I finished rads on Tuesday but as yet have heard nothing about starting herceptin. Worried about all the waiting. Some ladies seem to start it whilst on taxotere. I asked my onc and he said about three weeks after rads. Has anyone else had to keep waiting to start it love Eileen
Hi Eileen
I didn’t have radiotherapy but had to wait about 3 weeks after finishing 8 FEC before I could have MUGA heart scan. Onc said that chemo can sometimes distort results of scan.
I don’t think a couple of weeks make a lot of difference.
Good luck
Marilyn x
Hi Eileen
Was interested to read this as it sounds like you’ve been offered Herceptin without having to first undergo chemo, and I would be very interested to know if this is your case or anyone else’s. Eileen, sorry if I’ve got it wrong in yours, but I’ve been upset by the whole process - when I first got my post-op results they weren’t bad at all and my surgeon said he felt just radiotherapy would be fine for me, chemo not really necessary as the benefits would be negligible.
I was referred for treatment at one of the UK’s top specialist cancer hospitals (this is relevant!). On my first visit I was offered, and duly turned down, chemo. Then was told my cancer was of the type that’s receptive to Herceptin which I was then offered. This I accepted. I started radiotherapy, havign been told that Herceptin would be planned at a later date.
A few days later, I was seen by the same onc who said sorry, big mistake, we can’t fund the Herceptin unless you have chemo. I was upset, but accepted this. Another few days on, I saw another doctor on an unerlated matter - this time a Professor, one of the big cheeses in the hospital, who again offered me Herceptin, and got me to sign a consent form there and then. General happiness all round.
A week later same thing, 1st onc tells me sorry big mistake we shouldn’t have offered it. This time I freaked, and was told it was the pharmacy’s mistake and only way I could get drug was if I had chemo. I am left wondering how it’s possible for such an expert hospital to make this mistake. I have a letter from them which apologises. Oh and I am now having chemo, starting next week, in order to later on get the Herceptin.
Sorry to go on but am still feeling confused and upset.
Good luck Eileen, hope it goes more smoothly for you.
Hi Eileen,
As long as herceptin starts with in six months of finishing chemo it’s okay.
I had a date to start herceptin on 6th Dec while I was in the final week of my rads but never got the appointment so didn’t go for it. So another one was made for me to start herceptin on 20th Dec which I did do.
Good luck with your treatment.
Michelle.
Hello Eileen
Hope you’re feeling OK - you said you were feeling a bit low earlier this week.
I was also worried about this - in fact I started my Herceptin just before rads - but at one stage we thought I would have to wait until 2 or 3 weeks after rads - and the onc said not to worry as a few weeks wouldn’t make any difference.
Take care
Love Anthi