Last Herceptin today..........sharing thoughts!

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mmm5
mmm5 Member Posts: 1,470
edited June 2014 in HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer

Today was my last Herceptin, I have waited for this day for a year! Tomorrow I get my port out another milestone. I have been so much happier lately, and feeling much better physically and mentally! I just want to share some thoughts of this one year journey in case they are helpful or in turn maybe you all can help me to my next stage!

This has been a very hard year for me I did TCH and ended in October, I felt good until I went on the AI's started with Arimidex and had so much pain in low back and hip that we went on a cancer hunt, 4 MRI's and many blood tests later no cancer just the AI's and lack of estrogen in a previously premenopausal boday. I am 43 and was dumped into menopause then put on an AI (I suffered greatly mentally and physically) after 4 months of excruciating tests (I was more scared than I ever have been) I decided not to be on a cancer hunt anymore. Both my Onc's feel the chance is small for recurrance with small early stage BC and finishing year of Herceptin. I am now on Femara and working through all of the nightmares of that drug.

My muga came back today with a higher EF than when I started and the tech proclaimed my heart in excellent shape, this is just a note for all of you that suffer from Herceptin, mine dropped a few points mid way and recovered and improved.

I am realistic and know these things can happen (side effects, recurrances, and comlications) but feel positive as well. ( I didn't 3 months ago, and wondered when and if the real me would ever come back)

Some things that have helped me:

This support network

Accupuncture (twice a month)
Mediation and talk therapy

Daily excercise (swimming, running, and weights) I only recently have been devoted as I just didn't feel well.

Realizing that we are where we are and not wish it away but just pray and feel each emotion that comes with this difficult time!


I hated losing my hair but when it comes back it feels good, and heres a little tip if it comes in and it just feels too short and weird go get just a few extensions in the front so it is stylish, it made all the difference for me and I felt like a female again after losing breasts, hair, mojo, and gaining weight. It was symbolic of me taking back my femininity, but even more important I have taken back my soul through prayer and meditation and just being!
I continue to work on my attitude and appreciating all of the little things in life. I have re-evaluated my professional life and made changes and have improved my 21 year marriage!

I want to thank all of you, you are my support group and have helped and encouraged me through a whole year. I went in today to have a final treatment and in some way I guess I expected some fanfare but of course I have had 4 different chemo nurses in a year (turnover) and my friends and relatives started forgetting I HAD cancer when I was done with Chemo. so today was really just for me and with me!

My prayers are with all of you and I would love to hear from you or answer any questions along the way.

Michelle

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  • swimangel72
    swimangel72 Member Posts: 1,989
    edited May 2009

    CONGRATULATIONS Michelle on finishing Herceptin! WAY TO GO GIRL!

    You sound wonderful - and I'm so happy that your treatments are over! You'll feel even better tomorrow getting your port out! I haven't returned to swimming yet since my Stage 2 revision surgery two weeks ago, but can't wait to get back in the pool. I know what you mean about going on a BC hunt.........my onc had me go through so many scans last week because of my fatigue and bone aches. I'm still waiting for the reports - but feel very confident that everything will be fine because I feel so much better than last month..........I really think my body was tired of Herceptin even more than the Arimidex.

    Thanks so much for sharing your good news Michelle! Tomorrow you should go out and do something VERY special to celebrate!

    Edited to share the picture I used showing how I felt when I stopped Herceptin - JOY!

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  • lexislove
    lexislove Member Posts: 2,645
    edited May 2009

    Congrats! Cool

     It feels so nice to be really done now huh? I can't believe I finished Herceptin 6 months ago! The time fly's now. ~* Cheers!*~

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  • REKoz
    REKoz Member Posts: 590
    edited May 2009

    Aww you two girls brought tears to my eyes and a smile to my face. It is so beautiful to share another's VICTORY. Surely reminds me of how connected we truly are. Beautifully written Michele and a touching tribute to moving on. Wishing you many more joys along the way.  And swim, I was "with" you on your finishing Herceptin thread!  I've also "seen you around" some other threads. Your sharing is always from the heart. Hearty congrats to you both.

    Just wanted to thank you both for giving me a lift.

    xoEllen

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  • susiered
    susiered Member Posts: 256
    edited May 2009

    ((((MIchelle)))) I am so happy for you being finished with your Herceptin. I know what a long road it is. I am so looking forward to the day I can say I am done. Sounds like you are doing wonderful. I do have 1 question for you. You said you were "dumped" into menapause and started an AI. Did you have your ovaries removed? Lupron Shots? I am wondering because I have tried to take Tamoxifen and have had a really hard time with it. Terrible muscle and joint pain and also my emotions were off the charts. I am 42 and just wondering what the Oncologist is going to suggest we do now. He told me to stop the Tamoxifen 2 weeks ago.

    Anyway I wish you much joy and happiness as you begin your life cancer and treatment free!

    Love and prayers,

    Susan

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  • nobleanna007
    nobleanna007 Member Posts: 641
    edited May 2009

    Michelle,

       I just wanted to congratulate you on hitting the finish line! YAY!!!! You did it!!!! It is a long and most often tiring road. I finished at the end of March and am starting to feel human again. I am getting my port out June2nd CAN'T WAIT!!!!! It is funny how people forget that although chemo is done your still doing TX which for me was once a week. Although I transfered to a smaller clinic near home for my Herceptin TX and the Nurse gave me the most beutiful pink tulip plant which was very thoughtful. I thought my DH would do something but he just plain forgot like everyone else!! Oh Well!!!!

                I wish you the best as you start your new YOU without TX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

                                                    HUGS-Bridget

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  • mmm5
    mmm5 Member Posts: 1,470
    edited May 2009

    Thank you Thank you, I know I can always count on you ladies for love and support!!

    Susan- My onc's don't like tamoxifin with Her2 they say there is some data conflicting of course that it may not be good with Her2 gals. I went into menopause with chemo so they put me on AI, but now perhaps my ovaries are waking back up and will know tomorrow if I get ovaries out or Lupron. I went 10 months with out period so they proclaimed chemo induced menopause.

    One thing to look at is your original path report and see just how ER positive you are. I am actually only 16% positive a very low number but positive just the same, we are having a conference in 3 months do discuss the AI's because they are very hard on my body. I have elevated liver counts, horrible hip and back pain, and definitely emotional ups and downs.

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  • mmm5
    mmm5 Member Posts: 1,470
    edited May 2009

    Bridgett

    Thanks for your warm thoughts?

    What kind of physical changes did you notice getting better after no more Herceptin?

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  • helena67
    helena67 Member Posts: 357
    edited May 2009

    Congrats Michelle!!!!

    Glad to hear that you are feeling and doing well!

    Just a few months behind you....

    -Helena.

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  • suemed8749
    suemed8749 Member Posts: 1,151
    edited May 2009

    Congratulations, Michelle! I am so happy that all of your scans and tests have turned up nothing, and you're done with Herceptin AND have your port out by now! As some of the other posters have said already, enjoy your cancer-free life. I know that the physical and mental side effects will linger, but, like you, I've also made some positive changes in my life.

    What a long, strange trip it's been. . . indeed!

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  • mmm5
    mmm5 Member Posts: 1,470
    edited May 2009

    Thanks so much Sue! (thanks for getting back to me on blood counts.) mine were good enough to go forward with port removal!

    Helena let us know on your last day!

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