Is my game plan too much????

Countrywoman - I had almost the same diagnosis as you and almost the same treatment as well.  I think the chemo/rads/herceptin is the standard of care now for Her2+ tumors.  I had TCH (taxotere/carboplatin/herceptin) for 6 treatments and then Herceptin every 3 weeks for the rest of a year. I am now on tamoxifen for 5 years (pill, once daily).

The chemo is challenging but doable. The radiation was  easy for me. The Herceptin was no problem at all. I would drive over, get the infusion (are you getting a port? Highly recommend that you do, unless you have great veins), and go back to work.  I realize after the fact that it did wear me out a bit, and my pee smelled awful the day or so after (sorry TMI) but  otherwise I was fine.  What I mean is - I kept saying I felt GREAT during Herceptin (which I guess was true compared to chemo) but after I was done with it for a few months, then I REALLY felt great, and realized that it did affect me somewhat while I was on it.  But nothing that limited my daily life.

I don't know if they want you to do ACT instead of TCH due to positive nodes. I also don't understand what you mean by having a second major surgery to get rid of pre-existing cancer cells. What type of surgery is that?

It sounds like a LOT of treatment, but as you walk through it one day at a time, it doesn't really seem like it.  And since Her2 cells are very aggressive, i was glad to have so much treatment to attack with. Now that I am done (finished Herceptin in May '10), I am all back to normal and feel very confident about how I attacked the intruder and drove it off!

I'd like to offer you a few suggestions:

a. Join the chemo group that starts the month that you start your chemo. One starts every month. They are entititled "Starting Chemo April 2011" or something similar.  I was in the April 2009 group and we are close & supportive to one another to this day. You will form bonds with those women and support one another in ways you cannot imagine.  Then when you start radiation, join the rads group for that month as well. It will help you also.

b. Come to the Herceptin area of the site. There is a TCH message board which I am sure you will be welcome at, even if you are getting ACTH instead of TCH. It is a wealth of information and a very active and friendly site.

I'm sure more women will be along to offer more info and support to you. Please feel free to PM me if you have any more questions I could help you with.

I know so well how scary and overwhelming the beginning of all this is. It feels like your life will never be back to normal again. BUT IT WILL.  I was at the cancer center so much it felt like a second home. But now I just drive by and wave and LOVE not having to turn the car into the driveway!

Amy

I had the TCH plan, which is becoming more common.  But the AC-T plan is slightly more aggressive.  They are now more giving the TCH as A can cause heart damage and so can Herceptin so they are leaning against increasing this heart risk factor by giving both.  Sometimes, I wish I got the stronger one though. The difference between the two in terms of outcome is only slightly in favor of the AC treatment. Normally, they might go in for a second surgery if the margins were not clear but I think its good that they will do this after the chemo. That way, you will know for sure if it worked. Good luck.

Countrywoman - had a similar treatment plan - just a few more rads then you are going to get.  Not Her2+ - so getting Tamox instead now... expect to get it for 5 years and then followed by 5 years of an AI.  So you are being given a similar plan to the "established" medical offering for BC.  Wish you well... gentle hugs to you.

 think your plan seems pretty standard. one thing you may want to talk to your onc about is that there is also an option to do the taxol as 12 weekly treatments, instead of the DD version. the overall dosage is the same, but the individual doses are much lower so it is easier to tolerate. you wouldn't need the neulasta in this case, and you'd probably feel pretty OK. But it takes 12 weeks instead of 8 - so maybe that's a factor for you.

the way i got through similar tx is to just take it step by step - get through each tx as it comes, and try not to think about the big picture too much.