Docetaxel and Carboplatin for HER2 + and ER+

Hi MissL,

i have just come back from my oncology appointment this morning where I have also been told of what chemo regime will be.  Looks like we are on this journey together! I am happy to share my plan with you, I have a similar type of cancer but no lymph nodes involved. 

Firstly I wanted to check that you were offered the chance to ask questions when you were at your appointment. Your oncologist and breast care nurse should take the time to explain the clinical rationale and should always be your first port of call.  We’re all different and comparing with others might raise your anxiety unnecessarily.

i had ER+ and HER2+ of 1.6mm grade 2 IDC. I had wide excision with clear margins. I had 2 sentinel nodes removed which were not of concern.

i am to have 12 rounds of paclitaxal and up to 18 rounds of trastuzumab. After my 12 rounds I will have 5 days radiotherapy. I am also on tamoxifen. I was worried when I first heard as I was expecting rounds of EC but my oncology team has spent time explaining their reasoning so I am less anxious now.

I’m sorry but I don’t know anything about the risk of permanent hair loss with docetaxel other that this happens only rarely.

Wishing you well on your journey xx

Hello MissL. I was diagnosed last March. I had the same chemotherapy as you 6 sessions and also phesgo injection which also given every 3 weeks. I've finished chemotherapy now but still having phesgo. My tumour was 19mm in my breast. Recently had a lumpectomy and nodes removed. My tumour took well to chemotherapy but my goodness it was very hard going had most side effects from the chemo. I also lost my hair after my 1st chemotherapy.  I can tell you my hair is growing back now which I'm so glad of . Awaiting radiotherapy which hopefully will start beginning of February.  X

Hi Ronnie7, thanks for reply.  Sounds like your chemo is different to mine. I was given time to ask questions but I seem to have some more, now I've absorbed the information.  I have asked for a callback from one if the team though.  Good luck, hope all goes well with your treatment xx

Hi good mum, thanks fir the reply.  Would you be able to say what symptoms you had with the chemo, which bits were the hardest?  I'm terrified of doing the chemo tbh.  Have you had any side effects with the other treatments ? xx

Hiya.  Yes symptoms were tiredness, heartburn,very sore mouth,diarrhea  very bad,skin burning. Was off my food only able to have cup a soups. No side affects from phesgo. Can I just say for all I've been through with chemotherapy I can honestly say  it was worth it as it worked. We all different you may be fine with it. Please let me knowhow  you get on xx

Are you having a lumpectomy after chemo?x

Thanks for you quick reply.  Was all the side effects for the whole of the chemo treatment or was it just after every infusion?  It's just that I'm really questioning the chemo as my treatment is now all preventative, I've already had surgery and on the predictor tool, chemo only reduced my risk if recurrence by 3% over 10 years.  I'm not sure it's worth putting my body through all that, so trying to get as much feedback from ladies as I can xx

Hi MissL

I’ve just finished 6 x rounds of exactly the same ‘chemo cocktail’ as you! I also have a 3 x weekly injection of Phesgo for a year (for the HER+ bit)..but I’m having op after chemo as my mass was bigger than surgeon liked so wanted it shrunk first (and btw it has!! So the chemo was definitely worth doing)….

Try not to worry too much (easy to say I know).. I won’t lie and say it was a pleasant few months but it is certainly manageable …I seemed to have slightly different side effects every cycle but mostly it followed a similar pattern so I could then preempt them to a certain degree..

more: hair loss… I cold capped for all 6 sessions.  I had very thick hair before and although it thinned out massively, I didn’t lose it except for some places at the front/side… if you can bear it I would recommend using it (the first 15 mins are cold then you get used to it!)… as even if you do loose quite a lot, it does help with regrowth…   I had quite short hair anyway so when it went patchy in front I asked my partner to give me a buzz cut all over which made me feel more liberated! It’s winter too so you can wear bobble hats all the time if you want… 

week 1.. the day of the chemo - usually felt ok ..you will have steroids for the day before, day of and day after chemo so they keep side effects away… day 3/4 I usually felt bluh (bit like hangover/virus)… just chill on sofa under a fleece if you’re able to… 

week 2/3… found the symptoms started to go and by week 3 I usually felt more or less back to normal

The symptoms I had were generally feeling rubbish, sore mouth (ask for Cordisil mouth wash to keep ulcers at bay - or bonjela or similar if you get any)… I had some week 1/2 then didn’t get any more; first few cycles I had no nausea or sickness - but last few cycles felt more sick… try to take your anti sickness meds as soon as it starts & keep on top.  Only thing is some of them cause constipation… cycle 1 I let it build up it wasn’t pleasant so take Laxido if you have the anti sickness tablets …it was manageable after that…    I did also have a touch of cramps & diarrhoea too but again you can ask for tablets for this… don’t suffer..always ring your unit /triage line - they were always helpful..

If you need any further docytax/carb info please message me!!

I know everyone is different and reacts to it differently but try not to worry too much … my main advice is try to drink loads… I was rubbish at drinking  water (it may not taste good so add some juice/squash/ etc ).. but it does help to flush it all out of you …

if I think of any other hints & tips I’ll post again!!

good luck & big hugs x

Thank you so much Teddy, that was really helpful, much appreciated. Glad you've finished the hard bit. Big hugs back at ya xx

No, I've had lumprctomy in October and then axillary clearance in November as it was in 2 nodes.  My chemotherapy, phesgo ect is all preventative xx