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suzan w · 07-20-2007, 07:32 AM

Hi Bonnie,
Just to add my 2 cents worth!!! I, too was dx'd as early stage, etc. However due to the agressive nature of Invasive Lobular cancer and Her2 +++, my oncologist suggested herceptin. At the time, herceptin had not yet been approved for early stage, without chemo first. So I had the oncotype test done. Since have found that most of us Her2+ gals have a high oncotype result...but no matter...it just proved to me that Her2 is a HIGH RISK!!! My oncologist strongly recommended the chemo...but said that she would also do herceptin without chemo. She prescribed it "off lable" (meaning it was not yet approved for the purpose I was getting it). After much research and 'inner-debate' I opted for the chemo. I wanted to leave no stone unturned! Didn't want to look back and say, "gee...I wish I had done..." Good luck with your decision!

07-20-2007, 07:32 AM	#20
suzan w Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Naples FL Posts: 1,747	Hi Bonnie, Just to add my 2 cents worth!!! I, too was dx'd as early stage, etc. However due to the agressive nature of Invasive Lobular cancer and Her2 +++, my oncologist suggested herceptin. At the time, herceptin had not yet been approved for early stage, without chemo first. So I had the oncotype test done. Since have found that most of us Her2+ gals have a high oncotype result...but no matter...it just proved to me that Her2 is a HIGH RISK!!! My oncologist strongly recommended the chemo...but said that she would also do herceptin without chemo. She prescribed it "off lable" (meaning it was not yet approved for the purpose I was getting it). After much research and 'inner-debate' I opted for the chemo. I wanted to leave no stone unturned! Didn't want to look back and say, "gee...I wish I had done..." Good luck with your decision! __________________ Suzan W. age 54 at diagnosis 5/05 suspicious mammogram-left breast 5/05 biopsy-invasive lobular carcinoma with LCIS,8mm tumor,stage 1 grade 2, ER+ PR+ Her2+++ 6/14/05 bilateral mastectomy, node neg. all scans neg. Oncotype DX-high risk 8/05-10/05 4 rounds A/C 10/05 -10/06 1 yr. herceptin arimidex-5 years 2/14/08 started daily self administered injections..FORTEO for severe osteoporosis 7/28/09 BRCA 1 negative BRCA2 POSITIVE 8/17/09 prophylactic salpingo-oophorectomy 10/15/10 last FORTEOinjection RECLAST infusion(ostoeporosis) 6/14/10 5 year cancerversary! 8/2010-18%increase in bone density! no further treatments Oncologist says, "Go do the Happy Dance" I say,"What a long strange trip its been" 'One day at a time' 6-14-2015. 10 YEAR CANCERVERSARY! 7-16 to 9-16. Extensive (and expensive) dental work done to save teeth. Damage from osteoporosis and chemo and long term bisphosphonate use 6-14-16. 11 YEAR CANCERVERSARY!! 7-20-16 Prolia injection for severe osteoporosis 2 days later, massive hive outbreak. This led to an eventual dx of Chronic Ideopathic Urticaria, an auto-immune disease from HELL. 6-14-17 12 YEAR CANCERVERSARY!! still suffering from CIU. 4 hospitilizations in the past year as of today, 10-31-17 in remission from CIU and still, CANCER FREE!!! 6-14-18 13 YEAR CANCERVERSARY!! NED!!