Just Dx Her-2/Neu 3+ pos

[Babycat21]

Greetings to all

I had a core ultrasound Guided core biospy on May 24, then was called by doc on june 5 and was told that I had advanced cancer and by then I had a not just one lump under left breast but doc found a enlarged node under left arm.
Path report said
poorly differentiated (nottingham score 8-9) and is associated with marked lymphplasmacytic inflammtory infiltrate. Focal necrosis is present.

Tumor cells pos for CK7 and neg for CK20 and GCD FP-15

No intraductal component is present

Receptor Studies
-Estrogen receptor: neg
- Progesterone receptor: neg
- Her2/Neu: 3+ pos

Getting a PET scan on 12 and Bone scan the 16 of June. And will see my New Doc on the 14 of june.

Just like some advice of what I should ask her, I'm new to this and have looked up things on the internet but dang its to much for me to remember. I'm really scared and right now I dont have a very good out look. Just to much bad new for this kind of Dx. Just need some advice on what I should look for and ask the docs.

I told my daughters already one lives here in Norfolk and the other in HI. The daughter in HI along with my granddaughter which is 4yrs old, are flying over and staying with me for a mo. I told both of them to tell their GYN's about me having breast cancer and to get that genes test. BC does not run in my family that I know of but just to be safe. Well thanks for listening and Bless you all.
Annette

[Lisa]

Annette,

I remember how scared I was at first. But I became convinced that fear would kill me. (Just ask Chicken Little.) Even though you're frightened, you will receive treatment that will let you spend years with that granddaughter.
What I tell women is to a) learn all you can about your disease and statistics (this site is a great place to start; b) find an onc whom you trust and like; c) forget the statistics and d) go forward with your treatment.

You are entering a whole new world that isn't all bad. You'll learn a new language and meet wonderful new people. The fact that you are HER2 + is not a bad thing like it once was. Just a few years ago, women had no way to fight this aggressive protein. Now, however, we do. Herceptin is given to women with good hearts and can increase your longevity and/or help cure your cancer (most women will do great combining chemo with Herceptin).

I'm one of the minority who Herceptin doesn't help as much.
If your doc doesn't mention Herceptin, ask why. I'm glad you'll have someone with you during your onc visit. It's important to have another set of ears when your head starts spinning!

And, my personal belief is DON'T ASK HOW LONG YOU HAVE. Doctors don't know and I wouldn't want to spend my time turning pages of the calendar for a "countdown."

Keep us posted. You'll find lots of information, some of which can be overwhelming, but we'll explain what we can. You'll also find tremendous support here from women just like you who have "been there, done that."

Love and light,

Lisa

[Mgarr]

Annette,


You are in the right place I am only sorry you have to be here. I understand your fear I remember my initial diagnosis all I could do was cry for what seemed like weeks and was convinced I wouldn't make my 40th birthday.

But I am wondering about the enlarged node under your arm. Was it tested and confirmed to be cancerous? I ask because after my core biopsy I too had a large lump under my arm. The surgeon wanted to start w/ chemo first then do surgery and as it turned out it it was drainage from the core biopsy not actually cancer.

All of us here are SURVIVORS and you will be part of the sorority!

Our thoughts are prayers are with you.

Mary

[Jean]

Annette,

You have made the wise choice to visit this wonderful informative site.
You will learn and gain many answers to your questions. Take a deep breath and know you are never alone. Anything that you do not understand just
share on this site. The women on this site are so knowledgable and best of all are experienced and most often someone has already had prior first hand
experience. It is wonderful that your daughter will be able to visit with you
and give you her support. We are all here for you!

God Bless,
Jean

[Tom]

Dear Annette,

Welcome to the club. Granted, the Mickey Mouse Club might have been an easier choice, but since you didn't have a choice, you might as well jump in here. The people who organized this site, and those who frequent it, are some of the finest people in the world. They are also quite knowledgeable. They have combined information from their personal experience with this disease, as well as the knowledge they bring from all of their doctors. Granted, sometimes the doctors seem clueless, but every piece helps.

One thing is for certain. If you ever could have picked a "good" time to have breast cancer, it is now. The research world is exploding with all manner of new discoveries and treatment options. As you will see by reading information posted on the site, a brand new drug, orally administered, is on the verge of FDA approval. It was developed for those whose HER2+ BC does not respond to Herceptin, which has been the most popular and effective drug prior to this time.

You can find out just about anything you want or need to know right here. When you get the results of your tests and have all the pertinent information regarding your complete diagnosis and staging, sit down and post the results here and wait for the answers to start rolling in. Most of those here take a comprehensive approach to their treatment, and make dietary and supplement consumption a large part of their overall treatment plan. We have some very smart cookies here that can assist you with questions about changing your lifestyle in order to make things as miserable as possible for the malignant cells. It is also a place to come to vent, cry, or soul search. Trust me, you will see.

I am here as I am caring for an elderly Mother who has HER2+ disease. I found this site to be a true Godsend, and I feel as if I know many of the members personally. By the way, I might be one of the few members that know that Norfolk is pronounced "nawfok", as my Dad's family lived in Accomac County on the Eastern Shore. As a matter of fact, the picture of my Mom in the upper left-hand corner, is looking out over Bradford Bay towards Parramore and Hog Islands, on the seaside. The rainbow was compliments of the Creator. It's nice that your family is gathering around you until you get your wits about you with this development. Let us know what is going on, and we will be there for you as well.


Best Wishes,
Tom

[chrisy]

Hey, Annette – welcome to the best club that nobody wanted to join! Sorry to have you here, but glad you found us so soon – this is the best “online” site I’ve found and is great for information.



You must be very scared – but it sounds like you are already springing into action. Knowledge is power.



The scans you have set up are needed for the doctors to see exactly what they’re dealing with. This will help guide treatment recommendations. The scans may show the situation is much better than you fear – I hope this is true for you .



There are many treatment options – for Her2, you should definitely be offered Herceptin. This is often given in combination with various chemos.



Sounds like you have a new “doc” – I assume this is an oncologist? Regardless, you definitely should seek a second opinion from a specialist at a comprehensive cancer center – those folks are on the cutting edge of research and even if you get treatment elsewhere, you want to tap into that. I have 2 oncs; my local onc who I love and my “guru” at USCF. They work and play well together and I get the benefit (or confusion!) of getting different answers to the same questions! The most important thing is that you trust and can work with your doctor. If you find this is not the case, get another doctor!



You will have a lot more information shortly – this will help you feel more in control.



A good resource for “what questions to ask” is the Bloch Cancer Foundation

Started by H&R Block founder and cancer survivor Richard Bloch – who was given only months to live and then survived many many years before eventually dying of a heart attack. Check out the website (sorry, I'm too incompetent to actually attach the link)

http://www.blochcancer.org/


Good luck – keep us posted!

Chris

[Babycat21]

Saw my surgeon yesterday, and I just love her right now. She is down to earth wrote down everything on note pad of everyting we talk about, didnt need my tape recorder after all (has pretty good hand writing for a doctor hehe). She has set me up with a chemo consult and rad consult. She even did a test to see if it is hereity (hope I spelled the right) but no one in my family that I know of have breast cancer but that word cancer was a hush hush word or a word you whispered.

She said right now looks to be stage 2, +1 lymph node, but we will know more after my PET scan that will be done on the 12th and bone scan on 16th. She said she really wants to r/o stage IV cancer by reviewing my PET scan and more test.

Going to have a blood panel, EKG and chest x-ray done today. She also mention MUGA Scan. Probley will have chemo first then surgery and then rads. Just depends on all the test results.

Thanks for all the support and info. I'm just begining my long journery, but taking on one day at a time and once step at a time.

Hugs to all
Annette