Chemo first. Anyone else?

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Myraknits
Myraknits Member Posts: 264
edited January 2016 in Just Diagnosed

This is all pretty overwhelming. News today from the surgeon that an MRI and more biopsies are needed before any treatment can be done and then directly into chemo before surgery to shrink tumor sizes(at least 2 in different areas of left breast. Plus HER2+ and another indicator of accelerated growth rate. Surgery won't be done till June, after chemo. Didn't realize this was going to be such a long process.I'm already nauseous. And my hair has been looking so good lately...

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  • Racy
    Racy Member Posts: 2,651
    edited January 2016

    Hi, I am sorry for your diagnosis, but welcome you to this wonderful place where you will get enormous, ongoing support.

    It is a quiet time for posting, so I just want to acknowledge your post and say that your recommended treatment sounds logical for your situation. 

    You could also get a second opinion. In fact, I would, just to be sure.

    Keep in touch. There are many ladies here to help you through.

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  • ElaineTherese
    ElaineTherese Member Posts: 3,328
    edited January 2016

    Hi!

    Sorry to hear you have to join us. Yes, HER2+ cancer is often treated with neoadjuvant chemo. That was part of my treatment plan, and the chemo dissolved my lump and cleared my compromised lymph node. Since I had no (visible) active cancer left, I was able to opt for a lumpectomy (the surgeon removed a golf-ball sized amount of tissue around my surgical marker).

    I always say that HER2+ cancer is a marathon, not a sprint. I was diagnosed in June 2014 and had my last Herceptin infusion in December 2015. I thought I would never complete treatment!

    As for feeling nauseous... If you do have bad side effects from chemo (and I didn't, really), be sure to tell your medical oncologist (MO). Our MOs want us to finish our treatments, and most of them will try to find ways to address the side effects so we don't quit.

    As for hair.... Your MO can give you a prescription for a "cranial prosthesis" also known as a wig. Health insurance will often pick up some of the costs! (Sorry your hair has been looking good lately -- my hair was thin and stringy, and my wig looked better than the real deal.)

    ((Hugs)) If you are triple positive (ER+PR+HER2+), drop by the Triple Positive board. The ladies there are awesome!

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited January 2016

    Myraknits - Welcome to Breastcancer.org, we're glad you've found our community and we're sure you'll get lots of support and great information here.

    Please let us know if we can help with anything!

    The Mods

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  • phrogger78
    phrogger78 Member Posts: 115
    edited January 2016

    I am having chemo done first. My tumor looks fairly small and it is not HER2+ however the surgeon and the oncologist (they have consulted but I have not met the oncologist yet) have decided that chemo is going to be first. Everything I have read so far, it seems like a fantastic option for me. I would prefer to have surgery over the summer as I am a full time student and this won't interfere to much with school, but also my lymph nodes in my axilla were positive at my biopsy so the surgeon explained that it can help preserve some of my lymph nodes. No guarantee, but it could and that is good enough for me. I would rather not have to remove too many. I am having a PET scan tomorrow then next Monday I will meet with the oncologist and hopefully I will start chemo soon.

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  • Skittlegirl
    Skittlegirl Member Posts: 428
    edited January 2016

    I am also Her2+ and am getting to the end of the chemo process. Not fun, but you can get through it. I also had 2 tumors, one of which was easy to feel. After the second round of chemo, you couldn't feel it at all.

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  • rleepac
    rleepac Member Posts: 755
    edited January 2016

    I had chemo first because of HER2+. I think it's becoming more common - especially for HER2+ tumors but has always been a good approach for larger tumors to shrink prior to surgery

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  • Kicks
    Kicks Member Posts: 4,131
    edited January 2016

    Neoadjuvant chemo (chemo before surgery) has long been the SOP for one type of BC but it is now becoming somewhat common for other/all types (DCIS, IDC, ILC, IBC) also. Very basically, the idea is to try to get the neoadjuvant chemo to shrink the 'lump' and form good margins for better surgical outcomes. Sometimes there will be 2 different chemos done both neoadjuvant, sometimes both neoadjuvant and adjuvant (post surgery) Chemo are done. If you are not looking at surgery til June, the TX plan is quite probably 2/different neoadjuvant.

    Write down all your question to take to your Chemo Dr (and Surgeon) and make a copy to give to each of them as they may be able to include several questions in 1 answer. While they are answering - if a question comes up - not it down quickly so you don't forget to ask it. Do not be intimated - IF you don't understand what they are saying, keep asking and ask for it to be explained in words YOU understand. Take your smart phone (or tape recorder) and record what is said so if you need to to review/understand what was said you will have exactly what was said - not what you (or someone else) wrote down/heard. Get copies of all reports/scans/tests/etc. (in other words - EVERYTHING) and file away for future use IF needed. It is your right to have copies.

