Does anyone know if I can get Herceptin without the other chemotherapy drugs?

joyfuljojo
joyfuljojo Member Posts: 1
in Breast Cancer #1
Hi Everyone,
I live in British Columbia, Canada. I am grateful to have found this support system.
I was diagnosed with breast cancer in my left breast in August 2011. I had an Oncoplastic lumpectomy, and Sentinel Node Biopsy on Dec. 6, 2012. The surgeon was amazing, as he lifted my breast, and removed and replaced the nipple. Although he removed five inches of tissue, the left breast looks very similar to the right breast, except it is a little smaller and "perkier" and has a scar on side.
The tumour was 3 cm., aggressive, Her2+, Estrogen Receptor Positive and Progesterone Receptor Negative. There was also a 3 cm. DCIS behind the original tumour. The lymph nodes were negative and the margins were clear.
The Oncologist recommended chemotherapy with Taxol, Doxirubicin, and Cyclophosphamide followed by Herceptin. He also recommended Radiation followed by five years of Tamoxifan. I have always been extremely reluctant to have chemotherapy, as it does not make any sense to me to attack and damage my body in an attempt to heal? Also, apparently, there are no blood tests to determine if there is any cancer left in my body. I sought a second opinion, and I was given the same treatment recommendations.
I was scheduled to commence chemotherapy on March 6, 2012, but I negotiated an extension of the deadline for this decision until April 6, 2012.
My preference is to have Herceptin alone, but I have been advised this is not possible, as, apparently, Canadian Government protocol dictates that Herceptin be given only in conjunction with the other "cocktails."
I thank everyone for their time, and I wish you all peace, love and health.

Love and light,
Joanne

Comments

  • Margeaux
    Margeaux Member Posts: 84
    #2
    Herceptin without chemo
    Joanne:
    First, let me tell you, I am in love with Canada, lived in Montreal way back in the 50's before married life took me half way around the world. Fortunately I managed a wonderful visit to Quebec Summer of 2009, just before i was diagnosed. Congrats also to the excellent care you are receiving. There are many very knowledgeable ladies on this board who will be able to answer your questions so much better than I. I had Invasive Ductal carcinoma, 1 tumor 3.5 cm, another 0.9 cm, left breast, 2 cancerous lymph nodes. Stage IIB Grade III, ER/PR neg., HER Pos. I had 6 months chemo, lumpectomy, 18 lymph nodes removed and radiation. I received one year of Herceptin, which is the recommended length and dosage. Since the cancer had already invaded the lymph nodes, chemo was necessary. My diagnosis really gave me not much of a choice and neither did my oncologist. I was lucky to find an excellent doctor, since my options under my Medicare HMO are extremely limited Only two doctors both in the same practice.
    Love peace and above all health back to you in gorgeous BC!
    M.
  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member
    #3
    Margeaux said:

    Herceptin without chemo
    Joanne:
    First, let me tell you, I am in love with Canada, lived in Montreal way back in the 50's before married life took me half way around the world. Fortunately I managed a wonderful visit to Quebec Summer of 2009, just before i was diagnosed. Congrats also to the excellent care you are receiving. There are many very knowledgeable ladies on this board who will be able to answer your questions so much better than I. I had Invasive Ductal carcinoma, 1 tumor 3.5 cm, another 0.9 cm, left breast, 2 cancerous lymph nodes. Stage IIB Grade III, ER/PR neg., HER Pos. I had 6 months chemo, lumpectomy, 18 lymph nodes removed and radiation. I received one year of Herceptin, which is the recommended length and dosage. Since the cancer had already invaded the lymph nodes, chemo was necessary. My diagnosis really gave me not much of a choice and neither did my oncologist. I was lucky to find an excellent doctor, since my options under my Medicare HMO are extremely limited Only two doctors both in the same practice.
    Love peace and above all health back to you in gorgeous BC!
    M.

    Joanne ... I am happy that you found us here on
    our ACS site. So sorry for the reason. Breast cancer sucks! Plain and simple.
    So many decisions to be made, medical staff to be selected, as well as keeping
    yourself sane and safe. It is your body, so opting for a 2nd opinion and questioning
    some of the chemo decisions made by Oncologist -- suggests to me that you are very
    well informed, and looking out for your best interest.

    I was diagnosed with DCIS, Her2 positive -- Stage 1. My breast cancer Specialist -- not,
    my Oncologist recommended/suggest Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin. I endured
    18 consecutive weeks of TCH, followed by Herceptin for a year. 6 lymph nodes removed,
    all 6 tested negative for cancer. I would also like to note that this was my 3rd
    bout with cancer --. Early twenties - thyroid cancer, total thyroidectomy followed
    by radiation, Early thirties, cervical cancer. Hit my forties and I thought it was
    smooth sailing for me -- until breast cancer was discovered. So I opted for the dense,
    heavy duty -- chemo regiment. I wanted to give myself the best possible chance at
    riding myself of the 'beast', and putting breast cancer behind me.

    Did chemo interrupt my life, yes. Did I lose my hair, personality, and zest for living,
    yes. Was it worth it ... yes.

    Please continue to research, read and question.

    Best of luck ..

    Strength, Courage and Hope.

    Vicki Sam
  • Kat11
    Kat11 Member Posts: 1,931 Member
    #4
    VickiSam said:

    Joanne ... I am happy that you found us here on
    our ACS site. So sorry for the reason. Breast cancer sucks! Plain and simple.
    So many decisions to be made, medical staff to be selected, as well as keeping
    yourself sane and safe. It is your body, so opting for a 2nd opinion and questioning
    some of the chemo decisions made by Oncologist -- suggests to me that you are very
    well informed, and looking out for your best interest.

    I was diagnosed with DCIS, Her2 positive -- Stage 1. My breast cancer Specialist -- not,
    my Oncologist recommended/suggest Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin. I endured
    18 consecutive weeks of TCH, followed by Herceptin for a year. 6 lymph nodes removed,
    all 6 tested negative for cancer. I would also like to note that this was my 3rd
    bout with cancer --. Early twenties - thyroid cancer, total thyroidectomy followed
    by radiation, Early thirties, cervical cancer. Hit my forties and I thought it was
    smooth sailing for me -- until breast cancer was discovered. So I opted for the dense,
    heavy duty -- chemo regiment. I wanted to give myself the best possible chance at
    riding myself of the 'beast', and putting breast cancer behind me.

    Did chemo interrupt my life, yes. Did I lose my hair, personality, and zest for living,
    yes. Was it worth it ... yes.

    Please continue to research, read and question.

    Best of luck ..

    Strength, Courage and Hope.

    Vicki Sam

    I am HER 2 POS and Did AC
    I am HER 2 POS and Did AC Taxol Herceptin for 1 year 35 Rad treatments and currently on Tamoxifen for the 5 years. I had a lumpectomy and I will be 3 years out next month. I don't know if this drug works alone or not. Just be really careful and make sure you understand your reseach. If its that your afraid of the treatment. It really is all doable.It's not easy by know means, but doable. Wishing you the best. Hugs
  • missrenee
    missrenee Member Posts: 2,136 Member
    #5
    Kat11 said:

    I am HER 2 POS and Did AC
    I am HER 2 POS and Did AC Taxol Herceptin for 1 year 35 Rad treatments and currently on Tamoxifen for the 5 years. I had a lumpectomy and I will be 3 years out next month. I don't know if this drug works alone or not. Just be really careful and make sure you understand your reseach. If its that your afraid of the treatment. It really is all doable.It's not easy by know means, but doable. Wishing you the best. Hugs

    Knowing what to do can be confusing and frustrating
    Some of the treatments offered go against our thinking. However, (and this is a big however), my thoughts were--I trusted my oncologist. She studied and saw thousands of patients through her career. She was the expert and I gave her the reigns. My cancer was not HER2+ so Herceptin was not a choice for me. However, I had 18 weeks of dense dose Taxotere, Adriamycin and Cytoxan followed by 33 rounds of rads. It was agressive therapy, but I wanted to hit this hard with everything they had.

    Was it easy--no, but looking back now--not so bad. Sure, I lost my hair--big deal, it's just hair, I rocked really cute hats and scarves. Did all foods taste yucky for a while--yep, but I never vomited. Were there some "potty" issues--yep, but all manageable with different meds if you needed them. And a few other very minor issues.

    Don't let your decision be "fear-based." Treatment time is a very short window compared to the rest of your life. As all the others have said--it's very doable and we've all proven that.

    Good luck with your decisions and your treatments. We all want the best outcome.

    Hugs, Renee
  • mcannat
    mcannat Member Posts: 1
    #6
    Neulasta

    Hi, my name is Anna.  I have just completed my second round of chemo.  It seems I have no problem with it; but, the neulasta causes me to have diarrhea (not sure about the spelling) and cramps.  Does anyone else have this problem, and if so, what do you do to help with it?

  • GlowMore
    GlowMore Member Posts: 789 Member
    #7
    mcannat said:

    Neulasta

    Hi, my name is Anna.  I have just completed my second round of chemo.  It seems I have no problem with it; but, the neulasta causes me to have diarrhea (not sure about the spelling) and cramps.  Does anyone else have this problem, and if so, what do you do to help with it?

    Neuasta**

    Hi Mcannat......I'm very sorry for your bad side effects.   I would tell all my symptoms to my oncologist and perhaps they can adjust your treatment to help you with them.   We are sorry you have to be here...but glad at the same time that you have found us...because we all understand.   You have posted on a very old thread...if you will notice at the top right hand corner of our posts it shows the date.   Please keep posting and let us know how this is taken care of........sending you prayers for strength and courage.   Glo

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