TRIPLE POSITIVE GROUP

Moody, I've never seen Taxotere/Taxol, Carboplatin and Herceptin given weekly. It's usually every two weeks (sometimes three) for 6-8 treatments. The regimen that is given weekly for twelve weeks is usually Taxol and Herceptin.

I received Benadryl with my infusions too. They made me a little sleepy but I felt fine by the time I had to leave. They give you the Benadryl to help counteract any allergic reaction you would have to the treatment.

Hmm... Well, PET scans are notorious for producing false positives. Three PET scans showed "something" on my left femoral neck (hip). However, it never showed up in a CT scan or an MRI. So, my oncologist considers that to have been a false positive.

I did get a "before" PET scan and an "after" PET scan. The latter showed that the chemo worked! It showed that the active cancer was gone from my breast and compromised node. It gave me the confidence to get a lumpectomy rather than a mastectomy.

I would do the chemo, and hope that the second PET scan shows that it has worked. ((Hugs))

kae,

I don't think that timing necessarily matters. Just make sure that the radiologist knows about all the various surgeries and injuries you've endured because they might light up. For example, the site of my port insertion lit up.

Coach Vicky,

I did chemo before surgery for two reasons. First, my lump was big (5 cm+), and the surgeon hoped that chemo would shrink it and give me more surgical options. Secondly, the easiest way to get Perjeta (the relatively new targeted therapy for HER2+) is to do chemo before surgery. If your HER2+ lump is bigger than 2 cm, national guidelines recommend Perjeta as part of the neoadjuvant regimen. Because my MO was following the national guidelines, we had no problem getting insurance to approve it.

Now, there are many HER2+ breast care patients who have managed to get Perjeta as part of their post-surgery (adjuvant) treatment as well. Their medical oncologists were able to convince insurance to approve it. So, there's that.

A final benefit to neoadjuvant chemo is that you can see if it worked for your particular cancer. In my case, we did pre-chemo MRI and PET scans, and then post-chemo MRI and PET scans. Since the post-chemo scans showed no active cancer, I was able to choose a lumpectomy and forego a mastectomy.

Hope this helps!

kae - I would wait a couple of months minimum before doing a PET post-chemo to give any inflamed tissues the time to calm down.

Hi beautifully broken! I don't have any experience but I hope someone responds with their experience soon. Sending hugs your way!

I'm doing a clinical trial using Herceptin and Perjeta every 3 weeks for one full year. I am stage 1 with multiple tumors. My situation may be different as this is not standard of care at the moment. I just had DIEP recon surgery last week and start up HP infusions again this Wednesday. I only have 7 left. I did 11 treatments before surgery. I have to give the HP combo credit for my all clear results but since I didn't do any other treatment how do we really know which combo works.

coachVicky, I hear you and can relate. Draw a line at 2 cm and some get perjeta and some don't. Go the perjeta neoadjuvant route, delay surgery. Perjeta is the carrot.
Some know their node status early. Some wait for surgery. Some get ct scans, pet scans, and MRIs. Some don't.

The guidelines and their application seem arbitrary and inconsistent. Then we read articles saying we are being over treated.

I'm not surprised that you are looking back. I think it takes a big leap of faith in the early going and that means there is no time to consider.

I agree- so much inconsistency with HER2 treatments. Makes it really tough for newbies to know which route to take. Thank God for this board, it helps to know we're not alone

beautifully, so sorry. I didnt have that surgery, but call your PS. You can send him a pic. If there is some pink skin anywhere, they can probably save it. But im sure he will get the page and he can give you a number to send him pics . Or he will wait til tbe morning. But calm down and as long as youre not running a fever youll be ok. Take a deep breath. Hugs and much love

Love you post coachvicky, I love your sweet potato friend....don't we all need someone like that in our life?  You are blessed.

coach vicky, woo hoo! thanks for posting your sunshine news, it lets the rest of us know that our normal is up ahead. enjoy the day

Hi Ladies, I had my first chemo today (TCH-P). Everything leading up to this point has been a whirlwind.  I had my mediport put in yesterday, boy am I sore from that.  I'm not feeling to bad from the chemo so far.... a little tired, mild headache.  I will go every 3 weeks for 6 cycles then and additional 12 cycles of Herceptin.  I am fortunate my MO infuses me with Benadryl, two anti-nausea meds (Emend & palonosetron) and Dexamethasone before each treatment.  I was also able to get the Neulasta auto injector applied so I do not have to return to MO office to receive it. I am aware that the more treatments, the worse the side effects: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, mouth sores, dehydration and of course hair loss. I cut my hair short Monday and from what I have read here and been told that the hair will be falling out by weeks 2-3. I have so much love, support and encouragement, I feel very blessed. I have been very open about my DX, humor has helped a lot. However, I am scared, angry, overwhelmed and worry for my family and how they are doing.  I would love to hear from others in all stages of treatment/post treatment with words of wisdom and advice. When to expect certain things. I will not have surgery until after I finish the 6 cycles of TCH-P.  I had to stop my Estrogen hormone patch cold turkey. I am taking Relizen and it helps some. does the TCH-P make the hot flashes, not sweats, etc. worse?  Sorry for the long post. 

Best wishes to all!

Hello Upheld, I actually forgot about icing my feet and hands until you just reminded me. I will put that on my list.  I haven't chewed on ice chips because I have been drinking something all day long. My MO told me to mix 1 cup warm water, 1/4 teaspoon baking soda and 1/8 teaspoon salt: take small sips swish and when done rinse with just water to help reduce ulcers in the mouth, can do every 3 hours.  I have also read that Biotene mouthwash is good as well. I took a Claritin today will take again tomorrow before my Neulasta pump injects. Probably my biggest issue right now is that my headache is getting worse and of course tired. I think my family is doing pretty well. Like I said, a lot of humor. I would say I have only had 3 big breakdowns and they didn't last long. I'll be thinking about you on the 30th. Let me know how you do. 

Suburbs, thank you! I have been taking HRT for 6 years as I already went through menopause 6 years ago. I've been having some since I stopped my HRT 2.5 weeks ago and I know that has something to do with it as well. My MO did say to take Claritin for the bone pain. How long was it until your hair started falling out? I have also heard cycles 4,5 & 6 are the hardest because the chemo is cumulative and just keeps building up. I will go back and read some of your previous post.  Congratulations on the completion of TCH-P!