Fairly new here. I've got a couple of questions

Paula1001
Paula1001 Member Posts: 35
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I started out Stage 3A, 5 tumors, 3 in lymph nodes, all large, HER2+, E+ & P+. After 4 rounds of A/C, double mastectomy with lymph node involvement, and 12 rounds weekly of Taxol/ Herceptin, I'm officially done with the chemo! Yay!
I'll continue Herceptin every 3 weeks for 9 months, begin Arimidex soon for 5 years, and I start radiation in one month's time for 6 weeks. We're going camping with the boat and the dogs next weekend to celebrate.
For those of you who are early on in this process, remember there is a light at the end of the tunnel and the view is your future. Each stage is frightening in its own way, but this too shall pass. Every stage gets you closer to completion. Good Luck all.
So, it takes about a month for the Taxol to completely purge from your body? Can I then blow my nose without the nose bleeds? Can't wait to be close to normal again. :-) Is there anything I need to know about radiation to help it be as easy as possible to endure? Has anyone had side effects from the Herceptin alone?
Thanks for your input.
Paula

Comments

  • DianeBC
    DianeBC Member Posts: 3,881 Member
    #2
    Hi Paula and welcome to the
    Hi Paula and welcome to the site! Love your picture!
  • Paula1001
    Paula1001 Member Posts: 35
    #3
    DianeBC said:

    Hi Paula and welcome to the
    Hi Paula and welcome to the site! Love your picture!

    Thanks
    Thanks. That's where we're going camping next weekend. It's a beautiful place.
  • ritazimm
    ritazimm Member Posts: 171
    #4
    Welcome
    I'm not going to be much help to you since I had ACT chemo and no herceptin or Taxol. But I did have radiation and after going through the chemo first, I thought the radiation was a breeze. I Did have continued fatigue, it started during the chemo, but it was less than during chemo so I was thrilled. I had 25 radiation sessions and was just starting to have the skin burns/reactions the last week or so. I didn't have much pain or itching (just a little). My Rad Onc. gave me specific lotion to use because some lotions contain particles of metal so you need to avoid these, but use the lotion they give you as often as possible to keep the skin as supple as possible.

    As far as feeling 'normal' again, don't pressure yourself too much about it and if you aren't progressing as you think you should be, talk to your doctors about it!!! I really expected my life to get back to 'normal' very soon after I completed my radiation, since that was the end of all of my treatments. But, I was having many 'chemo brain' issues that I wasn't aware of prior to ending treatment. I knew that I was forgetful, distracted, etc, etc. but I thought it was all of the activity and treatments and that this would go away as soon as I completed. It didn't and my medical onc. just kept saying, "give it time". I waited way too long before seeing a psychologist and starting the hunt for the right medication. 1 year later, I have finally been on the 'right' medication for me, for about 1 month. I am now trying to catch up on all of the things that I didn't even notice were undone for the past 18 months. But..........I am very thankful to have both a body and a brain that are functioning as they are supposed to. :)

    God bless,
    Rita
  • CR1954
    CR1954 Member Posts: 1,390 Member
    #5
    Hi Paula....
    Welcome!

    I'm on Herceptin and have had no side effects whatsoever. It's the easiest thing I've done, actually.

    I had some burns from radiation and by the time I finished...28 rounds, I was sooo tired. But that passed for the most part, after a couple of months. I still get tired sometimes, and I try to make time for a nap.

    Have a great time camping! Sounds like fun!

    Hugs,

    CR
  • Alexis F
    Alexis F Member Posts: 3,598
    #6
    CR1954 said:

    Hi Paula....
    Welcome!

    I'm on Herceptin and have had no side effects whatsoever. It's the easiest thing I've done, actually.

    I had some burns from radiation and by the time I finished...28 rounds, I was sooo tired. But that passed for the most part, after a couple of months. I still get tired sometimes, and I try to make time for a nap.

    Have a great time camping! Sounds like fun!

    Hugs,

    CR

    Congrats on finishing chemo!
    Congrats on finishing chemo! Big accomplishemnt!

    With rads, just use the lotions and creams that your radiation oncologist gives you and get lots of rest. You might burn at the end, most of us do, but, it will go away.

    Looks like you will have a great weekend

    Enjoy it


    Lex

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