I am the same: "harrie" and "maryanne". I am sure you can guess what is my fake name!!
Hope this answers your question, but if you are TOPO II positive, adrymicin is what is recommended over the taxols.
I have an echocardiogram every 3 months due to the herceptin. I had it during chemo and am still having it done with the every 3 wk intervals of herceptin. Basically it checks the oxygen output on the heart. That will indicate damage or not. So far my output is fine. I notice many at this site have MUGA instead of the echocardiogram.
Swelling, edema, around the ankles is a real concern. It may indicate a heart concern. I remember once I had that and they did the echo and at least we could rule out heart problems and then the edema diminished shortly after. It did not last long, maybe a wk or less.
I believe it is very important to ck your heart during herceptin and ESP with adriamycin. I think 3 months intervals is probably the standard unless there is a problem.
Maryanne
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*** MARYANNE *** aka HARRIECANARIE
1993: right side DCIS, lumpectomy, rads
1999: left side DCIS, lumpectomy, rads, tamoxifen
2006:
BRCA 2 positive
Stage I, invasive DCIS (6mm x 5mm)
Grade: intermediate
sentinal node biopsy: neg
HER2/neu amplified 4.7
ER+/PR+
TOPO II neg
Oncotype dx 20
Bilat mastectomy with DIEP flap reconstruction
oophorectomy
2007:
6 cycles TCH (taxotere, carboplatin, herceptin)
finished 1 yr herceptin 05/07
Arimidex, stopped after almost 1 yr
Femara
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