Docetaxel and Carboplatin for HER2 + and ER+

Thank you dkbythesea... much appreciated, I'll have a look xxx

My cancer chemo regime was–Docetaxel (Taxotere) + Trastuzumab (Herceptin)+Pertuzumab (Perjeta) for 4 sessions of 3-week cycles, followed by Epirubicin  4 sessions 3-week cycles. I was in my v late 60s. I cold-capped throughout. My thick quite coarse hair thinned but I retained enough that I never wore a wig & towards the end my consultant actually asked if I was wearing a wig. I am regularly complemented on my hair which has been returned to being thick. I used to have a colour put over it but now as it has gone a nice shade of blond white I merely wash it weekly with Watermans' hair and growth shampoo & conditioner and leave it to dry naturally. It's in a bob and I get it styled about every 6 weeks. When I was on chemo I used a wide tooth comb and only washed it once or twice in every 3 week cycle. Good luck whatever you decide xxxxx

Sorry just remembered. I think the oncologist put me on a reduced dose of the chemo, not absolutely sure but I always had a wait for my drugs to come as they needed to be specially prepared.  It might be an option you could discuss with your oncologist. I have no idea why mine was reduced but it still seemed to work. xx

Hi Rozaliia, thank you so much for replying, very helpful and reassuring.  Could I just ask if your chemo was before or after surgery and were you ER+ and HER2+, sounds like you were ? Xxx

Sorry, Rozalia, was it just the Docetaxel on a reduced dose ?  and forgot to ask if csncer was in any lymph nodes?  Lots of questions, sorry xxx

Each time you go in for chemo you fill out a sheet of side effects or issues, then the nurse goes through them with you for more info and to advise or give you products to help or gain the advice of the oncologist, so, e.g., I've recently had some side effects (now on Paclitaxel, as I changed from Docetaxel) that meant they stopped my chemo for a week and from tomorrow I'll be on a reduced dose. I was also originally on Carboplatin, but they stopped it after two doses because it made my tinnitus worse. Each of us will have unique reactions/experiences, so it's great that they listen and act on what you tell them. When do you start? Sending love xx

Thank you dkbythesea, that's really helpful, much appreciated.  Hope all goes well with your next session xxx

Hi MissL. I can't tell you if the reduction was just the docetaxel I just recall in my initial assessment the doctor said I am going to give you a reduced dose, no idea even why. I was in the beginning very trusting and there was just so much to take in with sheets of written information too. My chemo was before surgery and yes I was her2+ and ER+ . I was initially told I wasn't  ER+ it came out after chemo finished and my daughter who was pushing them on treatments, said "you are sure you are treating every thing" The answer was a dismissive 'Yes of course' quickly followed by a gulp as he flicked through notes and drew out that besides Her2+ I should also have been treated for ER + !!! I was then after their subsequent health practitioners meeting told not to worry as my treatment would have been the same. I think however I would have had the aromatase inhibitor much sooner. I initially had letrozole but it was changed after a few months to exemestane.

Sorry nothing is straight forward we just need to trust but be vigilant. Have a read of my profile.   

Sorry I started typing this on my phone yesterday and returning to it I seei have got it out of order. From here to the xx should be at the end so skip down to the part under xx and then back to here. I blame long lasting chemo brain!

Very good luck  take all the support and help you can get including the lovely pampering make up sessions organised by Macmillan -- if there is a centre near you. It is not all bad many people are so kind. At my local Cook shop one of the assistants nominated me as her deserving customer of the year. I got a third off all Cook products for a year.

I genuinely felt loved and cared for and that was very precious. I am a bit of a grump now but....

Xx

3 lymph nodes were checked during mastectomy and found clear.

Overall I think my treatment was doable. With hindsight I would wear dark nail varnish and use any of the recommended things for nails and I would pay more attention to foot neuropathy. I now have feet problems which I think stem from chemo . I have seen people on here give advice that I would have followed had I known at the time. There are ongoing after effects of chemo and for me the aromatase inhibitors are definitely troublesome but i don't regret any of my treatment. 

Hi MissL very sorry my reply was delayed, so long-winded and so muddled but I hope it helps a little, xxx

Thank you Rozalia for replying. Am trying to get as much info as i can. Any advice is much appreciated xxx