Beating Breast Cancer

Herceptin side effects

The last time I spoke about Herceptin and it's side effects I proudly said I didn't seem to be experiencing anything other than a running nose. Spoke too soon!!

I had my tenth Herceptin last week and just after the nurse left I wondered why I felt so tired? That fatigued feeling got a whole lot worse and by evening it felt like chemo all over again. Thankfully it had mostly worn off the next day but it did give me a bit of a surprise. I had been told this could happen but was pretty sure I'd managed to avoid it after ten treatments. I have seven more treatments to go so it will be little me off to bed after the nurse leaves 'til well into the next day. Actually when put like that it sounds quite nice!

The other alarming thing that has happened is that my eyelashes have started to fall out again. The air was blue when i noticed. Now, what I want to know and nobody seems to have the answer, is this a side effect of herceptin or a side effect of chemo? My eyelashes did grow back in much longer and thicker than before and I thought aaah a nice reward for months of feeling crap. Again, spoke too soon!! Joking aside I am more than a little concerned that I'll wake up to find them all gone. I found it distressing the first time ( shallow I know when you're receiving life saving treatment) and if it happens again I don't suppose I'll be over the moon. I just love putting on mascara and seeing LASHES. If anyone out there has experienced this let me know. I also want exact timescale of regrowth. Only joking....

As a note at the bottom( Ha Ha) I also seem to have diarrhoea rather a lot and I know this can be a side effect with Herceptin. God, serves me right for being so confident!! Ah well it could be worse, I might have the aching joints or a frozen shoulder as well. Now that I think of it......


Marjory

Labels: a-lump-in-the-breast, breast-cancer-symptoms, cancer-support, chemotherapy, herceptin, living-with-cancer, mammogram, symptoms-of-breast-cancer, what-is-a-mammogram

posted by Marjory @ 3:23 PM 8 comments

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And now for the science bit.....

Thought I would write a bit about my ongoing treatments now that the chemo is over. People keep saying to me ' so glad you're treatments over' and mostly I just smile and agree but it's far from over.



For the next five years, or more, I will take Arimidex daily. Arimidex belongs to a group of drugs called aromatase inhibitors which interfere with the action of aromatase which is an enzyme that affects the level of the hormone oestrogen. As my cancer was oestrogen sensitive the plan is now to have as little, or no oestrogen in my system.



I don't seem to get any side effects from Arimidex but I believe it can cause aching joints and muscles.



The chemo seemed to bring on the menopause with my oestrogen levels at rock bottom, which was a good thing. Didn't last though! My last blood test showed a sharp rise in oestrogen levels which basically means my ovaries have recovered from chemo. So what do we do now?!

I have two choices. First is a monthly injection of Zoladex which would keep oestrogen levels down. Second is an oophorectomy. This is surgical removal of the ovaries, which I think is the option I will choose. If you're going to do something do it properly!!



I also have Herceptin at three weekly intervals.

This is given the same way chemo is given through an intravenous infusion that lasts approx two hours. Healthcare at home are a group of nurses who do this for patients at home. Again not much in the way of side effects. I tend to feel exremely cold for the rest of that day then have diffuse joint pain for a couple of days following treatment. I thought I had hayfever with a constantly dripping nose but the nurse has told me this a very common side effect of Herceptin-how odd!

You can read more about herceptin treatment by following the links on the right column of this site.

Labels: arimidex, chemotherapy, herceptin, zoladex

posted by Marjory @ 8:47 AM 6 comments

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Life gets back to normal....or does it?!

Well, after a long absence from blogging I'm back. Where have I been? Just getting life back on track and having much needed down time. Not sure life will ever be back to 'normal'. My idea of normal has changed over the past year, but I think for the better. There's nothing like a cancer scare to make you appreciate life and all it has to offer. The phrase 'don't sweat the small stuff' is my new mantra.

It's now a few months since I finished chemo and I feel great. My hair is growing back, my energy is returning and all things considered life is pretty good. On the subject of hair....I said way back that my biggest dread was my hair growing back grey and curly....well it has and guess what? I don't care, its hair and I love it. Another added bonus is that my eyelashes have grown back thicker and much longer-not suggesting chemo as an alternative to mascara but it did it for me. I've even tried taking a spoonful of manuka honey every day but I'm not sure it's doing me any good.

I'm now on Herceptin and more than half way thro' my years course. Doesn't seem to have much in the way of side effects for me so can't complain and have even relaxed a bit about cannulation! I get my Herceptin at home and its all very relaxing compared to hospital.

