Hi Jeanney,
Your mom sounds very similar to my dx. I was dx'd 2 yrs ago with grade III Her2+++, er/pr- with 3/12 + nodes. I had a MRM and was put on a study back then for Herceptin. The arm I drew was the Carboplatin, Taxotere, Herceptin. I had 6 treatments and then 1 year of Herceptin. I opted for radiation, where I think your mom is over the fence. I was told 3, no, 4 yes. I had a consultation with my rad. onc. and we both felt that I was in good shape and I wanted to do everything this round to stop it. So I had 30 days of being "zapped". I am here to tell you that I am NED. I actually go in tomorrow for my last 3 month check up and then will start seeing my onc. every 6 months.
This is a very scary thing that not only your mom will go through but you, her loved ones will help her through. I applaud you for finding a web-site that can help you and her along the way. It is a long journey, but now being 2 years out, it seems like a life time ago, (at times).
The chemo combo is one that a lot of women get. Others get Adrimycian and Cytoxan and then Taxol, with Herceptin. No one really knows the "best" combo right now. The studies are just coming in with the Herceptin helping us first timers. 2 years ago this was only given to Met. patients. Things happen very fast here. If your mom is a bit nervous about it all, tell her never to feel bad about getting a second opinion. Most women do. Tell her to specifically ask about the side effects short and long term. Every women is going to experience chemo differently. I had it pretty good, while I hurt like crazy, I never threw up and the mouth sores were minimal.
There are other things to take into consideration. The pre-meds and how they will effect your mom. Most of us had to take Decadron. Which is a steriod to help with any possible reactions. It leaves a lot of us hyper.
It's very hard to prepare someone for chemo, because we do all experience it differently. The best advice is to drink lots of water. My surgeon told me, It doesn't matter how long it's in there, so just pee it out. I took a 64 oz. jug of water and drank the whole thing, it took me all day, but I got it out.
The nurses at my infusion suite, were the best. They were always making sure you felt okay. Did I need anything. With some of the chemo, like Herceptin I would get cold, they would give me a hot pack and the best place to put it was between your legs and it warmed up my whole body. They have seen it all and will help you along the way. There are so many things they can help you with to ease ANY side effects that it's amazing. They want you comfortable. They dont' want you uncomfortable any more then you do.
About the nodes. The less the nodes the better. With the cancer having spread to the nodes your mom does have a chance of having it spread to other parts of the body. The most likely spots are lung, liver and bone and brain. I am sure they will check those out before proceeding with chemo. They will stage your mom, we are all staged.
About having to pay for this yourself. Look into the American Cancer Society and Genentech, I believe they can help you with some of the costs. Genentech is the maker of Herceptin. There are resources out there. So don't put a second mortgage on the house! You may want to put up a seperate post for help with costs for chemo and I am sure there are people out there who could point you in the right direction.
It's a battle, but won that can be won! Hang in there and if you have more questions please post. I am sure I forgot something and other posts will follow. My best to you and your mom and the rest of your family. Stick close, talk, and God Bless.
__________________
Take care, k
DX: 10/29/03-Stage IIB, 3/12 nodes +, er/pr-,
Grade 3
MRM: 11/07/03
TX: TCH-BRICG Study-6 tx's; 12/15/03
Herceptin; til 12/14/04
Rads: 30 days
BRCA neg
S-Gap: 12/15/04
Oct 05: LAVH
NED
Last edited by kristen; 11-27-2005 at 08:41 AM..
Reason: left out something
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