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08-16-2011, 01:46 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 133
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Re: Follow Up Chemo
I wasn't given a port but it is on my list of questions for my doc. I survived 6 TCH and an additional 3 Herceptin only via vein but have been told the Adriamycin is especially tough. I have been told that I won't be on the 3 days of steroids like I was with the TCH but will be taking Emend for the nausea. I worked during the last batch - did you work, or feel well enough to work during yours?
Thanks for your feedback.
__________________
11/19/10 Identified swollen lymph node
1/24/11 Mammogram showed microcalcifications - no mass
2/4/11 Diagnosed ER/PR- HER2+++
2/23/11 Began TCH protocol every 21 days 6x
5/23/11 Ultrasound of originally diseased lymph node shows normal
7/25/11 Lymph node dissection - 8 of 14 show disease
7/29/11 Double mastectomy with reconstruction (expanders)
8/29/11 Begin follow up chemo - Adriamycin 4 treatments every 2 weeks and Xeloda. Self inject Nupogen shots
1/6/12 6 weeks of Radiation finished
2/13/12 Last Herceptin/remove port
3/27/12 PET/Brain Scan NED :)
8/15/12 Final reconstruction - hello nipples, good bye expanders
9/14/12 Rejected implant/infection. Implant removed
5/6/13 Latissumis Dorsi surgery left side with expander
PS - my photo was taken 5 days after my double mastectomy surgery and 6 weeks after my TCH was completed
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08-16-2011, 02:41 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Southern California
Posts: 900
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Re: Follow Up Chemo
Without a port the Adriamycin had to be done as an IV push - very slowly. Maybe I didn't have very good veins because after 3 treatments it was very difficult for the chemo nurse to find one - drawing blood was a challenge too. I insisted on a port for the rest of my treatment and it made things so much easier! I know some of the other members of the board had this same regimen and did okay without a port, everyone is different.
I worked full time the entire time I was on chemo. I took off every other Friday for treatment and was back to work on Monday. Fortunately I had a job where I could sit most of the day. I never did get sick - a little nausea, but I controlled that with Sprite and soda crackers. I was very lucky with how well I did.
It sounds like you have handled treatment so far very well and I am sure you will continue to do so.
Wishing you the best as you go forward. You will do great!
__________________
Gerri
Dx: 11/23/05, Lumpectomy 12/12/05
Tumor 2.2 cm, Stage II, Grade 3, Sentinel Node biopsy negative
ER+ (30%) /PR+ (50%), HER2+++
AC X 4 dose dense, Taxol X 4 dose dense
Herceptin started with 2nd Taxol, given weekly until chemo done
then given every 3 weeks for one year ending on March 16, 2007
Radiation 30 treatments
Tamoxifen - 2 yrs (pre-menopausal)
May 2008 - Feb 2012 Femara
Aug 2008 - Feb 2012 Zometa every 6 months
March 2012 - Stop Femara, now Evista for bone strengthening
********** Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things. - Robert Brault
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08-16-2011, 08:52 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 3,142
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Re: Follow Up Chemo
Good luck with the new protocol. I hope it works great for you !!!!!!!!!
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08-17-2011, 05:10 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Morris, IL
Posts: 3,507
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Re: Follow Up Chemo
Deb
You look amazing ing the photo for all you had gone through....sounds like you have managed well....sorry to hear about the new line of defense being added, but with the new drugs to prevent side effects, I am sure you will do fine. I agree that a port is the easiest with this combo. I believe there is a drug they can give to you IV to protect the heart, like heart guard or something ...you may want to ask. I do know that you cant get Herceptin while getting AC due to heart toxicity, but can resume when the AC is complete.
Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers
__________________
"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."
Hugs & Blessings
Sheila
Diagnosed at age 49.99999 2/21/2002 via Mammography (Calcifications)
Core Biopsy 2/22/02
L. Mastectomy 2/25/2002
Stage 1, 0.7cm IDC, Node Neg from 19 nodes Her2+++ ER PR Neg
6/2003 Reconstruction W/ Tissue Expander, Silicone Implant
9/2003 Stage IV with Mets to Supraclavicular nodes
9/2003 Began Herceptin every 3 weeks
3/2006 Xeloda 2500mg/Herceptin for recurrence to neck nodes
3/2007 Added back the Xeloda with Herceptin for continued mets to nodes
5/2007 Taken Off Xeloda, no longer working
6/14/07 Taxol/Herceptin/Avastin
3/26 - 5/28/08 Taxol Holiday Whopeeeeeeeee
5/29 2008 Back on Taxol w Herceptin q 2 weeks
4/2009 Progression on Taxol & Paralyzed L Vocal Cord from Nodes Pressing on Nerve
5/2009 Begin Rx with Navelbine/Herceptin
11/09 Progression on Navelbine
Fought for and started Tykerb/Herceptin...nodes are melting!!!!!
2/2010 Back to Avastin/Herceptin
5/2010 Switched to Metronomic Chemo with Herceptin...Cytoxan and Methotrexate
Pericardial Window Surgery to Drain Pericardial Effusion
7/2010 Back to walking a mile a day...YEAH!!!!
9/2010 Nodes are back with a vengence in neck
Qualified for TDM-1 EAP
10/6/10 Begin my miracle drug, TDM-1
Mixed response, shrinking internal nodes, progression skin mets after 3 treatments
12/6/10 Started Halaven (Eribulen) /Herceptin excellent results in 2 treatments
2/2011 I CELEBRATE my 9 YEAR MARK!!!!!!!!!!!!!
7/5/11 begin Gemzar /Herceptin for node progression
2/8/2012 Gemzar stopped, Continue Herceptin
2/20/2012 Begin Tomo Radiation to Neck Nodes
2/21/2012 I CELEBRATE 10 YEARS
5/12/2012 BeganTaxotere/ Herceptin is my next miracle for new node progression
6/28/12 Stopped Taxotere due to pregression, Started Perjeta/Herceptin
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