Yesterday I gave my consent for Herceptin — my next round of chemo that will take me back to that infusion room with the pink lounge chairs. I will begin the first week in August for a “loading dose,” will report back one week later for a normal dose and then will return every three weeks after that for one year. In two days I will have my heart tested for a baseline reading and my heart will be monitored every three to four months throughout treatment. Apparently, Herceptin affects that pumping of the heart. So a nice steady pump might slow down or become erratic. My doctor says this can normalize within six months — and for some it takes one year. It’s uncharted territory, really. Because Herceptin is so new, there are no 10 or 20-year studies to draw from. There are just women who have been studied in clinical trials for the past few years. And no huge conclusions have been drawn yet — except that Herceptin is showing great promise for saving lives.
So I have consented to this therapy because it may save my life. I hope my heart can take it.
Jacki Donaldson