TRIPLE POSITIVE GROUP

so what does the perjeta do exactly, my tumors were small under 2 cm. I am still trying to understand it all? One more thing, I have her2+. But is there a hercepton 1 positive? I am getting that notion, and that her2+ is the more aggressive? Or am I just confusing hercepton negative? My chemo nurse said I had to talk to the dr to clear this up.,

There is nothing called Herceptin positive or negative. You are either Her2 positive or negative. There are three numbers to show how Her2+ you are. 1, 2, or 3. 1 is considered negative, 2 equivocal, and 3 positive. Herceptin is a targeted therapy drug that is used to treat Her2+ BC. I believe your tumor needed to be 2cm to receive Perjeta.

Thanks for the info Bren, I googled to understand this better and found there is a family of HER receptors, 1,2,3 and 4. That's why I love this forum, always something new to learn!

@davisd, from what it seems like- Perjeta is what brings about that GI problems .. During my regiment, I would have a good 4/5 days of nausea/vomitting .. & then full blown diarrhea for 3-4 days. It persisted through each treatment. It was hard to leave the house because at any moment you had to use the bathroom and it needed to be quick. I'd recommend stocking up on fluids to help your bodu

ang7894 I didn't get perjeta either because it was still in trials. Tried to get in a trial but the just changed it to node positive only so I was disqualified.

DavisD cancer can and does mutate. It's worse than roaches.

pikkyljtlu

sheshe, welcome to this thread. I too recurred 12 years after my first dx, although mine was on the same side. Things have come a long way since our first dx. There are some very knowledgeable ladies here that can help you get through this!

Bren58 Thanks for the welcome! I definitely have seen lots of changes since my first bc in 2002. I'm just ready to get rolling. My diagnosis was on 2/05/15 and a month and a half later, still waiting for tx! Soon I think....

Cassiecat congrats on being so close to the finish line! I hoping along with you that you'll be done for good!

Sheshe the changes are amazing. They changed things since I was diagnosed and treated in 2010! We're here for you.

SheShe

Glad you found this site. These discussion boards and women have been so supportive and helpful. I am sorry you have a new BC. I just finished 4 rounds of TCHP. Learn all you can to prepare by reading older discussions. They helped me get through it. We are here for you.

Patty

Sophie, I had the same treatment you are getting. AC was much harder for me than THP. The third treatment was the worst. I didn't feel like doing anything. The fatigue seemed to build up over time with the Taxol but nothing like AC. I did get the big D at times from the Perjeta. Overall I thought it was pretty easy...for chemo!

thanks for some of the clarifications on the her2+. I understand that the world of genetics is going to be playing a big part of this whole BC disease, I had some liver issues a few years back and was worried since it could not be confirmed with what I had, They were talking about hepatitis g,h I, already on the forefront, but no conclusive ideas which are by far worse, other than hep c for now, Luckily mine turned out to be dietary and that cleared my mind a bit. Because cirrhosis was not what I wanted to head for. In the meantime, sorry we are all here, but have lots to discover and share.

My biggest advise is the hydrate, hydrate, hydrate days before and all thru the days, this is saving mefrom a horrible repeat of round 1 so far of chemo. I am praying for all of us here and in the past and future, as we are the explorers in this up down world of breast cancer with only some answers and future hopes of success.

Maryann

Welcome all you new ladies! For those in chemo, get on your starting chemo MONTH page also. I found it a wonderful resource, as you learned what was working for others and sometimes it helped you too. As to TCHP, for me, it was bad taste, constipation, nausea, diarrhea,heartburn; then the other things, neuropothy, runny eyes and nose, fatigue, etc. Get the constipation under control before the 'big D, as we called it' comes. My chemo day was Wed, my best rounds were when I took Miralax Wed, drank Mag Citrate Thurs night and/or Friday night. Magnesium Citrate is AWFUL, I drank 1/2 bottle with same amount of red gaterade. My MO says, drink your constipation meds as fast as you can, it helps them work better. Normally around 8 the morning after mag citrate, would be liquid coming out, with some cramping, but not much. If you get that first batch out of you, when the 'D' kicks in, it can come out, so although bad, not TERRIFYING. If imodium isn't working, ask for an Rx for lomotil. Always have reading material, it takes your mind off the amount of time on the comode. Raise your feet, by placing each one on a roll of TP, it will improve your circulation. If you have 'heartburn', get meds for that. I was on Rx 40mg Protonix morning and night and some days would still drink the Rx Carafate and eat tums. Now only on 20mg in the morning, and probably will be able to stop soon, although tomato sauce is still an issue. Hydrate Hydrate Hydrate. I told my MO I was drinking Gaterade, although I hated it, on big D days. He said, drink water and eat potato chips instead, if that is better for you. So water and salt. Listen to your body. I had days I craved spinach, and would eat 1/2 a package of cooked frozen spinach (get much more than a spinach salad), I had days I'd eat a banana, I had days I craved roast beef. My numbers were always good, in my MOs opinion. You can do it, we are the warriors. Oh, and most importantly something someone said to me 1 month in. BC is NOT a sprint, it is a MARATHON. Therefore, your expectsations are in the right place.

I just finished 14 rounds of herceptin. My MO asked if I wanted to stop. I'm not having any bad SE's so I said I'd like to finish the full year. He said ok, but added a full year isn't really necessary. By now the herceptin has either done its job or it isn't working and another couple rounds won't make a difference. So for those of you not completing the full year, you likely got all you need.

BlownAway, was that 7 total or 7 after having it alongside chemo?