Is Anyone Working On Day Of Herceptin Treatment?

[LOPSIDED]

I JUST JOINED THIS SITE YESTERDAY AND AM SO GLAD I FOUND IT. I APPRECIATE ALL THE KIND WORDS AND ADVICE I HAVE ALREADY RECEIVED. I AM IN THE MIDDLE OF RADIATION RIGHT NOW, BUT WILL BE STARTING ON HERCEPTIN SOON (WEEKLY TREATMENTS FOR 1 YEAR). I HAVE DONE WELL SO FAR BUT AM WONDERING IF ANY OF YOU WORK ON THE DAY YOU RECEIVE HERCEPTIN. I AM NOT PLANNING ON WORKING THE FIRST TWO TREATMENTS OF HERCEPTIN BUT AFTER THAT IF I HAVE NO REACTION I THOUGHT I MIGHT BE ABLE TO WORK HALF A DAY. MY HISTORY IS---DIAGNOSED SEPT. 2005, 4 TREATMENTS OF A/C, MASTECTOMY NOV.2005, TUMOR WAS 2.1CM 8 OUT 10 LYMPH NODES POSITIVE, 12 TREATMENTS OF TAXOTERE WKLY, 35 RADS (FINISHED 16TH RAD TODAY) WILL DO 1 YEAR HERCEPTIN WKLY AFTER RADS. I AM 41 YEARS OLD. I AM TIRED AND HAVE SOME BODY ACHES AND STIFFNESS BUT NOTHING DRASTIC.

[Barbara H.]

I only had a reaction the first time I had Herceptin. (chills and fever) I teach and usually have it after school. However, I have had it early before school, and then have taught all day without a problem. Later in the evening I also did "Back to School Night." After your first infusion, I think you will find Herceptin very tolerable.
Best wishes,
Barbara Holz

[Diane H]

I did as you are thinking of doing, didn't work the first few but now I do. I switched to the three week treatment schedule also and really prefer just going every three weeks. It is a longer infusion but I like it much better. I have no problem working the day of treatment.

Hello!

I have been on Herceptin since December 2004. I have had very few side effects (besides the constantly running nose and thin peeling nails). I am able to work following my treatments without problem (I work in an office environment, so I am not performing physical work). In fact, I have had so few adverse effects, my oncologist and I agreed to a second year of herceptin which I will finish in November of 2006.
Peace and Blessings,
Monique

[tricia keegan]

Hi I have herceptin every 3 weeks and although I get some muscle aches it's nothing major so you should be able to work.I just find the Benedryl makes me very sleepy and I know not everyone gets it each time but my onc always does.Not sure why.Good luck.
Tricia

[RhondaH]

only 6 more treatments to go.

Rhonda

[jener8er]

No benadryl for me and I feel NOTHING after my treatment at all - I would never know I even have it. But my nails too are peeling off, and I thought it was leftover from Taxotere, but is this a side effect of Herceptin? Never thought of that. Otherwise no side effects whatsoever for me.

[Maggie]

Hi,

I have no problem with Herceptin and working. I work in my church's Thrift Shop and am on my feet all day, standing and running around. My nose still runs, but not bad at all! I get it every three weeks! My nose also bleed the first few times.

In the beginning, I had benadryl and 2 tylenol the first few times and the benadrly put me to sleep. I don't get it anymore and don't sleep now either.

I would take the first time off if you'd feel better about that and then try working the next time.

Maggie

[Lisa1962]

I would - - - if I didn't have nearly 4 hours of commuting - so I use the day to get other appointments done... after my last treatment I went to the dentist (do I know how to have fun or WHAT?!)

After the next one - I'm taking my son to his dentist

Whenever I need a routine visit with my oncologist - I always schedule it on a treatment day

I figure I may as well not torture myself with the long commute and get some other errands out of the way - so I don't have to take any additional time off - it's an easy day for me - I usually treat myself to lunch afterwards - or a shopping trip

If my commute was an easy one I would probably just leave work an hour or two early and get it done then - and not use an entire personal day off from work. I just can't see commuting more hours than I would actually be at my desk.