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I have been taking Herceptin since January. I understand I will be taking it every three weeks the rest of this year.
How many of you have taken it, too?
Have you been coerced into also having radiation?
The surgeon is pushing for me to have radiation. I don't want it at all, but especially not while taking blood thinner for a clot in the leg.
I need some input from others who have taken the Herceptin.
Thanks for any help offered.
How many of you have taken it, too?
Have you been coerced into also having radiation?
The surgeon is pushing for me to have radiation. I don't want it at all, but especially not while taking blood thinner for a clot in the leg.
I need some input from others who have taken the Herceptin.
Thanks for any help offered.
Your surgeon shouldn't be pressuring you to do anything. If your surgeon and oncologist believe you need radiation, they should be referring you to a radiologist. The radiologist makes the final determination as to whether they will offer you radiation. In my group they do not push anything - they suggest and refer and then the patient makes the best decision for them given all the information. You should address your concerns with the radiologist, who has more specific information regarding the probable impact the radiation would have on you.
Bottom line: I would not take any treatment with which I was uncomfortable or if I did not understand and agree with exactly why I was taking the treatment and what I hoped to gain from it (balanced against the risks).
Your providers owe you a detailed explanation and information and should be guiding you into the right treatment option for you, not coercing you.
Good luck to you and I strongly recommend you do the Google search on Herceptin and blood clots.
- Diane
If they are recommending radiation they really believe its benefits outweigh any risks to you. To be honest there are very few problems with woman who are still taking Herceptin & need rads, surgeries, etc. Although I certainly can understand your concern about blood clots and rads.
As far as treatment goes...they can't make you do anything. You have a "right" to make your own decisions. They TRIED to push me into radiation since I was stage IIIA, Her2/neu 3+++, and 5 positive nodes. But I was scared to death to have rads due to problems with my lungs. (My lungs are very compromised as is...can't afford anymore damage.) I was afraid anymore damage to my lungs I would be in a wheel chair or on oxygen for life...or worse yet, dead. They were insisting I do rads...so I went to a pulmonary doc and he ran all kinds of lung function tests on me and he said NO WAY could I do rads. He set-up a meeting with my medical team and explained lung function to them and the damage it would do to me. They all agreed that I could not do radiation. So in my case I'm GLAD I went to a pulmonary doc...I might not be here. It always pays to be safe then sorry...doctors aren't always right. We know our bodies better then anyone.
So in your case...I would EXPRESS my concerns...blood thinners and clots are scary. Ask to see a specialist that deals with clots, & the blood thinner your on. Get his/her opinion & go from there. You have a RIGHT to have all your questions and concerns addressed before doing anything that might cause a problem.
I don't know your dx...but you must be Her2/neu if they are pushing rads that hard. (That is the standard of care when Her2) For peace of mind set-up an appt with a specialist. Hang in there...I know all this is difficult...so many decision to make...its so overwhelming at times.
Chelee