Who qualifies for Herceptin?
Comments
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Hey, Cousin Natly
Herceptin is a treatment specifically for Her2 positive breast cancer.
One of the very first things my oncologist told me during my very first visit with him, when he could tell that I'd been talking to other breast cancer survivors, was "You are Her2 negative, so you do not need Herceptin. If you hear other women talking about Herceptin, it won't be part of your treatment."
My oncologist wrote notes and even drew me pictures during my first visit, and gave me the sheets of paper to take with me -- he even wrote "Herceptin" and then drew a circle and line through it, just in case I forgot later!
Traci0 -
Thanks Traci!! I needed thatTraciInLA said:Hey, Cousin Natly
Herceptin is a treatment specifically for Her2 positive breast cancer.
One of the very first things my oncologist told me during my very first visit with him, when he could tell that I'd been talking to other breast cancer survivors, was "You are Her2 negative, so you do not need Herceptin. If you hear other women talking about Herceptin, it won't be part of your treatment."
My oncologist wrote notes and even drew me pictures during my first visit, and gave me the sheets of paper to take with me -- he even wrote "Herceptin" and then drew a circle and line through it, just in case I forgot later!
Traci
Thanks Traci!! I needed that clarified and you did it.
I start rads on May 3. This has been a long, long year. I'll be so happy when it's over!! I have no hair, no eyebrows or lashes and I'm very tired. Hopefully the fatigue will dissipate soon. 0 -
Try to keep up some exercisenatly15 said:Thanks Traci!! I needed that
Thanks Traci!! I needed that clarified and you did it. I start rads on May 3. This has been a long, long year. I'll be so happy when it's over!! I have no hair, no eyebrows or lashes and I'm very tired. Hopefully the fatigue will dissipate soon.
As my grandpa would say..."if I had a nickel" for every time my oncologist has preached at me the gospel of Exercise Is The Best Treatment For Fatigue....
So I'm trying to humor him :-). Even if you can just walk around your neighborhood for 15 minutes every day, it'll help. I've worked up to 30-minute walks every day on my lunch hour at work.
Also, have you tried yoga, maybe a DVD? Deep in my dark little heart of hearts, I really thought that all the yoga hoo-ha was just trendy woo-woo, but I'm starting to become a convert....At the end of the day, when all I want to do is just collapse, if I do even 10 minutes of yoga, I really notice that I have a little more energy and am more relaxed at the same time.
Going to go count my nickels,
:-) Traci0 -
Tumors fed by EstrogenRague said:Herceptin is for those who
Herceptin is for those who are HER2 positive. If you are HER2 negative - you don't need it.
Hi
When they stage your cancer, they usually test for estrogen positive attributes. If you are HER positive you tumor uses estrogen to grow. Not everyone is positive, or negative. Don't know what makes the difference, but if estrogen is something in you that will make a tumor grow,you have to be treated for a long time. I am double plus, so will be having herceptin for a year, and femara for five years. Essentially those two drugs don't allow your body to produce estrogen. It would be better to be negative/negative. I think estrogen is something most women need, or else the body wouldn't be prompted to produce it. I do know that my onc is pretty hyped on the thing that I should have it to reduce the chance of reoccurance. Guess I will have to take life over extra granny hairs on my chin. I am also finding that femara makes my joints ache. (my joints must be the weak part of my body, as that is what usually brings me down with flu, etc. I hurt like a bear everywhere, but don't get nausea ... Used to think it was a good thing - pain you can push through more than something like nausea. But this pain is something different. When I had the flu I used to say even my hair hurts. Now I can honestly say ther are things hurting I never knew existed.) But we all have our own cross to bear. Could be worse. At least no one has told me to get my affairs in order. That is a good thing. (my affairs are a mess! would take me years to get Those in order!) Guess I will start on that project after I am done with treatments. One beast at a time is my motto! lol - some days it seems I am up to my ankles in alligators. Soon I will be naming them. Then feeding them, and they will become my pets. Guess watch-gators won't be so bad. so long as they know me as master. Must be watching too much sci-fi. Need more Martha Stwart. (hmmm ....maybe need to rethingk this.)
Stay well - be blessed. Jesus really does love you.
