Invasive Ductal Carcinoma

Congratulations on your shrinkage, maricarl, and best wishes for a very successful surgery and a great path report.

motherrunner - I can't speak to taxol but my experience of Herceptin (in a clinical trial) has been very positive. Sometimes I feel chilled and fatigued for the rest of the day (heating pad to the rescue) but I've never felt it for any longer than overnight. Some people do have more issues but for the most part it's very, very easy for most women. I think taxol's generally harder but you won't be on it as long. Good luck with it, and congratulations on your clear nodes. Take care.

For motherrunner:

This week I will have my last of 12 weekly Taxol/Herceptin infusions and then I'll get Herceptin every 3 weeks for the rest of the year. I was expecting chemo to be awful but actually I did not find it to be so bad. I didn't even lose all my hair. As a matter of fact, chemo day was pretty relaxing and sometimes was the best day of my week. Each session takes about 4 hours to complete which is 4 hours that no one expects anything from me!

I had my treatments on Friday mornings and was usually sleepy in the afternoon from the premeds. Sometimes I can't sleep Friday night due to the steroids that are included in the premeds. By Saturday, I am still under the influence of the steroids and zoom around like a woman on a mission. I get a lot done on Saturdays! Sunday is the worst day. I usually don't feel like doing much and sometimes the tummy issues kick in on that day. By Monday I am up and off to work just like normal.

The few side effects I experienced were mostly mild. I had that infamous metallic taste in my mouth for most of the time. I've had a few mouth sores but they have all gone away within a day or two. I've had a couple of acne breakouts due to the steroids. The most bothersome side effect I've had is killer heartburn. It can be relentless. I was worried about taking so many heartburn meds, both prescription and over-the-counter, but my doctor said that all of this is short-term so it is ok to do whatever it takes to deal with the heartburn. Lately I've also experienced some numbness from peripheral neuropathy in my hands and feet. My Taxol dosage was reduced a couple of weeks ago and the neuropathy has greatly improved.

If I had it to do over, I'd not have gotten my head buzzed so soon. As I said, I did not lose all of my hair and probably could have gotten away with a very short cut instead of the buzz/wig thing. My hair is very thick and was shoulder-length when I started chemo. It started shedding pretty proficiently around week 3 so I got a short haircut. Even though it continued to shed, I wish I'd stopped there. I thought it would eventually all fall out so I went ahead and got my head buzzed and started wearing my wig. Well, it never did come close to all falling out so in hindsight, I wish I wouldn't have gotten it buzzed. It actually has already started growing back and I'm not even done with chemo!

I am thankful for all the research that has enabled women like us to receive an effective and less harsh treatment than was available not that many years ago. Best of luck with your treatments. I hope you have an easy time of it.

Eamcpa: Thank you for your summary. I'm facing exactly the same chemo regimen, haven't started yet, and am wondering what to expect.

Hi Eamcpa! Congrats on your positive treatment. I would like to ask you a question, please. Sounds like you had invasive ductal carcinoma HER2 +, correct? Was it also in situ? If so, can you please tell me the size of your tumor? My oncologist recommended the same chemo combo (he showed me 3 combo options) as you Taxol + Hepceperin siting the 2015 study in the new England Journal of medicine which indicated something like 98.5 success. The only part that concerned me was that of the 406 women in the study only about 36 had tumors larger than 2cm. Mine was 2.3cm so I'd like to here from anyone who had good results after having a 2+cm tumor removed. My nodes and margins were both clear.

Thanks!

Sambyca

i had multifocal IDC (plus DCIS EVERYWHERE), but none of them over 1cm, sorry

Airlie - Sound like a rough go on the first chemo phase. Sending you positive vibes and healing wishesas you switch to Taxol and Herceptin.

Hello, I am Kerri and I am new here. These boards have been wonderful for lurking and educating myself, so thank you very much, ladies (and gents). I was diagnosed on April 25 with IDC stage 1, and met with the oncologist yesterday. I was feeling fairly nonchalant about things, being less than 1 cm, until he said the cancer is "aggressive." I meet with the surgeon later today, and all I want out of that meeting is a date this week or next for a lumpectomy. The Oncotype and Mammaprint tests were just ordered, so a two week wait until I know if I will need chemo or not. Any words of wisdom from those of you who have "been there, done that, got the t-shirt?"

You will be fine!

It wasn't at all as bad as I imagined. There were some terrible days, but that was not the norm. Crazy fatigue. Bone pain from Neulasta. Just plan to sleep alot. ...and let yourself recover. I wasn't nauseous because they have great drugs now. I did lose my hair, but big whoop- maybe I get to live! You will do great just try to stay positive. I know it's not always possible, but just try. ;-)