TCHP 1x every 3 weeks

hi Seashine,

I've just completed the same treatment regimen you're about to embark on. I was diagnosed as HER 2+ estrogen + and progesterone- on October 23, 2016. I began chemotherapy November 17,2015 and March 1, 2016 was my last chemo treatment and I'm scheduled to do my lumpectomy surgery March 31. I'm going to try to answer all of your questions from my very own personal experience.

1. I'm a preschool teacher and my oncologist suggested that I shouldn't work either due to my compromised immune system and the children would put me at risk of getting sick. I chose to take medical leave and I plan to return to work hopefully in the fall.

2. It's been very difficult adjusting. I've been teaching for 15 years and I was used to my routine. I had to find things to do to occupy my mind and time. It's been difficult for me financially but friends and family and by the grace of GOD I've managed.

4. Letting go of my hair was one of the hardest things for me to do. My hair started to fall out after the first treatment. I tried to hold on to it as long as I could. I would wear hats and scarves to hide the balding spots but after the third treatment. I had to shave the rest of it off. I felt like a burden was lifted off of me. I felt a lot better after I did it.

4. I have a 20 year old daughter away at college, an 18 year old daughter, high school senior and a 9 year old son, 4th grade. I did not get sick from any of them at all. My doctor made sure I received a flu shot before I started chemo and I made sure all of my children got there's too. As for performing mommy duties, I did what I could when I had energy and didn't feel sick from the chemo. I did the laundry, cleaned my home, shopped for groceries and cooked enough to last a couple of days. But when I was too tired to do anything, my friends and family provided meals for my family and my husband took charge of the household chores.

5. I really don't have a prep list but for me I needed lotion because my skin was extremely dry. Eucerin worked well for me. I kept thick fuzzy socks on my feet because my feet were always cold. I drank plenty of water. Imodium was my best friend because in the beginning, I dealt with diarrhea so bad. Carmex for my lips to keep them moisturized.

6. As for Netflix, I watched anything that kept me laughing and in good spirits. The herceptin kinda messed with my hormones. I was always moody and sometimes depressed. Laughter helped.

These threads have members all doing TCHP:

https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/69/topics...

https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/80/topics...

Edited to add: I am having trouble with these links, but the threads are TCHP Ladies Late 2014/Early 2015, and TCH vs TCHP - if you type those into the search box you will get those.

There are also many on the Triple Pos thread, as debiann indicated, that are as well:

Edited to add: This is the Triple Pos link, but it was not working for me either a minute ago.

https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/80/topics...

I did TCH, Perjeta was not yet approved when I was treated, but can answer your questions as to my personal experience. 1. I also worked in a biohazardous in the hospital and ended up not being able to work because by the time I started chemo/Herceptin I had already had five back to back surgeries - my MO did not dictate whether I could or not, but agreed it was probably not a great idea due to the environment. 2. Yes, it was odd to be in treatment and not be working, I found it beneficial to work after diagnosis but before surgery because it let me think about something other than breats cancer, but once I started treatment I was relieved not to have to have that responsibility. 3. I was unusual in that I did not lose my hair for 24 days, so I actually got through two treatment out of six before that happened. I had cut my very long hair short in order to have a hairpiece made from my own hair (www.hatswithhair.com) and once it started to fall out I shaved it with clippers to about 1/2 inch long. I never lost all my hair completely. I also did not lose all my lashes or brows. I did not need to draw on brows, just fill them in. 4. My college age daughter lived at home during my treatment, and she had tonsillitis more than once. I washed her dishes and changed her sheets, did her laundry - never got sick. I received Neulasta injections after each infusion and they kept my white count high. I went out in public regularly and had no issues. I did not have any opportunistic infections during treatment. 5. The prep lists I have seen are exhaustive and you definitely don't need everything on them. Some people have GI issues, but I would wait to see which way you go before buying a bunch of laxatives or anti-D meds. I never took any laxatives, I had the opposite problem, but didn't take any meds for that either. I did need Kleenex available everywhere I went - when you lose your nose hairs and have treatment that causes a runny nose - it is a bad combo, lol! Also, I used lubricating eyedrops because Taxotere causes dry eye and conversely makes your eyes water - lubricating drops helped. I used a LOT of Aquaphor - used it up my nose, on my face, hands and feet. I did wear a lightweight polarfleece hat at night, having no hair meant my head was cold. I did use a baby toothbrush. That was about it for extra stuff I needed. 6. I did binge watch Netflix, lol! I watched fairly light stuff - mostly rom-coms, but mixed in The Sopranos from beginning to end. Good luck!

I was treated before Perjeta was widely available so I only had TCH but I am on Perjeta now (metastatic Dz) just no carboplatin and it's not a lot different.

1. I worked in a busy veterinary clinic, in close contact with the public and animals all day long. I was not advised to stop working. I continued to process blood and fecal samples as well as all of the other classic technician duties. I just did a lot of extra hand washing. I had Neulasta injections after each chemo treatment and never got sick.

2. Your entire life is tipped upside down. It will take a while to adjust but it will never, ever be the same as it was before your cancer diagnosis. You will come to terms with how different your body and life will be with time. You will develop new kinship with people you never imagined as you navigate through your new life and join new support systems. Your life will be fine, beautiful and fulfilling but it will never be the same. Grieve, it is natural and productive release and it will help you to heal and move forward with confidence.

3. I had my waist-length, curly hair cut short before my first chemo to get used to things. I shaved it down on day 16 post chemo when I ran my hands through and clumps started to come out. I shaved to the skin.

4. I had my SO's young boys half time and was able to carry on with all Mommy duties. I never got sick dealing with them, just used usual hand washing and handling protocols for any sanitary home.

5. Coloring books and colored pencils to take to chemo, it's a long boring day.

6. Netflix Binges: House of Cards (if you like political thrillers), Prison Break, Firefly (SciFi-Western)