New to this site: My story

[Aussie Girl]

Hi JJ,

Welcome to the site. How many rounds of chemo do you have left? I'd do the ice water thing for the hands and/or feet if you have any paclitaxel left to go. You can try ice bricks too depending on the chemo room set up.

I've just had my last heavy chemo and will have the first single infusion of herceptin in mid December. I was diagnosed about the same time as you but had the TCH protocol which was a little shorter than AC-TH (both protocols have similar survival.)

There is evidence that 10 year disease free survival with chemo and herceptin is about 74% and overall 10 year survival is 84%. The keeps changing because they keep introducing new therapy.

http://www.newevidence.com/oncology/...rapy_for_HER2/

Two to three years seems to be a danger time for recurrence and once past that the recurrence rate is less. I am telling myself I've done everything I can and now it's about recovery and working on appreciating every moment.

Take care

Aussie Girl


PS. Laurel - your cat looks like a younger version of my cat, named Cactus. Is yours a burmese?

[JJ201349!]

Hi Aussie Girl,

I have 3 more treatments (paclitaxel & Herceptin) and then, I will continue with only the Herceptin every 3 weeks. A friend also recommended using massage therapy. So far the pain in my fingertips and nailbeds is mild. I hope that I can complete the next 3 infusions without problems.

Good luck and many blessings,
JJ

[ren]

I am going to start that same treatment . 12 weeks of taxol and something else + herceptin for 1 yr every 3 weeks. I had her2+ And Er + Pr+ no lymph node involvement. I had mast on left side. I have an expander that will have to wait now until after chemo. That in and of itself is uncomfortable.

I'm am very scared to start chemo and with all the bad stuff that can happen.