HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - HER2-triple positive/shingles

Carol Ann · 10-20-2016, 11:16 AM

Hi Cindy!

I have had shingles twice myself ... see my signature ... but they were both after I was totally finished with chemo and Herceptin. They were both mild cases too. I did have to wait to have my port removed because of them, but that was a surgical procedure and the surgeon was concerned it would make my own infection worse.

I have not had any scans ever but that is because I was diagnosed at Stage 1 with no positive nodes. You don't say what Stage you are, but since you don't mention Perjeta, just TCH ... that is what I had, and again, I didn't qualify for Perjeta because of being Stage 1. Typically, no scans for Stage 1 is pretty commonplace. My HER2 tumor was also triple positive (see my signature).

By all means, if you don't trust your oncologist ... you need to find a new one!

I understand that you don't want to take any chance, no matter how slim, of spreading shingles! I would talk to the oncology nursing staff too (They would be the ones overseeing sanitizing the bathroom and perhaps they have had experience with this, I have found with my team that they have pretty much seen everything!) and then decide how to handle the last 2 Herceptin infusions.

I am so sorry you are back in primetime Cancer land after so many years.

Please keep us posted ... I am sure there will be others here who will post too!

Carol Ann

10-20-2016, 11:16 AM	#3
Carol Ann Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 1,045	Re: HER2-triple positive/shingles Hi Cindy! I have had shingles twice myself ... see my signature ... but they were both after I was totally finished with chemo and Herceptin. They were both mild cases too. I did have to wait to have my port removed because of them, but that was a surgical procedure and the surgeon was concerned it would make my own infection worse. I have not had any scans ever but that is because I was diagnosed at Stage 1 with no positive nodes. You don't say what Stage you are, but since you don't mention Perjeta, just TCH ... that is what I had, and again, I didn't qualify for Perjeta because of being Stage 1. Typically, no scans for Stage 1 is pretty commonplace. My HER2 tumor was also triple positive (see my signature). By all means, if you don't trust your oncologist ... you need to find a new one! I understand that you don't want to take any chance, no matter how slim, of spreading shingles! I would talk to the oncology nursing staff too (They would be the ones overseeing sanitizing the bathroom and perhaps they have had experience with this, I have found with my team that they have pretty much seen everything!) and then decide how to handle the last 2 Herceptin infusions. I am so sorry you are back in primetime Cancer land after so many years. Please keep us posted ... I am sure there will be others here who will post too! Carol Ann __________________ July 24, 2013: "Infected" Right Nipple and benign cyst removed, pathology report revealed Paget's, DCIS, and ILC 1.25 cm, ER+/Pro+/HER2 equivocal, Grade 2 under benign cyst, previous diagnostic mammo/ultrasound said I was perfectly healthy in both breasts. Aug 18, 2013: MRI report says Left breast is perfectly healthy "consistent with previous studies". Sept 2013: I insist on a bilateral mastectomy anyway. Too nervewracking to let left breast remain with higher risk after 3 cancers in right, nipple in right is already gone anyhow. Sept 18, 2013: Bilateral mastectomy, 11 right nodes removed, ALL negative BUT -- ER+/PRO+/HER2+ tumor, 1.0 cm, Grade 2 found in a piece of "grossly unremarkable" breast tissue from prophylactic mastectomy of left breast, no nodes removed. Oct 25, 2013: 13 left side nodes removed, ALL negative, Stage 1 across the board, NO RADS needed, YAAAAY! Port also installed. Nov 25, 2013 Begin 6 rounds TCH. March 10, 2014 Just finished 6th and LAST Chemo today, YAAAAAY! March 24, 2014 Echocardiogram to make sure I'm still good for Herceptin every 3 weeks. March 31, 2014 Echo results NORMAL, first Herceptin all by itself. Now if only my eyes would stop streaming from the Taxotere ... :) April 21, 2014 Started Arimidex and therapy for "mild" lymphedema in left hand and arm May 2014 Therapy completed, I have sleeves and gloves for both arms, a Flexi touch lymph pump to hook up to for an hour every day, and I've become an arm bandaging expert. :) June 2014 Begin Fosamax to prevent osteoporosis; bone scan revealed osteopenia Nov 17, 2014 FINAL Herceptin! Dec 4, 2014 My right thigh muscle has been extra achy for days ... I discover a blister rash cluster on the side of my right thigh while taking a shower. Port appointment cancelled until Dec 17, my doc is working me in tomorrow afternoon to see me and the rash. My muscle at least feels less achy. Dec 5, 2014 Yep, I have shingles. Boo! I start acyclovir and also have a prescription for a painkiller just in case for over the weekend. Dec 17, 2014 Port is OUT! January 2016 Shingles again and this time it started where my left breast (where the hidden HER2+++ tumor was!) used to be. My onc nurse got me a same day appointment to see my doc when I called and told her I had a rash on the site. The antiviral meds are working once again, though, so that is good news. :)