~Nitewind~When Is The Last Herceptin??

[Believe51]

Wanted to know when the last Herceptin infusion is and how do you feel about it?? Sounds like a pretty explanatory answer.....but are you afraid of NOT being in treatment anymore?? I am just curious about the feelings associated with the END of treatment (someday we will experience them firsthand but I am wondering how YOU feel).

May I add that I am thinking of you and wishing you well today and every day. Personally I am exstatic that your Herceptin ends this month but that is how friends are supposed to feel. How about you Darling?? Is it scary knowing that your team of caregivers will not be so active in your life??

So My Friend....for the moment you have been waiting for...HAPPY ENDINGS TO HERCEPTIN. And now you are off to enjoy this wonderous life with the freedom you have so valiantly fought for!!! A job well done!! With Love and Kudos>>Believe51

[nitewind]

Hi Marie, thanks so much for asking about my treatment. I'm scheduled to get the last infusion of herceptin, this Friday, the 7th. You are so right about mixed feelings. I can't wait to be done, no more trips weekly, maybe I'll start feeling like my old self again. But then, I'm also scared silly too. The treatment center, my doctor, my fantastic nurses and the life saver, Herceptin, have all been my security blanket. I'm very worried to be doing without the herceptin, I feel that it has been keeping the bad things at bay, what will happen without it? Will I get the cancer back? Will I get it in a different place? How will I know? How can I be sure, if it does come back, that I'll catch it in time? I know that I'll still be seeing the doctor and my nurses but not as often and having them checking on me all the time has been a huge relief to me.
I'm certainly planning on sticking around this board, I'm not going anywhere after treatment. This has been my lifesaver as well. I care so much for the you and your husband and the rest of our "family" that I couldn't leave here if I wanted to.
I hope to get to the point in my life where every little ache and pain is just that!! Not cancer. I've been having symptoms of the flu for the last couple of days (hope it's the flu) and I hate the way it makes me question if it's not something more.
How is your mighty oak doing? You are both always in my prayers.
Thanks again for caring so much, I'll keep in touch.
Hugs

[Believe51]

We will be in treatment too Friday, Ed will be getting off the daily Tamoxifen and start with Faslodex instead. Right now the Magace is helping his 'wasting' problem with the weight. While we are sitting in the comfortable Lazy Boy chairs I will be thinking of you during treatment. I figure that if you, or hubby and I get scared we'll get over it, we adjust well (LOL). After all, is there anything more scary than cancer?? Just so you know there are programs you can attend where they focus on cancer patients AFTER ALL TREATMENT HAS ENDED!!!! I am keeping you close to heart and so happy to hear that you could never leave. Ed asked if I would stay if he earned his Angel Wings, he almost made me promise that I would not go. With my mom discovering her breast cancer and me having some breast health issues myself it does not look like I would want to leave. Knowledge is power. So I leave you for now My Dear Friend and thank you for providing me with an honest answer. These thoughts flow in and out of my mind, especially when there was a time Ed was almost into remission (tumor marker sensitive and almost normal...uggh..what happened??). What a warrior you are kid, thanks for leading the way. And you too owe us a dance with NED, we will see you there!! Kudos>>Believe51

[Joanne S]

Nitewind, My last Herceptin infusion was the last week in November, and I have mixed feelings just like you do. Congrats and best wishes for continuous wellness! Hugs!

Believe51, I sent you a private message yesterday---just wanted to make sure you received it. Hugs to you and Ed!

J:)

[Believe51]

I did receive the PM and it brought a smile to my face yesterday. Thanks Love. Congrats on your last Herceptin also. How are you feeling now??>>Believe51

[nitewind]

Hi Jo, how's it going for you without the herceptin now? I'm really getting shakier as Friday approaches. If you have any hints as to how to handle the withdrawal from the herceptin, chemo nurses or doc, please feel free to share. Just looking for some help here.
By the way, congratulations on finishing.
Hugs

[Becky]

