Chemo before Surgery, IDC HER2+, 37 yrs

Skpitts

I am new to the group.  I was diagnosed with IDC, HER2+, ER- in Oct 09.  I am 37 yrs old and have no family history.  My tumor is 4 cm and 2 lymoh nodes tested positive.  I am currently undergoing Herceptin and Taxol for 12 weeks (had 3 already), then I'll move on to AC for 8 weeks, then talk surgery.  I have been lucky enough to have no side effects except some fatigue.  No hair loss as of yet.  I have 2 young kids ages 4 & 8. 

I'm looking for someone who has a story similar to mine....What do you ladies think about chemo 1st vs surgery 1st?  Any personal experiences to share?

lexislove

Hi there. I was 30 when I was diagnosed. 32 now. I daughter, she was 2 when I was diagnosed.

I did chemo before surgery too. I had the same chemo drugs as you, only I did the AC first followed by taxol with Herceptin for 1 year. I finished my Herceptin 1 year ago this month. If you need to talk or have questions feel free to PM me.

Sorry you had to be here, but the ladies on the board are wonderful!

Twinmom77

I'm 32 and was diagnosed in June.  I have three year old twin boys.  I had chemo first also - 6 rounds of Taxotere, Carboplatin, and Herceptin, but I only did 5 rounds.  I'll do the Herceptin until sometime next summer and my surgery is scheduled for Dec 8th.  Part of the reason for doing chemo first in my case was that I was a candidate for a lumpectomy if they could shrink the tumor.  Because of where the mass is located it could have caused a sunken in breast if the didn't try shrinking it first.  Luckily it shrunk enough that I should have a pretty normal looking breast.  Otherwise, the said they wanted to make sure that chemo was working on the tumor and obviously they can't do that if they took it out.  Initially, I just wanted the darn thing out but now I'm really glad we did it this way first.  I was able to feel it shrinking with each treatment and that gave me more and more hope each time. 

Hope it all goes well and quickly for you.  Hang in there!

Skpitts

Thanks for sharing your stories.  It's nice to know that others ahve done chemo 1st as well and have good responses.  I have an appt with my onc on Monday and he's going to measure for shrinkage.  I'm hopeful for some good news.

TwinMom--I noticed you live in Akron....I'm on the east side of Cleveland!  I went to KSU, so I am familiar with the area.  Small world....wish we could have "met" under better circumstances. 

Twinmom77

I went to KSU also!  In fact, I'm going back next fall for my masters in Library Science.  I wish we could have met under better circumstances also.  What doc/hospital are you going to if you don't mind me asking?  I started at University Hospital and decided to come closer to home for my Herceptin and rads, so I'm at City Hosp in Akron now.  Hope you have good news on the shrinkage!

LJ13-2

Skpitts, I had AC (4 x 2 wks) followed by Taxol + Herceptin for 12 weeks. The mirror image of your protocol.

Then I had a scan, and surgery. No cancer cells found anywhere. My primary tumor had been 3.1 cm, and a secondary tumor in the nodes was 2.4 cm. Often this type of bc is highly responsive to the exact chemos you are getting, so you have every reason to be hopeful of a great response.

The AC may be a little tougher with side effects, so enjoy the lighter treatments now, and hopefully momentum will carry you through AC.

Skpitts

TwinMom:  I'm going with the Cleveland Clinic for my treatments.  I actually go to the Beachwood office.  I did have good news on the schrinkage yesterday!  My onc said the tumor isn't as "full" and the nodes are harder to find.  What a relief....the chemo regimen is working!  I just made my appt today with a surgeon and plastic surgeon to discuss my options for surgery. 

Ok, I don't mean to sound stupid, but what does rads stand for?  Radiation?

LJ13-I can't believe how similar our stories are!  How long ago were you diagnosed?  I had yet to find someone with a simliar story.  What type of surgery did you end up having?  How long after your treatments ended did you have surgery?  My dr is recommending 3-6 wks after.  I have heard that the AC will be more difficult.  What side effects did you experience with it?  The Taxol/Herceptin aren't bad.  Just cumulative fatigue so far.  Did your Dr give you an explanation as to why you did AC 1st, then Tax and Herceptin?  Just curious....If you don't feel like replying here, you can always private message me, so we can chat more.

amIdoneyet

Diagnosed at 32, with a 7 yr old daughter and 3 yr old son. I presented to PCP with swelling under are, and he had the presence to send me for a breast ultrasound--thank God.

I am doing chemo first due to a clinical trial. 4 -3 week cycles (day 1-gemzar, avastin, taxotere/ day 2- neulasta shot/ day 8- gemzar-- 3rd week off), followed by 4 cycles of AC.

