DCIS, invasive thoughts???

Kim, I'm no doctor but because of the lymphnode involvement all be it minor, I would not take chances and do as your onc is suggesting and go for the chemo.  I wish you well in your decision.

Love n hugs.  Chrissy

The problem with BC is it's so sneaky!  Your onc is right to tell you that this year will indeed suck but it would suck more if you did nothing and it came back sometime down the road.  This way you can say you have done everything possible to safe guard yourself.   Good luck with your first chemo and remember, that all drugs give side effects but you don't have to put up with them, tell your onc or onc nurse and they will give you something to alleviate the SE's.

There should be a thread that is for November chemo, perhaps you might like to join there as the girls will be going through the same thing as yourself and you can compare notes so to speak and continue to support each other through this time.

Love n hugs.  Chrissy

Hi, Kim... Let me give you some random thoughts about your situation...   First, I think you would really benefit from a second opinion on your pathology.  The "DCIS only" dx doesn't square with the micromets in your node.  

Secondly, while your BS may have a sound opinion, it's normally not up to a BS to make the call on whether or not we need chemo, anymore than it's up to an oncologist to do surgery.  

The fact that you had bc cells in your node -- even micromets -- with an Her+++ bc doesn't leave any room for the wrong judgment call here.  Your bc obviously knows how to travel, and if I was in your situation or you were my daughter, I would want input from more than one oncologist re. what's best -- and preferably oncologists who have a lot of experience with Her+++ bc.

If you are within a few hours of an NCI-designated cancer center, I would really urge you to get a second opinion on both your pathology and the possible need for chemo.  Here's a list of those top, very experienced facilities.    

http://cancercenters.cancer.gov/cancer_centers/map-cancer-centers.html

If there isn't one within a reasonable drive of where you live, call the closest one and see if they can recommend an oncologist in your area.   

(((Hugs))), and please keep us posted on your situation!   Deanna 

Kim,

Was the HER2+ status based on an assessment of the DCIS cells in your breast, or was the micromets in your node checked for HER2 status?  As xtine mentioned, HER2 status can change - DCIS is often HER2+ but IDC is HER2+ much less often and within a single diagnosis, the status can be different between the DCIS and IDC components - so finding out the HER2 status of the cancer in your node is very important.  

I agree that a 2nd opinion is in order from another medical oncologist.  And if not already done, a second review of the pathology, both of the DCIS in your breast and of your node, would also be a good idea.   

Hi Kim137, My BMX sister!!  I say do whatever it takes to make you get to that ripe ol age of 92.  You are a young woman and certainly don't need to find out down the road that you "should have" done more. 

We will be here for you while you are undergoing your treatments for chemo. I say, listen to your oncologist!  HE is the one who knows all the latest, best and recommended treatments and he IS the doctor :-)

Message me if I you need to talk or anything.  I am a computer stroke away!!

(((((Hugs to you))))))

Sue

My first oncologist wanted to do a year of Herceptin and 6 months of chemo.  I had small amount of micro invasion, so small they couldnt measure it.  I had a BMX with no node involvment out of 20.  I was so upset because the measures I took I thought would be enough.  I got 2 more opinions, one from a specialist at the university of Utah and a roundtable discussion of my surgeon, oncologist, pathologist and a radiologist and the majority said the risks would far outweigh the benefits.  

It would'nt hurt to get a second opinion.

Good luck with your decision