Dede, I've been on weekly Abraxane for 3 weeks. It's been ok so far. Tiredness, have to eat 3 good meals a day with snacks in between so my blood counts will recover well enough to stay on schedule(a real problem with my previous chemo, Gemzar. Very hard on the counts), thinning hair including eybrows and eyelashes but no real hair loss yet (!!!). I have stomach issues (GERD) so I'm given IV Zofran as a premed. The first infusion I was also given IV Benedryl as a precaution but did fine, no allergic reaction so haven't needed Benedryl since.
Overall one of the easier chemos for me. Good Luck!
<3 Lolly
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Sept.'99 - Dx.Stage IIIB, IDC ER/PR-, HER2+++ by IHC, confirmed '04 by FISH. Left MRM, AC x's 4, Taxol x's 4, 33 Rads, finishing Tx May 2000. Jan.'01 - local/regional recurrence, Stage IV. Herceptin/Navelbine weekly till NED August 2001, then maintenance Herceptin. Right Mast. April 2002. Local/Regional recurrence April '04, Herceptin plus/minus chemo until May '07. Gemzar added from Feb.'07-April '07; Tykerb/Abraxane until August '07, back on Herceptin plus Taxotere and Xeloda Sept. '07. Stopped T/X Nov. '07, stopped Herceptin Dec. '07, started Avastin/Taxol/Carboplatin Dec. '07. Progression in chest skin, stopped TAC March '03, started radiation.
Herceptin has served as the "Backbone" of my treatment strategy for over 6 years, giving me great quality of life. In 2005, I was privileged to participate in the University of Washington/Seattle HER2 Vaccine Trial.
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