Falling Apart Today - Need some positive outlook

It's still early on for me too.  But I am happy Herceptin is out there and have read posts by ladies given herceptin for lots of years and doing great.  I won the battle today

Heather, I was recently diagnosed July and have completed 3 chemos so far with 2 herceptins in between.  I too, have the same fear you have but.....I am having chemo before my surgery.  By my exam the oncologust says my tumor has had a total response to the treatment.  He is not able to detect anything but scar tissue.  I tell myself that if it shrunk the tumor , then its getting anything that might have left the barn. 

Most of the info online regarding HER2 is old. Herceptin has only be out of clinical trials for a few years! That means that even though they had Herceptin 10 years ago they didn't know how to administer it. Now they do. But finding long time survivors might be harder since the drug hasn't been used (except in clinical trials) for a long period of time.

I too thought this was a death sentence when first diagnosed because of all the old crap that is posted online. You keep reading "poorer prognosis" without any explaination. Although it puts us at  more risk it is no where near what is was before Herceptin.

Also remember they are finding new drugs all the time. In 10 years we might have a vaccine. Who knows.

Hang in there. We will make it.

 I ran the stats for you in Adjuvent.   For a woman  of 27, ER+, HER2+ with a 4 cm tumor, grade II, if you did no treatment - no chemo, no herceptin and no tamox:

41 out of 100 women are alive in 10 years

58 out of 100 women die due to breast cancer

1 out of 100 women die of other causes

So, you can see, even if you did nothing, you still might be fine.  With chemo and herceptin, your odds go way, way up. 

 That movie was about the making of herceptin - which was tested on women who already had metastatic cancer.  Those women were stage IV to start.  They were going to die but didn't because of herceptin.  You are not stage IV and you have the same chance as any other stage II woman of living a long, normal life.

I'll finish my last herceptin in December.  Can't wait!  

Hi all

I was diagnosed June 2007 with grade 3, IDC and had chemo first followed by herceptin, mastectomy, rads and continued with herceptin until Nov 2008. It's not over 3 years since diagnosis. I was strongly HER2~+++. Just has mastectomy and reconstruction of unaffected side.

xx

i tried to use that adjuvent site but it said that it was for medical professionals...

Hi all. I just finished TCH.. I start radiation in two weeks. it si so discouraging hearing and reading all the poor prognosis for Her2. I try to stay positive. I have twin boys age 9 and I plan to see them grow up! I think hercepton is a wonder drug. My onc does not give out statistics because she says they are all individual. Does anyone have a similar diagnosis to mine? If so, please give some positive words. I am new to here. Thank-you ladies!

I am currently being treated for Her2+ breast cancer with estrogen and progesterone - markers.  My surgeon and oncologist both have told me that it is actually becoming better to BE her2+ because of herceptin. Though it is more aggressive, this new drug works soooo well that this becoming the case.  This made me feel better.  I also have young children.  An 8 year old and a 5 year old.  I really want to see them grow up.  I had 4 of 15 nodes test positive and my largest tumor was 1.6cm.  Yes, that shows you how aggressive this cancer can be to go to four nodes from a relatively small tumor.  I can't figure out how to get my diagnosis to show on the bottom!  I have tried numerous times!  I just finished my first TCH treatement and am on day 11.  I have had no side effects other than no taste buds.  I am not tired, have had no hair loss, no nausea and no vomiting. Hope it's working!  I keep dreaming that the hair is falling out and I even got it cut really short anticipating the hair loss but I am still waiting, waiting, waiting. I am feeling pretty good at the moment.  Would love to hear from other moms with young kids and how you are coping.  I am getting a lot of support from friends and family.  A friend set up an area for me on a lots of helping hands web site and I have friends making dinner for the first week of chemo.  I had no idea what to expect.  My husband is holding up ok but tends to be stressed out a lot. My kids are CRAZY nutcases. I am holding up pretty well but I am scared.  As herceptin has only been around for about five years and possibly less in terms of treatment (not clinical trial), I think you are not going to see as many long term survivors yet.  I have heard that five years ago hearing this diagnosis would have been much more dire. We all have a lot to be thank-ful for as we are benefiting from what others may not have had.

Kathleen1966...to show diagnosis go to my home and then go to diagnosis,and just fill in the questions.Good Luck! Thank God for herceptin !

Hi ladies

I was dxed stage 1 2 1/2 years ago. I have a top Onc here in AZ but also am in the trial for Zometa. My Onc that runs the trial is a genius and is called upon by ONCS all over the country to consult on treatment.

His exact words. "Early Stage Her 2 has the best odds in bc these days and an excellent prognosis". You will see that the longer you are here, the Her2 is the least active thread as Herceptin has been so powerful and now ladies are out living their lives. 

Go back aways and reread through posts from last year and you will see many positive posts.

I know 2 ladies on original trial 8 years out and they were stage 3. 

I would like to hear a positive story from anyone too with HER+++; it was a scary thing. When reoccur, the cancer will spread quickly. Being my tumor is small 0.3cm, my Oncology did not recommend to take Herceptine due to the side effect and being the tumor so small. I had masectomy and local radiation. The don't have study dealing with smaller cancer. Any of you ladies that have similar prognosis.

This is such a helpful discussion.  I was consumed by fear that my cancer would return.  After many, many long walks I finally came to terms with my situation.  My life plan A is that the cancer doesn't return and I keep doing the things I love to do.  Or plan B happens and I begin to pursue the most current treatment for a chronic disease called metastatic breast cancer.  When I thought about what I might wish I had done in the event plan B happens, I really couldn't think of anything. 

Cancer has caused to me to think about what is most important to me and I have rearranged my priorities.  Best wishes to all of you in your quest to come to terms with your situation.

Boo

I saw the movie too, and it made me just very grateful to Dr. Slamon.  I feel like he is saving my life right now (and as I watched the movie, I liked to think that Harry Connick Jr. was saving my life right now, but that is another topic.)

I am about to go in for treatment no. 4 of TCH.  I am having quite a few side effects, but it is temporary and I will survive it.  I don't know that I would survive without it - especially the Herceptin.

Zlota, HER women have such a MUCH BETTER outlook with Herceptin. Many oncs say that HER+ is better than the old standard ER/PR+ HER- folks. Big (((HUGS))) for you. You are in great shape!

hi coolbreeze..i was referring to the agreement button (or whatever you call it) on the website that said 'i am a medical professional'.  then of course the questions they ask you when you sign up, like what kind of dr you are, etc.  LOL     i'll have to head over and sign up for it.  Thanks for the clarification!

~M