Update After First Cycle Of Her/cm1
 

Hi everyone -

I have not been posting much lately but all of you are always on my mind and prayers.

I just wanted to give update on my first cycle of the Herceptin/DM1.

I took my first treatment on 6/11th (the day we were leaving for the beach) I immediately developed a fever which lasted for 7 days. My Nurse Practioner said there is something called tumor fevers which could be what I had. I have terrible pains in my back but I was already having those before I began the treatment. Do not know if all attributed to the spine mets or my muscles have become very weak. Other then that my blood counts (CBC) have been great so far and I just had a Echo cardio which I will review with my onc.onTuesday. My liver enyzmes are very high but since I have around 6 tumors there and I am sure my liver is working extra hard, this is surely expected.
I have my 2nd treatment on Wed.

He will be starting me on Zometa but does not like to introduce it until he sees how I react to the new drugs.

I am tired but all and all not bad. 'After 12 1/2 years of constant chemo I think my body has been pretty good to me.

My company has set me up to work from home which I was hoping to do since this year has been really tough on me and did not think I could continue the driving back and forth to the office plus the added stress.

Hope everyone is doing good and I will be checking in to see how everyone is.


Love you guys

..........and we love you too. Thanks for the update Irene..Sounds a bit rough BUT also sounds as if you are tolerating it all pretty well. I'm happy about that and thank God that for the past 12.5 years you have been able to tolerate your chemo.

Love back at ya................and God's Peace too.

Mary Jo

Irene, hope your second treatment is easier on you. Did you get to enjoy your vacation at all? Stay strong dear sister, you are an encouragement to others who are also on long term treatment.

Take care. We are thinking of you. I hope your
second treatment is easier. It is good that you
can work from home now.
patb

Take care Warrior Woman. You are always on my mind.

Irene,

You seem to be handling all this very well. I'm hoping you'll feel better and praying for you.

Joan

We are cheering for you Irene. Be well.

all the best
caya

Irene,
I do hope you were able to enjoy your vacation. Please know many are thinking and praying for you.

You are an amazing woman and such an asset to this site. Becky was right "Warrior Woman"

May your next treatment be easier. Working at home sounds like it is going to be better for you.

Hugs,
Donna

One under your belt
 

Hey Irene,
Sorry your first DM1 infusion hit you so hard! My first one also knocked me for a loop - I had a fever for 'only' about 3-4 days (although it's hard to tell with me because I usually run very cold!). It did get better after a few, now I feel punk only for THAT DAY!.

You mentioned you had pain. Remember one of the possible side effects of regular Herceptin is "pain at tumor site" so maybe that is what you are experiencing. I never had any pain with regular herceptin, but I had one helluva bad pain in my liver about 3 days after my first infusion. At the time, I wanted to attribute it to screaming cancer cells...and as it turns out, I think that was true!

Good luck on your next tx.

Oh, I forgot, I also have had an ongoing battle with my liver function tests. Most people get elevated enzymes which come back down at least somewhat. Mine now pretty much live at about 2x ULN. Not symptomatic at all, but as you say, your liver is working very hard - maybe on screaming cancer cells there.

Wishing you much success with this new treatment and of course as always, hugs and lots of love.

Chris

I was just wondering how you were doing. My onc's the same way - it's better to add things slowly so you can see what does what. My first zometa was flu like sypmtoms - low fever aches feeling crappy for about 1-2 days. Second treatment was much better - no fever - didn't stay home - had some random back pain but nothing that needed more than tylenol. If you take decadron in your drip w/zometa it eliminates any reaction according to my onc. I cannot tolerate decadron but even so it's tolerable. I am doing zometa every other herceptin/avastin cycle - so every 6 weeks. Stay strong Irene. xxoo Flori

Hi Irene - I'm glad to hear that your company is letting you work from home and hope they'll discover how much MORE work employees can do from home since they've eliminated the commute! Be sure to give yourself the same breaks that you'd have in the office - my husband tends to work LONGER hours when he works at home......I have to constantly remind him to take a break.

Thanks for staying in touch. You're such an inspiration to me! I do hope you're feeling better. BTW - I love the quote in your signature!

Irene
Hoping that this will be the perfect drug for those nasty cells....may you feel stronger and healthier each day...hope your trip was wonderful....take care dear friend, enjoy working from home and recuperate!!!!!

Irene,

I love the smile on your face. Thanks for the wonderful update.