Perjeta/Herceptin/Taxotere

Barb- I'm not really sure yet. My scan last week showed "ground glass" appearance in both lungs that is new, but we think that's the taxotere causing edema in the lungs (and explains why I've had dry cough and shortness of breath the last 3 cycles!) But now that's something else to watch so I'm guessing 2-3 months.

Went for my first P/H infusion without the taxotere today-so much quicker! I'm a little achy this evening but nothing some tylenol can't fix. I could get used to this! Hope there's not much "delayed reaction" coming over the next few days cuz I've planned a busy weekend.....

I finally got to read my scan report from last week, so confusing. The report talks about 6 nodules in my right lung, the one before only mentioned 3. My MO was totally fine with it, but the surgeon is wary (maybe the CT changes are from tax but maybe not).  I guess time will tell and there's nothing to be gained from obsessing about it but it is weird to have that kind of difference of opinion--has this happened to anyone else? You'd think progression vs stable would be cut and dried but apparently not!

Thanks Jo. The vicks vapo rub has saved me. I feel so much better since I started using it . I Cannot tell you how miserable i was. Thank you so much for sharing this tip. Love. Barb

I saw my onc Thurs. He is keeping me on P/H right now. Hopefully my marker will drop since this was the first draw post surgery.



He asked me what I was doing for fun, and I told him getting my oldest ready to go off to college. I teared up a small amount. I have never taken an antidepressant, but he insisted on writing me a prescription for Paxil to help me through. I have pretty good coping skills and am not sure if I should take it or not. I don't feel depressed...just sadness over a normal life event that cancer makes a little more sad. Do any of you take it or have any words of wisdom? I'm just hanging on to it right now!

The surgery was much easier than I anticipated. It is healing nicely, and I am getting back to "normal".



You are right a out it not being an aspirin. That is what worries me! I think I will stick to my own skills right now for coping unless someone has great things to say!

bhd1...Yippee scans show improvement!  How much longer will you be on the taxotere part?  Sorry it's the culprit behind the rash, but it's definitely working...so, once it gets rid of all the pesky cells, you can say goodbye to it!  Do you think your arm swelling may be lymphedema?  I'm doing some very simple tai chi moves that are really beneficial for lymph fluid movement.  There was a tai chi master on Dr. Oz and the 3 moves he did are so easy and relaxing.  He said 10 min a day & I feel like in the last week, I have less tightness in my armpit area that I really didn't even notice (result of diep flap's new breasts).  Feels good. 

Carla...Yahoo on stable!  I feel your "ever so slight" disappointment at not being totally disappeared!!!  I felt the same way with my liver.  But stable is awesome.  I'm hoping for the last 20% to be obliterated....then I will welcome stable!!!   Good luck on your mastectomy. 

Oh Gals...I love hearing hair stories!!!  I'm still thinning.  I actually asked my onc what she thought about eyebrow tattooing...she pretty much asked if I could guarantee no hepatitis.  UGH.  Guess I'll keep brushing them on!!!

Have a great rest of the weekend, sisters!

thanks ronnie kay. we can reduce taxotere whenever i want, but i am afraid . i have had 7 failed chemos. yes i have developed lymphedema. i am worried about the impact that will makr on my active lifestyle

Kingcour: was your onc concerned? Mine went up 9 points~which it did a couple months ago~and she wasn't concerned & said they sawtooth~up, down, but 24 would make me worry. They look for trends, so maybe next month will be better. They say there are lots of reasons for spikes~antibiotics, etc, so that's something to

consider. Thinking of you.



Jo...since scans were good in June, she decided to go to 2weeks on/1off w/chemo. That was the unplanned regimen early on due to low white count, when they had to hold it every 3rd week & do neulasta. The new regimen is pretty standard-but she did every week to zap tumors quickly. We'll see how it goes...ever hopeful. Feeling not so good this week-dragging & sore throat & had neulasta last week. Kind of worrisome. Bone marrow needs to get busy!



Bhd1-from what I've seen with gals who have le, you will be able to be as active as you want~but with some modifications-like wearing your sleeve & glove. There are other things to consider~sun, flying w/sleeve, etc, all things that come w/losing nodes. You'll learn & know what you can do...that's only what I've seen w/others. It still sucks! As they say-cancer, the gift that keeps giving! Enough already, right!!!

I had this done too but would be afraid to have it done while on taxotere.

This is a good time to get it done. You will love it. People kept saying how nice I looked and they didn't know why! If you loved your brows befote. take a pic of them along w you. If not they can create a pretty look. Take time to get the right look. And make sure you go to someone highly recommended. Get references. If they screw it up, you will not be able to fix it. It is the best thing I ever did

Since perjeta is so new and i don't think many

people have had it alone, i

Think it will be hard to get accurate facts re side effects.

Congrats Barb!!! Lilylady, so happy for you.

I am sooo happy to have found this forum!  I was diagnoised a few weeks ago with stage IV breast cancer.  I have a mass in my liver, and 1 "hot" lymph node.  My chemo "cocktail" (I was told this is what it's called) is perjeta/herceptin/taxatere.  Scared??  Well YESSSS I am.  I had my first chemo session on Fri. Aug. 2, 2013, and although I had planned a pretty low key weekend, I got along pretty darn well. Just a little tired, but otherwise I felt pretty normal. Then on Mon. Aug. 5, I had an injection of Neulasta. I have struggled all week with unbearable bone pain to the point that I could barely raise my head from my pillow.  Extra strength Tylenol, Aleve and Vicoden only gave me minimal releif for a few hours.  I am scheduled for 6 P/H/T treatment(three weeks apart) with Neulasta after each one. My onc has offered pain meds with codine for the next time, but I am really hesitant about the Neulasta drug.  Now, whether the combination of the first P/H/T AND Neulasta just threw my body for a loop, or whether it will be as bad next time is very concerning.  By the way, my dear Mother was a 24 year breast cancer survivor who passed way 11 months ago of the disease.  So needless to say, I know what "FIGHT" looks like, and I am up for it:)  Her whole medical regime was quite different than mine will be, for many different reasons.  Looking for support, advice and guidance and willing to share mine:) Love, Debbie

Welcome Sunday. I have been on pht for 8 tx and have never had neulasta. I have been told however that Claritin. ( yes the allergy drug). Will help w the side effects from neulasta shot. It is rot th a try