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I was diagnosed in Feb 2002 with invasive ductal, found on a routine mammogram (which I have every 6 mo. due to Mother with BC.) My tumor was very small, 0.7 cm, all 14 nodes were negative. I had a left mastectomy. My Her2 was 3+ and I was ER PR Neg. No treatment was recommended. In Sept of 2003, while undergoing reconstruction of the left breast, I noticed a lump above my collar bone. The biopsy revealed malignancy in the lymph nodes, same type as the breast cancer, and also Her2 positive. Scans revealed 2 more suspicious lymph nodes in my armpit. I started Herceptin every 3 weeks end of Oct. So far so good. My advice would be to try to get into a trial where you can recieve Herceptin now. Her2 positive tumors are more aggressive and more likely to cause a reoccurrance. I wish I had been given the Herceptin at the beginning, but at that time the only people elegible were people with positive nodes, and I had none. If you cant get the Herceptin dont panic, just be cautious and check yourself frequently. Not everyone has a reoccurance, it seems to occur randomly. Good Luck, and think positive!
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