I had my 2nd cycle today and my ONC says my tumor has shrunk by 1/3 and my lymph nodes are no longer palpable!!

lkalo

I am new to the forum.  I am 36 years old and have 3 kids - 6, 4 and 1.  I was diagnosed on Dec. 11th with stage IIIa.  I have a 3 cm tumor in my left breast and my CT scan showed some spots on 3 of my axillary lymph nodes.  I had my first round of TCH last Wednesday.  I will have 5 more rounds (every 3 wks.) with Herceptin only on the off weeks.  Like Twimmom 77, my dr. is hoping to shrink the tumor enough that I will be able to have a lumpectomy when done.  I like doing the chemo first.  It makes me feel like if any tiny cancer cells are anywhere else, they will be killed off.

Off topic - What should I expect with the TCH?

Twinmom77

lkalo, there's a tch thread you might want to check out.  I tried to put a link to it here but it won't work.  I'll pm you with my tch experience.

youngmomof3

Ladies, I am so glad I found this post. I am 36 yrs old, with 3 young kids(7,5 & 14 months) and was diagnosed 12/11/09. Initially I was going to have a lumpectomy but another lump was found so the drs ordered a breast MRI and wanted to do another biopsy. I told my surgeon I wanted a bilateral mastectomy instead b/c I just couldn't handle knowing more and more lumps may appear. Since coordinating with the surgeon and the plastic surgeon was going to take several weeks the drs all agreed that doing chemo first was the best option. I have to admit I was glad they wanted to get moving on some form of treatment but am also nervous about not having my breasts removed asap. After reading all of your posts I am feeling more confident with our decision. I also feel that the chemo will hopefully get any cancer cells that are trying to escape the breast. I will also be on 6 rounds of Taxotere, Carboplatin, and Herceptin will be weekly for the 18 weeks of treatment.

I haven't told my children yet and am dreading doing so. Wanted to know if any of you had any advice on ways to best approach this with them. I don't want to scare them and also need for them to understand that they are going to see changes in me physically and soon since chemo will probably start end of Jan. I hate to put them through this and it is breaking my heart. Please help.

melmcfad

I am 34 diagnosed July 09 with 4 kids (11 yrs, 9 yrs, 4 yrs and 8 months). I have finished Taxol/Herceptin 12 weeks and have finished 4 rounds of 5FU, Epirubicin and Cytoxan. I now have bilat mastectomy scheduled Jan 28 and radiation will follow then will finish up Herceptin to equal 52 treatments. I am checking into reconstruction (delayed and immediate) this week. I never officially told my children what was going on. The olders ones figured out by overhearing conversations, my endless doctor appointments and treatments, and ultimately my hair falling out. The little ones have no clue. I try to make life as normal a possible and, thank you Jesus, I have been tollerating my treatments amazingly well. I still work and play. One thing I've learned about children, is that they adapt soooo well and deal with things as well as parents handle things. So if you are strong for your kids, they will be strong too. My oldest loves to look at my port and feel my bald head which only has "ducky hair" on it. Life has not come to an end for us. Unfortunately this is now part of our life and as my Hot Husband says "We deal with the situation the best we can".

angelsabove

I am 36 years old. You can see my signature below. I am currently on the downhill of treatments. I had double mastectomy on 5/21/2009. They did say lumpectomy could be the choice. OH NO....I said remove the breast. Then the more I thought about it I decided right one should go too. Sometimes people will say ....OH WAS IT IN BOTH....I say nope the right one was just guilty by association. LOL....

I also have three children and no family history...GO FIGURE. I did do the genetic testing and it came back negative. THANK GOD FOR MY 16 year old daughters sake...

I did not do chemo first. I sometimes wonder WHY I did not have that option. Breast surgeon who did the biopsy did not mention it. I do know that they say  if you do chemo first then you can tell if it is working. I just dont know.

I just completed #18 of my 30 radiation treatments today. I did 12 weekly taxol and 4 FAC. Then off to radiation. I have not had reconstruction. I am not sure when or even IF I will. I am so tired of going to the hospital. Going to doctor appointments...JUST WANT TO TAKE A BREAK FOR A WHILE.

I am worried about what happens when treatment is done. I am sure that is when the anxiety will set in. I have NO PILL to take because of the triple negative status. I did tell my Oncologist (just give me a pill....I dont even care if it is a REAL pill, just something that I can take daily so I can feel as though I am doing SOMETHING about it.....

May God Bless ALL OF US and Bless us with GREAT HEALTH!!!!!!!