31 year old IDC 5.9CM

husband001 · May 2009

Hello,

We found out 3/1/09 that my 31 year old fiancée had IDC breast cancer in her left breast. After many test and doctor visits it was determined (because of the placement and size of the tumor) to have a mastectomy followed by trans flap reconstruction. Surgery was about 6 weeks ago and she is basically completed healed up and back to her normal fun loving self (she was mobile the next day, and just about fully functional three days later, new breast looks just like old one).

The pathology report on the tumor could have been better, at the end of the day the:

Tumor was 5.9cm

1 node was positive (two in her chest light up on a PET scan but not during the sentinel node biospity).

HER2+,

ER/PR+.

After meeting with the oncologist they decide on a 18 week cycle (once every 3 weeks) of TCH (taxotere, carboplatin and herceptin) followed by 1 or 2 years of Herceptin would be the beast treatment. After the 18 weeks of TCH, they are also going to give her a round of radiation to mitigate the questionable nodes in her breast followed by hormone therapy for 2 years.

My questions are:

How manageable is this? What are the 5 reoccurance rates? 10 year? 15? 20?

With TCH Chemo, how bad will she feel 10 weeks in? Are the side effects of TCH chemo cumulative or pretty level though the cycle?

How affective is Herceptin in mitigating the HER2+ status?

Thank you for any help you can provide...

lexislove · May 2009

Hi husband...

I was 30 diagnosed with an 8cm tumor, yes 8 cm no nodes. I was Triple + as well..ER+, PR+, HER2+. This cancer is managable. It is very good that she is Er+, she can take anti hormone medication after her treatment.

Being Her2+, she can take Herceptin most likely for 52 weeks/ 1 year. It is very..very effective.This drug is her big gun!!!

Chemo can be difficult at times but it is doable. after about the 3rd chemo, I was starting to feel the sideeffects. Remember, the hardest days are after a chemo infusion. So, maybe day 2-5. then she will feel better for a week or two ect.

Radiation is the most tolerable. Some woman do have skin issues, but most do just fine.

This is the hardest part ..the beginning but you will get through it. I finished radiation 1 year ago next month and will be celebrating my 2 year anniversary in September. Both you and her will get your life back..promise.

Be well..

S.

reen · May 2009

Husband, I agree with lexislove chemo is the hardest. The best thing is to be there for her if you can. After the first chemo you kind of know the routine. My husband knew when to be there and what to do. Believe it or not, it can bring you closer. You already sound like a great guy just by posting for her here.

cyalata · May 2009

I was given the same regimen as your fiance - TCH ev 3 weeks x 6. I finished one month ago and did really well. I went to work every day except on my treatment day because I was there most of the day. I did not get sick at all, just a metal taste in my mouth the first week or so after treatment. After the last 2 treatments I was really tired, so I just relaxed more than normal. I started radiation last week & so far, so good. I feel totally myself again - not tired at all. I finish the year with Herceptin ev. 3 weeks. The Herceptin makes the chance of recurrence significantly less. Even with 1-3 positive nodes, it's still considered early stage. The best thing my husband & friends did was to keep me laughing & for me to keep a positive attitude - they say that's 90% of it! I tried to do everything I did before - going out, etc. I got a great wig 1/2 human hair & 1/2 synthetic - it's so natural I plan on keeping it for bad hair days. My eyelashes thinned alot too & I got the individual false ones - they're the best! Your finance is lucky to have such a caring guy - Good luck!

husband001 · May 2009

Thank you everyone for your posts!

We'll beat this!!

Does anyone know where to find reoccurrence data? I've found some survivability numbers, but they don't seem right to me

QueenK · May 2009

If you are lookig for recurrance rates go somewhere like adjuvantonline.com this site will tell you after you plug in some numbers. It DOES say it is for health professionals only, but many woman do sign up and use it.Just be prepared while looking. A lot of these depend on size, lymph nodes, ER/PR etc.

An 5.9 cm lump is quite large (I am sure you know that) I am glad she is doing well.

StaceyR · May 2009

Also, Lifemath has some calculators.

Annaanne · May 2009

Hi husband:

I had a similiar dx to your fiance -- differences were that my stats were after chemo (which makes my scenario worse) hormone neg, (which is also worse) and I was a lot older (52...which may have made my odds better.) Anyway, that was 4 years ago and I am completely recovered and am now being told that odds are in my court that this won't come back.

I'm also being told that docs are seeing great results from herceptin. The prognosis for her2 breast cancer have really changed. Most internet prognosis stats are outdated.

Good luck

Annaanne

Anonymous · May 2009

I am SO sorry you have to go through this and that your fiancee has breast cancer. However, it's wonderful that you're so supportive of your partner - what a lucky woman! And it sounds like she recovered well from surgery.

Any breast cancer is bad, but it's actually a good thing that she's "triple positive." Even though HER2+ cancers are more aggressive, she has a full range of treatment options available to her. She's young, so I'm sure her doctors will bomb it.

Because the treatment protocols have changed so rapidly for HER2+ cancers, the survival statistics are somewhat out of date. You can find studies out there, but be very very very careful in how you read them. Although we all want to know what's going to happen, and what our "chances" are, it's very easy to scare yourself into paralysis with survival staistics. Please remember that statistics are no more than statistics - mathematical analysis of aggregations of cases. Most epidemiological studies are excellent in this field, but all mathematical models have their limitations and weaknesses - so they're useful in a general sense, but no statistician I know would use a study to predict how a single individual is going to do. You should have a careful conversation with your oncologist about how to interpret studies that have been done on "triple positive" cancers in regards to your fiancee. Then, set it aside and forge ahead with treatment and enjoying your life to the absolute fullest.

There's plenty of evidence that new treatments, taking good care of one's health, eating a low-fat diet, exercising, and reducing stress are all effective in minimizing recurrence. Many women with worse diagnoses do well with treatment and are thriving. She's got a great partner and will thrive with you!

Hope the wedding planning is going well!

jdash · May 2009

husband BIG HUG to you throw away the survivor stats and just live your life together

i have been thru all of it- lost my husband to cancer he was dx 5 months after we married, he passed away at 30 i am a bc survivor stage 3 19 years later... enjoy life

31 year old IDC 5.9CM

Comments

Categories