Hummingbyrd ??

Herceptin is now only used for metastases in those who are HER2+ and Hummb has mets. Taxol, in the beginning, was the same way - then after trials it has been added to anyone with one or more lympth nodes involved.

Probably some day that may be the protocol. Adriamycin is very effective with HER2+ as a first line of defense.

If you don't enter the trial, you won't get herceptin. If you do, you might or might not so there is a bit of an advantage in doing it - especially if you are young.

I never was sick from the chemo. There was pre-medication with Zofran and Decadron for anti-nausea and then Zofran for three days after - on time- whether you think you need it or not. The way to go is to take the meds just in case because if you get sick, it's too late. I was soooooo relieved. I had pictures similar to those I'm sure you have in your mind. But my first was about dinner time and every one was sitting and eating a sandwich and soup etc. Me too! No one was sick.

Good Luck!
Jean

Hi Toni:

The best advice re expecting to be sick during chemo, is to try not to have any preconceived notions of what you expect to happen. Try to remain positive and let it happen without your being in knots, inside. I know that's not easy! If you go in expecting to be very ill, then you may, unintintionally, help that to be the case.
If you feel that you simply cannot get the pre treatment anxiety under control, talk to your doc about it and ask for something which may help. NERVES alone can contribute to nausea.

We've all heard the tales (many from years ago, I might add) of chronic vomiting, bone weary fatigue that landed women flat in the bed for a week or two, all manner of insult and incident. DISCOUNT AS MUCH OF THAT AS YOU CAN MUSTER!!! Science works at a steady clip and there are so many new drugs now for nausea, that it's just one big blessing, really. I took Anzamet...one pill prior to the infusions and one each day for 3 days following treatments. (My ins. covered it but I believe the cost is approx. $60.00/pill) I only threw up when I got a virus in the middle of my treatments. The only real problem I developed, and it lasted till I finished treatment, was an aversion to drinking water!
Plain water began to just taste terrible to me and so I switched to making homemade lemonade, daily. Kept a huge pitcher in the fridge at all times. It did the trick for me.

I did get a dry mouth sometimes, so I rinsed 3 or 4 times each day, with baking soda solution. It worked great! It's a great natural moisturizer. Also, I'd get the extra soft toothbrushes to use during treatment. Your pharmacist can order some for you if they're not on the shelf. You don't want any nicks or cuts in the mouth and too, your mouth will most likely be more sensitive than usual.

I can tell you, that after my first treatment was behind me (and except for the virus which lasted a week) I pretty much went about my business as usual. I walked daily, resumed Yoga which I'd done years before, gardened a bit (veggies growing in pots was a new and fun experience for me...as an avid gardener, I wasn't about to give it up that summer and so improvised a way to keep me out of the sun so much but grow my veggies anyway) There are many things you'll be pleasantly surprised by, I think. If you give it a chance. Don't go in expecting a disastrous experience.

If one anti nausea med isn't doing it for you, then you dr. will try a different one which does work for you.

I actually was out in the yard and fiddling with some plants, just an hour after I came home from my first treatment. I felt a bit odd but not sick. I'd feel tired on my second day after treatment. When I got the virus, I actually wanted the sky to fall on me there for a few days. I couldn't eat, drink, or much of anything else. I just stayed in bed and threw up. My dr. kept me in the hosp. for a day because she was worried about dehydration but my husband figured the whole thing out! He made oatmeal for me and would give me a spoonfull every few hours, round the clock. It was the only thing which didn't come right back up. It gave me some nourishment and I was able to stay at home until it had run it's course. After which time I was fine again.

Just a few things I hope may help you at this time. Once that first treatment is over, you'll feel much differently, so try to relax as much as possible...work at and focus your energies on just that. Try to walk into treatment as if you intend to rule the roost and get an easy time of it to boot! AND TRY NOT TO LISTEN TO TOO MANY HORROR STORIES, in the interim. Your body is uniquely yours.

GOOD LUCK AND KEEP THINKING GOOD THOUGHTS.

Ink