concerned about what's next

[Myra Lynn]

I have not been here for awhile, but from the beginning of this journey, have valued everyone's input. Happy to say that I am done with chemo (12 weekly treatments of taxotere, cytoxin, Herceptin)and will start 34 doses of radiation on Jan. 11 after a visit to my dad (not doing well). I will then start radiation, an aromatose inhibitor (femara) for 5 years, and continue weekly Herceptin for the rest of the year. I don't know if it is a good idea to start radiation and hormone tx. at the same time. I have heard that other women have completed radiation before starting the hormone tx. I wondered what others have experienced. I also am concerned about too many side effects at once and not knowing what is causing what. thanks for any help with this.

[Cannon]

My experience: I did start AI after radiation, my drs recommendation, and I felt it was helpful in terms of understanding side effects. the radiation kicked my butt more than I expected, and I might have thought that was the AI. Also, I had a lot of pain with Arimidex, and we switched to Femara, which was much better for me.

[Rich66]

A little bit of a recent paper:
http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanonc/article/PIIS1470-2045%2808%2970333-4/abstract

My armchair view/sense seems to suggest that the earlier theoretical concern over endocrine-radiation conflict has little to support it. on the other hand, unless you have a chest wall invasion, the threat of a local recurrence from any possible radiation compromise might be dwarfed by the life threatening issue of metastatic recurrence due to delayed endocrine therapy. Maybe the combination can slightly increase potential discomforts/toxicities. My sense is they would be minor compared to what you've been through with TCH. The landscape looks very different from here. Do everything you can to stay over there.

[Myra Lynn]

Rich66 & Cannon,
Many thanks. It is always helpful to hear other's experiences and points of view. I ruminate, then decide what to do & have made good choices so far, with great input. Always impressed with how giving, caring, & smart everyone is. I certainly would not have chosen membership, but I can't imagine a better group to go through this with.

Another full moon this month. It's supposed to be a good omen. May it be so for all of us!!

Myra