ANYBODY with same diag??

I am a year since diagnosis (May 2008). Had dose dense A/C, then 12 taxol and herceptin before surgery (lumpectomy).  The chemo totally zapped my tumor.  A tough journey, but I live alone,no pets and retired (age 62 at time of diagnosis).   I rested when I felt like it, did as little as possible and took it one day at a time.  Good communication with your oncologist is essential.  Write down your questions,  it is dumb NOT to ask.  You have nothing to lose by asking.

Good luck, keep checking in on these threads.   HUGS,  Nancy 

I was totally BALD,  NO hair anywhere.   About a month ago I noticed I had arm hairs again, but the head hair started to grow the first of the year.   

I had NO hair anywhere.  Eyebrows came in like Groucho Marks, but thinned out to a more normal amount.  AC will make you pee red for a day or two.  Drink LOTS of water to flush, like juice or water every hour you are awake. 

I had Pepcid, Benedryl, and Steroids via IV before the A/C.  The A is not hung on the pole and dripped into you.  The nurse will sit in front of you and "push" a huge plunger syringe with it in.  Emend should be taken for nausea - prescription you take for 3 days, along with steroids for 3 days.   Stomach was queasy, loose bowels, but no vomiting.  food tasted like cardboard, and very tired.   I ate small meals, more cold food than hot.  popsicles, sherbet and ice cream, pudding, noodle soup and mashed potatoes kept the tummy calm.   Cranberry juice tasted like licking a dumpster and I still can't drink it.    

 A/C can be hard on the heart.  IF you feel dizzy or "weird"  - let the nurses know right away.   I was told NOT to drive myself to and from A/C as you will be wired from the steroids and sleepy from the benedryl and driving is not a good idea that day.    

You are very sun sensitive, so use sun screen or cover up with long sleeves and a hat when out in the sun.   Watch for cuts and insect bites as they can become infected very easily -  And I was told NO swimming or hot tub while having A/C.   

Another thing, if you have a separate toilet, use it or be sure to flush at least 2 times after you "go".   Wash you hands, wash your hands, wash your hands.  Keep germs away.

It is after midnight here and I am fading fast.   I will check later and add more as I remember.  

Hugs,  Nancy 

I was dx'd in October 2001.  At that time herceptin was not offered unless you were HER+ and Stage 4.  Now I believe it is standard protocol.  I went thru 4 rounds of AC chemo and here it is almost 8 years later.  My only problem has been that I fell into that small percentage where the Adriamycin damaged my heart.  I was dx'd with congestive heart failure/cardiomyopathy in 2007.  So far heart meds are taking care of that problem.

I have been on Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin every 3 weeks for 5 treatments and have 1 left and will continue with herceptin till March.  My hair started falling out on day 16 after my first treatment.

My diagnosis (January 08) was very similar, but my tumor was 2.2 cm which bumped me up into Stage IIA. I had Taxol/Carboplatin/Herceptin every 3 weeks x 6 then Herceptin for a year (18 total). I like my short hair so much that I'm keeping it!

So sorry to hear about your brother, and thank the Lord that he will be OK.  Yes, it certainly does give one cause to stop and consider!

 For me, given the known possible side effect of heart damage when you have Adriamycin with Herceiptin, I'm staying away from that combo; there are other regimes which lots of other women are on, that don't have that same potential for heart damage. My heart is fine, I just want to stay far away from AC--why risk it, when there are other options!

It seems a lot of women are put on the Taxotere, Carboplatin, Herceptin regimen for 6 cycles, with Herceptin continuing for a year. That was my onc's first suggestion, but I asked if there wasn't a shorter regimen for chemo, so he's put me on 4 cycles of Taxotere, Cytoxan and Herceptin for a year. He said both the 4 & 6 cycles were as effective, just that there hadn't been a specific study done with the 4-cycle one, like there had with the TCH.  So I chose for 4 cycles of chemo instead of 6. 

Oh, and I'm on Day 7 past my 2nd chemo, and still have hair--very thin, and you can now see my scalp through, but it's still there. I cut it short (couple of inches, not a buzz) 2 days ago, but am glad I still have it.  I'll be praying for your decision of what to do. Talk to your onc and see if he might be agreeable to TCH, or to the one I"m on.  Can't hurt to ask.

Blessings, Lois

I was dx'd in 2001 at age 45 and had 4 rounds of AC chemo.  At that time, herceptin was not offered unless you were Stage 4.  Until the bc, I had always been in perfect health.  I didn't have high blood pressure or cholesterol.  I ended up being dx'd in 2007 with heart damage from the adriamycin.  Heart damage from adriamycin is not typically reversible.  I will be on heart meds the rest of my life.  But I am just glad the meds are working for me.  I would see about doing another chemo cocktail and opt to get herceptin.  It can also cause heart problems but they are typically reversible.

Good Luck!

Debbie

Hi Similar dx here as well. I got 3 opinions and they all said TCH vs ACTH. I have a friend that was dxed 6 years ago and did ACTH young like me 41 and had irreversible heart damage, I think it happens more than 4% in the quotes. (I have just heard about it too much) THE TCH was doable and like AZSUNN i only had suppressed WBC. I have done a lot of research and many state that the lowered blood WBC's can be from being on Herceptin and AI at same time as both target cells.

AZSUNN am in AZ too, where did you do your TX?

I am in Scottsdale

So glad that you were able to change to TCH--your peace of mind in the midst of all this is worth a lot.  Yes, go figure!!! Why didn't your onc just say TCH in the first place???  But, you got it changed, and with just a phone call, so that's great.  Trust everything else falls into place for you through all of this.    Blessings, Lois