HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - Any of you her2-neu (3+), T1N0 and not on Herceptin?

05-02-2004, 10:13 AM

Marianne,

I was pleased to read your perspective based on your own personal experience and I truly appreciate hearing all sides of this. I'm so glad you mentioned your dietary adjustments as I do like sugar and will refrain. I have a few additional questions for you:

Are you her2-neu 3+, 2+ or 1+?

On this site, it mentions a percentage of 25-30% of Stage IV individuals have brain mets. You mention this also about a "high recurrence of mets to the brain when on herceptin." Is this documented somewhere? This is really critical in my decision-making process and I'm grateful you mentioned it. I am T1N0, 1.5 cm. tumor and had skin-sparing mastectomy and immediate reconstruction. My Bloom-Richardson score was 3+,3+ 2+. I'm currently on #5 of FAC and will finish #6 at the end of May. Then, I must decide how to proceed or not to proceed. I do agree about taking the least of anything and I don't know about the cell immunity of herceptin.

Also, as a reference librarian, have you checked on any stats or percentages to see about long-term BC survivors who are her2-neu who did not use herceptin, but chose the more traditional chemo route? I'm very interested in those figures and haven't heard much.

Is the her2vaccine trial only for node-positive women?

Finally, and my apologies for going on, what daily supplements do you take? Any special brand (Solgar, Solaray, etc.). I drink rice milk, eat a good quantity of fruits & vegetables, salmon once a week, egg whites for breakfast, etc., oatmeal and and English muffin. I currently take Centrum and calcium-magnesium. I want to keep it simple. My sister made up some Essiac tea she wants me to take when I finish chemo.

Your stay in Seattle sounds wonderful and I'm glad you had a chance to hike. This coming week, I am going on a full moon walk at our local environmental nature center with my parents and friends when they come up for Mother's Day.

Thanks for getting back to me on these items.

Vicki in So Cal.

05-02-2004, 10:13 AM	#8
Vicki Guest Posts: n/a	Marianne, I was pleased to read your perspective based on your own personal experience and I truly appreciate hearing all sides of this. I'm so glad you mentioned your dietary adjustments as I do like sugar and will refrain. I have a few additional questions for you: Are you her2-neu 3+, 2+ or 1+? On this site, it mentions a percentage of 25-30% of Stage IV individuals have brain mets. You mention this also about a "high recurrence of mets to the brain when on herceptin." Is this documented somewhere? This is really critical in my decision-making process and I'm grateful you mentioned it. I am T1N0, 1.5 cm. tumor and had skin-sparing mastectomy and immediate reconstruction. My Bloom-Richardson score was 3+,3+ 2+. I'm currently on #5 of FAC and will finish #6 at the end of May. Then, I must decide how to proceed or not to proceed. I do agree about taking the least of anything and I don't know about the cell immunity of herceptin. Also, as a reference librarian, have you checked on any stats or percentages to see about long-term BC survivors who are her2-neu who did not use herceptin, but chose the more traditional chemo route? I'm very interested in those figures and haven't heard much. Is the her2vaccine trial only for node-positive women? Finally, and my apologies for going on, what daily supplements do you take? Any special brand (Solgar, Solaray, etc.). I drink rice milk, eat a good quantity of fruits & vegetables, salmon once a week, egg whites for breakfast, etc., oatmeal and and English muffin. I currently take Centrum and calcium-magnesium. I want to keep it simple. My sister made up some Essiac tea she wants me to take when I finish chemo. Your stay in Seattle sounds wonderful and I'm glad you had a chance to hike. This coming week, I am going on a full moon walk at our local environmental nature center with my parents and friends when they come up for Mother's Day. Thanks for getting back to me on these items. Vicki in So Cal.