I had my first annual review with my surgeon this week and was quite uptight about it although I didn't really understand why. Then it hit me....the dreaded waiting room and just being in the same clinic where I heard the worst news of my life was enough to turn me into a jibbering idiot.

Anyway, after a chat with my surgeon I have decided on a left mastectomy and bilateral reconstruction where fat and muscle is taken from my abdomen ( yes, a tummy tuck, how cool!) and shaped into breasts ( even more cool!) Can't wait.

Oh, nearly forgot. Treated myself to a black lab pup. She is ten weeks old and is causing chaos. Shes eating her way around the garden, chewing the carpets, terrorising my older dog but guess what-we're all crazy about her.

Marjory

Labels: about-marjory, herceptin, living-with-cancer, mastectomy, reconstruction

posted by Marjory @ 8:59 AM 1 comments

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It's Over - Well, Almost !!

It's over! Had my last dose of poison on Wednesday and I simply can't believe the horrors of chemo are over. Only 15 more herceptin to go, but who can complain, they're given at home and so far so good - no side effects.

Have spent the day doing normal 'Mum' stuff and just enjoyed lovely meal with Gordon (which I thought he deserved) - a few glasses of wine and I have to say feel pretty good. Am struggling against steriod come down but am aware it's last time so much easier to deal with. I'm afraid blogging over Christmas was always going to be a struggle.

Organising Christmas for eight children was fun but tiring and I did dinner for the family. I can honestly say it was the best Christmas ever, fun and laughter ( with me snoozing in corner) is what we will all remember-fantastic. Hogmany is a big thing in Scotland and I can honestly say I have never had a quiet one.......until this new year.

Somehow the opportunity arose about 8pm that we could be on our own and we took it! It was fantastic.....until of course when the bells sounded and I missed the whole thing, kids, neighbours, mess, etc, etc. Would I do it again....god, yes! Well .... maybe not. I can honestly say to anyone out there reading this and about to start their journey, for some of us it's really not too bad. I've managed to keep on with my normal life without too much disruption and I think what I want to say is that life goes on.

I'm aware that may sound very smug since I'm through the worst but it's not meant to. It's not been nearly as bad as I first imagined and I'm no super woman, just a normal woman and mother. I think the best advice, and I hate giving it, is be yourself and ask for help when it's needed. But you know something? I can't wait to get back to being ME again. I've been on hold for eight monthes now.......take cover!!

Marjory xx

Labels: about-marjory, chemotherapy, herceptin

posted by Marjory @ 3:03 PM 0 comments

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All change.....

Well it's all change this year! Instead of rushing four children back to school this week its one to nursery, one to new school in Edinburgh, one to college and one to university. Boy the whole thing makes me feel old-how did it happen that I'm old enough to have a child at university?!

Anyway, I've been not too bad at all this time after FEC, maybe slightly more tired but all in all nothing to grumble about. I get my last dose of the awful stuff this Wednesday and can't wait to get it over and done with.

My month of radiotherapy seems quite attractive at the moment. A whole four weeks of peace and quiet driving myself to Edinburgh, 5 minutes in a machine then home again! What a sad life I must have if I find that something to look forward to. I really must get out more......

After radiotherapy I start my 4 sessions of Taxotere and Herceptin. I seem to have it in my head that Taxotere won't be as bad as FEC-less sickness, tiredness, etc. I'm I just being hopeful? Let me know anyone out there who's had it and how it affected you. Can't believe I'm just about half way thro' my chemo bit of treatment and I'm so grateful I've felt relatively well most of the time.

I have to say I'm finding it harder than I thought to stick to the dairy free diet. Feeling tired and sick some of the time just makes me want to cook and eat things I'm familiar with-real comfort food in other words! Since trying to stick to the diet I have a ridiculous craving for chocolate milk shakes-I didn't even like them before all this!

I suppose it's all about balance in everything.

Gordon and I have our wedding anniversary coming up and have booked a fantastic night away at a luxury hotel-I CAN'T WAIT. Normally I wouldn't have minded no summer holiday but this year I have minded....a lot. Can feel myself scowling at anyone enthusing about their fortnight in some sunny place. Not very charitable I know but I do hide it well (so far) Heaven help anyone who tells me they had a terrible holiday.

Wish me luck on Wednesday and here's hoping my bloods aren't too low to get the wicked stuff.

