Hi there,
Was due to start Kadcyla next week, after lumpectomy and axillary node clearance showed residual disease.
However I have had a phone call from oncologist this morning, advising me that chemo can no longer go ahead, because my last echocardiogram showed damage to my heart from herceptin injections. Have now been referred to cardiologist ?.
Really struggling since fearful that cancer is likely to still be lingering or come back. If it does come back there will be no treatment since HER +ve hormone negative , only treatments available will damage heart further .
Feeling very tearful……
Hi
Sorry to hear you’ve had a set-back in treatment. Wish i could say something to give you a boost & help. I’m on week 1/phase two of chemo FEC-T for breast, also feeling very low, sick & teary. Many more wks to go…let’s give each other strength xx
@RosieRoo I hope you have some answers and are feeling better.
I was meant to start Kadcyla in June but my echo showed a significant drop in lvef. I had six weeks off before a repeat echo which showed some improvement so Herceptin was restarted.
After just two cycles my echo was repeated and this evening my GP called to say my LVEF has again dropped to 49. Herceptin is once again being paused and and I have been prescribed perindoprii and carvedilol until I can see a cardiologist.
Because I also had to finish the paclitaxel early due to peripheral neuropathy, I also feel quite anxious that not completing two of the prescribed treatments will affect my prognosis. It can easily become quite overwhelming but then I look back at all that we have been through and remember how strong we are and how amazing our bodies are… I am so happy to feel and look more normal, to have my nails and hair growing back (even the nostril hair…. I really missed them!).
This last year has really taught me what is important. Covid has had a massive impact on our mental well-being and having these forums has been a lifeline for me. There is always someone out there who has shared an experience similar to your own which is reassuring.
Thank you for being that person this time.
Jani
I had an echo on Daturday and got an appointment to go and see cardiologist today (6 days later) I was told that I had cancer related cardiac dysfunction, basically my heart is damaged from they think the Herceptin part of the phesgo jabs and I may too have to pause treatment. He did say that this should repair itself, I got put on tablets in the meantime to protect my heart and prevent further damage.
sending hugs xx