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Hi Paris; I had to have a catheterization for an issue unrelated to Herceptin, and it was pretty painless if a bit weird: They gave my a sedative so I'd be relaxed but still awake, and I got to watch the whole thing on the screen along with the doctors. While the catheter was in my heart, there was some slight discomfort as when the catheter would brush up against the wall of my heart it would cause a slight "zing" feeling, kind of like a very, very slight electric shock. But all in all a simple procedure, and it seems a necessary one for you so they can determine what's causing the problem. Hope you can remain on Herceptin.
<3 Lolly
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Sept.'99 - Dx.Stage IIIB, IDC ER/PR-, HER2+++ by IHC, confirmed '04 by FISH. Left MRM, AC x's 4, Taxol x's 4, 33 Rads, finishing Tx May 2000. Jan.'01 - local/regional recurrence, Stage IV. Herceptin/Navelbine weekly till NED August 2001, then maintenance Herceptin. Right Mast. April 2002. Local/Regional recurrence April '04, Herceptin plus/minus chemo until May '07. Gemzar added from Feb.'07-April '07; Tykerb/Abraxane until August '07, back on Herceptin plus Taxotere and Xeloda Sept. '07. Stopped T/X Nov. '07, stopped Herceptin Dec. '07, started Avastin/Taxol/Carboplatin Dec. '07. Progression in chest skin, stopped TAC March '03, started radiation.
Herceptin has served as the "Backbone" of my treatment strategy for over 6 years, giving me great quality of life. In 2005, I was privileged to participate in the University of Washington/Seattle HER2 Vaccine Trial.
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