Just diagnosed

Welcome Tina. Does she want you to have the chemo before surgery? Can they tell how large the lump is? Sometimes they do chemo first, in order to shrink it before surgery. It is imperative you have the Herceptin and unfortunately you can't have it without the chemo. I had 6 TCH treatments every 3 weeks which is what she has recommended for you. It's not nice but doable and you will feel well again. I finished mine in March and feel almost normal except for tiredness some days. You will find wonderful support on this forum so keep in touch.

Sue

Tina I am sorry that you had to join this crappy club   I am the same age as you and I went thru TCH for 6 treatments followed by herceptin for a year over a year ago.  It is going to be a long ride but one that I am sure you will make to the other side of.  Just take it one day at a time. 

BTW, my nails never had a problem but my toenails did 1 year out.  They are still hangin' on but they are UGLY.  They do not hurt but are just ugly. 

Tina,

So sorry that you had to join the club that nobody wants to join.  But, the stage where you are right now is the hardest stage.  Once you know everything, it gets better.  Honestly, it really does. 

I just finished my 6 rounds of TCH 05/28.  Honestly, it really was very doable.  It was much easier for me than I thought it would be. 

Hang in there,

V

hi ! i am 38 and was diagnosed in early july. had a lumpectomy for a 1.8 tumor and invasive ductal carcinoma. originally they said three negative nodes because i also had the sentinal node operation. found out at the path report that i had two of five with vascular invasion. i also am er/pr negative and her2 postitive. i decided to have a second opinion and going to my oncologist  this friday. i am ready to get this show on the road. thank god your boyfriend found it. i found my own also ! this sucks but they can do so much and we will all get through this ! take care ! hugs to you ! let us all know how you are and please private message me if you need ! these woman here are wonderful !

Hi Tina -- I had TCH last summer -- from May to August every three weeks and then Herceptin til May this year. The side effects really vary a lot from person to person, so it's hard to know what you will experience. I had one bout of neutropenia, when my blood counts got so low I gave my self an infection and ended up in the hospital for a few days. After that I got a Neulasta injection after each chemo. I didn't really get nauseous, just felt pretty much "dyspeptic" all the time. Diet Coke helped a lot! I never had any of the bone and joint aches some people experience, but the last couple of cycles really wiped me out. Very fatigued. Breathless at the top of the stairs, etc. Finger and toe nails were pretty wrecked, but they do grow back eventually. All this can be rough while it's going on, but it's really a pretty short time.

Just look after yourself -- clear your calendar as much as you can, accept any help that is offered, and ask for what you need. Try to stay as active as you can -- walk every day, even if it's only out to the curb and back. Drink lots of water to help your body flush out the chemicals. Be very vigilant about limiting your exposure to any illnesses, germs, and microbes. Stock up on hand sanitizer, wash all fruit and vegetables thoroughly even if you peel them and peel them when you can, stay away from salad bars, and leave the weeding to someone else. Remember to breathe and surround yourself with positive people and loveliness. Good luck and God bless. Jenbal 

I forgot...see chemo brain is in full action tonight...it is nice to see a GYN being proactive. Lots of doctors dont with younger women..I have heard it several times on this board. My gyn was wonderful thru all of my diagnosis.

Dear Tina, hugs to you.  It such a scary time, being diagnosed, coming to terms with being a person with cancer.  I couldn't say "cancer" or accept another's kindness without crying in the beginning.  I am past that now.  You really find your strength when you live this disease.  You also find out how wonderful other people can be.  Accept offers of help.  Don't be too hard on yourself.  Come here often.  Check the Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin thread in Chemotherapy.  There are many in that forum who have lived this regimen.  They have lots of advice and experience.    

 I am in my sixth round, and surgery is next, then radiation.  The chemo actually went by pretty quickly.  I can't believe I've had my last infusion.  I am so looking forward to having normal taste buds again.  Everyone's side effects are different.  Advice from mine:  take benedryl at the first sign of a rash;  take probiotics to try to keep your tummy straight;  be gentle on your skin, use gloves to do the dishes;  nap when you feel like it;  go to the look good feel better class;  have fun with scarves and hats; and let people take care of you sometimes.   

My tumor was 5+ cm, and the oncologist hasn't been able to feel is since the end of round 3.   Pathologic complete response is definitely possible with this protocol!

 I'm fighting with you.  :-) 

Hi Tina, sorry to hear about your dx. I was stage I 1 year ago. I am up near Cleveland, OH. I had a mastectomy am considering a prophylactic rt br removal. TCH was pretty bad. I had anaphylaxis with my last treatment. You just feel so weak. I have 1 more herceptin tx and a pet scan to check for mets this Friday. I am 50. It will be over before you know it. Hang in there.

Tina, you'll find a wealth of information on this site. I'm so glad my husband came across it. I was diagnosed with triple positive in October 2009. I had 4 cycles of chemo (AC), then a lumpectomy (when they went in the cancer was gone - just dead cells left), 12 more weeks of chemo (Taxol and Herceptin), and now Herceptin only until February 2011. I also had 6 weeks of radiation. I must say that God is Good! I sailed through chemo and the surgery without any problems. Radiation was a little challenging (probably because you have to go every day) but it went by quickly. I agree with jcarolsapp...it is important to keep positive people around you and put yourself in God's hand. I delved into the Word of God and meditated on healing scriptures. When I saw how much time Jesus spent healing people in the bible, I knew he could heal me! If you need some scriptures, let me know...I have at least three pages. God Bless!