Sharon0 -
Exercise Advice ...TraciInLA said:Try to keep up some exercise
As my grandpa would say..."if I had a nickel" for every time my oncologist has preached at me the gospel of Exercise Is The Best Treatment For Fatigue....
So I'm trying to humor him :-). Even if you can just walk around your neighborhood for 15 minutes every day, it'll help. I've worked up to 30-minute walks every day on my lunch hour at work.
Also, have you tried yoga, maybe a DVD? Deep in my dark little heart of hearts, I really thought that all the yoga hoo-ha was just trendy woo-woo, but I'm starting to become a convert....At the end of the day, when all I want to do is just collapse, if I do even 10 minutes of yoga, I really notice that I have a little more energy and am more relaxed at the same time.
Going to go count my nickels,
:-) Traci
Traci-hoo-ha-woo-woo!
Can't read a one of your posts without laughing! I also need to get more physical, but want to do walks, but my rad onc won't let me wear a bra. Too hot in these parts to go flopping around the hood without a little support. (small town - ooohh the tales that would bring.) I like you yoga idea. Got any good ideas for CD's or tapes that I could do at home - and know I am doing it right. (like sometimes I believe I am holding my leg parellel, abut acutally I am not ... doing things wrong can have circumatances.) I really need to get to doing something. My rads will be done after 11 more treatments. (The machine was broke today, so got a three day week-end. Hoo-Rah!) I would really rather do someting I can do here than go out into the world. I can't work, so don't even have that to get the blood moving. Would rather be workihng, but sometimes we don't get much of a choice. Still wearing headcovers, and they get pretty hot after even a short walk. Besides the whole boob flopping thing. Could you share a little exercise advice? Give me the godspel girl! Sure would appreciate it.
Keep smilin' and stay blessed.
Sharon (aka FF)0 -
Last summer, and the headFlakey_Flake said:Exercise Advice ...
Traci-hoo-ha-woo-woo!
Can't read a one of your posts without laughing! I also need to get more physical, but want to do walks, but my rad onc won't let me wear a bra. Too hot in these parts to go flopping around the hood without a little support. (small town - ooohh the tales that would bring.) I like you yoga idea. Got any good ideas for CD's or tapes that I could do at home - and know I am doing it right. (like sometimes I believe I am holding my leg parellel, abut acutally I am not ... doing things wrong can have circumatances.) I really need to get to doing something. My rads will be done after 11 more treatments. (The machine was broke today, so got a three day week-end. Hoo-Rah!) I would really rather do someting I can do here than go out into the world. I can't work, so don't even have that to get the blood moving. Would rather be workihng, but sometimes we don't get much of a choice. Still wearing headcovers, and they get pretty hot after even a short walk. Besides the whole boob flopping thing. Could you share a little exercise advice? Give me the godspel girl! Sure would appreciate it.
Keep smilin' and stay blessed.
Sharon (aka FF)
Last summer, and the head covers, I was so hot I spent most of my time in doors were I took off my cover. I have read that you can wear a tight tee shirt then wear a wireless bra. Maybe a size bigger than whats normal.0 -
Yoga DVD suggestionsFlakey_Flake said:Exercise Advice ...
Traci-hoo-ha-woo-woo!
Can't read a one of your posts without laughing! I also need to get more physical, but want to do walks, but my rad onc won't let me wear a bra. Too hot in these parts to go flopping around the hood without a little support. (small town - ooohh the tales that would bring.) I like you yoga idea. Got any good ideas for CD's or tapes that I could do at home - and know I am doing it right. (like sometimes I believe I am holding my leg parellel, abut acutally I am not ... doing things wrong can have circumatances.) I really need to get to doing something. My rads will be done after 11 more treatments. (The machine was broke today, so got a three day week-end. Hoo-Rah!) I would really rather do someting I can do here than go out into the world. I can't work, so don't even have that to get the blood moving. Would rather be workihng, but sometimes we don't get much of a choice. Still wearing headcovers, and they get pretty hot after even a short walk. Besides the whole boob flopping thing. Could you share a little exercise advice? Give me the godspel girl! Sure would appreciate it.
Keep smilin' and stay blessed.
Sharon (aka FF)
Sharon,
I'm currently using the YogaWorks Beginner AM/PM DVD. It has a 10-minute rejuvenating morning workout and a 10-minute relaxing evening workout, which are great for when 10 minutes is all I have the energy for. They also take a non-mystical approach to yoga, which I like -- I sometimes find instructors who want to give me spirituality with my exercise a bit of a turn-off.