Marjory

Labels: cancer-diet, chemotherapy, herceptin, radiotherapy

posted by Marjory @ 9:01 AM 2 comments

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Herceptin Treatment UK

Appeal against NICE decision about Herceptin Treatment

You might have read elsewhere on this site that there had been an appeal against the decision to offer herceptin treatment on the NHS for early stage breast cancer patients.

NICE is the National Institute for Clinical Evidence - a government sponsored agency charged with responsibility to evaluate all new drugs or treatments and with deciding whether offering them for National Health Service (NHS) represents good practice and value for money.

NICE recently approved herceptin for NHS use in early breast cancer patients with HER-2 sensitive tumours. By law, any NICE decision must be open to appeal by those who disagree with it. Normally these appeals relate to drugs that NICE has declined to approve. However, in this case the appeal is against the fact that herceptin has been approved.

The appeal has come from Newbury and Community Primary Care Trust.

The appeal was heard yesterday and NICE's appeal panel now have 20 working days to report back to its guidance executive. If the appeal is upheld then there is the possibility that a new consultation for the drug will need to be submitted - greatly delaying its use in England and Wales. (Scotland and Northern Ireland operate a different system and patients there are currently receiving the drug if it is indicated for them).

According to a BBC report Newbury PCT had the following issues

• they say that the original NICE approval guidance does not take into account clinical trial data that suggest some women may respond better than others
• they claim that some studies suggest a shorter period of treatment than the recommended 12 months could be just as effective
• they challenge the assumption that all women had the same capacity to respond to a year's worth of treatment means the cost effectiveness for the NHS might not be as attractive as initially presented
• longer term risks and benefits for the drug were still unknown

With the exception of the last point in the list it all smacks of penny pinching doesn't it.

Personally, I'm confident that Herceptin will gain full NHS approval very soon, but for the time being it all adds to anxiety and concern for those women who could benefit from it.

Gordon

Read more about treatment with herceptin

Labels: herceptin

posted by Marjory @ 2:23 PM 0 comments

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Interleukin and Herceptin

Interleukin - Interferon and Herceptin Treatment for Breast Cancer

We certainly seem to be living in exciting times when it comes to new developments in the treatment of breast cancer.

There seems to be a new breast cancer treatment announcement almost every week - well .... there does if your tumour is HER-2 positive at least.

Tumours positive for HER-2 (Herceptin sensitive breast tumours) only account for about 20% of all breast cancer cases. Women in this category had a poorer prognosis until the development of herceptin a few years ago. Now all the dramatic headlines seem to relate to them and each new development serves to raise their hopes even further.

This is a mixed blessing of course - since the other 80% of women either gain false hope from the newspaper headlines - or feel let down by the fact that there is less interest in their type of cancer.

Newest on the headline stage is an announcement today that researchers in Ohio have discovered that using a substance called Interleukin can boost the effect of herceptin by as much as fifty percent. Interleukin works by stimulating the production of a body chemical called Interferon. Interferon makes your immune system much more efficient.

Read more about this here.

Now - before getting too worked up about this you need to realise that this was a very early study and was performed in mice. The scientists found that mice with HER2-positive tumors treated with both Interleukin and Herceptin saw their tumors shrink at least 50 percent more than animals injected with either substance alone.

The researchers have said that treatment with Interleukin and Herceptin was effective in cell cultures and in animals, and they hoped to conduct a clinical trial to test the combination in humans in the near future.

Along with developments such as Tykerb - this can only be good news for women with herceptin sensitive breast cancer. But do please bear in mind that it could be several years before this kind of treatment becomes available .... and other studies in the future may reveal that it is not as beneficial as this early report suggests.

Still - as I said above - we live in exciting times!

Gordon

You can read more about herceptin treatment for breast cancer here

Labels: herceptin

posted by Marjory @ 3:53 PM 0 comments

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Herceptin Risks and Herceptin Benefits

Herceptin Treatment

Finding Light Amongst the Shadows

Sometimes I browse other blogs relating to breast cancer treatment. Occasionally I post a comment about my own experiences or with information that I think might be useful to others.
Only once in a while do the comments develop into online "conversations" about the subject at hand - but when they do the outcome and the discussion can open up issues in a way that simple articles or news stories never do.

One such conversation happened recently on the Cancer Blog between myself and Gregory Pawelski.

We explored the issues around herceptin treatment for women with breast cancer and touched on some pretty important and deep issues about making breast cancer treatment choices.

I have posted a copy of the transcript on a page about herceptin treatment risks on this site or you can view the original here.

