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Andrea Barnett Budin · 07-09-2007, 07:50 PM

I had a MUGA before Herceptin ('98) and ECHOs every 6 months thereafter. As of Feb. '06 Dr. Pegram said he believed if I was going to have a heart problem it would have showed by then, so he graduated me to annual ECHOs. I am due in Aug. Anxious to see what it shows EF-wise. Will let you know.

Also, was thinking -- after Taxotere (Sep '98 through to end of May '99)
-- and 2nd baldness, my hair grew back way thinner, and fried. My hair line (widow's peak and all) never came back. Just some fuzz. Hair at top of head remains like hay, permanently damaged (as I hope all cancer cells are/annihilated).

My eyebrows never grew back that second time. My eyelashes barely grew back, went from thick and long to sparse.

Was this all from Taxotere and/or Herceptin? Don't really know. Just reporting, for consideration...

ANDREAD

07-09-2007, 07:50 PM	#13
Andrea Barnett Budin Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: LAND OF YES! w/home in Boca Raton, Florida Orig from L.I., N.Y. Ever hovering IN THE NOW... Posts: 1,904	Andrea P.s. I had a MUGA before Herceptin ('98) and ECHOs every 6 months thereafter. As of Feb. '06 Dr. Pegram said he believed if I was going to have a heart problem it would have showed by then, so he graduated me to annual ECHOs. I am due in Aug. Anxious to see what it shows EF-wise. Will let you know. Also, was thinking -- after Taxotere (Sep '98 through to end of May '99) -- and 2nd baldness, my hair grew back way thinner, and fried. My hair line (widow's peak and all) never came back. Just some fuzz. Hair at top of head remains like hay, permanently damaged (as I hope all cancer cells are/annihilated). My eyebrows never grew back that second time. My eyelashes barely grew back, went from thick and long to sparse. Was this all from Taxotere and/or Herceptin? Don't really know. Just reporting, for consideration... ANDREAD __________________ Andi BB '95 post-meno dx Invasive LOBULAR w/9cm tumor! YIKES + 2/21 nodes. Clear mammo 10 mnths earlier. Mastec/tram flap reconst/PORT/8 mnths chemo (4Adria/8CMF). Borderline ER/PR. Tamoxifen 2 yrs. Felt BLESSED. I could walk and talk, feed and bathe myself! I KNEW I would survive... '98 -- multiple mets to liver. HER2+ 80%. ER/PR- Raging, highly aggressive tumors spreading fast. New PORT. 9 mnths Taxotere Fought fire w/fire! Pronounced in cautious remission 5/99. Taxotere weekly for 6 wks, 2 wks off -- for 9 mnths. TALK ABOUT GRUELING! (I believe they've altered that protocol since those days -- sure hope so!!) + good old Vit H wkly for 1st 3 yrs, then triple dosage ev 3 wks for 7 yrs more... The "easy" chemo, right?! Not a walk in the park, but not a freight train coming at 'ya either... Added Herceptin Nov '98 (6 wks after FDA fast-tracked it for met bc). Stayed w/Vit H till July '08! Now I AM FREE! Humbly and eternally grateful for this life-saving drug! NED since '99 and planning on keeping it that way. To hell w/poor prognosis and nasty stats! STOPPED VIT H JULY '08...! REMAIN STABLE... Eternally grateful...Yes is a world & in this world of yes live (skillfully curled) all worlds ... (e e cummings) EVERY DAY I BEAT MY PREVIOUS RECORD FOR # OF CONSECUTIVE DAYS I'VE STAYED ALIVE. Smile KNOWING you too can be a miracle. Up to me and God now...