HER2/neu Positive; ER,PR Negative. Adriamycin+Cytoxan;Taxol+Herceptin;+Herceptin

[Guest guest]

1/10/07 I had double mastectomy. Soon I'm to start chemo. With HER2/neu

positive and ER&PR negative, I was told that Herceptin is the only

option (40 wks). However, it can potentially damage the heart.

I received the sheets from an oncologist for every drug's side effects:

Adriamycin, Cytoxan,Taxol,Herceptin,Corticosteroids.

Is there anyoone out there with the same pathology report results?

Is there anyone out there who was given the same treatment course?

Is there anyone out there who can describe the symptoms and side

effects that you've experienced and how you've dealt with them?

Also, has everyone gone for the 2nd opinion after seeing an oncologist?

The last question is how important or not important is the look of the

room where they administer the chemo? The one that I saw yesterday,

was small, packed and very depressing.

Hope to get some responses.

Thank you and good luck to all!

[Guest guest]

Hello,

I can offer a few answers from my experience.. the first being IT IS VERY

IMPORTANT to check out chemo areas!!! I can't stress that enough.. yes, chemo

is chemo, but the comfort is so much more important.. some are private, others

are large rooms with all in view, some are crammed as you mentioned and

depressing, please keep looking if you have time and choose a place that will

bring you the most comfort.

My only other input is, regardless of where we all fall with meds, the very

last part of every med sheet says that these meds may cause cancer down the

line!! It's actually quite ridiculuous when you read it, but you just plug

along, what else can you do? Its the battle of the fight.. you worry about later

on later.. and take today by the horns!

I had the AC and Taxol.. the AC made me tired and nauseas (?) but only for 2

days and then up and about again.. the taxol I experienced diarrhea, nothing a

quick immodium couldn't fix and joint pain like having the flu. YOU will DO

it!! I will keep you in my prayers!!

Peace and Prayers,

Michele

" mrs.katz " mrs.katz@...> wrote:

1/10/07 I had double mastectomy. Soon I'm to start chemo. With

HER2/neu

positive and ER&PR negative, I was told that Herceptin is the only

option (40 wks). However, it can potentially damage the heart.

I received the sheets from an oncologist for every drug's side effects:

Adriamycin, Cytoxan,Taxol,Herceptin,Corticosteroids.

Is there anyoone out there with the same pathology report results?

Is there anyone out there who was given the same treatment course?

Is there anyone out there who can describe the symptoms and side

effects that you've experienced and how you've dealt with them?

Also, has everyone gone for the 2nd opinion after seeing an oncologist?

The last question is how important or not important is the look of the

room where they administer the chemo? The one that I saw yesterday,

was small, packed and very depressing.

Hope to get some responses.

Thank you and good luck to all!

[Guest guest]

Mrs. Katz,

Looks like I can be your partner in crime! My treatment course is

A/C, then Taxol/Herceptin, then surgery, then radiation. I just

finished my 2nd A/C session yesterday. The first went very smoothly,

and my dr. says that if I no problems from the first then things

shouldn't get very bad. (he also said that my tumor is

shrinking..yeah!). Before I start the Taxol/Herceptin, I will have

some tests about my heart function, with very close monitoring.

My doctor's infusion room is bright, open, airy, and a very pleasant

place to be. The first time I went in, I noticed the appointment

sheet on a counter, and I commented that it looked like a fine hair

salon. The nurse quipped back, " well, we think of ourselves as

an " Un-hair Salon. " At that point I knew I was in the right place.

Yesterday, the mood was " airplane " , one of the nurses was wheeling

around a little cart with snacks. Hey, if you've got to sit in a

comfy chair for 2 to 5 hours (that was the lady across from me), at

least they try to entertain! Because this was my second time, my

nurse introduced me to another lady who was there for her first

treatment, and was really scared. It felt good to help her be at

ease.

Well, I ramble on, and have other things to do.

Lucinda

[Guest guest]

Thank you Lucinda :-)

The place I saw yesterday was not pretty at all. I keep telling myself it

really doesn't matter. It is not far from my home and my work, but I know it

would have been a little less derpessing if it was roomier and " fancier " .

I'm going for the tests this week as well. What's troublesome is if the heart

gives problems, there is nothing else out there except Herceptin. Then it's like

a lottery. You stop the treatment or you don't even start and you don't know

what's next to be expected.

Right?

lucinda eaglemom53@...> wrote:

Mrs. Katz,

Looks like I can be your partner in crime! My treatment course is

A/C, then Taxol/Herceptin, then surgery, then radiation. I just

finished my 2nd A/C session yesterday. The first went very smoothly,

and my dr. says that if I no problems from the first then things

shouldn't get very bad. (he also said that my tumor is

shrinking..yeah!). Before I start the Taxol/Herceptin, I will have

some tests about my heart function, with very close monitoring.

My doctor's infusion room is bright, open, airy, and a very pleasant

place to be. The first time I went in, I noticed the appointment

sheet on a counter, and I commented that it looked like a fine hair

salon. The nurse quipped back, " well, we think of ourselves as

an " Un-hair Salon. " At that point I knew I was in the right place.

Yesterday, the mood was " airplane " , one of the nurses was wheeling

around a little cart with snacks. Hey, if you've got to sit in a

comfy chair for 2 to 5 hours (that was the lady across from me), at

least they try to entertain! Because this was my second time, my

nurse introduced me to another lady who was there for her first

treatment, and was really scared. It felt good to help her be at

ease.

Well, I ramble on, and have other things to do.

Lucinda

---------------------------------

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[Guest guest]

Thank you Michele.

Yes, it's ironic that we need to swap one set of problems for another set of

problems. Future risk of another type of cancer, heart failure and it's all just

to take an insurance policy that you don't even know if you need. What if with

breasts gone the cancer is gone? Why no one can find a test that will determine

the need for chemo, never mind cure for cancer?

