Stage 1a ER+ PR+ HER2- Grade 3 Chemo Question

ThereIsHope

I had a BLM on 1/5/10. BRCA negative and am high risk due to family history.  I am preparing to get the OncoTypeDX test.  I know that hormone therapy is in my future, but just curious if anyone who has my diagnosis has received chemo as well.  The funny thing about my biopsy at surgery was that it showed lymph node positive, but when the lab tests came back a few days later, the lymph node was clear!  Praise God!  I am so happy about that, but as days go by I am realizing that this will never come to closure.  Today's concern is the possibility of chemo.  Any thoughts?  Thank you!

u32374

My diagnosis was the same as yours but grade 1IDC.  My oncotype testing score was 25 and I went through 6 rounds of T/C chemo this past summer.  I had no family history of breast cancer and did not do the genetic marker tests.  Both my Onco Dr and I thought the chemo was the way to go to do everything I could to fight the disease. 

I joined the June 09 chemo thread on this site and went through treatments with others experiencing chemo at that same time.  The thread is like a lifeline, everyone shares and supports each other. You can just read want we post or participate through questions or sharing treatment stories.  I won't lie chemo can be tough but we all get through it and I found it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. 

I did have a few SE's but all were manageable with additional medicine.  I am glad I did the chemo and would do it again if I had to. I fell it not only helped fight the cancer but also gave me peace of mind which really helped my heightened anxiety levels through this journey.

If you do chemo there is a thread on this site that will tell you how to prepare and what to buy.  Make sure to take the preventive over the counter med's as recommended.  My Dr. and nurse didn't tell me to take what this site recommends and I really am grateful I knew I needed the additional med's to help the SE's.

ThereIsHope

Thanks for all the valuable information.  I sign my papers tomorrow for the test and will let you know the score in a couple of weeks.  My 2 yr. old granddaughter calls her "boobies" her "poopies."  We get such a laugh out of that.  So, her grannie has lost her poopies and is getting used to being flat-chested.  My daughter, who is a tiny little thing, says that she and I now look more alike!  Flat chested!  We can find humor in just about any circumstance if we try hard enough in our family.  I am thankful to have found this site.  One that I had been looking at wasn't as large or as organized.  I was so pleased to find a thread of similar diagnosis as mine.  Very comforting to know it is here!  God Bless Us One and All!

Ado

Could someone please explain whether being HER2 means my cancer is graded higher ? I have been diagnosed with grade 1 BC with microscopic amount in one node  and HER2 positive. I had a mastectomy three weeks ago and will be undergoing chemo in two weeks and then Herceptin for a year with Tamoxifen. I've tried looking this up but the grades and staging are really confusing me. My oncologist seemed to suggest that if I wanted to I could just go onto Tamoxifen and avoid chemo and Herceptin alltogether. Has anyone else had the same experience?. I'm too frightened to take that course . Any help appreciated.

acgw

Ado,

You may want to check out the forums devoted to Her2 positive BC.  Tamoxifen is generally used with ER+ and PR+ breast cancers. Her2 positive cancers don't respond to tamoxifen. Her2 BC is often a more aggressive form of BC. Herceptin greatly improves the longevity of women with Her2 positive cancers. I would also suggest that you bring a family member or friend to your next doctor appointment so that they can help you ask the right questions and get the best care.

Namaste

ThereIsHope

OK, my Oncotype score is 18 which is in that gray/intermediate range of uncertainty.  I have decided to have chemo anyway.  I am determined to fight this with as much "punch" as possible.  I have a strong family history of BC.  My mother died of ovarian cancer 15 years AFTER she had breast cancer.  She also had oral cancer.  My maternal aunt, paternal aunt, paternal grandmother and maternal grandfather all had cancer.  My BS agrees with my decision and is referring me to the oncologist that I have chosen.  I don't want to take any chances and don't want to look back and wish I had done this.  I am otherwise healthy and am recovering nicely from my Bi-Lateral MX.  I'm sorry this entry is all full of "I's" ... I am not usually so self centered.  IS THERE ANYONE ELSE OUT THERE WHO HAS MADE THE SAME DECISION WITH SIMILAR DIAGNOSIS?  Thanks for listening!  Karen

CurlyGirlNY

I have a very similar dx and my Onc score was 19. The Dr explained the chemo would lower the  chances of recurrence. I am having low dose CMF chemo, 8 rounds and will have 28 radiation sessions because I had a lumpectomy instead of masectomy. I also will be taking tamoxifen at some point. So far, I completed 5 of the 8. It's doable. Just think positive! I hope it all goes well!

chasinghope

bump!