First of all, plan on buying yourself a nice gift – even if it is something you cannot afford and have to save for (this is almost better because then you are affirming that you will be around to buy it in a year or whatever. That is why we did a trip to the Caribbean</ST1:p about 6 months afterwards). I got late Herceptin (4 months after my last Taxol) due to the trial results and ASCO making the preliminary statement that all women 6 months or less from the last Chemo should report back and get Herceptin. I was in that crowd even though about a month later they changed it to 12 months from the last chemo. So, I went through 4 dd AC then 4 dd taxol and I was done. I had my rads then it was really over. I could never realize then that alittle more than 2 months later I would be back for adjuvant Herceptin. The first “cutting loose” really primed me for the second cutting loose after Herceptin. Even so, by that time I was going to the Cancer center for treatment for 2 yrs straight. I took the every 3 week treatment so the only weird day was when the 3 weeks went by the first time and I didn’t have a treatment that day. Secondly, remember that Herceptin takes 18 -20 weeks to completely clear from your body. It has a 25 day half life so its still there quite awhile – not at the same concentration as when you are still getting treatments but its still hangin’ out. It takes a bit but you will come to enjoy the road to survivorship and will feel more like a survivor once active treatment is over. Congratulations on finishing. Believe it or not, I have heard that over 25% of women who could finish a yr of Herceptin don’t (this is not women who have heart problems and have to stop). And finishing treatment is key and you have done it!!

[nitewind]

Thanks again Becky. I'm doing a lot of copying and saving today! I appreciate the information about the herceptin and the half life, I didn't know that. I so appreciate all the help that I get from this board.
thanks again and big hugs

[Believe51]

Which one of these smiling ladies is you?? Want to put a face to the wonderful woman I know and love>>Believe51

[nitewind]

Marie, sorry to say that's me in the middle. The other wonderful ladies are my two sisters.
We try to make a habit of getting together once a month and going out for lunch, on the day this picture was taken we must have been reading each others minds because we all wore yellow. Not the first time that's happened, must be a sister thing.
hugs

[PinkGirl]

Hi Nite
I posted this somewhere else on the board last year, but I don't know if you read it. This is "my last herceptin treatment story".

I went through the usual stuff - feeling very anxious, not knowing what to
do with myself, feeling like I'd been thrown over a cliff etc.etc. My last treatment was on January 18/06. On January 22/06 I decided that I'd had
enough of being the "cancer patient". I was sick and tired of feeling sick and tired. So I just decided to forget about everything, and start acting like a normal person. Well, on the evening of January 22/06, I was "running" up the basement stairs, tripped on my feet, .... I propelled forward and landed on my face in front of the back door. I didn't get my hands out, I just went schmack. Ended up with two black eyes, a split lip, and a broken nose.

So, my advice to you, is don't do what I did (obviously) Take your time getting over all of the treatments. Don't push yourself and expect to feel like your old self just because the treatments are done.

And, you aren't alone with this. You still have your health care team - you just don't see them as often. You'll be having check ups every 3 months or so, and that goes by very quickly. Good luck with all of this.

[PinkGirl]

What about you - which one of those pretty blue and white ornaments
is you???? I was picturing you as a leaf and now I have to switch to Christmas ornaments. How about a picture of you??? or you and Ed???
I like to know what people look like. I thought Nite was the one on the left.

[Believe51]

Firstly Pink, I am the ball that is cracked up a bit!! LOL. And as soon as I have a moment I want to send Tiptoes pictures to you and the board. My next picture will be ME cradling both my husband and mom upon my chest, although I wanted to keep this a secret for the surprise factor (not as good as keeping my own secrets as Tippy is!!). Kinda like me sheltering them from anymore pain!! Thanks for directing us to the last Herceptin post. I started this thread just for these reasons...when treatment ends, early for us right now but want to be prepared for that time. And Pink, I too thought she was on the left!! Surprise!!!

Susan, I have always admired that picture but appreciate it much more now knowing those are your sisters. Appears to be a very inspirational picture that illuminates the love you share. Looks like you are all getting into trouble though, maybe we should seperate you if this continues...LOL. All I can say about the yellow blouses is that 'Great Minds Think Alike'!! I admire your spirit Susan and thank you for always sharing with us all.

Becky, thanks for the imput too, I wanted these answers for not only my house but for all the others who are ending treatments. Like I said it is way too early for us since he may never get to that point (just reality-almost did-but no cigar!). Yet I guess it is never to early to get prepared or to help our friends right???? Sending hugs, prayers and smiles>>Believe51

[Margerie]

Congrats Nitewind- I am right behind you. My last herceptin is December 11th. I told the nurses I am bringing a big cake for all of us and anyone that wants some in the treatment room. Of course I will bring some Kleenex too because it will be emotional for me- I smell it already. Glad to be done, the impact of all the herceptin treatment has not been bad physically- but emotionally it has and that has been glossed over by me for the most part. I am meeting friends for lunch afterwards to celebrate. Port is coming out two days later. I look at it as an early Christmas present.

Can't wait to see Marie and her mamma and Ed!

Seasons Greeterings,

(Sorry the kids found the Homer Simpson Santa and he says this along with "Deck the Halls with Buddy Holly..")