 |
|
09-11-2009, 12:31 PM
|
#21
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 508
|
Re: Newbie to this HER2+
Hi Lori. I am the sister of a wonderful gal who was diagnosed in March, and I have frequented the group since. There is a loving, supportive group of men and women here who are always ready to lend an ear,offer a word of encouragement or a cyber hug. You have found the right place. I am so glad your scans were good and will be thinking of you as you approach the chemo that is coming. I'm not a HER sister, but I am a breast cancer survivor of almost 26 years. I did a whole year of CMF chemo way back then----as others have said, not a walk in the park, but doable. You will find that you are strong and resilient. Keep talking to us!
Barb A.
|
|
|
|
09-11-2009, 12:33 PM
|
#22
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Georgia
Posts: 1,486
|
Re: Newbie to this HER2+
Lori,
Welcome to our group. I am glad your scans were good. I am also from Georiga.
Amelia
|
|
|
|
|
09-11-2009, 12:45 PM
|
#23
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Georgia
Posts: 25
|
Re: Newbie to this HER2+
Wow!
Both the CAT Scan and the Bone Scan came back with NO CANCER!! And my heart is strong and ready for Herceptin!! Echocardiagram a success too!
Today I am VERY BLESSED. So, I'm a true Stage 2A, almost a Stage 1 and I'm happy to go ahead with my treatments as you are all giving me the strength to do so.
The port is annoying today, so time for a nap!
__________________
Lori, age 45, married mother of 2 boys
age 13 and 9
Diagnosed 7/15/09
Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma
ER+, PR+, HER2+
2.5 Tumor
Grade 3
Stage 2A
BRC1/BRC2 NEGATIVE
8/18 Lumpectomy
8/18 Sentinal Node Biopsy
clear nodes
clear margins
9/16/09 TCH Treatment
Taxotere, Carboplatin, Herceptin
Every 3 weeks for 18 weeks total
Herceptin every week until 18 weeks
then every 3 weeks until 52 weeks are done
|
|
|
|
|
09-11-2009, 01:04 PM
|
#24
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Georgia
Posts: 25
|
Re: Newbie to this HER2+
Hooray!! I am VERY BLESSED today!! The CAT, Bone Scan and Echo Cardiogram all came back normal! NO CANCER, so I'm a true Stage 2A, almost a Stage 1!!!
I'm kicking cancer's butt! Everyone, kick it!!
__________________
Lori, age 45, married mother of 2 boys
age 13 and 9
Diagnosed 7/15/09
Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma
ER+, PR+, HER2+
2.5 Tumor
Grade 3
Stage 2A
BRC1/BRC2 NEGATIVE
8/18 Lumpectomy
8/18 Sentinal Node Biopsy
clear nodes
clear margins
9/16/09 TCH Treatment
Taxotere, Carboplatin, Herceptin
Every 3 weeks for 18 weeks total
Herceptin every week until 18 weeks
then every 3 weeks until 52 weeks are done
|
|
|
|
|
09-11-2009, 03:27 PM
|
#25
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Georgia
Posts: 25
|
Re: Newbie to this HER2+
Hooray!! I am VERY BLESSED today!! The CAT, Bone Scan and Echo Cardiogram all came back normal! NO CANCER, so I'm a true Stage 2A, almost a Stage 1!!!
I'm kicking cancer's butt! Let's everyone do that!!
__________________
Lori, age 45, married mother of 2 boys
age 13 and 9
Diagnosed 7/15/09
Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma
ER+, PR+, HER2+
2.5 Tumor
Grade 3
Stage 2A
BRC1/BRC2 NEGATIVE
8/18 Lumpectomy
8/18 Sentinal Node Biopsy
clear nodes
clear margins
9/16/09 TCH Treatment
Taxotere, Carboplatin, Herceptin
Every 3 weeks for 18 weeks total
Herceptin every week until 18 weeks
then every 3 weeks until 52 weeks are done
|
|
|
|
|
09-11-2009, 05:49 PM
|
#26
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Madison, Connecticut
Posts: 638
|
Re: Newbie to this HER2+
Hi Lori!
