HER2 Support Group Forums - Last Chemo Treatment Today-Yipeee! Included My Treatment Plan & Side Effects

I just had to share....

Today, I just completed my sixth and final chemotherapy cycle!!!!! My Oncologist's Chemo Nursing staff gave me a graduation certificate and a pretty, silver pink ribbon charm bracelet. I am sooooo happy this chapter is over and I am moving to the next chapter!

Just an FYI:
I received Taxotere and Carboplatin every 3 weeks and Herceptin weekly. I had four nodes (negative) removed. My 3cm tumor was not removed for breast conserving reasons.

Prior to each 3-week cycle of chemo, my chemo premed and postmed routine included the following:

- Blood test and results before each weekly Herceptin & 3 week Chemo cycle
- Dexamethasone-(2)taken one prior + (2)two days post chemo
- Emend Anti Nausea - (1)first day of chemo and (1)two days after chemo
- Extra large infusion bag of hydration (it beats the small bag)
- (1)Benadryl and (2) Tylenol on day of chemo
- Emend Anti Nausea - (1)first day of chemo and (1)two days after
- Anti-nausea infusion after hydration and prior to first infusion: Herceptin, Taxotere and Carboplatin -- in this order on 3 week chemo day.
- Neulasta (white cell booster) shot the day after 3 week chemo cycle
- Aranesp (red cell booster) as needed but no more than every 3-4 weeks
- Celebrex, as needed to help, with bone pain during chemo recovery period
- Tylenol PM as needed to help with sleep at night

Side Effects to Date:
-Bone pain for 3+ days post chemo
-Darken streaks on three fingernails with some fingernail pain
-Face and body acne first 1-2 sessions (okay now)
-Gas and bloating
-Monthly Period stopped right after second chemo session
-Eye twitches and odd muscle twitches and muscle weakness
-Hair loss
-Eye lid irritation, constant tearing and swelling
-Fatigue, fatigue, fatigue - my red cells / iron are constantly low.
-Allergic reaction feeling in the eyes/sinuses area with fatigue 1.2 days after herceptin infusion (weekly)
-Thrush in mouth, once, after third chemo cycle - treated successfully
-Mouth and tongue sores first and second chemo cycles
-Rapid heart beat first 3-4 chemo cycles (short time only)
-Pain in left arm and hand for 8 hours first night of one chemo session - Onc checked it out but went away on its own
-Nose drips and light nose bleeding throughout all chemo cycles
-Face and body Flushing and sudden body heat changes (no sweating)

The good news is CHEMO IS OVER!!!! Yippeeeee!!!! And, I did not encounter vomiting or runny bowels and some of the other awful side effects I was made aware of prior to treatment.

The next chapter(s) will include:
- CT/PET Scan and MRI 3 weeks after today's chemo.
- Herceptin will continue weekly until I have a Lumpectomy mid-March.
- Radiation will start 2-3 weeks after surgery and Herceptin will switch to a
higher dose every three weeks for one year.
-The Onc is not sure which route she will take regarding anti-hormone
treatments. She is not sure if she should shut down my ovaries based on
my age and etc.. I turn 42 on Feb 10. The preventative meds will be based
on this decision.

I hope all this is readable. I am a bit fuzzy right now from today's treatment. Thank you for reading and bless you all!!!