    Of course, if you are uncomfortable with (or do not get your questions answered), a 2nd (or more) opinion(s) could be in order.

    If you would fill out your Profile (with what you know so far), it would help with the replies that are given. There are so many variables.

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  • Myraknits
    Myraknits Member Posts: 264
    edited January 2016

    Thank you all. It's definitely a club I never wanted to join but I'm so glad to be on this crazy journey with other women who are caring and compassionate...beside knowledgable!

    Tomorrow morning is the MRI so I'm moving right along. I appreciate the comments about it being a marathon. I tend to be a sprinter and want to get things done and over with. This will be a challenge for the impatient part of me. I'll check in with further info as it comes. In the meantime, I'm heading off to search for info on Herceptin and Perjeta and what to expect. I'm a little concerned since I read something somewhere about side effects include heart problems. I have a pretty intense arythmia that's managed with a betablocker (the fun never ends!) so I'm hoping that wont interfere....

    Hugs to all of you.

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  • Kicks
    Kicks Member Posts: 4,131
    edited January 2016

    Sprinter or marathoner - NOT ME ! I gave up 'running' when I got out of Army. IF I had to 'run' to stay alive myself or protect someone else - I would. BUT I'd rather stand and fight my 'enemy' one on one. Or have 4 legs (my horse) get to safety.

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  • pjkinzel
    pjkinzel Member Posts: 4
    edited January 2016

    I am scheduled for a lymph node biopsy tomorrow. My MRI results showed my tumor was at 5>. My BS wants the node biopsy than PET Scan and referral to Oncologist. She told me that I would more than likely do Chemo first also. How did the node biopsy procedure go? Was it painful?

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  • Skittlegirl
    Skittlegirl Member Posts: 428
    edited January 2016

    My node biopsy was less painful than my breast one.

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  • phrogger78
    phrogger78 Member Posts: 115
    edited January 2016

    I had a node biopsy at the same time as my breast biopsy and it wasn't a big deal at all. I had more pain just from having to have my arm over my head while laying down for an hour (I hurt my shoulder a few months prior and it still gives me a hard time once in a while).

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  • pjkinzel
    pjkinzel Member Posts: 4
    edited January 2016

    I just found out today I will be more than likely be doing chemo first. Going for a PET scan next and than the oncologist. My node biopsy came back positive. My BS told me today I would be doing chemo first. I have ILC, and my tumor is 5.5cm on the MRI and has impacted the nodes.

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  • msphil
    msphil Member Posts: 1,536
    edited January 2016

    hello sweetie yes i too had chemo first to shrink tumor then Lmas then chemo after and now (Praise God im 22yr Survivor) this yr God Bless. msphil

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  • Opt4Life
    Opt4Life Member Posts: 191
    edited January 2016

    Really sorry that you have to be here....but there is great support here. I'm doing chemo first. My oncologist left it up to me but she and my BS got their heads together and highly recommended neoadjuvant chemo for my node positive 2.5 cm mucinous breast cancer but ultimately left it up to me. I figure two people with medical degrees who have between them 40 years working with breast cancer might know a little something. Things they considered besides my positive node was that I was pre-menopausal, was in relatively good health (so chemo was likely not going to exacerbate any health problems), and that chemo would get to any cancer cells that may have escaped my nodes. Chemo isn't fun but it really hasn't been bad and I actually look forward to my treatment each week as it puts me closer to being rid of this beast.

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  • Stephmoen
    Stephmoen Member Posts: 563
    edited January 2016

    http://www.breastcancer.org/research-news/survival...

    Some news to help raise spirits of neoadjuvant chemo I think it's a great thing

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  • Trvler
    Trvler Member Posts: 3,159
    edited January 2016

    Your dx is similar to mine. I did chemo first. I would strongly encourage you to go join a chemo group based on your start date. They have them for almost every month over on the chemo board. I couldn't have gotten through chemo without the wonderful ladies of March 2015. You will know when your hair will fall out and get tips on handling side effects. The emotional support is great.

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  • brandysands
    brandysands Member Posts: 18
    edited January 2016

    Thanks for posting this. Is it worth getting the Oncotype Dx for HER2+ breast cancer?

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  • ElaineTherese
    ElaineTherese Member Posts: 3,328
    edited January 2016

    No, the Oncotype test is only for ER+PR+ cancer.

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