am i going to die

[arati oberoi]

breast tumour was operated on in jan 02 after which i 4 cycles of chemo CEF and 4 cycles docetaxol interspersed with radiation 6 weeks. in jan 04 found i had mets in liver and bones.went onto clinical trial with weekly herceptin shots. scans showed that sizes of nodes had decreased and liver mets seemed same as did bones. however congestion and pleural effusion in lungs which might be infection and not a spread also are the same. however i get breathless when i talk or slightly exert and have a dry racking cough which has got worse in the last scan..have had 10 herceptin shots over ten weeks so far.. cannot exercise anymore as tire too easily and have dull back pain all the time... does anyone have any idea if i am on the right track

[Lyn]

Hi there, that is the question we all ask, but it usually depends on what frame of mind we are in at the time. Has your doctor tried Frusemide tablets, or something else for fluid retention in your lungs. Some of the ladies have had weird and wonderful experiences with your cndition. I had similar symptoms, breathlessness when I talked and couldn't even walk to the letter box, a trip to hospital and I was given tablets and lost 5kilos of fluid over night, hard to believe but true, mine was brought on by a valve in my heart pumping backwards so I was kept in for 7 days. Having those symptoms on top of all your other worries is enough to upset you. We all seem to chip away at each symptom on here sharing all of our trials and errors, I can't speak for the bone and liver as mine has been coming back in the lymph glands and skin, and I haven't had a break since 1998, eventhough I was only meant to be around for 2-3 years at best, I didn't believe it for one minute, and my life has been like a computer game, just as I get to one level and think I get to grab the brass rim, something else pops up. You have come to the right site for help and comfort and I am sure you will get a heap of encouraging info.

Big Hugs and prayers from Lyn

[eleanor]

You may be on the right track, but it may not be that simple. What scans have you had? You need a CT of your lungs done and you need either a muga or an echo of your heart. Your breathlessness could be caused by the drugs, infection or spread and only your onc can rule these things out. There are many of us who are dealing with severe shortness of breath and our stories are similar but have many differences. Have your lungs and heart checked out. I'll be saying a prayer that it's just a small touch of the flu.
el

[Steph N]

Hello -
Keep your chin up! There is a lot to take in to consideration.
I am wondering WHY they are only giving you the Herceptin alone? Seems that you need another chemo added as a combo - like Navelbine or another that is good against mets. They need to bring out another gun to shoot out those tumors.
Getting a second opinion is another way to find out if your treatment is on the best track for you.
All best wishes.

[arati]

yes have had the echo and it was ok.. the ct scan of which i have had two so far do not tell what the pleural effusion is and the congestion..the only thing is that it is stable and has not progressed in the last 2 months since starting herceptin but the cough and breathlessness becoming severe are directly related to the day they put in my port.. but the thoracic surgeon says that it does not look as if the port has caused the infection.. i am also losing my appetite and losing weight (which makes me happy because i had put on so much since the op) but am weak with a broken spirit.. thnaks for taking time out to reply..arati

[aratih]

thanks for taking time out to reply.. i need all the support at the moment.. had an echo last week, my third one.. they shd be able to tell if there is some problem in the heart but all seems ok.. also i dont think i hv got water retnetion as i am losing weight fast and there is no bloating.. the scans dont tell if there is cancer in the lngs or infection.. and docs suggest that as long as it doesnt get worse not to take nay medication.. what do u say..remember i am on herceptin only