Chemo Regiment - Her2 positive- what to expect?

[rk713]

I will be starting 6 rounds of Docetaxel (Taxotere), Carboplatin (Paraplatin), and Herceptin this week for an Her2 positve breast cancer with no node involvement.  The Herceptin will continue for a year barring any heart complications. I have already purchased a wig in anticipation of the hair loose. [ How thrilled am I about that :-) ]
I had a double with diep reconstruction.
Any advise what to else to expect?
Thanks
Rosalie

[japdip]

It's really impossible to say with any certainty since all the therapies affect each person  differently. Some women have very little trouble with side effects from Chemo and others find it quite debilitating. You might look up the drugs on the following website if you want more information about each of them.

www.chemocare.com

Regards ....

[shoebox22]

Your oncologist should give you websites and additional information how to handle and what to expect with chemo.  American Cancer Society is a good place to start, too.

I had Taxotere and Cytoxin.  After 2 weeks, knowing I was going to lose my long hair, I had my hair cut very very short and donated it to Locks of Love.  I wish that I had had my head shaved, altho my hairdresser couldn't do it.  It would have been easier to deal with the shock all at once.

I worked thru chemo, missing only 2 - 2 1/2 days every other week, with chemo scheduled for Wed. afternoons.  That gave me Thurs/Friday/Sat/Sun to recover.  I slept a lot.

Ask your oncologist if you can take supplements or vitamins.  Opinions vary.  Mine said "no" while her partners with other patients allowed it.

Be prepared to cook everything as I was told that to avoid infection, no fresh foods.  Made life interesting.

Be prepared for dry skin and ask for recommendations for lotions and cleaners.  You may lose ALL hair, including eyebrows and eyelashes.  Somehow they forget to mention that and I'm still trying to regrow eyelashes.  I also somehow got a scalp infection/rash that I couldn't wear a wig and had to wear scarves.  Not serious but it wasn't pretty.

As they say, attitude is very important.  Try to stay active but don't be afraid to let your friends help.

Good luck!

[SueYoung55]

Ro,

Have you had your first treatment and how did it go for you? Please let us know.

[rk713]

Hi all, Thanks for the info.  I have been reseaching the drugs but it is always helpful to hear from actually people.
Susan,
I had my first treatment on Wed.  The herceptin was not a problem.  I did have an alergic reaction to the Taxotere so they stopped it and gave me more streiods and then I was fine.  I am a little queasy today so I took a compazine and last night my bones were achy so I took some advil and was able to get back to sleep. Hopefully this will be the worst. I am looking forward to shopping with my daughter tomorrow for her new baby due in Sept.  Time will tell.  I had my hair cut short so it won't be such a shock. Keep in touch.
Rosalie

[SueYoung55]

Ro,

I'm sorry you had that reaction. So did I. Wicked chemo but a good one . Before your next chemo, ask for EMEND and see if that doesn't help with the "icky" feeling. That and drink LOTS and LOTS of water to flush the junk through your system. I'm glad they caught it quick!

Is this going to be the fist grandbaby? Such exciting news!

And I'm glad you're doing better :)

[rk713]

I did have the EMEND prior to the treament and then for the 2 days post .  In the scheme of things "icky" is only a temporary condition right?  I did spend the last couple of days not far from the bathroom flushing the poisons out.  (Lot's of water)
I am a little confused on whether to eat fresh fruits and veggies after chemo or whether the risk of bacteria when the white blood cells are being destroyed is a good idea.  Any advice on diet?
My son has 2 kids (girl 5 and a boy 4) but this is our daughter's first.  Babies always bring new joy.
Ro

[SueYoung55]

I was allowed to eat fresh fruits and veggies only when my blood counts were in the normal range unless it was a fruit or veggie with a peel, such as a banana or orange. Bacteria is one thing and pesticides is another. You may want to stick with canned or peeled things for the duration and make sure if you do eat fresh to run lots and lots of water over them first.

The icky does only last maybe into day 5 and with the first 3 being covered by the EMEND the other is covered well with the compazine. Each type of chemo brings it's own issues. The joint pain I got from all of them, sadly and it was made worse by the Neulasta shot. Again, in the grand scheme of things, it's for a certain amount of time while in treatment and some adjustment when treatment is done and overall, well worth it.

I had an interesting side effect from my chemo where my hands and feet burned. Bright red to an almost purple. The feet peeled so much it was painful to walk but...once they told me to wear slippers, it was much better. Open shoes and lots of air keep things healing better.

Your body will let you know how much you can do. I did work through my treatments and for me that was sanity... if I sat at home and thought about my cancer I would have gone crazy :)    

Just keep washing your hands and do NOT touch your face unless your hands are clean. Your immune system is on an extended lunch break right now so you have to be vigilant about keeping the germs away. I also carry masks in my pocket book and your oncologist would gladly give you a few for when in an enclosed space with people, elevators and such and airplanes.

You're going to do fine with this, watch and see! :)