Perjeta/Herceptin/Taxotere

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  • bhd1
    bhd1 Member Posts: 3,874
    edited May 2013

    such great news for you.  i only wish we could all do as well.  keep up  the good work . and keep us posted.  we care

  • Lorijo6600
    Lorijo6600 Member Posts: 51
    edited May 2013

    I just finished my 6th round of p/h/t. The worst side effects for me is being so tired and being so sick after treatment. I used to only feel awful for 4 days or so and now it's more like 8. My counts were real low before treatment this time and my onc had me test again in a week. He said if they were too low, that we would have to skip the tax next time. No such luck. It's just so hard to work and be on this combo. If it wouldn't bankrupt us, I would so quit my job. And I like my job! Sometimes it is just too much.

  • bhd1
    bhd1 Member Posts: 3,874
    edited May 2013

    I cannot imagine working and being on this tx , it is hard

  • Z28Femme
    Z28Femme Member Posts: 99
    edited May 2013

    I was in today to start my 5th cycle of p/h/t. My body was handling it very well the first 4 cycles and I'm feeling more fatigued now. I too am working full time and sometimes it is difficult to balance out.

  • bhd1
    bhd1 Member Posts: 3,874
    edited May 2013

    what test do you ladies get? pet scan or ct scan? ek g or muga?

  • Rehula
    Rehula Member Posts: 5
    edited May 2013

    I get both CT and PET for scans and MUGA every three months.

  • jocanuck1951
    jocanuck1951 Member Posts: 1,003
    edited June 2013

    Hi bhd1, so far I get irradiated ct scans and EKG. Jo

  • fujiimama
    fujiimama Member Posts: 800
    edited June 2013

    I get ct with contrast/ bone scan and ecg every 3-4 months.

  • kingcour
    kingcour Member Posts: 93
    edited June 2013

    I'm a little concerned that my tumor marker is up 7 points. The time before (3 weeks prior) it had dropped 6 points. Do any of you have regular CA27/29 testing? What are your numbers? Mine is now at 49. I am happy to report on the flip side, that all of my liver enzyme tests are now normal, and I feel great. I am due another PET soon. I guess that will tell the tale, but I hope my p/h ride isn't over yet. I have 4 babies to raise, and it's so much easier when I feel well!

  • bhd1
    bhd1 Member Posts: 3,874
    edited June 2013

    Kingcour i hope you can stay on ph for a very long time. I was having fluid in the ears with tph. This last tx I went to the regular dose of steroids ( 4 pills a day ) for three days instead of 2 pills a day. and had no fluid prob. Don't know if it is a coincidence or no?

  • hope4acure
    hope4acure Member Posts: 29
    edited June 2013

    I have bone scans and ct of chest and abdomen. Echos every three months.

  • bhd1
    bhd1 Member Posts: 3,874
    edited June 2013

    has anyone had a rash on the chest from pht?

  • fujiimama
    fujiimama Member Posts: 800
    edited June 2013

    I break out the week before a treatment. It looks like high school acne all over again. The steroids can do that too. My mo gives me minecycline if it gets outa hand.

  • Z28Femme
    Z28Femme Member Posts: 99
    edited June 2013

    I have an acne rash on my face, neck, chest and back. I see dermatology June 18th and will update after that...

  • CarlaK
    CarlaK Member Posts: 158
    edited June 2013

    Hi, been lurking here through 4 rounds of PTH and knowing that my experience matches most everybody else's has been reassuring: body aches, fatigue, constipation then diarrhea, nose scabs, hair loss, weird nails, taste buds and mouth messed up. What fun!

    bhd1 I had a bad rash the first round, like acne, but that went away and I haven't gotten it again. I chalked it up to the P/H loading dose...

    Interested in how many of you stayed on all 3 meds and how long, and how many went to just P/H or just H. My onc was talking about going to just Herceptin after 6 rounds, but I'm thinking she misspoke....the point of the Perjeta is that it worked much better with Herceptin than Herceptin alone, right? And you ride that horse until it isn't working anymore, right?  I could easily be talked into dropping the Taxotere though!

  • warriorprincess1971
    warriorprincess1971 Member Posts: 27
    edited June 2013

    Rehula- congrats. That is fabulous news. I am not on here often but veru happy to see your post. I have been on just P/H since January. I could only stand 4 Taxatere. Due scans in a couple weeks but I am headed to NYC with the fam first. Taking my youngest to see Spiderman on Broadway. Keep LIVING with Stage VI!

