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caya · 11-15-2007, 04:28 PM

Hi Suzanne,

I am being treated at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto. I told my onc. I wanted the strongest chemo combo there is for the beast, and I did FEC (3 rounds), then Taxotere (3 rounds). This FEC-T combo is very commonly used in Canada, Britain and other commonwealth countries. Ask your onc. about getting either Taxotere or Taxol, the taxanes are very important in treating Her2 +, even with clear nodes etc. (I also had clear nodes, no vascular invasion, did not need radiation etc.) I wanted the most aggressive treatment to know that I had done all I could to avoid recurrence. After a month's break I started Herceptin, going every 3 weeks until next May. I am also now on Tamoxifen.

Chemo is not fun, but very doable. I took all the anti nauseant pills regularly and I can say that although I was nauseous and weak, I never threw up. I used Biotene toothpaste and mouthwash religiously, so I did not get mouth sores. I did have those sores "down below" but my onc. prescribed a cream for these and they cleared up. I had a few bladder infections, but I have always been prone to these, again I got medication and everything was fine. I had some swelling from the steriods, but it all was manageable. All in all I think I did pretty well - extreme fatigue was my main side effect (apart from losing my hair of course).

Good luck.

all the best
caya

11-15-2007, 04:28 PM	#2
caya Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Thornhill, Ontario Canada Posts: 2,320	Hi Suzanne, I am being treated at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto. I told my onc. I wanted the strongest chemo combo there is for the beast, and I did FEC (3 rounds), then Taxotere (3 rounds). This FEC-T combo is very commonly used in Canada, Britain and other commonwealth countries. Ask your onc. about getting either Taxotere or Taxol, the taxanes are very important in treating Her2 +, even with clear nodes etc. (I also had clear nodes, no vascular invasion, did not need radiation etc.) I wanted the most aggressive treatment to know that I had done all I could to avoid recurrence. After a month's break I started Herceptin, going every 3 weeks until next May. I am also now on Tamoxifen. Chemo is not fun, but very doable. I took all the anti nauseant pills regularly and I can say that although I was nauseous and weak, I never threw up. I used Biotene toothpaste and mouthwash religiously, so I did not get mouth sores. I did have those sores "down below" but my onc. prescribed a cream for these and they cleared up. I had a few bladder infections, but I have always been prone to these, again I got medication and everything was fine. I had some swelling from the steriods, but it all was manageable. All in all I think I did pretty well - extreme fatigue was my main side effect (apart from losing my hair of course). Good luck. all the best caya __________________ ER90%+/PR 50%+/HER 2+ 1.7 cm and 1.0 cm. Stage 1, grade 2, Node Negative (16 nodes tested) MRM Dec.18/06 3 x FEC, 3 x Taxotere Herceptin - every 3 weeks for a year, finished May 8/08 Tamoxifen - 2 1/2 years Femara - Jan. 1, 2010 - July 18, 2012 BRCA1/BRCA2 Negative Dignosed 10/16/06, age 48 , premenopausal Mild lymphedema diagnosed June 2009 - breast surgeon and lymph. therapist think it's completely reversible - hope so. Reclast infusion January 2012 Oopherectomy October 2013 15 Years NED!!