Thread I started for HER2 Stage III'ers

PlantLover

Much like the wonderful thread SherriG started for Stage III'ers to check in if you're 5+ years out, I started a thread on the HER2 board for those diagnosed with Stage III HER2 breast cancer.  I thought it best to change from 5 years to 2 years.

In order to increase visibility I thought I'd post about it in this forum as well.  Here's the link ...

http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/80/topic/778055?page=1#idx_3

I believe the statistic is only 1 in 4 breast cancers are HER2.  Limiting the "check in" to Stage III'res will, I'm sure, also limit the number of posts.  Still, I sure hope there are some in the coming days. 

MEG54

I wasn't HER2 myself but work with a lady who was stage IIIB, HER2 positive, who is now EIGHT years out and in perfect health...

PlantLover

Thank you for sharing that Meg.

RebzAmy

HI ladies I was HER2+ and diagnosed in June 2007 now 4 1/2 years ago.....

slousha

Hi Her2Stage III-ers,

These days passed by two years from my pathological report. I have had lumpectomy, 6 cycles of Taxotere, 30 rads, and I'm 20 months on Femara. Sometimes I've had hard times, cancer is still every day in my mind, and I'm seeing many ladies following the same proceeding...

Wishing all of us the best for the future!

Usha from Europe

Rachel1

I have a friend who is HER2+ and 10 years out. She's doing great and never thinks about cancer. I just love her!! Whenever I start to worry about mets or recurrence -- she calmly tells me, just don't go down that road.

Rachel 

lizzyanne

Diagnosed in March 2010, so not 2 years out yet. Finished my treatments in August 2011and had my reconstruction in July 2011. Port was removed in Sept. I am finally starting to feel like my old self. Still dealing with a drippy nose from the herceptin and some neuropathy in my feet due to the taxol. Was hoping to be done with the neuropathy but oh well..

Keep positive ladies... 

geewhiz

Yay, I finally made a milestone on here!! Woohoo!! I am 2 years out and doing well. I sure need to stay off these boards a bit more and google. I think too much info is bad for me! I am constantly freaking myself out.

I juice, meditate, run, kickbox, swim, bike and am now vegan, with about 80% organic.I try not to sweat the small stuff! 

Rainess13171

Hi fellow HER2'ers. My name is Michele.  I was diagnosed in July of this year.  Just finished chemo.  HALLELUJAH.  Next step on the cancer tour is surgery on December 8.  Then radiation, then reconstruction, and of course Herceptin for a year.  First of all, positive energy and prayers to all of you.  Second, I was wondering if any of you have had heart issues from Herceptin? 

 Live, laugh, love.

slousha

HI rainess13171,

I finished 17 rounds of Herceptin (the first six with chemo), have had checkup for three times  -, all OK.

Best wishes

Usha from Europe

Annaanne

Hi all!  I hardly ever log on anymore, but am a stage 3er, her pos, hormone neg, super aggressive pathology.  That was 6 and half years ago and I'm doing great.   Sherri's right.  There are many of us.

Take care all.

Annaanne 

antonia1

Hi Michele, I have been getting Herceptin since February, first with Taxol 12 weekly treatments and then every 3 weeks.    So far,  no problems with heart.  You will be fine, as well.

antonia1

Thanks for posting Annaanne. You, and ladies like you, keep my hope alive, especially now when in addition to dealing with my cancer I must find strength to care for and support my Husband, who was diagnosed with a very aggressive cancer 3 months ago.

Stay well and healthy, Annaanne, and visit us here from time to time to lift our spirits.

PlantLover

If you are Stage III or know someone that is Stage III & HER2+ and are two or more years out, please consider posting on the thread I started on the HER2 forum.  The thread is still on the 1st page in that forum or you can click on the link in my original post in this thread.

Thanks & great stories!

kathleen1966

Hello, I am not a long termer, but will mention the woman at my oncologist office.  Her2+, hormone negative, 25 positive lymph nodes, yes 25! and going on ten years now free of cancer! 

janincanada

I haven't been on the boards for quite a while.  Back to work, re-married, planning my daughter's wedding so......little time.  I am 3.5 years out. I've finished my recon and now only see my onc. once evewry 6 months.  My cancer was very aggressive too.  I eat well, lots of veggies (working my way to vegetarian), exercise a lot.  Not as much as when I was off, but at least ten hours a week.  

Neuropathy is still with me unfortunately, but I have responded well to Lyrica so it is usually quite manageable. 

SharonMH

Hi  janincanada   SharonH here  I am Stage  llla but I am HER-  Hope you all do not mind if I ask a question? I would like to know about  using Lyrica for neuropathy. Toes and fingers are so numb. I was in a walking boot for 3 months because I rolled the foot because I could not feel it. Is Lyrica OTC or a scrip? Congrats on your daughters wedding.I

Anonymous

Hi Usha,

There is some information that I have been introduced to from a very dear holy friend that will take the worry away for good...Praise God for that!  Please email me if you would like for me to send it to you.  God Bless!  Casey    casey7hall@yahoo.com

janincanada

Here in Canada is it a script.  It works pretty well for me.  On a normal day I take it in the morning only.....on a bad day I take one at dinner.  The downside of taking one at dinner is that for me anyway it really causes drowsiness.  So....pill or a drink; can't do both.  It has been a miracle drug.  I had so much paiin in my feet that walking was torture.  Lyrica has allowed me to exercise (racketsports and yoga) and go back to teaching. On the odd bad day I scoot around my classroom on a rolling stool.  However, heels are out for full day wear which is a shame as I have a lot of heels.

janincanada

Today, I just got baclk from having a CAT scan.  My last pelvic and abdominal ultrasound showed something and I am having symptoms.  All of you please, cross you fingers and toes or pray if you are so inclined that it is my Gallbladder. Gallbladder is by far the best outcome I can hope for.

SharonMH

Hi,  Wishing you the best on your CAT scan. My prayers are with you.  SharonH

kim40

Hi All 

Stage 3 - Her2 positive gal here.  I will be 3 years out in January

TonLee

Just a year out, had to stop Herceptin in the 9th month because it damaged my heart.  But, I find out next week if my heart has bumped up enough to take the last 3..

Two years seems like a loooong time.  lol

Aim4th

me,me,me, I am HER2+++ and 3 years out, its been a roller coaster ride, but still here, keep hope alive and fight like hell.... it really does get better and I never thought I would say that

missy_111

Aim4th -    AWESOME!!!!!

Kay_G

WooHoo! Congrats aim4th!

Leslie1962

Stage IIIC with lots of nodes. Doing very well two years out.

PlantLover

Nice that you guys have posted here but if you get time, please consider posting to this thead ...

http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/80/topic/778055?page=1#idx_3 

If you just don't want to, that's cool too.

My hope is we're all around to post many years from now.

Annaanne

Antonia1:

I just happened to log on and saw your post.  I'm sending the best strong healthy thoughts to you and your husband.  I hope you are both getting through treatment and looking forward to full recovery.

Best

Annaanne 

janincanada

I'm three and a half years out and still cancer free.  My scans came back clear.  The thing that had everyone in tizzy was a xx can't xxxxx remember the name but it is basically a birthmark on the inside of my right kidney.  So.....almost a month of worry to find out I have a birthmark. The birthmark doesn't explain the symptoms though so, I still have gallbladder disease.  That is mmuch easier to deal with.

TonLee

So are there any other Stage 3ers out there whose Docs refuse to give them a PET scan?  Or CT?  Or any other scan to determine mets?