Er-/pr- HER2+

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BBK25
BBK25 Member Posts: 3
edited June 2014 in HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer

Has anyone opted NOT to do Herceptin/chemo with Her2+ gr 3 status?  My mom had a very small tumor, close to surface.  Did 33 rads.  She's 69 yrs old. Thought chemo would be too hard on her system....just worried. 

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  • jjames76
    jjames76 Member Posts: 20
    edited July 2012

    I believe, close to your mothers age, 70+, they can offer her Herceptin only, without the chemo.

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  • gg111
    gg111 Member Posts: 12
    edited July 2012

    Please look into all the side effects of Herceptin. The doctors will tell you there are no side effects but to me the side effects have been worse then chemo.

    Possible heart damage, bone and joint pain and major fatigue are the worst side effects of Herceptin. Go to the "quick sideeffects of Herceptin" discussion board to hear lots of us that are only on Herceptin with some pretty intense side effects.

    Hope your Mom is doing well... 

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  • BBK25
    BBK25 Member Posts: 3
    edited July 2012
    Thanks for your your replies.  She had a CT scan and nodules were found on her thyroid, so I started to worry.  Hopefully unrelated.  She was "on the cusp" regarding chemo  because of stage, age, and size (but I really wanted her to throw everything at it).  I will research the Herceptin and ask medonc this week when we meet. We just got our 6mth check up and she is doing well.  In the meantime I will pray and trust the radiation/surgery was enough!  
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  • Alice72
    Alice72 Member Posts: 38
    edited August 2012

    I'll just add my opinion since I recently turned 72. I was diagnosed with a similar Breast Cancer in Feb 2012. My tumor was 2.1cm so that puts me stage 2a. I had a lumpectomy and then a re-excision in March. The oncologist was anxious to get me started on Herceptin. My Chemo protocol, which I finished on July 6, was six cycles of Taxotere and carboplatin every 3 weeks. In addition I get a weekly Herceptin infusion until next Feb. I was due to have a mastectomy on Aug 10, but a radiation trial opened up so I'm participating in that rather than getting a mastectomy. The chemo was tough, but its side effects are temporary. Most of the SEs can be dealt with so that they are not debilitating. Because your mom has an aggressive form of BC, she has to be more diligent in getting it treated. I don't know your mom's health status. Mine was very good, so that helped. I would encourage her to get the best modern medicine has to offer. 70 is the new 50 for many women. Take care.

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  • evergreen9
    evergreen9 Member Posts: 131
    edited August 2012

    I was 65/66 when I did chemo and herceptin for a Stage 3a Her2 cancer. Chemo was rough at times, but everyone reacts differently to chemo. Herceptin was a breeze. But, I still think I am young, and want to live a long time, so decided to throw everything possible at my breast cancer.

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  • BBK25
    BBK25 Member Posts: 3
    edited August 2012

    Thank you so much for your encouragement! Thyroid biopsy Tuesday...I think our onc will sway her to do chemo once we get this dealt with. Her health/confidence has changed though. 4 days before her mx in December she lost her hearing in right ear. She also has been extremely dizzy ever since. It is bizarre. She did so well with surgery, drains, radiation - but this has been debilitating. She can't drive. She was healthy before breast cancer diagnosis. Hopefully dr will figure out what is causing her to be so dizzy. They said her "vestibular" system is fine. We've tried so many things. Many different dr.s. I just want her to feel stable and move forward, putting cancer behind her!

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  • Alice72
    Alice72 Member Posts: 38
    edited August 2012

    BBK, has your mom visited a hearing specialist? My husband had a similar experience, except he started getting motion sickness in the car. Apparently, he had severe wax build up. However, a couple of years later, he had a similar experience. This time he had a thorough exam. It turned out that he had a small benign growth on his rt auditory nerve. Physically, his ear and all parts re perfect. Mthe problem is that the auditory nerve no longer communicates with his brain. This also means his balance vestibular system doesn't work with the brain. He had lost most of his hearing in his right ear, had problems with balance, and had several bad falls before I could convince him to get some vestibular therapy. So now, he wears a hearing aid in his hearing ear, uses a cane for orientation and balance, and has learned how to prevent falls. Once a year he gets CT scan to monitor the tumor. It is very small and has hardly grown. Some people need surgery but many are just monitored.

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  • wimitimm
    wimitimm Member Posts: 2
    edited August 2012

    I am still new to this game- How do you know what letter(a, b) goes with your stage? 

    I was diagnosed in mid July IDC  3.4cm, Stage ll, Grade 3, ER-/PR-, HER2+  I see my med onc today and start infusions soon 

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  • lilbitOsunshine
    lilbitOsunshine Member Posts: 2
    edited August 2012

    I am here as Er-PR-HER2+ also and am reading as much as I can about diet i.e. raw foods, and the macrobiotic choices because I fear chemo/herceptin and doctors in general. I do not have anything to offer but a friendly hello. I hope to find much more information and support in these alternative choices.

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