Any Er-, Pr- Her2 pos....with lymph nodes

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KitCat1
KitCat1 Member Posts: 53
edited January 2015 in HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer

Hello all,

I am new to this site and would like to connect with others who have similar diagnosis. i am ER-, Pr- Her 2 positive with 1 lymph node involved out of 16. It was a big lymph node though, 2cm. I had mastectomy of the right breast, just fiished TCH,every 3 weeks times 6 starting rads next week times 25, and continuing on Hercepton for a year. Anyone simliar to me, please to chime in. I would like to hear some positive stories! I am so sick of the internet and all of its poor prognosis for this type of cancer.

Thanks Cathy

Thanks Cathy

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  • lkc
    lkc Member Posts: 1,203
    edited October 2010

    Hi Cathy.

    I am out 5yrs 6mos from er pr neg, her pos , 12 Positive nodes DX and doing great, There are many of us out there. The reality is that the research on line  shows old stats; not reflective of  Herceptin tx for non met BC(Herceptin was initially only used on metastatic case.) I went on it in 2005 when it was just appproved for non mets. It's  use has totally improved us HER2 girls.

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  • KitCat1
    KitCat1 Member Posts: 53
    edited October 2010

    Hi Linda,

    Thank-you for your response. That is great news and congrats on you being 5yrs and more out! I know there is so much hope. I get so scared sometimes when I read other stories and stats.. I know Hercepton has changed the whole outlook on Her2. I have twin boys age 9. I love them so and I get so scared about the future and unknown. I am staying positive and moving forward. Stories like yours are very encouraging and it gives us all hope. Thank-you! I needed to hear some positive input. I just finished my 6 rounds of TCH. 3 weeks ago YAY!!!.... it was doable and am now starting rads and reamaining on Hercepton for a year. I hope as time goes on the worry will fade!

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  • KitCat1
    KitCat1 Member Posts: 53
    edited October 2010

    Hi Linda,

    Thank-you for your response. That is great news and congrats on you being 5yrs and more out! I know there is so much hope. I get so scared sometimes when I read other stories and stats.. I know Hercepton has changed the whole outlook on Her2. I have twin boys age 9. I love them so and I get so scared about the future and unknown. I am staying positive and moving forward. Stories like yours are very encouraging and it gives us all hope. Thank-you! I needed to hear some positive input. I just finished my 6 rounds of TCH. 3 weeks ago YAY!!!.... it was doable and am now starting rads and reamaining on Hercepton for a year. I hope as time goes on the worry will fade!

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  • KitCat1
    KitCat1 Member Posts: 53
    edited October 2010

    Hi Linda,

    Thank-you for your response. That is great news and congrats on you being 5yrs and more out! I know there is so much hope. I get so scared sometimes when I read other stories and stats.. I know Hercepton has changed the whole outlook on Her2. I have twin boys age 9. I love them so and I get so scared about the future and unknown. I am staying positive and moving forward. Stories like yours are very encouraging and it gives us all hope. Thank-you! I needed to hear some positive input. I just finished my 6 rounds of TCH. 3 weeks ago YAY!!!.... it was doable and am now starting rads and reamaining on Hercepton for a year. I hope as time goes on the worry will fade!

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  • djfrro
    djfrro Member Posts: 71
    edited October 2010

    pretty much the same here,  only I just started chemo.  had my first treatment of TCH on Wed.  I did pretty well with it and am hoping it is an indication of what is to come.  all of my Dr's say that my prognoses is really good with treatment.  (like I would not get treatment)  this is my second go around with breast cancer, had a completely different cancer 12 years ago in the other breast.  Cancer sucks

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  • imatthew
    imatthew Member Posts: 206
    edited October 2010

    KitCat1: my wife has a similar diagnosis (see signature), she will have a mastectomy & DIEP next Friday, then we'll see what happens next based on the pathology report.  I'm curious why with 1 node involved they recommended radiation.  Both our PS and primary surgeon told us that based on my wife's initial diagnosis, the likelihood of needing rads was very small.  We've heard that under 4 CM and less than 4 nodes usually means no rads.

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  • Birds
    Birds Member Posts: 67
    edited September 2011

    I had a partial masectomy, had to have a second surgery to get clear margins.  Had TCH and then Rads.  My surgeon told me Surgery and Rads were required to get rid of the cancer and chemo was the "Insurance" in case any tiny undetected cancer cells were anywhere in my body.  I only have two more Herceptin infusions and then I get to have my port removed.  Herceptin was easy, and rads wasn't bad at all.