I have to say a belated "welcome" and how happy I am to hear your scans came back with such good results! When you are done with your chemo you will look back and say that a stage 2A isn't such a bad place to be in the broader scheme of things.
But I have to say I was stuck on your words "mother of 2 boys". We all seem to pause there in our thoughts.... More than someone with cancer; the mama's among us are sick with worry for the small angels in our care that are so dependent on us. What will happen to them if something happens to me; right? So I wish you Godspeed in your chemo journey and pray for you and your boys sake you achieve a quick and forever NED (No Evidence of Disease).
Hugs,
Kim from CT
__________________
2001 - Stage 0, lumpectomy, radiation, tamoxifen
2004 - Stage 4, mets to 4 lobes of lungs and liver, lumpectomy, er/pr -, her2 neu+++, Herceptin and Navelbine then Herceptin only.
2005 - Breast Ca vaccinations with the Tumor Vaccine Group in Seattle
2011 - Still Herceptin only and NED
2011, June - STOPPED Herceptin and kicked up my heels!
2012, February - 1 small tumor came back to haunt me in my lungs - back on Herceptin only, tumor stable.
2015, November - tumor on lungs removed (Segmentectomy), back on Herceptin only
Received U of W vaccine clinical "booster" Vaccine
2022 On Herceptin and NED continues - WOOT WOOT!
|
|
|
|
|
09-11-2009, 06:01 PM
|
#27
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Georgia
Posts: 25
|
Re: Newbie to this HER2+
Kim, Thanks for posting,and thank you to everyone was who has welcomed me so warmly. Yes, we're all moms, wives, daughters and sisters. Each of us fighting the beast. HER2 positive seems to be an aggresive type of cancer that desperately wants to win the fight. But we won't let it! I'm SO HAPPY that you are NED!! I want to claim that one day! Herceptin seems to be the magic sword for you and others and I want it to be for me too.
|
|
|
|
|
09-14-2009, 01:19 AM
|
#28
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,851
|
Re: Newbie to this HER2+
Lori,
Sorry to hear about your breast cancer diagnosis, but it seems like your getting good treatment, including the initial scans.
Chemo can be tough but you'll get through fine. If you feel nausea, ask the onc to prescribe Emend, which helped me a lot. I took it in 2003, but there may be other, similar medications available now.
Joan
__________________
Diagnosed stage 2b in July 2003 (2.3 cm, HER2+, ER-/PR-, 7+ nodes). Treated with mastectomy (with immediate DIEP flap reconstruction), AC + T/Herceptin (off label). Cancer advanced to lung in Jan. 2007 (1 cm nodule). Started Herceptin every 3 weeks. Lung wedge resection April 2007. Cancer recurred in lung April 2008. RFA of lung in August 2008. 2nd annual brain MRI in Oct. 2008 discovered 2.6 cm cystic tumor in left frontal lobe. Craniotomy Oct. 2008 (ER-/PR-/HER2-) followed by targeted radiation (IMRT). Coughing up blood Feb. 2009. Thoractomy July 2009 to cut out fungal ball of common soil fungus (aspergillus) that grew in the RFA cavity (most likely inhaled while gardening). No cancer, only fungus. Removal of tiny melanoma from upper left arm, plus sentinel lymph node biopsy in Feb. 2016. Guardant Health liquid biopsy in Feb. 2016 showed mutations in 4 subtypes of TP53. Repeat of Guardant Health biopsy in Jana. 2021 showed 3 TP53 mutations, BRCA1 mutation and CHEK2 mutation. Invitae genetic testing showed negative for all of these. Living with MBC since 2007. Stopped Herceptin Hylecta (injection) treatment in March 2020. Recent 2021 annual CT of chest, abdomen and pelvis and annual brain MRI showed NED. Praying for NED forever!!
|
|
|
|
|
09-14-2009, 02:44 AM
|
#29
|
|
Guest
|
Re: Newbie to this HER2+
Joan,
The doctor prescribed Compazine 10MG for naseau. Also prescribed was Dexamethasone 4MG. I was told to start the steroid the day before the chemo, 2 tablets, then 2 tablets 12 hours later.