  • warriorprincess1971
    warriorprincess1971 Member Posts: 27
    edited June 2013

    Kingcour- I just want you to know what a fighter I think you are. I feel very positive energy when I think of you.



    CarlaK- welcome. I am a fellow lurker most of the time. Wanted to tell you I only took 4 rounds of Taxatere and have been on P/H since Jan. Scans were ok in March. Due again in two weeks. Hang in there but when YOU feel it's enough, it's ok to say so.



    LoriJo6600- of course you would quit. It is ok. I want to tell you there is a new part of Social Security called compassionate allowance. It is a list of diagnoses that are eligible for a fast track. You are guaranteed your disability award in 20 days time. Stage IV breast cancer is one of those diagnoses. They make it easy to go back to work at some time if you choose. I am enjoying my family and do not miss work now.



    LoriJo660

  • kingcour
    kingcour Member Posts: 93
    edited June 2013

    Thank you, Lorijo! That made my day!

  • Lorijo6600
    Lorijo6600 Member Posts: 51
    edited June 2013

    Warriorprincess, I know I can be approved automatically, but my understanding is I had to wait 5 months before I would receive any social security? Has that changed?

  • warriorprincess1971
    warriorprincess1971 Member Posts: 27
    edited June 2013

    Lorijo6600- I recieved a check within the 20 days. I don't know how long you have continued to work but they should nack up to the date of diagnosis of yout Stage IV. That should cover any waiting period. I find the SS employees are not well educated on hoe this work. Makes no sense to provide a fast track if it isn't fast. My was approved and paid...now the Medidcare benefit is two years but if you have the right person doing your application. ..my medicare date was backed up to my original Stage IIIa diagnosis so it takes effect in August. Feel free to msg me with any other queations. I will check back pretty often.

  • warriorprincess1971
    warriorprincess1971 Member Posts: 27
    edited June 2013

    Lorijo6600- just looked back at your dates. You should not have any waiting period beyond the 20 days for your application process.

  • Redmond
    Redmond Member Posts: 17
    edited June 2013

    Just got my disability approval but...have to wait 5months.

    Onc decided to go for round 7 and 8. On pht. The original plan was to drop t after 6.this Is good. But...I'm tired of t.going with 100mg /m2. I think I'm held together with bailing wire and duct tape. Feet are giant. Nose and eyes runny. Fingernails (and toe) are falling off. Large muscles (thigh,biceps,etc) hate me. Spend way to much time in the bathroom. Sorry...just need to whine a bit. Perhaps I should go and get some cheese to go with that wine. Ahh..that's better. Onward and upward. I can do two more. I'm reminded of the story...the little train who could.

  • fujiimama
    fujiimama Member Posts: 800
    edited June 2013

    Redmon sorry for the pht extension. I'll be in the corner cheering you on. Once the t gets dropped it gets better sssllloooowwwwllllyyy.

  • kingcour
    kingcour Member Posts: 93
    edited June 2013

    Redmond- I did 4 Tch and then 12 PHT immediately after that. So 16 straight taxoteres. I was wiped out by the end, but I am already feeling like precancerous me again less than two months later. Hang in there! You can do it! Lots of prayers got me through!

  • CarlaK
    CarlaK Member Posts: 158
    edited June 2013

    Hi again, this week my onc had me get an ultrasound of my main tumor in the left breast, and after 4 rounds of PHT it has shrunk by 35%! Hopefully it is zapping my lung mets just as hard, we check those with a scan in July after round 6. It's definitely easier to put up with the side effects when you know for sure you're making progress!

  • fujiimama
    fujiimama Member Posts: 800
    edited June 2013

    CarlaK yay for shrinkage.

  • bhd1
    bhd1 Member Posts: 3,874
    edited June 2013

    it is great that yu have shrinkage Carla.  good for yu.

  • kingcour
    kingcour Member Posts: 93
    edited June 2013

    I'm having my 3 month scan Monday. I don't see my onc until Friday. Please say a prayer for good news. I also had an echo yesterday that I will hear from on the same day. It is hard to have to wait so long!



    Yay for shrinkage, Carla! Wishing everyone good health!

  • CarlaK
    CarlaK Member Posts: 158
    edited June 2013

    Hoping for great news for your scan and echo, Kingcour!

  • aic
    aic Member Posts: 417
    edited June 2013

    I will be praying for you kingcour! I am in the same boat with scans Tuesday and results Thursday.

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