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  • KitCat1
    KitCat1 Member Posts: 53
    edited October 2010

    Hi  Imatthew,

    I have finished my chemo and am doing Hercepton continually for a year. Since my lymph node was large it is a reassurance to have radiation  and is recommended by radiologist. They do aim direclty on where the breast was and  chest and it is just a added "Bang" at any cancer that 'May" still be there, It also brings the chance of reccurance down on that breast... by abit... but I'll do whatever I can to make sure this beast doesn't come back. if your wife had a large lymph node she should get rad.. I'd get them no matter what the size. Chemo for me was very doable...gald it's done though and Hercepton and rads should be a breeze. Good luck to your wife, she will be fine and any other questions please ask. Thanks everyone for your input! xox

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  • Birds
    Birds Member Posts: 67
    edited September 2011

    Would you mind telling what your Dr said about chance of recurrence?  I am also er-/pr-/her2+ and won't see my onc for a couple of months to ask.  My largest tumor was 1.5cm with some tiny smaller ones and no +lymp nodes.   Partial masectomy, TCH and Rad. 

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  • RebzAmy
    RebzAmy Member Posts: 322
    edited October 2010

    Hi Kit kat and other ladies

    I was diagnosed June 2007 had 3 x FEC 3 x Taxotere a year of herceptin, mastectomy, 3 weeks of rads. I had a 5cm lump with one large lymph node plus others involved. So far so good!

    hope this helps

    x

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  • KitCat1
    KitCat1 Member Posts: 53
    edited October 2010

    Hi psceer,

    My docs and oncs do not believe in statistics and say that every patient is different. I never did get a lclear answer on it.All the recurrance boards do not include HER2.  Afew people who I have met on this journey say don't get caught up on STATS... that's just what  they are. My onc said that some cases look great on paper and boom the outcome is not good and others with poorer prognosis end up doing great. there is no rhyme or reason and this cancer ....it plays  by no rules. I will look at it like I have done all necessry steps and i will continue to be positive and try not to get so caught up on stats and recuurance... we are all so different! Lots of love xox

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  • KitCat1
    KitCat1 Member Posts: 53
    edited October 2010

    Hi rbzamy!

    Thank-you for that post! It means alot to see and hear positive stories! XOX

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  • billiegirl
    billiegirl Member Posts: 85
    edited October 2010
    I was ER-, PR-, HER2+ with 30+ positive nodes. Cancer was in tissue out side of nodes & matted. I am 6 years out.Wink
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  • billiegirl
    billiegirl Member Posts: 85
    edited October 2010
    I was ER-, PR-, HER2+ with 30+ positive nodes. Cancer was in tissue out side of nodes & matted. I am 6 years out.Wink
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  • jdootoo
    jdootoo Member Posts: 253
    edited October 2010

    Hey there! I am er- pr- her2+ with 6/7 nodes, plus a few more found in PET scan. I have 2 more weeks of rads, then I stay on Herceptin until April, 2011. KitCat: I think of myself as lucky to be her+ because Herceptin is such a miracle drug -- keep reminding yourself of that! 

    billiegirl: Congratulations on 6 years! 

    One love, Jackie 

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  • KitCat1
    KitCat1 Member Posts: 53
    edited October 2010

    jdootoo and billiegirl,

    It is so great to hear some stories with stats that are similar to mine.Congrats on the 6 years Billiegirl. I do strongly beleive that Hercepton has changed the outlook and believe it is a miracle drug! I hope and pray that we have tons and tons of happy cancer free years ahead! Thanks for your input ladies! Big Hugs xox

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  • thedaycasa
    thedaycasa Member Posts: 2
    edited October 2010

    9 year survivor since diagnosed and fastly approaching 10!  Her+,stage 3,ER/PR neg.  6/13 lymph positive......Thank you HERCEPTIN!!

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  • maryannecb
    maryannecb Member Posts: 1,453
    edited October 2010

    Add me to the list..just celebrated 5 years NED!

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  • deenah
    deenah Member Posts: 178
    edited October 2010

    This thread just made my day!  I did chemo first, and now am in the process of getting multiple opinions as far as what to do after rads (tomorrow we are seeing docs at Stanford).  When my surgery path report came back (I did 4 DD A/C and 4 DD T/w Herceptin, then bmx), my original tumor had shrunk from 7cm to 3.2cm, but I still had 18 positive nodes out of 51 removed, and they found cancer in the tissue outside the nodes.  That was after the chemo, so I am really scared.  But, I am still banking on Herceptin.  I may have to add something like Tykerb to it, but I have to believe it's going to work! 

