Starting Taxol and Herc. tomorrow

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Cathicam
Cathicam Member Posts: 47
edited June 2014 in HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer

I haven't been on here in ages but I'm starting to get really nervous about the start of my taxol and hercepton (sp?) treatments tomorrow. I finished up the 4 treatments every 20 some days three weeks ago, so glad those are over. It was harder and harder to recover after each treatment which has me nervous about this new set I'm going to be going to start. It will be 12 treatments one each week. What I'm worried about is still being able to go to work. Right now its been hit and miss mostly miss after treatment as my immune system was pretty much shot even with the shot to boost white cell production and antibiotics given after each of my last two treatments.

I know everyone reacts slightly differently but it would really help my nerves if people could share how they felt after treatments with these two drugs. I want to be able to come in to work (I work in IT at a hospital answering the help desk phone among other things). For my sanity I need to be able to keep working. I'm just worried that I won't be able to recover enough after treatment and will be working the Monday before treatment then shot after that.

Any encouraging information would help.

Thanks

Cathi

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  • septembersong
    septembersong Member Posts: 287
    edited February 2010

    Cathi,

    Congratulations on completing the first round!

    Starting in July 2008, I had twelve weekly treatments of Taxol and Herceptin, followed by radiation . I finished out my year's worth of Herceptin in July 2009. 

    At the time, I was working from a home office, but was in a salaried position with a couple of people reporting to me. I took a sick day for my treatment day--I booked the earliest appointment, but didn't usually get home before noon or 1 p.m. I napped most of the afternoon after treatment, but was back at work Tuesday through Friday. I experienced fatigue at the end of the work day, but it was very manageable.

    I did have problems with neuropathy, and am one of the very few for whom this persisted after treatment. If you run into this, please make sure your dr. knows about it and push for whatever treatment/remedies he or she feels are most effective.

    My doctor encouraged me to exercise, and this really helped. I walked on a treadmill most days. Just made me feel like I was still in the mix, even when treatment was pretty much dominating my schedule and my thoughts. Whatever helps you feel strong and proactive! I also booked a lot of couch time in the evenings and watched a ton of old movies. 

    Good luck and let us know how it goes! 

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  • NanaA
    NanaA Member Posts: 293
    edited February 2010

    Cathicam  - I did the taxol weekly with herceptin every 3rd week and continued with my job thru the whole process.  I finish my 1 year of herceptin in less than 3 weeks.  I only work part time as a bookeeper.  I work 20 - 25 hrs a week and usually work 3 days a week.  I had my treatments on Tuesday.  My worst feeling day was day 5 (Friday night into Saturday with some abdominal cramps. But it was minor.  There was a lot of fatigue when the chemo was over.  I slept away one weekend about a week or 10 days after chemo was done.  It took a couple weeks to wear off.  I did have some neuropathy but it went away about 8 to 10 weeks after I was done with the taxol.  I do have some severe joint pain with the herceptin.  I has gotten progressively worse with each treatment but I know I only have one more and then hopefully knees will be better. They seems to have gotten the worst of it.  Fingers and elbows hurt occasionally, but knees all the time.  Aside from the joint pain fingernails that crack and chip all the time and a runny nose is about all the side effects from the herceptin.   You can get thru this.  Rest when you need to rest and take one day at a time.  Soon you will be having your one year of herceptin done.  We are taking a cruise to celebrate.  We leave March 2.  Best wishes  Annette 

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  • Melinda41
    Melinda41 Member Posts: 672
    edited February 2010

    I just had my second Taxol/Herceptin after doing the AC every three weeks. First treatment was much better than the AC. No napping needed, just occasional rest periods. Joint pain pretty uncomfortable on days 5-6. Mild Diarrhea day 2. Onc said pain probably won't get worse, I can take pain pill if needed. Big nap the day of treatment due to the Benadryl they give me in IV.

    So far, much more tolerable than the AC. WBC nornal without any WBC boosters!

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  • Cathicam
    Cathicam Member Posts: 47
    edited February 2010

    Thank you so much ladies for posting. Yes I'm finding things much the same, was very tired last night after working all day. Could hardly stay awake until 8 then went to bed and slept sound until alarm clock went off at 5:30am. Had a bit of trouble getting going and still a bit sleepy but at work and feeling great compared to how I felt with the AC. No booster shot, not anti nasia meds and amazingly I really feel good.

     Annette, enjoy your cruise! After I'm all done with my chemo and reconstruction we are planning a big family trip, sisters kids and hopefully parents, to Mexico for some sun and relaxation! I still have a year to go for the herceptin and I will get it weekly with my taxol, then go to once every three weeks along with radiation for awhile. Not sure yet how many radiation treatments I will get. I'm hoping not too many. But then I will be like you off to enjoy a much needed vacation!

    Melinda41, isn't it great not to have to have that booster shot? For me that just made the AC that much worse with the horrible aches I got from that shot. It was like having the flu in your bones, for me anyway. Would completely wipe me out and I would be down for a few days once getting it.

    Good luck to everyone and good health!

    Cathi

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  • lovemygarden
    lovemygarden Member Posts: 342
    edited May 2010

    I'll be starting Taxol + Herceptin in mid-March. Twelve weeks for the combo, then the remaining 9 months Herceptin alone.



    I've been told that my pre-meds will be (for the 12-week part) Benadryl, Decadron, and Aloxi.



    I plan to use the frozen gloves and slippers during the Taxol portion to hopefully avoid hand/foot syndrome damage. Although the studies were done with Taxotere which is even more notorious for causing that, I figure that they are both taxanes and therefore it should be of equal or better help for patients getting Taxol.



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