Yes, I'm concerned about the whole thing. I ran out yesterday and got some Sally Hansen Hard As Nails and Tea Tree Oil and I've been applying both to my nails. Today I'm going to try to run to the dentist to see if I can get a cleaning before Wednesday (when I start treatment).
I'm planning on hydrating a lot. Today and all week.
Is there anything else that anyone suggests to happen before, during or after treatment? Herceptin will be on Wednesday, 9/16 and Taxotere and Carboplatin on Thursday, 9/17.
Thank you,
Lori
|
|
|
|
|
09-15-2009, 07:17 PM
|
#30
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Georgia
Posts: 25
|
Re: Newbie to this HER2+
Wish me luck everyone! First Herceptin tomorrow. First Taxotere and Carboplatin on Thursday. I met a lady nearby with just about the same stats and me, and she's using the same treatment and doctors. So, I blessed by that tonight.
__________________
Lori, age 45, married mother of 2 boys
age 13 and 9
Diagnosed 7/15/09
Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma
ER+, PR+, HER2+
2.5 Tumor
Grade 3
Stage 2A
BRC1/BRC2 NEGATIVE
8/18 Lumpectomy
8/18 Sentinal Node Biopsy
clear nodes
clear margins
9/16/09 TCH Treatment
Taxotere, Carboplatin, Herceptin
Every 3 weeks for 18 weeks total
Herceptin every week until 18 weeks
then every 3 weeks until 52 weeks are done
|
|
|
|
|
09-15-2009, 07:45 PM
|
#31
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 508
|
Re: Newbie to this HER2+
Thinking of you as you approach your treatment, Lori. Wishing you all the best.
Barb A.
|
|
|
|
|
09-15-2009, 10:41 PM
|
#32
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 327
|
Re: Newbie to this HER2+
I had the taxotere/carboplatin/herceptin as well. Finished the TC in March, 2009, still continuing with herceptin. Two more left! I could only do 5.5 TC treatments as I was allergic to the taxotere even with premeds. I tried to do some walking every day during the TC, even if it was only a few minutes. Some days I felt like I weighed 500 pounds and was out of breath just walking around....I am back to hiking in the woods and looking forward to the end of herceptin. Do ask for help, don't tire yourself out. My hubby has learned to cook & clean pretty well  this is a time to pamper yourself. Take care,
Dianne
__________________
Three years and 5 months NED
Dx: Aug 2008 right breast IDC with 50% of tumor DCIS, Stage II or IIA, tumor size: 2.1 cm
Grade 3
8/9 Richardson/Bloom test
ER+ weakly positive
Alred Score: 4 (suggesting I would strongly benefit from hormone therapy)
PR-,
HER2 positive +++
No vascular invasion
No lymph nodes involved
Surgery: Sept. 9, 2008 -Modified radical mastectomy, right breast. I chose to have a simple mastectomy on the left. Began Taxotere/Carboplatin/Herceptin November, 2008. Finished T/C March 2009. Finished #16 Herceptin Sept. 09. AI's and Tamoxifen made me sick. Began natural Tamoxifen which is Quercetin, I3C and a combo of other supplements. I am also a DES Daughter. There is now a link between DES exposure in utero and breast cancer!
|
|
|
|
|
09-20-2009, 05:57 AM
|
#33
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Georgia
Posts: 25
|
Re: Newbie to this HER2+
OK. I had herceptin on Wednesday (a non event) and the TC on Thursday. So Saturday, yesterday, was the most challenging one for me. Flu-like symptoms. Body aches. I had the shot --neulasta on Friday. But this morning, the funny taste is here and a yogurt feels good going down. So, I only took Zofran and some motrin and here's hoping that today is a better day.
2 weeks in a row will be herceptin and chemo won't be again until October 7th. I'm in no hurry for it.