    I am actually having a consultation with Dr. Slamon at UCLA next month and plan to shake his hand (maybe hug him) and say THANK YOU for pushing so hard to get Herceptin approved for all of us.

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  • Estepp
    Estepp Member Posts: 6,416
    edited October 2010

    COOL DEENAH !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Tell him we ALL thank him... AWESOME!

    I am 2 1/2 yrs out... MANY brain/body MRI/CT scans later... with NODES... I am all clear!

    Have the faith sister!!! YOU ARE GOING TO DO IT !

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited October 2010

    Similar diagnosis - only 2 nodes involved out of 30 BUT those 2 were microscopic in size.  Had Bmx and it was my understanding that no rads if had a bmx.  I had 4 TCH & 4 more Herceptin to go.  Has been a eye opening experience.  Biggest problem I'm having now is lymph fluid problems in underarm, shoulder, and the worst is chest wall edema.  Had single stage implants at time of Bmx and think that was a mistake but BS can't tell me if having the implants removed will help or not.  Also, now I find I am taking a look at all the products I use or come in contact with as I'm just wondering where does it come from, what common denominator do we share 

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  • KitCat1
    KitCat1 Member Posts: 53
    edited October 2010

    Congrats thedaycasa on NIne years! Maryanne congrats and Five!! Aestep YES WE are going to beat this!! YA YA !! Deena plaese hug Dr. Slamon from all of us! I am from Canada and it is pour Tahnksgiving to-day! I have lots to be thankful for! Dr. Slamon, Hercepton and meeting all of you wonderful inspirational ladies!! Hugs to all of you! We will beat and defeat !!! XOXOX

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  • Boo307
    Boo307 Member Posts: 222
    edited October 2010

    pscheer1,

    Ask your oncologist for a print out of your prognosis on Adjuvant! Online.  It gives a rough idea of the chance of recurrence, but I don't believe it includes the data yet on Herceptin impact for us.  The numbers are rough, but I am a numbers person and like to at least get an idea of where I stand.

    I took comfort in the huge benefit I received from chemo as shown in my chances pre and post treatmetn.  Without the Herceptin impact it is very incomplete, but it is what it is.

    Boo

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  • CherylQ
    CherylQ Member Posts: 117
    edited October 2010

    I had 8/14 postive nodes with ER-, PR- Her2+.  With Herceptin your outcomes should be good.  Don't ask stats, they are always 3 to 5 years between the launch of a drug.  I should know since I work in the Medical side of Pharma.  A positive attitude helps with friends and family support.  Herceptin is a life-saver for us HER2+ women!!!

    Keep trucking,

    Peace and laughter,

    Cheryl

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  • TammyLou
    TammyLou Member Posts: 740
    edited October 2010

    Similar to Billie.

    Smile

    tl

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  • cat60
    cat60 Member Posts: 61
    edited October 2010

    I am ER-/PR-, Her2 +++..1 node out of 26 positive..Did A/C 4 rounds/Masectomy/12 weeks of Taxol/Herceptin, then 28x radiation, now only Herceptin until end of January. ..When I first starting reading about my Breast Cancer Type, it sure did scare me.  I feel confident in my treatment plan that my oncologist chose , there are no guarantees in life .  Hard to believe this year has flown by, seems like a blur really.  I know we are so lucky to have herceptin and now Tykerb if we need it down the road....

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  • nagem
    nagem Member Posts: 353
    edited October 2010

    I'm five years out from diagnosis and feel totally fine.

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  • KitCat1
    KitCat1 Member Posts: 53
    edited October 2010

    Thanks for all the positive encouraging stories ladies!  When I'm down and not having a good day, I read them and am iinstantly  on my feet and back  to positive thinking and happiness! Love to all!

    Cathy xox

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  • CherylQ
    CherylQ Member Posts: 117
    edited October 2010

    I love these positive posts from all of the survivors.  Thank you ladies!!! And gentleman!!

    Peace and laughter,

    Cheryl

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  • Joanie123
    Joanie123 Member Posts: 1
    edited November 2012

    This is what I was told also.  I had a lumpectomy on January 4, 2011 which showed invasive ductal carcinoma 4.5cm grade 3. Nuclear grade 3, with 17 lymphnodes involved, one very large.  I began chemo on March 12th, every three weeks, then in July, 12 cyles of taxol and Herceptin every week. On November 16th had a double mastectomy.   Path report is clear.  But I have another 7 monthe of Herceptin and will begin radiation soon because of the lymph node cancer.   I am hoping to overcome this and praying for everyone who is dealing with cancer.  My breast oncologist said that everyone is different as far as prognosis is concerned.

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