confused about herceptin post chemo?

[deborah]

In june of 2004 dx. 7cm.,stage2,her2 with 4 nodes+ out of 14,Tx.12tx.AC,Taxol every 2 weeks x 4tx. ending in nov. and 35 tx. of rads which ended in feb.05. I had my port out in may d/t clotting/discomfort. And today my MD suggests the herceptin, my markers have been ok, CT/Bone scans fine. I have been taken back, I'm worried about the cardiac side effects as well as other potential side effects, and of course I'm wondering why now and not when I was going through chemo this wasn't suggested? Will it help, Is it needed? I have to many questions but I know this is a waiting game and I don't want to be the loser. I'm worried to say the least. Any feedback would be appriciated.

[michele u]

Deb, Take the Herceptin. There has been great results with it. The cardiac problems are quite low. there has been women fighting to get Herceptin, and if your onc wants it go for it. I got one year after Taxol and had no bad side effects. I had a decrease in my cardiac function, but felt normal with it. They say it will come back with time. If you back and look at posts from women that got it, you will see how it has helped.

I am on my third treatment. I take it every three weeks, I had A/c and taxol, every two weeks and 33 Rad treatments. I finished in April. My Onc. suggusted that herceptin would be a good follow up to prevent it from coming back. I was her2 and had a lump removed and one node involved and I was neg for estrogen. I am glad that they are allowing herceptin to be used. I also wanted to be finished and have my port taken out, but next fall I will be able to do that. I will be taking this for 1 yr. every three weeks. I have had some side effects but nothing like chemo. They say that after you get into the treatments you really don't have two many side effects. I have had a muga test before I started and I am to have one my next treatment. Judy from Md.

I started herceptin in June -- 9 months after finishing 4 A/C/ and 4 taxol- the results of the clinical trials were around April or May and were so positive about big drop in recurrance, they were offering it to those who were considered early stage 1 an 2 . I'm stage 2B. My onc. and I were back went back and forth and I finally decided to go for it because the cardiac side effects are something like 4% which is pretty low considering the positive results- drops the recurrance rates by a whopping 52 %. I'm happy with my decision- I've had no side effects to speak of thus far.
Carol