I can't fathom taking that poison into my body, yet I don't have the guts to

turn it down and then regret it later on. Yet, if herceptin is too damaging to

the heart, it all comes to a halt anyway since there is nothing else out there

that's available.

Michele Gately tinkkerbelle2002@...> wrote:

Hello,

I can offer a few answers from my experience.. the first being IT IS VERY

IMPORTANT to check out chemo areas!!! I can't stress that enough.. yes, chemo is

chemo, but the comfort is so much more important.. some are private, others are

large rooms with all in view, some are crammed as you mentioned and depressing,

please keep looking if you have time and choose a place that will bring you the

most comfort.

My only other input is, regardless of where we all fall with meds, the very last

part of every med sheet says that these meds may cause cancer down the line!!

It's actually quite ridiculuous when you read it, but you just plug along, what

else can you do? Its the battle of the fight.. you worry about later on later..

and take today by the horns!

I had the AC and Taxol.. the AC made me tired and nauseas (?) but only for 2

days and then up and about again.. the taxol I experienced diarrhea, nothing a

quick immodium couldn't fix and joint pain like having the flu. YOU will DO it!!

I will keep you in my prayers!!

Peace and Prayers,

Michele

" mrs.katz " mrs.katz@...> wrote:

1/10/07 I had double mastectomy. Soon I'm to start chemo. With HER2/neu

positive and ER&PR negative, I was told that Herceptin is the only

option (40 wks). However, it can potentially damage the heart.

I received the sheets from an oncologist for every drug's side effects:

Adriamycin, Cytoxan,Taxol,Herceptin,Corticosteroids.

Is there anyoone out there with the same pathology report results?

Is there anyone out there who was given the same treatment course?

Is there anyone out there who can describe the symptoms and side

effects that you've experienced and how you've dealt with them?

Also, has everyone gone for the 2nd opinion after seeing an oncologist?

The last question is how important or not important is the look of the

room where they administer the chemo? The one that I saw yesterday,

was small, packed and very depressing.

Hope to get some responses.

Thank you and good luck to all!

[Guest guest]

I had a lumpectomy in Dec, HER2/neu +, estrogen/progestern -,

I am being treated with Cytoxan, Taxotere and Herceptin. I too was

worried at first abut the side effects of the Herceptin on the heart.

My Mom died of a heart attack. My Oncologist was very throrough on his

pre-tests. I had a MUGA scan on the heart and many EKG's etc.

Everything looks good. He said they are more worried if you are over

60 yers old (I just turned 47) and if the MUGA scan comes back low.

From what I have read my risk is less then 2% of developing congestive

heart failure.

On another note, I take my chemo in a room with around 10 other

people. They also have private areas in case someone is sick, but I

love the opportunity to meet other people. If you don't feel like

talking it's ok but you would not believe the support and positive

conversations I have had. I have even made really good new friend or

two that I talk to outside of chemo. Just some more things to

consider. Also my Oncologist and his staff are great--they will bring

you water, tea, coffee, snacks..whatever you want, just ask!

Love and prayers,

Val

[Guest guest]

Yah never know....there's so many different chemo drugs out there, maybe your

dr. will ease you in first with the A/C. Actually it looks like all of the

drugs have some pretty nasty potential for side effects, after all they are all

some forms of poison. I just thank God that I am otherwise very healthy,and

plan on doing what I need to do to stay that way!

Lucinda

" mrs.katz katz " mrs.katz@...> wrote:

Thank you Lucinda :-)

The place I saw yesterday was not pretty at all. I keep telling myself it really

doesn't matter. It is not far from my home and my work, but I know it would have

been a little less derpessing if it was roomier and " fancier " .

I'm going for the tests this week as well. What's troublesome is if the heart

gives problems, there is nothing else out there except Herceptin. Then it's like

a lottery. You stop the treatment or you don't even start and you don't know

what's next to be expected.

Right?

lucinda eaglemom53@...> wrote:

Mrs. Katz,

Looks like I can be your partner in crime! My treatment course is

A/C, then Taxol/Herceptin, then surgery, then radiation. I just

finished my 2nd A/C session yesterday. The first went very smoothly,

and my dr. says that if I no problems from the first then things

shouldn't get very bad. (he also said that my tumor is

shrinking..yeah!). Before I start the Taxol/Herceptin, I will have

some tests about my heart function, with very close monitoring.

My doctor's infusion room is bright, open, airy, and a very pleasant

place to be. The first time I went in, I noticed the appointment

sheet on a counter, and I commented that it looked like a fine hair

salon. The nurse quipped back, " well, we think of ourselves as

an " Un-hair Salon. " At that point I knew I was in the right place.

Yesterday, the mood was " airplane " , one of the nurses was wheeling

around a little cart with snacks. Hey, if you've got to sit in a

comfy chair for 2 to 5 hours (that was the lady across from me), at

least they try to entertain! Because this was my second time, my

nurse introduced me to another lady who was there for her first

treatment, and was really scared. It felt good to help her be at

ease.

Well, I ramble on, and have other things to do.

Lucinda

---------------------------------

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[Guest guest]

Hi Mrs. Katz,

I'm er/pr-, her2+, Stage 1

I had Adriamycin+Cytoxan, then Herceptin.

If I was higher stage, I would definitely have gotten the Taxol; not all

Stage 1 women get Taxol.

I was monitored every 3 months with an echocardiogram and came through

OK. The risk of heart damage is low, and for me it was worth it since it

was a lower risk then the risk of recurrence.

A second opinion can be useful to confirm your onc's recommendation or

to discuss other options.

I know for women who have a history of heart problems, a newer treatment

is Taxol, Carboplatin and Herceptin.

take care,