Tykerb-Only Treatment

[lovey]

Hi daughter 1,
I had a long story but will try to make it short. I did dose densed AC for 2 cycle but I developed heart toxicity ( troponin test +), my oncologist stopped that to avoid further damage as I will need good cardiac function for herceptin. Then I was given TCH for 2 cycles. I became breathless even doing mild exertion and having central chest pain . I was hospitalized and my CT thorax shows extensive consolidation. I was put on strong IV antibiotics for 2 weeks and since my throat culture positive for candida , I was also given IV fluconazole for 2 weeks. However my breathlessness got worse so I had broncoscopy and biopsy which shows interstitial pneumonitis. Subsequently, I was given steroid infusion for 3 days followed by high dose oral steroid, my lungs function got better n better and I was able to stop prednisolone after 1&1/2 years. My oncologist suggested tykerb/xeloda since I didn't complete my AC and TCH and my cancer was grade3. I agreed to it since my doctor refused to give me radiotherapy in view of severity of my lungs condition. I hope your mum will have a fast recovery in her lung function, it takes time but it gets better...

[daughter_1]

Hi Lovey - Sounds like you had an extreme and quick reaction. So sorry to hear about the fibrosity, hope it gets better over the years! However, it is very encouraging to know that Tykerb/Xeloda worked for you.
Will keep you posted on how my mum's treatment goes...