HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - Cancer spreading either th' blood or lymph..but the difference?

margiermc · 10-26-2009, 06:16 AM

Hi, I posted my story last night DCIS to Stage 4

8/8/08 - I had DCIS, no invasive cancer - does not spread, according to the dr.
9/2/08 - Lumpectomy - lymph nodes clear
10/14/08 - I went to hospital - pain, liver mets. Cancer (invasive) cells left the breast, in the blood stream and went to the liver.
Dr. was not checking my body, I had no lymph node involvement. and DCIS is very early stage 0.
From 10/08-1/09 I had 6 rounds of chemo, tx, carb., her.
Now I fly every month from Tampa, Florida - to Seattle -
Vaccine - NED, I feel fine.

It is thought that the over expression of her2 in the body is from a low immune system. I'm not sure if lymph node or bloodstream has to do with this. It could have been the agressive cells that were somewhere in the DCIS that left through the vascular system.

My post said, back in the 1980's or earlier there was an oncologist,
I do not know his name, my doctor does, believed that a mastectomy was the way to remove the breast and avoid cancer cells going in the blood stream.

There are two ways cancer spreads, lymph nodes and the vascular system in the breast. Removing the whole breast - this theory was
believed to avoid the spread of cancer.

Later, dr's leaned toward a lumpectomy and saving the breast.
This is what I was told, I had these questions, because I caught mine early in the breast - and now it surprised everyone in the liver.

My scans, bloodwork, liver enzymes are very normal.
I am getting a vaccine.
Dr. Salazar said, I am doing fabulous.

The reason I post this info. is to help other women out there, the vaccination is a trip for me 9 hours of flight each way - I hope this
is what all women need, I am like the ladies on herceptin in the Living Proof movie. I feel like a pioneer. I have been NED for 9 months. This vaccination, is an option to help me and future women.

Although, I have received some response to my post that think
my recovery was too quick.

My family wants to now see me be active, like walk, enjoy life, eat well, my doctor claims - I am a miracle. I WISH THE BEST FOR ALL OF YOU. Some of the response to my post - made me rather,
upset - I must admit. I am risking my own health for this vaccination, which will be entering phase III - for all women. I hope you appreciate it in the future. Just like the ones that took Herceptin on trial, I thank you and very grateful to the Dr. Slamon.

10-26-2009, 06:16 AM	#2
margiermc Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 94	Re: Cancer spreading either th' blood or lymph..but the difference? Hi, I posted my story last night DCIS to Stage 4 8/8/08 - I had DCIS, no invasive cancer - does not spread, according to the dr. 9/2/08 - Lumpectomy - lymph nodes clear 10/14/08 - I went to hospital - pain, liver mets. Cancer (invasive) cells left the breast, in the blood stream and went to the liver. Dr. was not checking my body, I had no lymph node involvement. and DCIS is very early stage 0. From 10/08-1/09 I had 6 rounds of chemo, tx, carb., her. Now I fly every month from Tampa, Florida - to Seattle - Vaccine - NED, I feel fine. It is thought that the over expression of her2 in the body is from a low immune system. I'm not sure if lymph node or bloodstream has to do with this. It could have been the agressive cells that were somewhere in the DCIS that left through the vascular system. My post said, back in the 1980's or earlier there was an oncologist, I do not know his name, my doctor does, believed that a mastectomy was the way to remove the breast and avoid cancer cells going in the blood stream. There are two ways cancer spreads, lymph nodes and the vascular system in the breast. Removing the whole breast - this theory was believed to avoid the spread of cancer. Later, dr's leaned toward a lumpectomy and saving the breast. This is what I was told, I had these questions, because I caught mine early in the breast - and now it surprised everyone in the liver. My scans, bloodwork, liver enzymes are very normal. I am getting a vaccine. Dr. Salazar said, I am doing fabulous. The reason I post this info. is to help other women out there, the vaccination is a trip for me 9 hours of flight each way - I hope this is what all women need, I am like the ladies on herceptin in the Living Proof movie. I feel like a pioneer. I have been NED for 9 months. This vaccination, is an option to help me and future women. Although, I have received some response to my post that think my recovery was too quick. My family wants to now see me be active, like walk, enjoy life, eat well, my doctor claims - I am a miracle. I WISH THE BEST FOR ALL OF YOU. Some of the response to my post - made me rather, upset - I must admit. I am risking my own health for this vaccination, which will be entering phase III - for all women. I hope you appreciate it in the future. Just like the ones that took Herceptin on trial, I thank you and very grateful to the Dr. Slamon.