ER+ PR+ HER2+

Kricket

Hi everyone,

I was diagnosed on 4/29 with IDC grade 1. Yesterday, I finally learned my biomarkers and was told I'm part of a 1% group. With all positive. Thankfully, on the HER2+, my ki67 is low(10%) and my lymph nodes are clear. I have decided on double mastectomy w/reconstruction and will probably need chemo after that. Instead of doing chemo before surgery. 2 reasons, I don't need the tumor to shrink to have a lumpectomy (I've decided on bi-lat mx) and also I want to be healthy and feeling well when I have the surgery. This has been a tough 2 months waiting. I've learned quite a lot, but am still a newbie with all the terms and what they mean.. Please let me know what to expect in the immediate days after my surgery.

debiann

Sorry you are here Kricket. If you are getting both Herceptin and Perjeta, neo-adjunctive (before surgery) chemo may be recommended to see how much the tumor shrinks, which suggests how effective the chemo has been for you. If they remove the tumor first, they don't really know if the chemo is working. There is a thread on here with lots of gals getting neoadjunctive TCPH and it is melting their tumors away. 

Good luck!

VioletKali

Hi Kricket!

I am Cari, and it was this time last year that I was in the process to get my diagnosis. I am Er+, PR+ and Her2+. I am 32, no fam history, and I chose to have a bilateral nipple sparing MX with reconstruction.

The worst part of the MX for me was the drains which are used to prevent fluid build up. They require upkeep, and I had to hide them in a special camisole. My pain was well controlled, so that was not a difficult part after the surgery.

Anonymous

HI everyone- sorry that you are here as well. I was diagnosed 3/27 with stage 1 IDC also. My tumor was not seen on mammogram in January, but palpated in February. Needle biopsy showed I was triple positive, the tumor measured 1.1 cm. My surgeon gave me the option of a lumpectomy vs. mastectomy, while gently steering me towards a lumpectomy as she felt confident she could get clean margins. She provided reassurance that we could always do a mastectomy "down the road" if she didn't get clean margins, or if I was too anxious about recurrence. The thinking of my team is that a lumpectomy with clean margins followed by treatment is just as effective as a mastectomy. It was a difficult decision (I hate that there are so many decisions for us to make on this road). Ultimately I chose the lumpectomy, and clean margins were achieved. In making the decision, it was important to me to know that a lumpectomy would be scheduled sooner and also allow me to start treatment with chemo sooner. I also knew I had the option of a mastectomy, but didn't have to commit to it immediately, but that she left that door open to me as a future option. My lumpectomy was 4 weeks ago. Everything went very well, I took 3 days off from work and was able to return. Pain was minimal, swelling and bruising is almost resolved now. I start chemo tomorrow. (Herceptin and Taxol).

Lumpectomy vs. Mastectomy is a very difficult decision. I had my doubts even in the initial days following my surgery, but now feel confident that I made the right decision at this time. I have healed and am ready to move on. Chances are good that I will not need further surgery and it helps to keep my optimism up. My surgeon explained that, for some women, the anxiety of recurrence plays a strong role in choosing mastectomy. She also said that doing a mastectomy does not always relieve the anxiety and there are other ways to treat anxiety. That makes sense to me now. I don't feel as anxious about not doing the mastectomy.

I wish you all the best with your surgery and treatment. Triple positive is an unusual place to be, I hope we can keep this thread going and share our experiences.

Kricket

Thank you ladies for your responses. I've decided not to have chemo before surgery. My Her2+ has two markers that are low...my ki67 and no lymph nodes are showing cancerous. I turned 60 this year and have had 5 needle biopsies through the years in numerous spots on both breasts, I've had two benign cysts removed from my right breast. This is why I've decided to have a bi-lat mx. I would like peace of mind. I will probably need chemo after surgery, but I would prefer the surgery first.. I'm feeling good, I'm healthy and the weather is nice outside, which I feel all this will help with my recovery. Now, I just need to learn what the first few weeks after mx will be like.

LizA17

I'm just speaking for myself. I had BMX in Dec 2012. My surgery & recovery was a breeze. No real pain. The drains were a nuisance but did not hurt. They serve a purpose and that is to remove fluid. I didn't do alot the first week but every day was better. As with any major surgery you need to pace yourself and follow Dr.'s orders. Good luck, hugs & prayers.

Kricket

Thank you LizA17!