You're done with radiation. What next? People thought I was done with the "whole program" once I finished radiation. WRONG! I continue to have Herceptin. I have had it with my other chemotherapy since June 2009.
Herceptin
What is it? A drug for breast cancer patients. What does it do? The drug attaches to cancer cells and tells the body's defense mechanism to target and destroy cancer cells. What are side effects? "Herceptin treatment can result in heart problems, including those without symptoms (reduced heart function) and those with symptoms (congestive heart failure). The most common side effects associated with Herceptin are fever, nausea, vomiting, infusion reactions, diarrhea, infections, increased cough, headache, fatigue, shortness of breath, rash, low white and red blood cells, and muscle pain." How often do I have it administered? Every three weeks.
Side effects of this have been minimal compared to the summer chemotherapy, but it comes with risks and does discombobulate me physically and emotionally(fatigue). I have compared the after effects to being hormonal. I cry easily right after a treatment. If someone looks at me kindly or does an act of kindness I cry. A few weeks ago I tripped over a shoe and wanted to hurl it against a wall. I hope no one flips me off when I'm driving. They don't say anything about being emotional in the literature. After losing a step father, sister, and two dogs within a six month period of time I stopped crying.
Is Herceptin alone to blame, or am I starting to feel again?
Make Pink Tough and Expect Great Things
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Good Morning Leah,
ReplyDeleteGood gosh I am 53 years old.I cry one minute and could rip a huge tree from its roots and hurl it the next. Jeff has threatened to move to the other house. Menopause. Mood swings. I can only imagine if I were taking Herpecin. Again,I say over and over you are an incredible woman. The power and strength to hold it all together. The physical energy you have, (I watch you walk down the hall with gusto), but more so to keep the emotional part of this unplanned scary journey in check. Leah of all the women I know you have my permission to cry any time you want to, to hurl a shoe (except at Paul) or rip a tree from its roots. Come to the portable to scream or cry if you need a place during the school day......we understand. WE love you. We love Paul for his patience and enduring love and caring for you. You are powerful! You are Pink tough!