HER2 POSITIVE 3+ - no to chemo pls

Options
Loi2015
Loi2015 Member Posts: 4
edited April 2015 in HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer

My mom who is 65 years of age, was diagnosed on Mar 6th and on the 12th had her right breast removed seeing a 1.5 tumor. On Mar 30th, the biopsy report says she has HER2 Positive 3+. And the doctor says she needs to have chemo for 8 sessions? Now, i am so confused and my heart cries for my mom.

Does she really needs to have the chemo therapy? Though not sure yet what kind of chemo as i haven't talk to the doctor. I and the rest of my siblings are not agreeing that our mom will have the chemo therapy? We tried talking to our mom, and as of today, she's not ready to say anything.. Is there any other treatment? Can we just say 'NO' to the chemo therapy?

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited March 2015

    Dear Loi2015,

    We are glad that you reached out about your mom. Hopefully you can get some information and support here in the community. Here is a link to some information on our site about Her2 status and chemotherapy. You can search the site for additional similar topics as well. You may want to find out more about what kind of chemotherapy your mom is being offered and what the concerns are with respect to the chemo. We hope that you can generate some information and ideas from others here on the boards. Ultimately it is your mom's decision so she may be interested in learning more here as well. Keep us posted. The Mods

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • rleepac
    rleepac Member Posts: 755
    edited March 2015

    Loi - Sorry to hear about your mom but without the full details of her case, it's hard to offer any thoughts as to why chemo is recommended. HER2 positive, ER/PR status, tumor grade, lymph node involvement, size of tumor, and several other factors all play into the treatment recommendation - which may include chemo, targeted therapy, hormonal therapy, radiation therapy, etc.

    If your mom is of sound mind, she has the option to say 'no' to any treatment. You and your siblings have every reason to be concerned and cautious on your mom's behalf but it is ultimately her decision. If she is not of sound mind, then whoever has legal power of attorney can make that decision. But, PLEASE listen to the docs and ask lots of questions about why they recommend chemo. There is probably a very good reason they are recommending it. If you are still not satisfied, then seek a second opinion. But ultimately, it is your mom's decision to make. Any patient (or legal designee) has the right to refuse treatment - it's just not always an easy decision.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Loi2015
    Loi2015 Member Posts: 4
    edited March 2015

    Thank you so much for all the feedback that i received. Since Mar 6th, I've been reading information about breast cancer and only last night, we received this diagnosis of the tumor that they had removed.

    I am sharing the below diagnosis to you all.


    image

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited March 2015

    Dear Loi2015, See this link for information about understanding pathology reports. It might help. The Mods

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Loi2015
    Loi2015 Member Posts: 4
    edited March 2015

    thank you so much!!! Am reading now.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Sassa
    Sassa Member Posts: 1,588
    edited March 2015

    Loi, hormone negative, HER2+ is aggressive cancer. While it is always good to have negative lymph nodes, there is still a 1 in 4 chance (25%) that the cancer cells escaped the breast via the blood stream and have set up shop elsewhere.

    Your Mom will be told that chemo and a year of herceptin is recommended and that is what she should do.

    By the way, my pathology report read the same as your mother and I was told that after the mastectomy, my chance of recurrence was 50% without further treatment.

    I had chemo and herceptin and am NED after eight years.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Loi2015
    Loi2015 Member Posts: 4
    edited March 2015

    thank u Sassa... Our main concern is Mom's body reaction to chemo... Shes 65 yrs old

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Hopeful82014
    Hopeful82014 Member Posts: 3,480
    edited March 2015

    I am sorry for your mother's diagnosis and all that you are all going through.

    Please read as much as you can about HER2 + cancer. You will come to see that the right treatment (including chemo) offers her the best chance of being with you to a ripe old age.

    While no one wants to go though chemo, at sixty five your mom is not necessarily frail and unable to undertake treatment. There are many women on this board who are going through chemo at this age. Oncologists work very closely with their patients to identify problems and avoid issues. No, it's not 100% but if I had a hormone receptor negative, HER2+ cancer I would bite the bullet and do chemo with herceptin or whatever cocktail is recommended.

    I wish her well.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • windingshores
    windingshores Member Posts: 704
    edited March 2015

    I am the same age as your mom and have a few preexisting health problems. I had HER2+ on my first set of tests (on the biopsy sample) and was all set to do Taxol and Herceptin. It helps to understand that this is preventative, intended to take care of any rogue cancer cells that might have escaped via the blood or lymph system looking for a new home in the bones, brain or lungs, for instance.

    I just got a negative result for the HER2 testing on my surgical sample and am actually disappointed, and confused. I no longer have a clear path for my treatment and more testing will be done.

    I hope your mom does the Taxol and Herceptin regimen. She can always stop. Even a few months of Herceptin will help her. This regimen is usually 12 weeks, every week. I honestly wish I was doing it!

    Try not to influence you mom's care too much with your anxieties, and go with her to the oncology appointments so you can hear the explanations and also express concerns, with your mother's permission of course.



    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • WinningSoFar
    WinningSoFar Member Posts: 951
    edited March 2015

    I'm older than your mom and I did chemo, actually I've done it twice now in the last 3 years. Unless she is very frail or has some other health issues, she could do as well as I have. I'm presently with no evidence of disease and have been so for a year. 65 is the new black, after all.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • findmewdw
    findmewdw Member Posts: 20
    edited April 2015

    Your mom's BC and age is very similar to my mom's.  Mine will be 72 this month.  She just finished round 6 of Taxol and Herceptin.  It has not been easy for her, but my mom has an auto immune disorder, too.  Her oncologist told us last week that he isn't sure she will be able to finish all 12 cycles of Taxol.  She is extremely fatigued and he may give her a blood transfusion next week to help some.  She is hoping to get a few more treatments at least, however.  We are hoping that a couple of months is better than none and we hope that she will still be able to finish Herceptin. 

    I know how scary this is for you.  I have learned a lot from this board and through tons of research.  It's hard to watch your beautiful mom go through this difficult time.  I have tried to stay positive especially around her.  When I took her to get her hair shaved, it was all I could do not to cry.  Anytime you watch your loved one hurt, you hurt too.  Hang in there! 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories