Treatment plan - Navelbine, Carboplatin, Herceptin & Tykerb

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Survivor2Be
Survivor2Be Member Posts: 109
edited June 2014 in HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer

Okay,  so I just got my treatment plan and I don't really understand, so I'm looking to you knowledgeable ladies to help me make some sense of my new plan.

Background: primary dx 9/2010 TN BC (Stage 2a)  Neoadjuvant AC+T, followed by BMX and SNB, which found 1/5 nodes, so I followed with a ALND (0/6).  Then they said I needed radiation, so I went and got TE and started radiation 8/2011.  During radiation I found a lump in the surgical scar (this time HER2+).  So, the revised plan was lumpectomy, additional radiation from orginal plan and now I've just found out the chemo plan.

Start weekly Herceptin now (still have 6 radiation boosts left), then start a Navelbine/Carboplatin regimen every 3 weeks X 6 cycles (continuing with weekly Herceptin).  Once that is done, then switch to Herceptin every 3 weeks and daily Tykerb.  The plan is continue those drugs indefinately.

So questions: INDEFINATELY????!!!! Forever?!?  Is it that bad?

What side effects should I expect?  I have done pretty well so far (continued working 40 hr/week, raising 3 kids), but will this knock me down?

 Do I need my port back?

Is this too aggresive?  I'm 34, so I don't want to take chances, but it seems sooooooooooo extreme! 

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  • sheila888
    sheila888 Member Posts: 25,634
    edited October 2011

    Hi Survivor....I had Herceptin once a week for one year.

    Since It's not really a chemo more like a maintenance drug I had no SE except my nails got very brittle. I used to walk to my treatment. And my hair started to grow no SE like loosing your hair.

    I also had AC/Taxol. If you felt good during AC I dont see Herceptin will change your life style.

    Of course this was my own experience.

    Good Luck to you

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  • OtraVez
    OtraVez Member Posts: 82
    edited October 2011

    I was on Herceptin for a year after AC/Taxotere (with a mastectomy in between). I was NED before the year was up, but finished the year out per the research results.  Five years later, I was diagnosed with a recurrance.  Same protocol, and I started Herceptin again last month. This time, however, he's telling me to plan on at least a year.  I also start Tykerb daily - as soon as the pharmacy and my doctor's office manage to get their communications lined up (long story, heavy sigh). 

     I've met many women who've been on Herceptin for many years.  The infusion center nurses introduced me to one of my onc's patients during my initial treatment, and she'd been on Herceptin for almost 10 years at that point.  Compared to chemo, it's nothing much. I'd prefer to live without dealing with a port, but compared to something like dialysis, I'm willing to sit in a chair for three hours every three weeks, if that's what it takes.  

     Good luck to you! 

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  • Survivor2Be
    Survivor2Be Member Posts: 109
    edited October 2011

    Thank you for that post. It is helpful to hear that others have been on perception or tykerb for long periods of time. You are right, it's not chemo and if it helps keep me alive, then its a no brainer!! Just needed to process the information!

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  • deenah
    deenah Member Posts: 178
    edited November 2011

    I have been on tykerb with herceptin since January, and added navelbine in June. The navelbine is tough on my counts and energy level. I felt great on the tykerb/herceptin only. My lung mets are shrinking fast, and if I get to remission, my maintenance regime will be tykerb/herceptin. I can't wait! I will be on at least that combo forever, or unless my heart can't take the herceptin anymore. My ejection fraction dropped from 72% to 56% in 6 months, so I may have to stop the herceptin for a while. Good luck!!

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  • scuttlers
    scuttlers Member Posts: 1,658
    edited November 2011

    Been on Tykerb and Herceptin since early 2010. NED is my guy since April 2010! This combo is amazing. I hope I am on it for decades! Very doable, once you figure out how to handle the SE. (mostly diarrhea). There are several threads regarding this, and when the time starts for you to begin these two, do a search, it will help.

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