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Old 04-08-2007, 04:52 AM   #8
Mary Anne in TX
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Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 2,357
Hi Kelly! I'm finding that not only does the Herceptin make me tired, I have a mental change that occurs each time I go from one treatment to another! I had a real depressed and no energy time when I stopped radiation. I had worried about radiation (not sure why) and found it to be easy and almost good for my mind because I was doing something everyday! But when it was over, all I had was the herceptin every three weeks. I had to learn to "be" the person doing herceptin only. I think I feel guilty sometimes because so many have had such difficult times with the treatments and some have had such battles with getting the treatment they need. Anyway, I think it's an adjustment each time we have a change in our treatment - good or not so good! I'm finding that the mental battle is far more difficult than the physical one. Having shingles these past few weeks has given me lots of thinking time (not going out much - so don't give chicken pox to little kids). I've learned how to do the physical battles, but it's the mental battles that are still a challenge. Now that I know it is going to happen each time there's a change, I kinda prepare for it. I get things cleaned up, pre-cook food, and give myself permission to just be a "mush brain" for a while. Seems like my mind kicks in sooner now and my ability to make decisions is getting so much better. I've learned that stress and pressure slow me down, so I work on not adding to it by trying to go faster.

I think what each of us does to fight the disease and then sharing it with each other is just great. Or at least it has so helped me to pass from experience to experience with more ease and sanity. Thanks for you honesty. ma
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MA in TX.
Grateful for each and every day....

Diag. 12/05 at age 60
Stage II, Grade 3, 4.5 cm primary tumor
ER/PR- Her2 +3 strongly positive
Her2 by FISH 7.7 amplified
vascular invasion
Ki67 20% borderline
Jan - March '06 Taxotere/Adriamycin X 3 to try to shrink tumor - it grew
April '06 Rt Modified Radical Mas, 7 of 9 nodes positive
April - Aug. '06 Herceptin/Taxol/Carboplatin X 8 (dose dense)
Sept - Dec. '06 Navelbine/Herceptin x 8 (dose dense)
Radiation & Herceptin Jan. 22 - March 1, 2007
Finished Herceptin Dec. 10 '08! One extra year.
Port removed August, 2012.
8 1/2 years since diagnosis! 5 1/2 Years NED!
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