None of my treatment has been straightforward so far. I had to stop chemo after 4 doses because I had severe neutropenia and an infection, in spite of having neulasta, and the risks were too high compared to the benefits in my case, I had a PICC line for the 3rd chemo, which caused a blood clot and the infection occurred after a groshong line was put in for me to have the 4th dose.
I will finish radiotherapy on Thursday but my skin broke down last week and is in quite a bad way.
I will have my first Herceptin tomorrow as an in patient but I am worried that they won’t be able to find a vein after my problems with chemo. I have asked for a portacath but have been told that only children get them in this area!
I know I sound really miserable but until now I have managed to remain mostly very positive throughout all this. I just don’t know how I will cope if I can’t have the Herceptin tomorrow because of my veins.
Good luck with your first Herceptin. I had my first one last Thursday and I was fine although I didn;t have the problems that you had during chemo or with veins. I had to be in the hospital for 6 hours for the first session incase I had a reaction. I didn’t although in the evening I felt a little like you do when you are about to start flu. I took a couple paracetemol and was fine.
Hi Anne,
Gosh you have been having a rough time of it. Try not to worry as they say Heceptin is much kinder on the veins than chemo, but obviously they still have to find a vein they can use. The nurses are very good (in my experience) and will do their very best for you. Try not to get too worked up (easier said than done) I got very nervous the first time and felt sick afterwards (not a normal reaction) so i guess it was the nerves. They gave me piriton with the first heceptin - i think to counteract any reactions - makes you feel quite sleepy which is nice. Hope all goes well tomorrow
cheers
caroline
Thanks Sharon and Caroline. I’m feeling really down today which isn’t like me. Hopefully by this time tomorrow I will have had the first dose and feel better about it all. I have the last rads on Thursday too which will be a relief.
Just found this thread. Hope your first herceptin went OK. I had my first one today, no problems at all. I was told that it doesn’t irritate the veins like chemo so that’s good.
I am just back from hospital and apart from the fact that it needed 4 attempts, first by a doctor and then a specialist nurse to insert a cannula, all went well. It looks as if I will have to have another line of some sort because of the vein problem.
I have also had the last of my 30 rads today, hurrah!
Sharon, Caroline and Roadrunner - thank you for your replies and good luck with your treatment too.
Hope you feeling a bit better now Anne. I too have trouble with veins, I receive herceptin at home and the nurses are very experienced at getting canula in. I did have a hickman line in but after two nasty infections caused by the line I decided to tough it out. I got some magic cream from the doctors the sort they give to kids and cowards. It helped as didn’t feel needle go in. Herceptin is kinder to veins than chemo hope all goes well for your next one. I have had 6 so far love Eileen
Yes I’m feeling much better now but not looking forwqard to the next attempt to find a vein!!
I’m still sore from the radiotherapy and getting more broken skin by the day. I am going to the GP tomorrow to see if there is any better treatment for it as we are going away on Saturday for a break in Spain.