Soooo, I'm new around here...

Hi Minky,

Sorry to hear of your dx.  What's your treatment plan - or do you have one in place yet - Given your age and HER2 status, I assume chemo+Herceptin, what type of surgery are you considering?  You'll get great care at SK!

I was dx 2 years ago - did uni-mastectomy + recon, TCHx6, and a year of Herceptin.  I was 8 months after the last herceptin, and on tamoxifen, when I had a localized recurrence to the mastecomy breast.  Now I'm facing 35 radiation treatments and another year of Herceptin - but at least it looks like no distant recurrence!

good luck with treatments and hope you get lots of support here!

minky - hello and welcome, sorry you find yourself here.  About your question regarding the pec ratio -basically, everything I found indicated that the ratio does not matter - as my BS says "positive is positive" - if you had an unclear result with your initial Her2 testing, they would do an IHC, which gives the number of +'s.  If you are Her2+ you will likely be advised to receive Herceptin, along with chemo, so the degree of positivity is not material.  I would consent to the BRCA testing.  I am adopted, so I had blood drawn on the day I was diagnosed to determine my status.  At that time I was considering a lumpectomy, a positive BRCA result would have changed that to BMX.  Even though I was negative I ended up doing a BMX anyway - I too have always been cystic and could not live with waiting for the other shoe to drop.  Once I made that decision I was actually more relaxed.  It was the right choice as post-op pathology showed IDC and DCIS on the right and ADH and ALH on the left.  I had already had a complete hysterectomy 10 years earlier, so didn't need to worry about that part even if I was BRCA positive. Glad you are ready to kick some $%* - that is the right attitude! Once you find out what regimen is recommended join a thread here that matches up - it is nice to have those ladies to consult with on specific questions. I also joined a group that began chemo in the same month - we were each other's best cheerleaders.  Several recommendations when you go to SK for your consult -  ask about any programs they have for young patients like yourself that want to have children after treatment, they may advise you regarding egg storage or fertility treatment, not sure.  Also, have arm measurements taken prior to surgery.  This is for later comparison should you develop any swelling/lymphedema problems down the road.  Anyone having surgery involving lymph nodes, either a sentinel node biopsy or complete axillary node dissection, is at risk for this.  Many surgeons don't do the "before" measurements so if you were to have swelling later, it can be problematic to document.  Treatment for that requires referrals, and sometimes prescriptions, so it is good to be prepared.  If you have questions, ask away.  Best to you! 

minky - you are welcome.  Again, if you think of anything post it here or PM me.