Dear Bonnie,
I read your post...and like you I was told that I did not need chemo/herceptin. When I was dx. 4/05 size of tumor and node
status was the determining factor for treatment. When I did
my research on Her2...I was very unsettled. I even had to fight
to have the Oncotype DX test -(back then it was not being
used as a standard of care) which now is being used at Sloan
in NY...
Mine came back high risk also. Like you the onc. in NY then changed treatment and
said chemo A/C to be followed with Herceptin. I then decided to
see Dr. Slamon...the Father of Herceptin. He told me that my KI -67
levels were high - therefore I did not need the Oncotype DX test
to tell me the test would come back high. There are women who
will come back in the low or med. range. depends on the KI-67 level.
Unfortunately her2 is aggressive and likes to travel. Knowing your
pathologoy report is very important. The grade of your tumor, the
KI-67 levels, in short - the size of the tumor is not the key, more
so the personality of the tumor. Node negative is a favorable dx.
also - but there are millions of cancer cells in a small tumor, who knows
if a tiny micro seed passes through a node and we all know that cells
could pass into the blood system. The most common way is through the
nodes - but that is not a certainty.
Of course your head is spinning, that is only natural. There is so much
information to absorb and it is all very frightening. But realize that this
diagnosis does not mean instant doom. Now is the time to make careful
decisions. The TCH is very doable and many ladies here on the board
have had this treatment. It is now considered a standard of care for
early stagers. See the link I have attached for you.
Your onc. will prepare you for the treatments with the meds to counter the side effects. You will feel tired from the treatments, but many of us
worked right through them. Do not fear the TCH treatments, rather look at them as part of your way of crushing this disease right out of your body. I had 6 treatments of TCH and then herceptin for one year.
I completed my year this past May. It goes fast - it will not seem so
as you start, but it does. Right now your spinning due to the new information...you were wise to have the test - for it proved you did need
additional treatment. In the early days everyone worries about what
is going to happen and how can they handle it. As I said the TCH
is very doable. When I was first dx. I knew very little about bc, I knew
I didn't want it! But by learning everything I could, I started to take
control and calm down, sort things out, and make the best decisions
for my health. You will also...I am sorry that you have been dx.
and need this wonderful board. This is the very best site and you will
have all the support you need. I am here for you...and all the other
beautiful ladies are also.
I have attached a link on the TCH trials which will give you additional inforamtion.
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/520244
Sending you hugs,
Jean