If you or a family member has breast cancer then do read and think about what we discussed. It may make for uncomfortable - perhaps even painful - reading but the issues raised are crucially important.

Being informed and being involved are the most important things in the world when you are facing a battle with cancer.

Gordon

Labels: herceptin

posted by Marjory @ 3:03 PM 0 comments

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Herceptin News - Appeal Against Decision To Give Herceptin on NHS

Mystery as UK Herceptin Decision Goes to Appeal Stage

NICE has received an appeal against its recent decision to approve the use of herceptin or trastuzumab as adjuvant therapy for early stage breast cancer.

NICE are duty bound to listen to any appeal that is raised against any drug decision that it makes.

This will leave many breast cancer patients on edge as they wait to hear confirmation of the appeals decision about herceptin use in the UK.

The appeal hearing will be held on 26th July in London

It is not known who has launched the appeal - but presumably they intend to try to stop the use of herceptin in the UK for early stage breast cancer.

Members of the public and the press may request to attend the hearing.

Read about this herceptin appeal case on the NICE website

Gordon

You can read more about herceptin for breast cancer here

Labels: herceptin

posted by Marjory @ 1:17 PM 2 comments

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Herceptin - Look Out, They're At It Again

Herceptin Press Hype Misleads Women Again

Well - here we are again, again, again ...... !

Only days after NICE - the UK National Institute for Clinical Excellence reviewed herceptin and ruled that it should be made widely available in the UK - and after my previous herceptin in the UK posts - I find that the press are at it again.

So its black marks and raspberries to Medical News Today who lead today with the headline:

"Basically, this means that all women will get treatment free - probably in England and Wales, and most definitely in Scotland"

Much better journalism can be found at Politics.co.uk who take the same press release from NICE and get the story spot on. They say:

Labels: a-lump-in-the-breast, cancer-support, herceptin, symptoms-of-breast-cancer

posted by Marjory @ 3:44 PM 4 comments

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Herceptin - Herceptin in The UK

Herceptin - UK breast cancer patients win battle

The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) in the UK have finally given the go ahead for all suitable women with early stage breast cancer to receive Herceptin Treatment.

This means that a woman with HER2 positive breast cancer with our without lymph nodes can be offered herceptin as part of her treatment plan. The final decision about giving herceptin will be taken by the oncologist in charge of the case.

This sees the end of a long battle for breast cancer pressure groups and breast cancer sufferers.

Herceptin in the UK was previously reserved for women with widespread breast cancer disease or with several positive lymph nodes.

This means that the NHS system will now fully fund herceptin treatment for those UK women who can benefit from it.

Read more in the press here

Read my previous postings about herceptin treatment, about herceptin UK, about Tykerb and about new drugs for breast cancer.

Gordon

When to use herceptin remains an issue for many patients with breast cancer - read more about it in our herceptin treatment archive page

Labels: breast-cancer-symptoms, cancer-support, chemotherapy, herceptin, living-with-cancer

posted by Marjory @ 8:52 AM 0 comments

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Herceptin - New Herceptin Information

New Herceptin Information from the HERA study

Herceptin is going to form a big part of Marjory's treatment program. New research data from a huge international trial of Herceptin in early breast cancer has been released in the last few days. This shows that women treated with Herceptin had their risk of cancer recurrence reduced by about 35% and their risk of death reduced by about the same amount.

Please read my other recent posts about herceptin treatment and about new breast cancer drugs when you're taking this information into account. Remember that herceptin only works in women whose breast cancer is susceptible to it - so called HER2 positive breast cancer. About twenty five percent of women with breast cancer have a tumour that will respond to herceptin treatment.

The HERA trial is one of the largest breast cancer research studies ever done. It looked at more than 5000 women with HER2 positive breast cancer around the world.

The HERA study will report results again in the coming months about whether taking Herceptin for two years is any better than taking it for one year. The study is still going on so that information is not available yet.

Concern about herceptin causing damage to the heart has also been eased by the HERA study results. Only 0.6% of women who took herceptin showed any significant signs of heart problems.

These results provide yet more good news for those women whose breast cancer can respond to herceptin. New guidelines for treatment with herceptin in the UK are expected soon.

Gordon

This site now has several herceptin treatment articles - you should check them out for more information relating to herceptin's place in breast cancer treatment

Labels: breast-cancer, breast-cancer-risk, herceptin, living-with-cancer

posted by Marjory @ 8:16 AM 0 comments

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