< 5 mm HER2+ IDC...why NOT chemo???

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  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 17,186
    edited April 2012

    AA you seem to be focusing on the downside. Many of us do very well with treatments. I know you've had a rough time.

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  • AlaskaAngel
    AlaskaAngel Member Posts: 1,836
    edited April 2012

    Lago,

    I have never considered the factual information to be the down side, although others do. I have been quite fortunate despite receiving some very unprofessional and expensive medical care. Not everyone should be required to consider the facts grim in open discussion. The facts very very very strongly favor those with a diagnosis of < 5 mm with or without any treatment, so that is all to the better.

    A.A.

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  • vjm
    vjm Member Posts: 79
    edited April 2012

    Atta Girl Dancetrancer - Chemo ed class with my lovey today and wig shopping. Noone has more fun! Start my dance on Friday! Take good care  and be so gentle on yourself. vjm

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  • bucky317
    bucky317 Member Posts: 216
    edited April 2012
    dancetrance  happy to read your tx went well!!Smile 
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  • cookiegal
    cookiegal Member Posts: 3,296
    edited April 2012

    This is neither here nor there, but isn't there currently a mono herceptin trial for DCIS that is Her2+?

    Perhaps the information will be helpful to those of you with small tumors. 

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  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 17,186
    edited April 2012
    cookiegal check this out: linky  (I do believe this trail should be done by now. The onc pictured is my onc and it's a very old picture).
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  • dancetrancer
    dancetrancer Member Posts: 4,039
    edited April 2012

    Thanks everyone for the kind thoughts.  I did have a rough night after the TC - I posted details on the TCH thread, if anyone is interested...I'm having trouble keeping up with posts, so thank you to everyone who has been so kind and supportive!!!!  And vjm, best wishes tomorrow - report in and let us know how you are doing!!!  The Herceptin went fine yesterday.  I got a good night's sleep finally last night with the use of a sleeping pill.  glad to be done with the dex for a while!!!  biggest issue is ringing of ears....otherwise, no pain and only mild indegestion/possible nausea, but well controlled with taking Zofran.  Oh, and of course, tired/lethargic. Thank you all so much again!  

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  • suzieq60
    suzieq60 Member Posts: 6,059
    edited April 2012

    dancetrancer - be prepared for the steroid crash - a couple of days after you stop the dex.

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  • dancetrancer
    dancetrancer Member Posts: 4,039
    edited April 2012

    I know susieq.  Not sure what i can do to "prepare"...Is it just wicked fatigue, or worsening pain, or nausea, or what the what?  Is it just being mentally prepared?  I'm waiting for the ball to drop.  Last dex was last night. 

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  • Moonflwr912
    Moonflwr912 Member Posts: 6,856
    edited April 2012

    Had a Herceptin tx today, went pretty good, needed xtra fluid, and magnesium and potassium . But I don't have to come back til next Herceptin next week. Hurt my back today though, had to take an oxcy though, hurts and can't get comfortable sitting, laying down or standing , arghhggh! Still have the nog D too. Such fun! Oh well, much love to all

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited April 2012

    Had my post op and drain removed today YEAH!

    Also have my pathology report which cleared up my confusion on the size of the tumor. What appeared to be a 1.3cm tumor was actually several FOCI of which the largest was only .3 cm.

    Since the staging is not cumulative, but taken off the largest cancer, it is a stage T1a, pN0

    I'll be discussing the chemo/Herceptin/hormonal treatment plan with an oncologist in the next week before I leave for Italy. Maybe I'll just stay there! JK

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  • dancetrancer
    dancetrancer Member Posts: 4,039
    edited April 2012

    Chachamom - now I see why your BS was unsure.  You have the same size tumor as me, same grade as well.  How old are you?  Younger is higher risk.   Hopefully this thread will be helpful to you in making a very, very difficult decision!!!  I feel for you!!!  

    Italy sounds pretty darned good right about now!!!! Smile 

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  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 17,186
    edited April 2012
    chachamon the fact that it's multi focal will probably be factored into the decision as well.
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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited April 2012

    I'm 57 ...post-menopausal for 7 years (of which 7 were on HRT!)

    I'm so grateful to have this forum to help me!!!......knowing I can talk to other women who face similar situations makes me feel less isolated. I have a wonderful husband and great family/friends who want to support me....but they don't walk in these shoes. Blessings to you al!

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  • dancetrancer
    dancetrancer Member Posts: 4,039
    edited April 2012

    And blessings to you chachamom!  This forum, with it's many amazing sistas, has been such a godsend to me! 

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  • dancetrancer
    dancetrancer Member Posts: 4,039
    edited April 2012

    Best wishes vjm for your first chemo today! 

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  • Moonflwr912
    Moonflwr912 Member Posts: 6,856
    edited April 2012

    Good luck vjm

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited April 2012

    Yes vjm! Sending prayers of support!

