HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - My Wife Rachel Was Just Diagnosed Wtih HER-2+ Breast Cancer (Please Help ...)

Jackie07 · 07-09-2013, 02:55 AM

Hi Benjamin,

Get a clear margin if the surgeon feels there is a need!

Radiation does not stop Her2 breast cancer from coming back! I had the radiation after lumpectomy in 2003 and the surgeon thought she'd had a clear margin - but she didn't and the radiation did not stop the cancer from coming back. Worse - the doctors kept thinking the shadow on the films was scar tissues and delayed finding the recurrence!

I had to get the attention from the original surgeon to figure out the mistake she'd made!

It's really wonderful that you are doing research and providing good support to your wife. I have a wonderful husband as well - but he doesn't know anything about computer/Internet!

My recurrence in 2007 was about the same size. My heart was not good enough to complete the one year Herceptin (only got 4 weekly ones after the 18-week TCH） But so far I've been in the clear.

The treatment history in my signature is a little bit confusing because I've also had a brain tumor history. Not related to the breast cancer, but is definitely related to the genes I've inherited. Mother was diagnosed/treated for Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma in her mid 70's. (She'll be turning 91 in 3 months.) Then 2nd Brother was diagnosed with colon cancer after my recurrence in 2007. That led me to discover a cluster called HNPCC - Hereditary Non-polyposis Colon Cancer. Thanks to this Board, I had insisted on getting my BRCA genes tested. So 3 1/2 years ago I had a prophylactic surgery to remove my ovaries and uterus.

Be sure to look into your wife's family medical history and get the BRCA gene tests. My oncologist did not think there's any chance for me to be tested 'positive' for the BRCA genes. And the result showed just a speck of it - called a 'variance'. After 2nd Brother's colon cancer diagnosis and the information about HNPCC, I took action and have been feeling great!

07-09-2013, 02:55 AM	#4
Jackie07 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: "Love never fails." Posts: 5,808	Re: My Wife Rachel Was Just Diagnosed Wtih HER-2+ Breast Cancer (Please Help ...) Hi Benjamin, Get a clear margin if the surgeon feels there is a need! Radiation does not stop Her2 breast cancer from coming back! I had the radiation after lumpectomy in 2003 and the surgeon thought she'd had a clear margin - but she didn't and the radiation did not stop the cancer from coming back. Worse - the doctors kept thinking the shadow on the films was scar tissues and delayed finding the recurrence! I had to get the attention from the original surgeon to figure out the mistake she'd made! It's really wonderful that you are doing research and providing good support to your wife. I have a wonderful husband as well - but he doesn't know anything about computer/Internet! My recurrence in 2007 was about the same size. My heart was not good enough to complete the one year Herceptin (only got 4 weekly ones after the 18-week TCH） But so far I've been in the clear. The treatment history in my signature is a little bit confusing because I've also had a brain tumor history. Not related to the breast cancer, but is definitely related to the genes I've inherited. Mother was diagnosed/treated for Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma in her mid 70's. (She'll be turning 91 in 3 months.) Then 2nd Brother was diagnosed with colon cancer after my recurrence in 2007. That led me to discover a cluster called HNPCC - Hereditary Non-polyposis Colon Cancer. Thanks to this Board, I had insisted on getting my BRCA genes tested. So 3 1/2 years ago I had a prophylactic surgery to remove my ovaries and uterus. Be sure to look into your wife's family medical history and get the BRCA gene tests. My oncologist did not think there's any chance for me to be tested 'positive' for the BRCA genes. And the result showed just a speck of it - called a 'variance'. After 2nd Brother's colon cancer diagnosis and the information about HNPCC, I took action and have been feeling great! __________________ Jackie07 http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2011/06/doctors-letter-patient-newly-diagnosed-cancer.html http://www.asco.org/ASCOv2/MultiMedi...=114&trackID=2 NICU 4.4 LB Erythema Nodosum 85 Life-long Central Neurocytoma 4x5x6.5 cm 23 hrs 62090 semi-coma 10 d PT OT ST 30 d 3 Infertility tmts 99 > 3 u. fibroids > Pills CN 3 GKRS 52301 IDC 1.2 cm Her2 +++ ER 5% R. Lmptmy SLNB+1 71703 6 FEC 33 R Tamoxifen Recc IIB 2.5 cm Bi-L Mast 61407 2/9 nds PET 6 TCH Cellulitis - Lymphedema - compression sleeve & glove H w x 4 MUGA 51 D, J 49 M Diastasis recti Tamoxifen B. scan Irrtbl bowel 1'09 Colonoscopy 313 BRCA1 V1247I hptc hemangioma Vertigo GI - > yogurt hysterectomy/oophorectomy 011410 Exemestane 25 mg tab 102912 ~ 101016 stopped due to r. hip/l.thigh pain after long walk DEXA 1/13 1-2016 lesions in liver largest 9mm & 1.3 cm onco. says not cancer. 3-11 Appendectomy - visually O.K., a lot of puss. Final path result - not cancer. Start Vitamin D3 and Calcium supplement （600mg x2) 10-10 Stopped Exemestane due to r. hip/l.thigh pain OKed by Onco 11-08-2016 7-23-2018 9 mm groundglass nodule within the right lower lobe with indolent behavior. Due to possible adenocarcinoma, Recommend annual surveilence. 7-10-2019 CT to check lung nodule. 1-10-2020 8mm stable nodule on R Lung, two 6mm new ones on L Lung, a possible lymph node involvement in inter fissule. "I WANT TO BE AN OUTRAGEOUS OLD WOMAN WHO NEVER GETS CALLED AN OLD LADY. I WANT TO GET SHARP EDGED & EARTH COLORED, TILL I FADE AWAY FROM PURE JOY." Irene from Tampa Advocacy is a passion .. not a pastime - Joe Last edited by Jackie07; 07-09-2013 at 02:58 AM..