Need Suggestions/Opinions/Help

Day_by_Day

I was diagnosed with IDC (left breast) 4-5-07 grade 3,er+, her2+, everyone recommended a masectomy, I did a bilateral(5-24-07)removed 5 nodes and they are negative. I am 38 and I just recently met someone dear to me prior to my diagnosis and we were trying to have a child. I thought with the nodes being clear that it would change up my chemo options, found out today that no, I will still have to take the combination therapy of Taxotere, carboplatin, herceptin every 3 weeks for 6 months, then just herceptin every 3 weeks for 6 months then Tamoxifen for 5 years. My oncologist suggest I remove eggs, but that would make me 42 years old of trying to carry a child. I have heard of women having chemo while pregnant they just have to wait til a certain trimester to take it. My oncologist states that even though they removed my brest that some cells could be floating around and that if I was to get pregnant it might cause it to grow/spread since I am er+ and her2+? She gave me this chart that states if I choose no treatment options (this is with out the her2+ included) that my chances of a relapse with in 10 years is 67.1. 31.8 will have a relapse and if I do combined therapy it reduces the 31.8 to 22.6. Any suggestions, opinions? Sincerely, Laura

LittleFlower

Laura,
It's a tough and personal decision, but my gut instinct- Fight for you life first! If you had a child, and then had a relapse, that would be very tough.........

vivi30357

Hi,

Firstly, let me tell you that you are very strong to have chosen a mastectomy. I was 39 when diagnosed, my baby was 7 months old and I chose a lumpectomy and my nodes were negative as well. I did 4 AC, 4 Taxol, 16 radiations and now taking Herceptin. I have concluded that I was pre-disposed to the breast cancer and that my pregnancy, late in life, made it happen quicker. I have read wonderful stories about women who got pregnant after all this and are doing very well.... at the same time, I understand your fear...at first, I kept wondering if I should have had a baby at 39... I even went as far as somewhat blaming my pregnancy for the cancer. I am over that now.... Pregancy is a wonderful thing, raising a child is as well, but I must tell you that the worst fear for me would be to think that I could die and leaving a child motherless...It requires a lot of mental energy to go through all this and I am sending you lots of positive. You will, in time , make the best decision for yourself..... In the meantime, live happy, one day at a time and stay in touch with people.