New Herceptin Dosing for me
 

I have realized after week 3, I do need to get a full size calender for my purse to keep up with appointments at the onc. center...I am on Taxol 3weeks on, 1 off x12, Avastin every other week, and Herceptin every 3 weeks. They would not give me my Herceptin yesterday when I had the Taxol/Avastin, and I return next week on my week off for the Herceptin. They are giving Herceptin every other week now in Chigago for many patients and this is different from the weekly and every 3 weeks...they find it is more synergistic with thte Avastin which is every other week...anyone else have this dosing for the Herceptin.
So far everything is going well, the nodes are now 1/3 their size after treatment 3, which is excellent. My hair was falling out like a bad rainshower...so it was buzzed! I am learning to like scarves...never was a scarf person before. I have learned to make so comfy and cute head wraps out of tshirts...very soft and reasonable, and I can color coordinate any outfit!
I just feel like I lose a day each week due to the Benedryl/Decadron/Pepcid premeds...sleep all day, up all night.

Only wanted to send a hug. So,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,HUGE HUGS I send you.

Mary Jo

Hi Sheila,

I wanted to say hi and to tell you that I am happy to hear the news about your shrinking nodes! I do not have anything to add about your treatment schedule but thank you for sharing that information.

I think about you often and wish you well.

Love, Hope, and Peace,

Carolyn

Hi Sheila
So glad to hear that the nodes are shrinking. Sorry about your hair though. I sure could have used your help in the head wrap department. I'm terrible with scarves. Right now, I'm still sticking with my ball caps. Hair is growing somewhat I guess, just not fast enough and I'm not brave enough yet to go hatless!
Just wanted to give you a hug and let you know how much I appreciate your upbeat posts and your great attitude.
Continue to do well, I'm praying for you.
Hugs

Hi Sheila, I loved scarves too. I also had a black knit/small brim hat. I'd use different scarves as 'hat bands' by wrapping around them and tying or using a pretty pin (or hair clip). My wig is lonely -- I've only worn it twice.. although I'll wear it twice more: for a funeral this weekend and a wedding next weekend. Scarves are so much more comfortable.

Hi Sheila
I am wishing you the best and say a prayer every night for my sisters who
wage the fight against breast cancer. So glad for good news.
patb

Hi Sheila,
I hope you get a response with this combo. It's not easy to be constantly taking chemo. I hope this works and you will be able to have a break. Thinking of you.
Barbara H.

I am so grateful to hear that your nodes are shrinking. I am sending more prayers and positive thoughts your way.

Shiela,
What a wonderful update! Glad those nodes are shrinking.....
The decadron is a tough go...keeps you wired and then you fall.
I found on the days that I took the decadron I would need a mild
sleeping pill which I had my dr. write a script for. It helped and I
was not up all night.

Your fighting back hard Shiela, so proud of you!
God Bless,
Jean

Sheila,
Great news about the nodes getting smaller. I am so proud of you and the buzz. You embrace each new challenge with courage and optimism. What a wonderful example you are to so many, like me. I am sure you look beautiful in scaves.

Check that full size calendar. Will you be downtown on July 13? I will be there that entire day, first mamogram since being diagnosed, Herceptin and then seeing the surgeon and onc. Would be nice if we could do lunch or something.

We are in MN on a Habitat Build, then to SD to see our son. Great to be on the road again.

You are on my prayer list dear friend.
Donna

Yeah, shelia! I'm have fun with scarves, ball caps too! I just got my 4th TCH, 2 more to go! The Herc. for rest of yr. every 3 wks. The only hair growing on my head sinced I buzzed it is gray & coarse! I look like one of those hairless chuiahilua!. I'm also getting more comfortable w/o hair. So much so I walked into the store the other day & it took me a minute to figure out why every one was looking at me wierd then I realized I forgot my scarve! OOPs! LOL
Yahoo! shrinking nodes! My one palpable node is down and my tumor has shrunk about 1.5cm!

Totally relate to the down day, I just make that my "I'm gonna be a bum and spoil myself" day.
hugs
Vicki

Sheila,

I've been keeping up with your posts, and am so glad that you are having good results. Your are a rock to many of us.

Praying that all continues to go well!
________
Mature live

Hi Sheila,
I have just finished Taxol today. I am glad that it is working so well for you. Apparently Taxol is one of the most efficient combos with Herceptin as it gives it a real BOOST!! I only had 6 cycles, (I think, I lose track....I started it on 12th March and final 2nd July) and I was fine until the end, when for the past ten days I have begun to have a sore mouth, not too much, but noticable. Look after yourself, thinking of you.
Roz

Roz
I have had a sore mouth since treatment 1....I am using a mouthwash for chemo pts. after each time I eat....between that and the nosebleeds, which I have never had in my life. I am wondering how much of the nosebleeds has to do with the benedryl drying everything out. I am also very careful what I eat so my mouth doesn't get sore...no citrus, no carbonation, no spicy foods....

I was plagued with mouth sores when I was on Taxatore. My oncologist prescribed "magic mouth wash" which contained bendryl but that did not work for me. It made my lips and tongue feel swollen. She then presribed a different mouthwash that worked wonderfully, unfortunately I can't recall the name of it. I remember eataing a lot of jello! The taxanes are very hard on the system but they do work.

So happy to hear your good news. I wish I was clever with scarves. I tend to stick mainly with ballcaps. I've said, after this, I may never wear another one again. Thinking about you and sending up a prayer.

Hi Sheila!
I had the nose bleeds with the Taxol also. I had kleenex in the pocket of everything I owned! But they stopped with the end of Taxol. I tried to be good about the no spicy foods, but after treatment, the first 3 days, I had to have spicy to taste anything. Otherwise it was like eating cardboard!
I'm so very glad that it is all working for you. You are such a wonderful giver and example to us all. God bless your battle! ma

Doses
 

I'm receiving Herceptin every other week now that am back on navelbine. I know it's a lot of calendaring we need to do, but oh well....

Sending you positive vibes...