I also really like Rodney Yee's Yoga for Beginners. He and his wife, Colleen Saidman, really know how to teach people who've never done yoga before, and make it accessible. They also have a lecture-demonstration DVD, The Practical Power of Yoga, which sometimes runs on PBS -- it's more of a discussion of the benefits of yoga, with demonstrations of some poses. They're both just so darn positive and serene -- I can't help but find it inspiring.
Hope that helps -- good luck!
Traci0 -
Thanks for the info Traci.TraciInLA said:Yoga DVD suggestions
Sharon,
I'm currently using the YogaWorks Beginner AM/PM DVD. It has a 10-minute rejuvenating morning workout and a 10-minute relaxing evening workout, which are great for when 10 minutes is all I have the energy for. They also take a non-mystical approach to yoga, which I like -- I sometimes find instructors who want to give me spirituality with my exercise a bit of a turn-off.
I also really like Rodney Yee's Yoga for Beginners. He and his wife, Colleen Saidman, really know how to teach people who've never done yoga before, and make it accessible. They also have a lecture-demonstration DVD, The Practical Power of Yoga, which sometimes runs on PBS -- it's more of a discussion of the benefits of yoga, with demonstrations of some poses. They're both just so darn positive and serene -- I can't help but find it inspiring.
Hope that helps -- good luck!
Traci
Thanks for the info Traci. I've realy been thinking about doing yoga.0 -
Her2 breast cancerFlakey_Flake said:Tumors fed by Estrogen
Hi
When they stage your cancer, they usually test for estrogen positive attributes. If you are HER positive you tumor uses estrogen to grow. Not everyone is positive, or negative. Don't know what makes the difference, but if estrogen is something in you that will make a tumor grow,you have to be treated for a long time. I am double plus, so will be having herceptin for a year, and femara for five years. Essentially those two drugs don't allow your body to produce estrogen. It would be better to be negative/negative. I think estrogen is something most women need, or else the body wouldn't be prompted to produce it. I do know that my onc is pretty hyped on the thing that I should have it to reduce the chance of reoccurance. Guess I will have to take life over extra granny hairs on my chin. I am also finding that femara makes my joints ache. (my joints must be the weak part of my body, as that is what usually brings me down with flu, etc. I hurt like a bear everywhere, but don't get nausea ... Used to think it was a good thing - pain you can push through more than something like nausea. But this pain is something different. When I had the flu I used to say even my hair hurts. Now I can honestly say ther are things hurting I never knew existed.) But we all have our own cross to bear. Could be worse. At least no one has told me to get my affairs in order. That is a good thing. (my affairs are a mess! would take me years to get Those in order!) Guess I will start on that project after I am done with treatments. One beast at a time is my motto! lol - some days it seems I am up to my ankles in alligators. Soon I will be naming them. Then feeding them, and they will become my pets. Guess watch-gators won't be so bad. so long as they know me as master. Must be watching too much sci-fi. Need more Martha Stwart. (hmmm ....maybe need to rethingk this.)
Stay well - be blessed. Jesus really does love you.
Sharon
Actually, being HER2 positive does not mean that your tumor uses estrogen to grow. That would be someone with ER and/or PR positive breast cancer. You can be HER2 positive and be negative for estrogen/progesterone receptors. HER2-positive breast cancer tests positive for a protein called human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), which promotes the growth of cancer cells. The cancer cells make an excess of HER2 due to a gene mutation. Herceptin is a targeted drug that deals with this protein.
Mimi0 -
Mimi thank you formimivac said:Her2 breast cancer
Actually, being HER2 positive does not mean that your tumor uses estrogen to grow. That would be someone with ER and/or PR positive breast cancer. You can be HER2 positive and be negative for estrogen/progesterone receptors. HER2-positive breast cancer tests positive for a protein called human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), which promotes the growth of cancer cells. The cancer cells make an excess of HER2 due to a gene mutation. Herceptin is a targeted drug that deals with this protein.
Mimi
Mimi thank you for clarifying the Her2 gene mutation.
Your hair looks darling. I cant wait for some hair. Wishing a beautiful weekend for a beautiful gal.0
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