TRIPLE POSITIVE GROUP

I too wasn't treated at an NCI center. The of top 3 places IMO in the city of Chicago only 1 wasn't an NCI center but the reputation of the BS and MO with the MO's area of study being HER2+ since the 90's it was the right choice for me. My neighbor who was diagnosed right after me, triple positive, Stage IIIB also had the same team. She too is still NED.

SDCA76 I would have done the same thing if Perjeta was offered back then. I even asked about getting chemo first but was told for big tumors (and thinks to self, mine isn't big?)

Thanks everyone!

I had a good cry last night. I think I'm most scared of two things - the impact this will have on my child (2 yo) and the impact of the treatments on me/my body.

I'm still in total limbo so I have no treatment plan and a potential occult cancer. PET scan tomorrow morning. Second biopsy/MRI on Monday. Then maybe there will be some idea of where to go.

Edwsmom, I hear you about the good cry. Most of yesterday was my good cry.

I finally put a call in to the doc. I can't keep feeling this anxious and almost-depressed--it's just not me.

In the wise words of an old friend of mine, "this too will pass like a kidney stone." But, in the meantime, I'm sucking up my pride and asking for help with my crazy emotions.

edswmom and Kate,

There's no shame in asking for some help, either from a counselor or from your MO, who can prescribe you anti-anxiety meds or antidepressants. I have anti-anxiety meds for emergencies, and take a daily antidepressant. I was never a med person before but I am now.

Hi rozem,

I would take the job. If you've been contributing to Social Security, and you get diagnosed with Stage IV cancer, you automatically qualify for Social Security disability. Once on Social Security disability, you can qualify for Medicare.

I love having a flexible job; I think you will too.

Best wishes!

**** OOPS -- just saw you're from Canada. You'll have to check with the Ontario/Canadian policies on long-term disability!

ElaineT - thank you! Iooked in to our retirement plan here in Canada (CPP) and yes I would qualify although you don't get much.

TonLee - Welcome back!!!! so nice to "see" you here. Good point on the stress...this job is way more stressful not in terms of the job itself but being corporate. I have zero flexibility, 1.5-2hr total commute time per day, only 3 wks holidays (with no hope in hell of getting 4 for 10 years!!!!) my QOL would be so much better because I can work from home 2-3 days (no commute -yay!) and they cant really tell me how many holiday days to take b/c Im a free agent. So all that equals less stress

Mommato3 - thank you! flexibility is the key here, I seriously feel like there should be bars on my office window...I hate that trapped feeling.

I just heard back from the private insurance provider and I cant apply until Im 7 years out from diagnosis which is in 3 years! This cancer thing is the gift that keeps on giving...

Congrats, Cassie! Hope you feel "done." Looking forward to joining you by October.

Congrats, Cassie !!

Congratulations Cassie!!

kayb It's not all that uncommon for triple positives to be low in the hormone area. I was 30% ER+ and 5% PR+

Yay CassieCat

Rozem I personally like the lack of stress I now have in my job. But I too would be doing the math in your case.

Jean, I'm also taking Perjeta as an adjuvant treatment. I'll be the first one treated with this regimen at my center. Let's hope it works well!

Gretagirl, they say it doesn't, but anecdotally it seems women find their hair grows slower during Herceptin. My hair is maybe 2 inches long, and it's been 8 months since I finished chemo.

Congratulations Cassie Cat!

I think you'll find your hair will start growing faster. About a year after completing Herceptin my hair was pretty much back to normal (pre-chemo)- and at 1.5 after finishing herceptin, completely. I totally believe Herceptin slowed it down. I am now taking Biotin as well. It was a long haul- longer than non-Herceptin women that I know- but you are well on your way!

It is my belief that cold caps and other hair-conserving therapies will transform the cancer experience. Hoping those days will come soon for all the sisters.