ER+, PR+, HER2NEU+, 3+

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gboehringer
gboehringer Member Posts: 1
edited June 2014 in Stage I Breast Cancer

I would love some feed back from ladies who have the same type of cancer. 5 weeks ago I had a double mastectomy, negative nodes, immediate reconstruction has began.  Told my oncologist today I've decides against Tamoxifen because of side effects and I don't believe the pros out weigh the cons.  She was 95% sure I would not need chemo because they caught my cancer so early so the previos appointment she had a DNA test ran on the cancer cells.  She says today...the sample was so small we were not able to get any concrete info.  I told her I'd like to take my chances with getting healthy the old fashioned way such as...lose weight, excercise, eat right, (more fruits and veggies) and possibly hire a nutritionist.  I think she thinks I'm nuts... 

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  • navygirl
    navygirl Member Posts: 886
    edited May 2010

    Before I respond, remember that everyone has their own opinion but in the end, you must do what you feel is right for you. That being said; at the very least I would recommend you do the herceptin. Being HER2+ at a 3+ is not something to fool around with, even if you did have a double mastectomy. Now, as for the hormonal part, I refused Tamoxifen as well for a variety of health reasons. I did agree to an oopharectomy (or however you spell it, took my ovaries out) and tried Arimidex. The Arimidex was horrific for me, and I quite after 6 1/2 months.  I am now getting ready to try femara. Hopefully that will go better for me. I understand your doc may think your nuts, but what she thinks about your sanity is neither here nor there. We have to weigh all the options and then do what we feel in our hearts is right for us. If that means no hormonal, then that's fine. There are no guarantee's no matter what you do. Best wishes for you in making the decision.

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  • o2bhealthy
    o2bhealthy Member Posts: 2,101
    edited May 2010

    I agree with navygirl...talk to your onc about Herceptin for the HER2+.  When I was dx'd and discovered I was HER2+  I did not even question chemo and Herceptin. I did how ever had huge concerns with the Rads and Tamoxifen (decided against rads but opt'd to try Tamoxifen, so far SE's on Tamox are very mild so will stay on unless something changes).  My onc said that if I wasn't HER2+ then she would have felt ok with bmx only but that HER2 to an aggressive bugger and I did not want to take any chances.   That being said, you have to decide what is best for you.  Wishing you peace with whatever your decision may be.

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