Taxotere, Carboplatin, Herceptin

[Cristina19]

Greetings Sisters,

I am about to start chemotherapy--TCH--on Wednesday: 6 infusions, separated by 3 weeks. Then, the plan is to continue with Herceptin alone for up to one year. At some point the oncologist will throw Tamoxifen into the mix.

My question: everything! Have any of you been on this particular set of drugs for chemo? Your effects?

I know that everyone reacts differently, but any wisdom will be appreciated.

I asked for TCH (following the advice of a UCLA oncologist who took part in Herceptin studies); he stated that the cardiotoxicity was less with TCH than with Adryamicin. My City of Hope oncologist agreed to this treatment although he had been more "traditional" and had originally planned AC->TH. Both believe that the treatments are equally effective although the TCH is newer.

My diagnosis: out of the blue, no family history, DX at 37 in May 2007. Stage 1, extensive DCIS, 1.2 cm infiltrating ductal carcinoma, all margins and sentinal node negative, ER +, PR -, HER2 +++. Total right breast mastectomy (too much DCIS and too small breast) with immediate free-TRAM reconstruction.

I've done the genetic testing but haven't heard back.

Any support, wisdom will be appreciated.