HER2

MY WIFE HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH BC. SHE HAD A LUMPECTOMY AND THEY REMOVED A 1.2 CM TUMOR. THEN SHE HAD 10 OF 20 LYMPH NODES POSITIVE AND HER2 +3 POSITIVE. SHE IS NOW TAKING TAXOL AND HERCEPTIN FOR 12 WEEKS.IS THIS A GOOD COMBINATION FOR HER? WHAT IS HER PROGNOSIS AND WHAT OTHER TREATMENTS SHOULD SHE RECEIVE, SHE IS 64 YEARS OLD. HER BLOOD COUNT SEEMS TO STILL BE GOOD BUT SHE IS STARTING TO GET WEAK AND HAS A LOT OF TROUBLE WITH DIARREA (diarrhea) WHICH HAS ALWAYS BEEN A PROBLEM BUT THE CHEMO ONLY SEEMS TO INTENSIFY. THE COLESTID AND LOMITOL SHE HAS TAKEN IN THE PAST DOES NOT SEEM TO HELP.I THOUGHT MAYBE SOMEONE HAS A SUGGESTION.

[CCF-RN,MSN-rf]

Dear OUT IN THE STICKS:  Taxol and herceptin is certainly one option for your wife's situation.  It is difficult to give a prognosis as everyone reacts differently both to the disease and to the treatment.  In general, women with breast cancer do very well for long periods of time.  In terms of the side effects, you should mention these to her doctor.  For some suggestions, you might try www.chemocare.com.  Diarrhea http://www.chemocare.com/managing/fullstory.sps?iNewsid=23824&itype=1875; taxol http://www.chemocare.com/bio/bio.sps?iBiographyID=9217; herceptin http://www.chemocare.com/bio/bio.sps?iBiographyID=9160  All the drugs and side effects are listed and may offer some help.