Starting chemo Feb 2018 taxol herceptin for her2+

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Doranyc
Doranyc Member Posts: 4
edited April 2018 in Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After

Hey everyone out there I’m Dorajean 39 NYand wanted to have a spot to chat with people having the same meds... I found one other feb group but it seems hard to find taxol/herceptin chemoers.

Let me know if you’re out there! Would love to know what and how you’re feelin ... and ... dealin.

I started wed feb 21st and so have had 2 taxol 1 herceptin I am getting some tingles in hands and feet even though trying to ice. Doing Paxman cold cap but don’t know when I will “know” if it’s working.

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  • GodsWithMe
    GodsWithMe Member Posts: 9
    edited March 2018

    Hi Dorajean. I started Taxol/Herceptin on Jan 25, and had my 5th infusion last Thursday. I had to skip a week after round 3 because my white blood count was so low. Luckily the shots they gave me to boost my counts worked and I'm back on schedule. Praying I don't have to skip any more treatments as I want to get this over with ASAP as I'm sure you do!

    So far, I'm doing OK..... although I did start losing my hair about a week ago and today I finally got the scissors out and went to town on what was left. Losing my hair is very hard because I know this side effect will be around for many months after treatments stop, and I had a full head of thick hair. :( But, this too shall pass. The only other major SE is fatigue. It seems like day 2 & 3 after treatment are the hardest. I'm thankful for family and friends that help and let me rest when I need to. I have not had any neuropathy, nausea or joint pain! :) I do have a constant drippy nose, which is common with Herceptin.

    I hope you have success with the cold cap. I admire anyone who has the patience to go through with that. When I found out all the work involved I decided not to try it.

    Nice to have "company" on this journey. Keep me posted! ~Laurie

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  • Doranyc
    Doranyc Member Posts: 4
    edited March 2018

    Hi Laurie!

    Happy to hear you are doing well with treatment. We have very similar diagnosis..

    I’ve been lucky with the nausea so far too.. the joint pain is strange dosent hurt just wonky.? But I am getting a bit. I don’t have a drippy nose but kind of need to clear my throat phlegm like (sorry to be gross) maybe that’s what it is like yours but dgoing down my throat as it was scaring me. I am having a struggle because I am trying to quit smoking as I was a smoker when diagnosed and it’s been so hard with all the stress. I hope I can get it together and stop completely this week. Maybe someone on here will have went through quiting and can give me some support with it it cause it is so upsetting that I am not done. You are definitely right about the cold capping it is a lot of extra effort and if it decides to not work I will stop and chop! So Do you think I will have an idea if it’s working after around 5th infusion ?? I have my 3rd on wed. Keep in touch and let me know how it’s going.


    Btw I see you had radiation first why was that chosen ? I don’t remember it being a choice for me. Or is it because you didn’t have surgery?How was it on you? How many if you don’t mind giving me some info.. thanks!

    Dora

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  • GodsWithMe
    GodsWithMe Member Posts: 9
    edited March 2018

    Dora, Chemo was something I decided to do after getting the ER+PR+HER2+ results. It's still a blur, but I started radiation (20 times) right after my lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy to zap any rogue cancer cells. I thought radiation was a piece of cake. Anyway, when we met with my MO after radiation he said my tumor was .4mm and the ACA recommended chemo with tumors >.5mm. I decided 12 weeks of misery was worth it if I could lessen the chance of reoccurrence. I find this whole process very confusing! I'm fighting a cancer that supposedly is no longer there??!

    Plans of treatment seem to be different for many. So many factors go into it. I would hate to be a MO... so hard. Have you seen the movie "Living Proof" with Harry Connick Jr. about the doctor who invented Herceptin? Great movie!

    Saying a prayer for you now for strength to quit smoking! It must be so hard. Ask your friends/family for help.... you will feel SO much better after quitting, and dramatically improve your health in the process. (I know you know this ;) )

    From what I've read everyone is different as to when/if SEs hit. So, you may be one of the lucky ones who keeps her hair.

    Good luck this Wednesday... my treatment day is Thursdays. Before you know it this will all be a distant memory!

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  • Jstarling
    Jstarling Member Posts: 139
    edited March 2018

    KB870, I miss swimming more than anything else since all this started in January! I have been in the pool only once between the two surgeries ( the second to widen margins). I start chemo and just assumed i wouldn’t be in the water for months. Do you have a port... we are similar ages and diagnosis’s

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  • Positiveinohio
    Positiveinohio Member Posts: 24
    edited April 2018

    Hello Everyone,

    I am starting Taxol/Herceptin treatment today. I am nervous to start this process but want to get it over with. I am trying to stay positive and am glad I found this site. It let's me know I am not alone. I will keep you updated on my progress. Good Luck everyone.

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited April 2018

    Dear Positiveinohio,

    Welcome to the community. We are sorry about your diagnosis but so glad that you reached out to our members. We wish you the very best as you begin treatment today. You also may want to look at the Her 2 positive forum which may offer other threads where you can post and connect with others. Let us know how things go today and pm us if you need any help navigating your way around the boards. The Mods

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  • CENOK2017
    CENOK2017 Member Posts: 80
    edited April 2018

    Hi All,

    I have just finished my 4th round of chemo, out of 6, but am discouraged because my tumor is not shrinking. I was under the impression from my surgeon that the purpose of chemo was to shrink the tumor in order to get clean margins at the time of my mastectomy. However the MO today explained, after measuring, with no significant shrinkage, that tumors don't always shrink. But, they do not want them to grow. She also said the cancer cells could be dying from chemo but they are still feeling tissue. Have any of you experienced this disturbing news?

    Hope you are all doing well.

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  • Positiveinohio
    Positiveinohio Member Posts: 24
    edited April 2018

    Thank you for the kind words of encouragement. I was wondering how I clan include my diagnosis information when I post? I completed it in my profile but it is not showing up. Thanks


    Week 1 went fine with no real side effects. I did experience some insomnia for the first two nights after chemo which was really my worst side effect as I was exhausted by Friday. The MO and nurses said it was probably from the steroid. I was a little achy and heartburn but no other symptoms. I was able to work both Thursday and Friday. Second treatment was today and so far all is well. I have been very active after treatment. I am going to drink some Chamomile Tea before bed and try some Aromatherapy. Day by Day!!! Have a great week everyone!

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  • Ingerp
    Ingerp Member Posts: 2,624
    edited April 2018

    You should be able to go into your profile and make it public

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