HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - To treat or not to treat VERY early stage HER2 IDC

NanaJoni · 02-21-2011, 08:41 AM

Musicmama - I was an "early diagnosis", too. Small tumors (two) and no nodes. But my onc threw everything at it - chemo (taxotere, carboplatin, Herceptin). Then I did 33 radiation treatments and will finish my year of Herceptin in May. I honestly feel a lot better than I did a year ago before my diagnosis on March 9. I agree with those on here who say get two or three opinions. Even though I feel great and think I'll get the wonderful "NED" -no evidence of disease - words soon, there is still that nagging doubt sometimes. Cancer doesn't give you second chances. Just be sure to write down all your questions and have someone with you to take notes when you talk to the doctors. And get the 2 or 3 opinions if that's what it takes. Peace of mind is hard to come by after a cancer diagnosis so do whatever it takes to put your fears to rest.

02-21-2011, 08:41 AM	#10
NanaJoni Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Elizabethton, TN Posts: 418	Re: To treat or not to treat VERY early stage HER2 IDC Musicmama - I was an "early diagnosis", too. Small tumors (two) and no nodes. But my onc threw everything at it - chemo (taxotere, carboplatin, Herceptin). Then I did 33 radiation treatments and will finish my year of Herceptin in May. I honestly feel a lot better than I did a year ago before my diagnosis on March 9. I agree with those on here who say get two or three opinions. Even though I feel great and think I'll get the wonderful "NED" -no evidence of disease - words soon, there is still that nagging doubt sometimes. Cancer doesn't give you second chances. Just be sure to write down all your questions and have someone with you to take notes when you talk to the doctors. And get the 2 or 3 opinions if that's what it takes. Peace of mind is hard to come by after a cancer diagnosis so do whatever it takes to put your fears to rest. __________________ Joni -64 yrs old - 3/01/10: found lump in rt.breast 3/12/10: mammogram/ultrasnd/biopsy-invasive bc & DCIS; 2 tumors (2cm er-/pr-/HER2-& 1.8 cm er-/pr-/HER2+); grade 3;poorly differentiated 3/24/10:sent.node biopsy clear 3/31/10:bi-lateral mx.;atypical ductal hyperplasia-lft side 4/21/10:wound revision-infection/scarring 4/28/10:seromas both sides 5/21/10:port installed,TCH chemo (6 x 3 wks); Herc,-1yr; 33 rad tx after chemo 07/2010: port not working-2nd port didnt'work;3rd port opposite side. 07/2010: 2 weeks after 3rd port surgery, threw 3 pulm. emboli-IVC filter installed; warfarin 08/2010: hospitalizations w/3 of chemos; decision to stop after 4th-on to radiation in Oct 2010;Herc cont. 12/03/2010 - finished 33 rads Hooray!! cont. Herc. every 3 wks 4/2011 - pneumonia ??? Nope-radiation pneumonitis. No more Herc. 5/2011 - NED!!! port out. 8/2011 - clean PET & CT scans.Still NED 7/2012 - Still NED/very blessed. 2/2013 - 6 mos checkup-all clear. CA2729 down frm 13 to 11.