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rebecca0623 · 01-08-2009, 11:24 AM

Snufi - you can see my stats from my signature. I made my decision to do TCH (chemo and herceptin) and just finished the TC part December 17th. Last 2 rounds were hard and I have had some concerns about all of the White blood cell boosting shots and now having drops in red blood counts and anemia - only in last month of chemo. Also, just got out of hospital with large blood clot down sub-clavian artery from the port-o-cath which will remain in until I finish the year of herceptin - now on 2x daily shots of lovenox and high doses of coumadin which requires diet management. I say this to acknowledge that there are secondary issues to the chemo itself and I was not well informed of those "side effects".

That being said, and in my limited hindsight, I would make the same decision although I am much more apprehensive that the long term effects of treatment will take a toll on my body that might themselves decrease life-expectancy, whether or not cancer comes back. Ultimately I went with the statistics - at age 44 when dx I just wanted to be aggressive. I know you will benefit from the advice given here and make the right decision for you - thank you for the question.

01-08-2009, 11:24 AM	#17
rebecca0623 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Murfreesboro, Tennessee Posts: 48	Snufi - you can see my stats from my signature. I made my decision to do TCH (chemo and herceptin) and just finished the TC part December 17th. Last 2 rounds were hard and I have had some concerns about all of the White blood cell boosting shots and now having drops in red blood counts and anemia - only in last month of chemo. Also, just got out of hospital with large blood clot down sub-clavian artery from the port-o-cath which will remain in until I finish the year of herceptin - now on 2x daily shots of lovenox and high doses of coumadin which requires diet management. I say this to acknowledge that there are secondary issues to the chemo itself and I was not well informed of those "side effects". That being said, and in my limited hindsight, I would make the same decision although I am much more apprehensive that the long term effects of treatment will take a toll on my body that might themselves decrease life-expectancy, whether or not cancer comes back. Ultimately I went with the statistics - at age 44 when dx I just wanted to be aggressive. I know you will benefit from the advice given here and make the right decision for you - thank you for the question. __________________ Dx June 2008, Age 44 Mother Dx age 54, deceased 1.2 cm tumor right breast, grade 3, ER 4+; PR 3+ HER2 +, invasive ductal carcinoma Quadrantectomy right on 7/30/08 Path report, all 3 nodes taken were clear!!!!!! Lymphatic/vascular invasion and sent out BRCA testing Port in on 9/2/08. Chemo began 9/3/08. TCH (MUGA wrong - echocardiogram says 65% cardiac MRI 59% 9/10/98 elevated liver enzymes, PET scan 9/16/08 all clear. TC ended 12/17/08 Port blood clot and hosp. 1/2/09 radiation begins 1/8/09 BRCA testing done - results NEGATIVE! cardiologist said go back to coreg as it helps counteract heart effects of herceptin and slowly increase dosage - now 40mg daily.