOO!!

Question, I had a bilateral 9/08 and finishing up chemo now.  Then Herceptin and Tamoxifin.  Question is would I still do mammograms?  I don't think so????

HI Tina, No problem. I am very thankful it was caught early.  Brief history..... mammograms since 24 since Mom died at 38 from BC.  In 6/08 microcalcifications showed up on my routine mammogram in my left breast.... had biopsy and additional tests (MRI).  These confirmed DCIS (stage 0) in my left breast.  I tested negative for BRAC 1&2.  I still opted for a bi-lateral mastectomy.  My pathology came back after surgery with good and bad news.  My nodes were clear, they got clear margins... but HER2+ and a very small tumor (.4cm) of IDC.  So because of these two items I found myself facing chemo and Herceptin.  It was a shock.  My tx plan was 12 weekly doses of Taxol+Herceptin and then Herceptin every 3 weeks for a year.  TX #11 is this week of the Taxol.  They just reduced my dose some because of the side effects I have been experiencing.

Hi Tucheta-How are things over there in Romania?  I love that we can connect with others so far away that are sharing in this experience.  Did you have AC as well? I had to have an echo prior to that as well.  So far so good.

CristlC-My kids (as will yours!), will start at age 26.  I'm sorry to hear of your Mom's death, how old were you when she passed?  That's my worst fear with this d!@& disease.  My kids need a mom!  What side effects were you getting?

Tina - I was 12 when my mom died of breast cancer.  It sure makes it hard to think I will be fine when I have seen what can happen.  BUT I know things have come a long way and my dx was much different.  My primary side effects have been fatigue, neuropathy in my hands and feets, pain in my nailneds (right now my big toenails are about to come off and my index and middle fingers are turning black).  I keep getting a rash on my hands too and really dry skin.  What about you?

Tucheta, They weren't going to have me do a MUGA either becasue of my age and health.  I finally insisted and they did a echo as you did.

Oopps... I have no recipe for rum cake... I like the rum.. but don't eat sugar...LOL

Go Figure...

I think I told about my toe nails lifting off the nail bed and after soaking the snippers in rubbing alcohol, I snipped the dead part off.  The onco said it was ok to do it to prevent snagging, splitting and/or any fungus under.   I wear Crocs most of the time and shoes with rounded toes.   No heels or pointy toes.  I also like a Ped Egg to keep heels free from dry skin and lots of lotion and socks at night.   

As with chemo, extra hydration is needed - drink, drink, drink.   Tea, cola and coffee are DE hydrating.    A muga scan before Herceptin is suggested, as it can cause temporary lowered heart ejection rate.  I think the # they get worried about is below 50%, but it reverses when Herceptin is stopped.    

Here's to a good week for everyone.  HUGS, Nancy 

Hello Ladies,

 I'm a man of 31 that started chemo 2 weeks ago (4 AC + 4 Taxol). Since my mom died of breast cancer at 33, my BRCA test will probably come back positive at the beginning of February.

Usually, I'm writting on the "Starting Chemo in January 2009'' thread but this time, I want to speak with HER2 experts!

I received yesterday the result of my second HER2 FISH test and the result was exactly the same than the first one: 1.8. So, I'm at the lower point of the equivocal class, which ranges from 1.8 to 2.2. Prior to my two FISH tests, the IHC test also revealed an equivocal result. My ONC. said to me he needs to discuss with experts for my case because he doesn't know exactly what to do. General guidelines that I found on the Web are saying that patients with score equals or superior to 2 are eligible to Herceptin. I'm once again in the gray zone, which increases my anxiety. I'm wondering if there is any HER2 test interpretation experts on this thread?

Have a nice day!

Christian

I would love to come on board.  I have been getting herceptin since September of 2008 and will continue every three weeks until September of 2009.  All you girls seem like you will be fun to ride the bus with.  I love cosmopolitons.  So let's go for that ride.

I would love to join your party!  I have already had 4 herceptin treatments I will continue every three weeks until October '09.  My chemo tx end next month, so I am looking forward to those "herceptin only" days. 

Evening all... Boy have I had a long day... If I was not taking demerol for the implant discomfort.. I would be opening a bottle of Merlot and puttin' up my feet!

Welcome to all the new additions to our thread! Christain.. I am not sure about your question. I can only say I "heard" only strong Her2+ get the herceptin, as low scorers do not benefit by it.

You'll have to let us know what you do find out about that.

I am so sorry to those of you who lost your mothers so young! This darn disease... if they had the treatments we have today...

Take care everyone!!! I will toast you all this weekend when I am off the demerol..lol

Laura

Thanks CristlC!!! I had wine while on chemo. I was told a couple of glasses on the weekends would be fine.. I probably drank 3-4 glasses a week. But am afraid to on Demerol...might not wake up..:) 

Mamakaren congrats on your clear mammo.

So, I'm Angie 34 yrs old. I am married and have two kiddo's 11 and 3yrs old. So I have one hitting her pre teen stuff and one in his terrible 3's and I think my husband is having a mid life crisis.  It's a blast at my house.

I just finished my  6 rounds of TCH and avastin this past Wed. Woohooo.  I really thought it was going to kill me. I will have my first Herceptin and Avastin in 2wks.  I am so hoping that these treatments are a bit easier.

On the finger nail and toe nail issuse, I don't have any advice but I am about to lose both of my middle fingers! I currently am holding them on with band aids. They have really lifted but are so sensitive that I don't want to cut them.  I am more freaked out about losing my nails then I was about my hair.

Take care ladies.

Avastin is a study drug I was offered.  It's called the Beth study.  Avastin has been shown to delay recurrence in other cancers so I thought I would give it a shot.  I figure I didn't have anything to lose. It does have some side effects but it still shouldn't be as bad as the chemo. I

I'm in.....Herceptin for me for the entire year of 2009!!!