__________________
Lori, age 45, married mother of 2 boys
age 13 and 9
Diagnosed 7/15/09
Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma
ER+, PR+, HER2+
2.5 Tumor
Grade 3
Stage 2A
BRC1/BRC2 NEGATIVE
8/18 Lumpectomy
8/18 Sentinal Node Biopsy
clear nodes
clear margins
9/16/09 TCH Treatment
Taxotere, Carboplatin, Herceptin
Every 3 weeks for 18 weeks total
Herceptin every week until 18 weeks
then every 3 weeks until 52 weeks are done
|
|
|
|
|
12-30-2009, 12:01 AM
|
#34
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Georgia
Posts: 25
|
Re: Newbie to this HER2+
Final Chemo today! Number 6 out of 6!!! Time to celebrate!!
Radiation will begin at the end of January and Herceptin will continue every 3 weeks.
I'm so thrilled about no chemo in 2010!!
__________________
Lori, age 45, married mother of 2 boys
age 13 and 9
Diagnosed 7/15/09
Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma
ER+, PR+, HER2+
2.5 Tumor
Grade 3
Stage 2A
BRC1/BRC2 NEGATIVE
8/18 Lumpectomy
8/18 Sentinal Node Biopsy
clear nodes
clear margins
9/16/09 TCH Treatment
Taxotere, Carboplatin, Herceptin
Every 3 weeks for 18 weeks total
Herceptin every week until 18 weeks
then every 3 weeks until 52 weeks are done
|
|
|
|
|
12-30-2009, 07:12 AM
|
#35
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 508
|
Re: Newbie to this HER2+
Hi Lori. I'm so glad your chemo is done! My sis just finished hers recently and will begin the radiation about the same time as you do. Her Herceptin is on a three week schedule, however. I'm wishing you an easy time with your remaining treatment, and also a very healthy 2010!
Barb A.
|
|
|
|
|
01-05-2010, 06:23 AM
|
#36
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Georgia
Posts: 1,486
|
Re: Newbie to this HER2+
Lori,
Glad you have finished your chemo.
Amelia
|
|
|
|
|
01-06-2010, 09:00 PM
|
#37
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: western ma
Posts: 280
|
Re: Newbie to this HER2+
hi lori. congratulations on the last chemo. my last chemo is on 1-21. i confess i am a little apprehensive about chemo ending. naturally i am do not want it to continue, i am not crazy, but it feels a little scary to have it end and be without that protection.
i am a stage 1. i was never offered any scan of any sort and i wonder why. i even had to fight to get a mammogram of my right breast (cancer was in my left). they told me "you just had a mammo in march" which was ridiculous since it was clear then and i had cancer in august. who wouldn't want to be sure it wasn't in both breasts, right? they told me the chance of it being anywhere else, much less visible on a scan, was minimal. however, i sure would not mind some reassurance. i would not mind such reassurance every year from now on!
i guess i am feeling very anxious lately because of the holidays with cancer and without my husband, and now the anniversary of his death is coming up. cancer took him and i sometimes have a hard time these days. valerie
__________________
8/09 - IDC 1.8 cm triple positive, lumpectomy left breast
10/09 began chemo (taxotere & carboplatin) and weekly herceptin.
1/21/10 finished chemo, continued on herceptin every 3 weeks until 10/2010.
2/10 began 7 wks of radiation
6/10 mom dies of primary peritoneal ovarian cancer
8/10 got my last remaining ovary out
10/10 mammogram all clear
3/11 MRI shows 5 'spots' in right breast, largest 1 cm unidentifiable on US
needle biopsy proved the largest to be old inflamed cyst -phew!
7/10 switched to Arimidex
8/9 switched to Femara - allergic to arimidex
Femara made me lose hair quickly so switched to Aromasin
Aromasin made my hair fall out too and the bone pain was too much.
back on Tamoxifen 1/2013.
blood clot from trains and planes 5/2014 so on coumadin per onco for as long as i am on tamoxifen
tamoxifen was supposed to be up with my 5 yrs in may but my boyfriend was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer so i am staying on tamoxifen indefinitely because i want some ammo against BC, given the stress. lost my husband in only 10 wks in 2007 to stage 4 esophageal cancer.
cancer's screwing with another man i love
2/2016 - 6yrs in remission, off tamoxifen and off coumadin - yay!
|
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
All times are GMT -7. The time now is 04:44 PM.
|
Linear Mode
