Residual cancer 2 years later post neoadjuvant chemo

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dimidani
dimidani Member Posts: 45
edited June 2014 in HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer

Hello Friends,

This is my second time around tyring to fight this disease. My first diagnoses was in April 2010  at the age of 35 stage 2a triple positive with one node positive. Had neoadjuvant DDAC/T/H. Complete response to chemo post surgery, radiation, Herceptin for 1 year and Tamoxifen.

In September I had an axillary  ultrasound done. 1 lymph node of 0.8 mm/ 0.6mm showed to be abnormal. Had a fine needle aspiration came back for Adenocarcinoma. Had surgery 7 days ago.  My phat report confirmed the findings of the fine needle aspiration. The node showed prominent extranodal extension.  I was told by my surgeon and oncologist that this is not a recurrent disease is residual disease that was left behind at the initial surgery. :(((((( AHHHHH ????

All my scans are clear PET, CT, tumor markers. NO spread THANK GOD! I am very confused and scared and I am asking for your help. I had a horrible time with my first chemo AC lots and lots of vomiting. I was given AC every two weeks. Taxol and herceptin  was very tolerable.

My oncologist now wants to give me more chemo TCH of 4 cycles every 3 weeks. I am terrified and I would like to know how sick made you this type of chemo regime ? I am thinking in refusing more chemo. I got very nauseated when I heard the news yesterday. I love my hair is sooo beautiful now. Is there anyway I can save my hair with this chemo?? I heard of cold cups? Do they work??

Please help,

Hugs, Daniela

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  • sewingnut
    sewingnut Member Posts: 1,129
    edited November 2012

    I had TCH X6. I did have antinausea meds Aloxi and Emend as pre meds along with Dexamethasone. I was expecting lots of nausea but the only thing I had was more like acid reflux and Prilosec held that at bay. By the time I got to tx 5+6 I was pretty tired but you are stopping at 4 so you should be fine. I worked the entire time. I didnt do cold caps so I cant help you with that. I'm sure some one will chime in about that. Nuelasta shots kept my counts up and I didnt even have a cold during chemo.

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  • rozem
    rozem Member Posts: 1,375
    edited November 2012

    Daniela

    i am so sorry you are dealing with this again...This damn disease is so unpredictable

    the "A" in your first chemo treatment is what gives you the nausea/vomiting etc.  I had the exact same thing...lost 12 pounds on chemo.  You said your tummy felt better during the taxol portion (mine did) then you should fare much better with the TCH

    there is an thread in the chemo section on TCH or please join us on the triple positive thread, lots of women there have had TCH

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  • dimidani
    dimidani Member Posts: 45
    edited November 2012

    Thank you so much for all the information. Very helpful!! 

    I am having a very hard time. I can not stop crying and fearing the worse. I am sorry I am venting a lot. My life started to get back to normal and I was feeling very strong and healthy and than this cancer came back.

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  • orange1
    orange1 Member Posts: 930
    edited November 2012

    I am so sorry you are going through this again.  It really stinks.

    But be assured that TCH is much more mild than AC TH.  A week after one of my treatments, I literally called the hospital pharmacy to verify that they gave me all the drugs because I didn't experience side effects that time.  Other times I did have side effects.  The worst was severe diarrhea, especially bad with the first treatment.  Then I learned to control it better with lots of lomotil.  By the last couple treatments, I was very fatigued, but still managed to work through the whole thing.

    I never vomited - and only experienced slight nausea occassionally towards the end of treatment.  It was well controlled with the meds they provided.  Just be sure to take the meds at the first hint of nausea - its easier to control if dealt with early.

    Best of luck to you.

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  • dimidani
    dimidani Member Posts: 45
    edited November 2012

    Thank you orange1.  Very encouraging. I will keep in mind all the tips to manage the side effects.

    Daniela

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  • sewingnut
    sewingnut Member Posts: 1,129
    edited November 2012

    There is also a thread called Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin. Any question you have they will be able to answer.

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  • geewhiz
    geewhiz Member Posts: 1,439
    edited November 2012

    Hugs Daniela..

    I had TCH and did fine with it. I went to work every day, and took a walk every night. You will absolutely get through it!!

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  • dimidani
    dimidani Member Posts: 45
    edited November 2012

    Thank you sewingnut I found the TCH thread.

    I just ordered my Penguin Cold Caps. Hope they will save my hair :)))

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  • dancetrancer
    dancetrancer Member Posts: 4,039
    edited November 2012

    dimidani - I did 4 TCH's and did cold caps - saved my hair!  Please come on over to the cold caps thread for advice and encouragement with the PCC's.  

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