Taxotere is a nightmare

Eileen -

I am glad you decided to give chemo a try. During my infusions I frequently sit next to ladies who are in their 70's. Since we talk the entire time, I know that a few of them live alone.

You will NOT get all the side effects that you've read about. Everyone tolerates chemo differently. I am very lucky and have had minimal issues after 4 treatments. Take it one day at a time. And like others have advised, write everything down.

Best of luck to you. And think about attending support group meetings. The ladies there are as kind and supportive as the wonderful, brave women on this website.

Eileen - Just wanted to jump in with more encouragement. I'm on TAC, and for the most part, I think I've avoided the really big SEs (I have my 4th tx this Thursday, out of 6). The third was the toughest - I had to really take all the anti-nausea meds, but they worked, and while I was used to being tired on days 3 and 4, this time I was still having trouble making it through work on days 7 and 8. My taste buds have been hanging in with only brief episodes where things taste horrible (I credit swishing with olive oil twice a day), and have had a few brief periods where my left palm tingled, but only after my 2nd treatment. And if you're getting Neulasta, you should definitely take Claritin to relieve the aches.

As for the hair, here's a link to my hair pictures:

http://www1.snapfish.com/snapfish/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=4893775016/a=4949599_4949599/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/ 

(you'll need to register for snapfish; I haven't found another way to link to photos). 

I never got it shaved - my hairdresser insisted on just giving me a pixie/buzz - and even though most of it has fallen out, there are still quite a number of strands holding on. I picked up a second wig today (the last pic) and absolutely love it.

Eileenohio we were all scared at the beginning. Remember you can always quit once you start. Most people come to these boards to complain… very few post to say "I'm only having minor SE."

If I could have quit chemo after the 4th TX it would have been pretty easy for me. The last 2 tx were the harder but not impossible. I never took any narcotics for pain. I know you're older than me but I didn't need anyone at home to do stuff for me when I was on chemo.  Chemo isn't forever. I don't know how much chemo will improve your stats of not getting mets but I do know how aggressive HER2+ is. Herceptin is more effective with chemo.

You also don't know about the SE from the hormone therapy. Most women do fine but a few just can't stay on it due to the SE. You only have 1  shot at chemo. I believe it must be done 4-8 weeks after surgery.

I would ask your onc for something to calm you down. So many of us going through this have needed help in this way.

My quality of life is good. I'm just over 1 year PFC. Yes I do have some residual effects but not bad at all.

Lago, I have done a lot of research on Herceptin w/o chemo trials. It is said that Herceptin w/o chemo is the HER2+  treatment of the future once the trials are done.  Right now I fear the chemo side effects more than I fear the cancer coming back.  I am praying that God gives me courage.The terror I feel is overwhelming.   Thanks for your support.,

Lago, Some of the ladies have posted that they have minimal side effects,but they sure don't sound minimal to me. When I see that some ladies have problems from the side effects as much as 2 yrs later I think OMG.    Thanks for your kind words of support. 

My MO told me and my sisters that my cancer was CURABLE with TCH,that is why they are pushing me to have the chemo.  Has anyone else been told that their ER/PR HER2 positive was curable?

Thanks

Eileenohio invasive breast cancer has no "known" cure no matter what our biology. Given that you are stage1 (smaller tumor, no nodes, grade 2)  you have a higher probability of being "cured" with treatment but no guarantee. My onc gave me statistics on how chemo and hormone therapy would increase my odds of NED (no evidence of disease)  and alive over the next 10 years. (Herceptin hasn't been out long enough for 10 year studies on early breast cancer). I would ask your onc to show and explain this.

I would share my stats but they are meaningless to you because they are specific to my pathology and age… and you should have a better prognosis given our smaller tumor and lower grade.

My oncologist used the words "curative treatment" in one sentence. If one is NED for say over 5 years or more, isn't it the same as "cured"?

NED is like remission would be for a cancer that can't be treated with surgery, like leukemia.

Hi Special K - nice to "hear" your voice. Hope you are doing well. I am doing great! Friday was my 1 year PFC. My hair is still baby soft and scarce, but at last, it is growing. I am still doing Herceptin until October. How are you?

Hello to Lago too, though, we are FB buddies. Still "hi".

specialK I too noticed less stiffness in thighs after Herceptin ended.

I am trying to keep a record of everything that can help with side effects. What is 800MG  SAMe? I want to add it to my list.  Many Thanks

Eileen - SAMe is --S-adenosylmethionine -- is an over-the-counter dietary supplement that seem to help my joint pain. But! Before you run off to get some, please talk to your doctor whether it is allowed for you to take it. You would not want it to counteract the effectiveness of chemo. Please talk to your doctor first about any supplement you intend to take while you are in treatment.