HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - A teary and embarrassing moment

Barbara H. · 05-28-2008, 02:22 PM

HI Chrisy,
I can totally relate to your frustration. I am receiving the same chemo on the weekly trial and have had to skip my infusion a few times because of elevated enzymes. In fact, I doubt that I will be treated tomorrow because last week they were quite high. This is a very common side effect of the drug. Last week my research nurse told me that there is absolutely nothing you can do to bring them down other than skipping a treatment. My feeling is that it is not so bad to skip a treatment because it gives your body a break. In addition, they still do not know what the best dose should be. Higher is not necessarily better. Your oncologist is probably being very careful because if they allow the enzymes to go too high, Genentec can pull you off the trial and there is nothing you can do.

That being said, I can certainly understand why you lost it. This is really a suburb drug when it works. For me, I just hate having to go in weekly. I arrive at 3:30 after school and usually can't leave before 7:30. I have to have those CT scans every six weeks that need to use a vein. I only have one available, it often stings, and I don't want to lose this vein. The weekly scans also make it difficult to take vacations and I will have to commute from NH during the summer. On the positive side I live close to Dana Farber and feel very fortunate to be in this trial. I know I have to continue to see the positive side, but sometimes this whole ordeal stinks. Because I try to stay positive, that seems to be what is expected of me. Nevertheless, it is hard sometimes.
You are in my thoughts. Put that incident behind you, move on and lets just hope that the trial continues to work for you. Don't forget to have some tasty, expensive chocolate.
Best wishes,
Barbara H.

05-28-2008, 02:22 PM	#28
Barbara H. Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Newton, MA Posts: 951	frustration HI Chrisy, I can totally relate to your frustration. I am receiving the same chemo on the weekly trial and have had to skip my infusion a few times because of elevated enzymes. In fact, I doubt that I will be treated tomorrow because last week they were quite high. This is a very common side effect of the drug. Last week my research nurse told me that there is absolutely nothing you can do to bring them down other than skipping a treatment. My feeling is that it is not so bad to skip a treatment because it gives your body a break. In addition, they still do not know what the best dose should be. Higher is not necessarily better. Your oncologist is probably being very careful because if they allow the enzymes to go too high, Genentec can pull you off the trial and there is nothing you can do. That being said, I can certainly understand why you lost it. This is really a suburb drug when it works. For me, I just hate having to go in weekly. I arrive at 3:30 after school and usually can't leave before 7:30. I have to have those CT scans every six weeks that need to use a vein. I only have one available, it often stings, and I don't want to lose this vein. The weekly scans also make it difficult to take vacations and I will have to commute from NH during the summer. On the positive side I live close to Dana Farber and feel very fortunate to be in this trial. I know I have to continue to see the positive side, but sometimes this whole ordeal stinks. Because I try to stay positive, that seems to be what is expected of me. Nevertheless, it is hard sometimes. You are in my thoughts. Put that incident behind you, move on and lets just hope that the trial continues to work for you. Don't forget to have some tasty, expensive chocolate. Best wishes, Barbara H.