It Will Be A Long Year (TCH Chemo)

Chemotherapy for breast cancer uses powerful drugs to target and destroy fast-growing breast cancer cells. Chemotherapy for breast cancer is frequently used along with other treatments for breast cancer, such as surgery. But chemotherapy for breast cancer also may be used as the primary treatment, when surgery isn't an option. Denise of course used the surgery option and is following up with the chemotherapy as a precautionary measure to wipe out any remaining cancer cells.

Many different chemotherapy drugs are available to treat breast cancer and may be used alone or in combination to treat a wide variety of cancers. Denise will be on the chemotherapy regimen using the acronym TCH (Taxotere, Carboplatin and Herceptin).

Chemotherapy for breast cancer can help you live longer and reduce your chances of having the cancer come back (recur). But chemotherapy for breast cancer also carries a risk of side effects — some temporary and mild, others more serious or permanent.

Taxotere (Docetaxol) is used to treat cancer (such as breast, lung, prostate, stomach, and head/neck cancer). Docetaxel is a member of a family of drugs called taxanes. This drug works by slowing cell growth. Denise will be taking this drug through an IV for one hour every three weeks (6 rounds).

Carboplatin (Paraplatin) is used to treat various types of cancer including Ovarian cancer. It is a chemotherapy drug that contains platinum. It is used alone or in combination with other medications to slow or stop cancer cell growth. Denise will be taking this drug through an IV into her port for an hour every three weeks (6 rounds).

Herceptin (Trastuzumab) is used alone or with other medications to treat certain types of breast cancer. It is also used along with other medications to treat certain types of stomach cancer. The types of cancers trastuzumab is used to treat are tumors that produce more than the normal amount of a certain substance called HER2 protein.

This medication works by attaching to the HER2 cancer cells and blocking them from dividing and growing. It may also destroy the cancer cells or signal the body (immune system) to destroy the cancer cells. Denise will be taking this drug once every three weeks for 1-1/2 hours for a whole year(18 rounds). This drug is deemed very effective in keeping the cancer from coming back.

While the benfits of pouring this poison toxin into your body, it does come with the possibility of numerous side effects. Our hope is we will not experience all of these but are prepared for some of them to rear their ugly head.

Side Effects
Pain or swelling at the injection site, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive tearing, fatigue, dizziness, constipation, muscle/joint/back pain, stomach/abdominal pain, trouble sleeping, mouth sores, weakness on one side of the body, loss of sexual desire (oh yea...), slurred speech, vision changes, confusion and loss of appetite may occur. Some of these can be severe, but again we will be prepared.

Temporary hair loss and nail changes may occur. Normal hair growth and nail appearance should return after treatment has ended.

It's going to be a long year........