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  • vjm
    vjm Member Posts: 79
    edited April 2012

    Thanks for your well-wishes - Day 1 of 4 chemo with herceptin completed and tolerated well. Great nurses - cold gloves on hands to help preserve fingernails. Declined on cold-caps and feet - have bought a great wig and some scarfs. Should lose my hair before the next treatment May 4th. Wishing you all a great weekend and I will be out there marching and protesting the pipeline proposed to run from Alberta to the coast in British Columbia. Peace & Joy, vjm xo

    PS can't wait to swim in the lakes with my bald head lol

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  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 17,186
    edited April 2012

    Don't decline the foot frozen booties. That's where the nail lifting started with me. At one point one toe nail was so lifted that the only shoes I could get my foot into and walk was a pair of snow boots that look like work boots. Eventually that toenail had to be removed.

    I never had an option of either.

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  • Sugar77
    Sugar77 Member Posts: 2,138
    edited April 2012

    vjm - lago's right...don't decline the booties. At the time of my chemo, they didn't have booties but the nurses put ice packs on my toe nails and it saved them.  Other's in my BC support group, who were going throught chemo at the same time, didn't get the ice on their feet and nearly all of them had nail problems. 

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  • dancetrancer
    dancetrancer Member Posts: 4,039
    edited April 2012

    Glad it went well vjm, wishing you minimal side effects over the next few days!  

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  • suzieq60
    suzieq60 Member Posts: 6,059
    edited April 2012

    vjm - you're lucky you got offered the cold mittens, a lot of ladies here had to take bags of frozen veges. We have the cold mittens here in Australia but not booties. My toes nails actually survived without, but even with the mittens, my finger nails lifted and came off 2/3 of the way down.

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  • suzieq60
    suzieq60 Member Posts: 6,059
    edited April 2012

    dancetrancer - hope you are doing well. Don't forget, any SE's call your onc and get something to combat them.

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  • vjm
    vjm Member Posts: 79
    edited April 2012

    How are things going Dancetrancer? Things are percolating here with some radiation recall ( I can see why they usually do chemo first), but all in all pretty good. Thanks for the input from susieq58, lago and sugar77 as well. Booties and caps aren't offered and I passed on the energy to organize - may regret in future, but will continue with gloves. peace & joy, v.

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  • dancetrancer
    dancetrancer Member Posts: 4,039
    edited April 2012

    Hi vjm, good to hear from you.  Sorry to hear about the radiation recall...I had a bit of that with the dex, but it calmed down within a day or two.  Hope the same for you.  

    Starting day 3 post chemo my symptoms racheted up.  I was really sick and uncomfortable Friday through this morning - lots of GI issues and extreme fatigue.  I'm better on the energy front today but now have oral thrush and wicked reflux issues (I'm already on prescription meds for this, doubling up, still symptomatic).  This TCH is some rough stuff.  Hoping for minimal side effects for you as you come off of your steroids! 

    BTW, I have been posting and getting advice about my side effects on the taxotere,carboplatin and herceptin thread.  You may want to check it out - some very helpful advice over there!!! 

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  • suzieq60
    suzieq60 Member Posts: 6,059
    edited April 2012

    dancetrancer - right on cue - day 3. Get something for the GI issues - I had a really grumbly tummy and my onc prescribed Somac (don't know what you call it over there) - it worked a treat. Rinsing with Biotene mouth wash and using a special soft brush and toothpaste works too - this was given to me in a pack from the makers of Taxotere as a gift to say sorry for making me sick :)

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  • dancetrancer
    dancetrancer Member Posts: 4,039
    edited April 2012

    Susie - Somac is a proton pump inhibitor.  I'm already on one (have been for about 5 years).  I have a history of serious relfux issues.  Had finally weaned down to just 1 pill a day.  Now I put myself back on twice a day, still having breakthough symptoms, even though I'm still doing the Zofran (I get nausea with my reflux).  I've added in Pepcid which is an acid reducer (different class of drugs from a proton pump inhibitor - doc told me in the past that I can take them together).  Oh, and Tums, which of course gives minimal relief.  Up at 2 a.m. awakened from sleep due to pain/burping from reflux.  He's gonna have to give me something stronger than what I'm currently taking.  This is NOT good.  I'm afraid I'm burning a hole in my esophagus or stomach!   I wonder if the dex did it.  I think it increases acid production, but I'm not sure.  I'm going to post this on the TCH thread as well to see if there is any other input.  

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  • suzieq60
    suzieq60 Member Posts: 6,059
    edited April 2012

    dancetrancer - just make sure you get something better then - the first tx is always the worst.

    ((((((((((((((HUGS BRAVE GIRL))))))))))))))

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  • lago
    lago Member Posts: 17,186
    edited April 2012
    vjm this nail lifting issue is one of the more rare SE but happens. You most likely won't get it but you never know. I got it really badly.
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