5 year's out from stage 3 Her2 pos 35 pos nodes

[prolifejoan]

Michelle and ladies, I found my lump on December 1st, 2011, and am currently recovering from a bilateral mastectomy performed by the great Dr. N. Habal www.carolinabreast.com. My mastectomy, which included the removal of three lymph nodes on the left side, was CLEAR. However, we are still dealing with last year's diagnosis, which included 17 positive lymph nodes on the right side. I have been receiving Herceptin since the first week of July. I received it every week from July through October, 12 cycles all together, then began 600 mg to receive every three weeks. I had ONE of those before surgery, and I am one of those who gets side effects from Herceptin. My hands, feet and face are still numb and tingly, and I get brain fog, and am uncoordinated. It has been six weeks since my last Herceptin cycle and tomorrow we will schedule resuming them. I will be taking Herceptin until next August, then I hope to be involved in an HER2 vaccination somewhere. I recently asked my oncologist if I could please micro-manage my intake of Herceptin, possibly 40 mg daily or 200 each week instead of 600 all at once every three weeks. I think he is willing, but the insurance co. may not be.
I am thanking God for every day of my life and trying to do the best I can. I am also praying for every person who is dealing with cancer and who is in remission, and for all families. God bless you all and thank you for being such wonderful inspirations.

[Jackie07]

Hi Joan,

There are threads discussing 'neuropathy'. You can used the 'Search' button to find them. My personal experience - mostly from the rehabilitation after my 23-hour brain surgery and 40-day hospitalization - is that 'exercise does wonders!' The nerve impulse of our neurons actually is conducted by tiny electricity 'jumping' over to connect each cell. The first several years I actually could 'feel' daily improvement - constantly telling my husband that 'I feel I'm smarter than yesterday!'

Try walking 30 minutes a day. I am confident you will 'feel' the improvement. [I was also paralyzed on my left side after the brain surgery in 1990. After 40 days rigorous rehab in the hospital, I walked out of the hospital with a cane. After another three weeks 'drilling' by my Oldest Brother, I was able to walk on my own. My gaity wasn't very good at the beginning. But after a year, I was able to dribble the basketball and shoot some hoops! ]

Eat a balanced meal as the tissue repairment requires lots and lots of good nutrients: protein, minerals, vitamins... etc.

It will get better. I'm sending you good vibes.