Stage I ER/PR+ Her 2+ No node involvement

[Marlys]

Susan,
I, too, am like you. Dx 3/9/05, IDC, high grade tumor, 1.5cm, HER2+++, ER+++, PR+, Stage 1. Lumpectomy 4/13 and repeat for wider margins 4/25 with negative sentinel node biopsy. I am a retired operating room nurse. When they told me that there was no difference in outcome with lumpectomy versus mastectomy I was elated. I am not all that fond of my boobs but I hate pain and I have seen what we do to women when we do a mastectomy.
Anyway, I had A/C x4, rads x30, and Herceptin every 3 weeks for a year. I finished my year on July 11. I started on Arimidex when I finished rads. I lost 30 pounds with chemo and have kept it off through excercise and a better diet that I learned about on this site. I started taking CoEnzyme Q10 and walking and my MUGA actually improved to the point that my onc quit ordering the scans.
I found this site in October and am so grateful for it. I am in better health than I was when I was diagnosed. I realize that there is no cure for this disease but I like "no evidence of disease" just fine.
I have noticed that different centers treat patients differently but I have great trust in my oncolgists and have not had any concerns that they have not addressed to my satisfaction.
Welcome to this site and hang in there.
Love, Marlys

[mts]

SusanV,

I did not know the ramifications of Her2 until I was well into my radiation treatment. I think I would have opted for mastectomy then if I was as informed as I am now. I also have very dense breasts which make the mammogram quite useless and the ultrasound almost as useless for me. I have to get a breast MR every year along with the mammo and u.s. anyway.

What I am trying to say is that if you do have dense breasts, be sure to consider whether or not you will want to deal with breasts at all. Yes, the surgery is tremendous but do-able. Cosmetic surgery is better if you have never had radiation on the affected breast...



So, you see how personal your decision becomes. I am very happy with my irradiated breast (looks perky). I had a lift on the unaffected breast and now they both look the same. I know my vanity is showing through - but as long as I am willing to get the necessary imaging I am good with my decision. I actually go to UPenn for my imaging... wonderful place and one of the best in terms of their innovative technology. Fortunately I have a good cancer policy that pays my airfare!

I see you are from Pennsylvania, what part?



Maria (MTS)

[KathyH]

Hi Susan,

One question it might be reasonable to ask your onc or surgeon to help make your decision is about risk of getting bc again. Given a diagnosis of bc your risk for having it again in the future may not be the same as the general population. That information might be helpful.

Love, Kathy

[SusanV]

Hey guys,


I live in Pittsburgh PA, and am currently getting all of my care at Magee Womens Hospital here in Pittsburgh. Since many of our dx are the stage 1 no lymph nodes, are are chances even slightly better for no recurrance, than if we had lymph node involvement? Do you guys have any stats on that?

I would like to get aggressive care...whatever that may mean. At this point my main focus is on life preservation...as many more years that I can get...Same thing you all want I am sure. I could not do this without you guys, that is a FACT.

Sincere Love to all of you, my new friends

Susan V
Pittsburgh, PA
Dx 8-3-06 Age 37
Lumpectomy 8-15-06
1.3cd Tumor
Her 2 + er/pr +

[Dianaq]

Susan,
I am not sure that I have heard enough data on her2+, node neg. clear margins to make my decision about chemo yet. All of the data my ong. showed me was breast cancer that was not her2+, because they don't have enough data or know if the chemo has any benifit on her2+ cancers. Do you or anyone have anymore info on this?

[CLTann]

I am 60 years old, classified as Stage 1, triple positive, less than 1 cm. IDC. No nodes involvement. I opted for mastec. No chemo. No radiation. Now on Arimidex. I guess I am one of the minorities who don't believe aggressive treatment is always a better treatment method. I saw enough patients who had more complications from chemo and radiation. My dx was exactly one year ago.

Ann

[Dianaq]

Thank you Ann,
Even though I am only 50 (lol) my ong. thinks that because my tumor was her2+++, grade 2 node neg. clear margins. The only reason she suggest I go though chemo is because of my age. I have not seen enough data to know that it would really help. I keep hearing of people that have been stg. 0-1 and had chemo but it came back. That is not real convincing to me. My gut feeling is not to go with chemo. But maybe I just dont know enough. I have been trying to read all the studies, but most are with her2-.