AC + T with Herceptin

[PattyT]

Hello all,

I am about to begin 4 AC followed by 4 T (probably Taxol) with Herceptin treatments. Not that I want to...but all around me think I would be crazy for not doing something. Has anyone been through that particular regimen? I know what the literature says, but I need help. I am worried about the cardiotoxicity possibilities and about living my life--I am the main wage earner in our family while my husband is a graduate student.

Any suggestions or things to watch for?

Patty T.

dx DCIS (now should be IDC) left breast, 3 cm
ER/PR-, Her2+ 09/07/05
mastectomy with immediate reconstruction 10/13/05

[MCS]

Patty,


I hope the experst answer to this also.

I was dx on 7/26/05. Very similar to you. HER2+. ER-,grde 3,1cm. I'm currently receiving ac, to be followed with T+Herceptin and then a year of herceptin alone. A very long road for me. I have sooooooooooooooooooo many questions regarding heart damage, recurrence, mets, quality of life.

There are so many of us with some different side effects that it is hard for me to relate until I go through it myself. I have also reacted to ac differently after each infusion.

You will be ok. Hang in there.

MCS ( Maria)

[Becky]

Dear Patty and MCS

I had dense dose AC followed by Taxol and I am still on Herceptin. I worked throughout treatment (started about a year ago) and went through the winter much like you are. Both are tolerable. Take your anti nausea pills during the AC (I needed it and the nausea and fatigue hit me about 2 days after treatment). With the Taxol, L gluconate helped with the neuropathy of the fingers and toes (I hardly had any) but I did get pains in my legs. It was fine as long as you get yourself moving and just don't lay around.

You do have to be more careful about germs and such (as I said, I went through it in the winter where colds and flu are rampant). I also have school age children who bring everything home (plus last year the flu vaccine was in short supply so not everyone could get vaccinated).

Wash your hands alot and use Purell antibacterial gel and don't touch doors etc (try to be careful as a cold is not anyone's best friend while on chemo)

My heart has stayed fine through Herceptin (I am still on it and haven't finished my year yet). I started at a 70(echo) and I am now running at 60-65 so not much of a decrease. I try to walk everyday and eat a healthy diet. You will be fine because I suspect you are also younger than me (I am 46).

Very soon Maryanne and I will be having moderated chats in the chat room on various topics. Joe (our webmaster) will be putting out a note soon. We will have the first one on Dec 4 (Nutrition and Supplements) and the second one on Dec 18 will be on Tips and Helpful Hints to get through Chemo. The posting on these will come out soon and if you are registered, Joe will be sending a mass mailing to all registered members. These might be beneficial to you.

We are all here for you and to help you through this process (which is scary in the beginning but will empower you as you go through the process). Ask anything of us as we are here to help each other 24/7.

Warmest regards

Becky

[Lolly]

Hi Patty and MCS; Becky has given you great advice, I really don't have anything to add except to say you'll be surprised as you go through this process at how strong you are! It actually gets easier as you go along, because as you adapt and learn what to expect you just start taking it in stride. You do need to rest when you feel tired, even if it's just for 10-15 minutes; PACE yourself, and you'll do fine.

<3 Lolly

[sassy]

Patty,

I was in that same boat--worked all thru treatment which included 4 dd a/c 10 taxol/herceptin,( continuing herceptin for one year), 33 rads (completed 11/17/05) then had surgery (fistulotomy) last Friday for perirectal abcess that had been with me since Labor Day Weekend. Also have two teenage boys.

You can do it--attitude goes a long way. I also took B-6 to help with neuropathy. No lasting problems there. You will need to rest and listen to your body. Let the minor things go--concentrate time and energy on what is most important.

Best of luck, come here often for help and support.

Sassy
________
VAPORIZER WIKI (http://vaporizerwiki.com)

[tricia keegan]

Hi Patty I too had this regime although I did'nt work through it.I found it helped a lot to drink lots of water during treatments and after.You can get a bad taste in your mouth with a/c and I found a mouth spray called Mouth kote which was great.The first week I could'nt eat much but made up for it on the second.The Taxol I found to be a breeze after a/c and much easier to tolerate.As the other Ladies have said rest when you can as it really does help.Good luck.
Tricia

[mts]

Hi Patty-

My Tx was exactly what you plan to have- no picnic, but I did better than I ever though I would.
I was very constipated during all the chemo. Make sure you have metamucil or something similar to take while you are under treatment -take it religiously!
I would always feel pretty good the day of and day after AC but by the 3rd day- you could not get me out of bed for two days. By the fourth day, I was hung-over but mending. Only to do it all over again every two weeks. As for the taxol, well- I had absolutely no problem. A tiny bit of soreness in the legs, but not enough to bother me.

As for the Herceptin- my MUGA started out at 86. And has remained in the 60's since I began.

I wanted to mention that if your husband is "off" on weekends, that perhaps you get your chemo on Thursday. That way, you can rest over the weekend while he tends to the household. Don't try to martyr yourself by doing more than you should. I really had to force myself not to push to hard. You know, a little bit of guilt because your not doing your half. The thing about chemo is that suddenly -everyone SEES how bad cancer really is and they mostly leave you alone! At my office, I would close my door, take off my hat and nap for 45 min. I had a "Do Not Disturb" sign on the door. Everyone knew to leave me alone to rest. Everyone understood...
It took one whole year- and somehow we all adapt to the change. You will too.

Warmly,
Maria

[Unregistered]

Patty
I had similar treatment except i did not receive Herceptin (long story) Also like you i was the breadwinner in the family which is pretty daunting. My husband was a stay at home dad and i am a lawyer who was working long hours (including lots of court work). I had treatment every third friday so i would take that day off and then have the weekend to recover. Apart from every third friday i think that i had about three other days off sick in the six months of chemo. It is amazing what you can do when you have to. Hang in there you will be fine. Janet