[Sheila]

Brenda is right on the money for almost everything....the reason you are getting the Decadron and Benadryl is to prevent a life threatening anaphalactic shock reaction that is sooooo common with the Taxanes...due to the base they are made with...I get IV push Decadron 8 mg and Benedryl 50mg IV push....I hate both, don't like the way I feel, I can't sleep and have gained 20# on this little cocktail...HOWEVER, I have seen a reaction from the Taxanes, and I will take feeling like crap and the extra weight anyday.
As far as the Herceptin alone, when I was on just Herceptin, I never had a problem, and never took any premeds....no Benadryl, NOTHING! Every center is different, but in Chicago, they do not give Benedryl with Herceptin alone. As far as the "shot" others have gotten, you will only get that (Neulasta) or (Procrit) if your counts start falling...hence the blood counts each time. If your counts are fine, no shots.
When you get off the steroids, and on the Herceptin alone, the weight will come off....its hard right now, but your life depends on these treatments...you will eventually get back to your old self.