TRIPLE POSITIVE GROUP

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  • PoseyGirl
    PoseyGirl Member Posts: 359
    edited August 2017

    oh, I would so appreciate that...thank you xox

  • T-Sue
    T-Sue Member Posts: 217
    edited August 2017

    Hugs back to you Pamela. I actually appreciated reading responses to your post, as I too have ruminated over causes and "what ifs." So reassuring to hear others' well-articulated thinking. Thank you everyone!

  • Cherry-sw
    Cherry-sw Member Posts: 997
    edited August 2017

    Tresjolie, I am glad I can discuss everything here, I have been thinking a lot about PPBC before I found this forum. I cannot discuss it with many people, I do not know anyone who had bc, I know few people though who had miscarried or had babies recently, but I cannot tell them that I believe my cancer had anything to do with me trying to have a baby with no luck. They will just think I am mean. I can only speak about it here or follow you who in a way went through the same thing. It was very interesting.

    Cherry




  • debiann
    debiann Member Posts: 1,200
    edited August 2017

    kmntwins

    You are pretty far out from having had chemo. Below is a link to a very lengthy paper on Nerlynx. I know there are some on here able to decipher all the scientific mumbo jumbo, but I'm not one of them. I did however note the following passage:

    "In clinical practice it is likely that neratinib will be sequenced shortly after the completion of adjuvant trastuzumab. The results of the adjuvant trastuzumab studies suggest that patients are at a higher risk of recurrence closer to completion of adjuvant trastuzumab, and the risk of recurrence may decrease over time."

    With your stats, the risk of recurrence were already low and your risks decrease the further out you get from treatment without a recurrence.

    I will be interested in seeing what others have to say about this new drug and if MO's all start recommending it. The last time I saw my MO was in June, so prior to this being approved.

    Here is a link to Nerlynx


  • Tresjoli2
    Tresjoli2 Member Posts: 868
    edited August 2017

    aww you guys rock. It's like being wrapped in a virtual hug. I would be so lost without this board!

  • Cherry-sw
    Cherry-sw Member Posts: 997
    edited August 2017

    PoseyGirl, of what I red in one study on bc connected to pregnanc (in Korea) on the web there was no particular condition on whether the nodes were positive or negative. Instead it said that those who was diagnosed postpartum had worse prognosis then those who were dianosed during the pregnancy. It was not explained why, I do not understand what is the difference but it might be as you say the more into the pregnancy the higher the hormone level is and after delivery it will be a havoc which can cause a bc. As far as my diagnosis is concerned, the tumor is 1,5 cm, I am highly Her2 positive and have high Ki. Besides I an getting paranoid and do not trust the doctors, feels like they do not want to burden you with any detailed information, I have to dig it up myself in order to be able to ask the right questions. And when I do I see it bugs them they start to look at you like oh, you are one of those. What I am trying to say is that I do not know how accurate the stage diagnosis can be If they only base it on SN surgery. It is still an IDC and it has vascular strukturer so the cells are in the blood and they say they cannot check it, at least what they say here, and that is why I have to do chemo. They do not do any scans and they told me they wouldn't until there will be any symptoms. I saw several profiles here where people were misdiagnose in the beginning and they had small tumors and no involvement. I understand these are the rules of this game, but I still have hard time to accept all this situation. Exactly as you said, like stubb in the heart of completely pointless regrets. I am so glad I can read about everything here and pour out everything I bear inside. A few days ago while in the shower it hit me what would I have done If I had not foundthis forum? My first thought was desperation,total lonliness. And the second thought was oh I would have sooner or later, I was after all turning the web upside down for info. Cherry

  • deni1661
    deni1661 Member Posts: 463
    edited August 2017

    Soxfan - sorry I don't post very often either but wanted to weigh in on the Perjeta. I have been getting Herceptin and Perjeta for a full year as part of a clinical trial. I have one infusion left. No major side effects other that fatigue and dizziness for a few days after. My insurance has paid for both drugs.

  • deni1661
    deni1661 Member Posts: 463
    edited August 2017

    coach Vicky congrats on your last infusion! I am so happy for you!

    Specialk you are amazing thanks for all the great info. I'm especially interested in the info regarding nutrition, here I thought a plant based diet would be better but there are flaws in that too! It's just so darn hard to know what to do with some many different perspectives out there. Thanks for sharing specialk I feel your info is the most reliable

    Posey I think the anxiety and fear does ease up somewhat but for me it comes and goes. I am almost a year in and feel much much better than when diagnosed but I have days where I get myself worked up about recurrence.

    I have to constantly remind myself one day at a time and stop trying to predict the future lol

  • Dannajae
    Dannajae Member Posts: 40
    edited August 2017

    Hi Everyone,

    I was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. Caught very early, grade 2. I had a lumpectomy on July 13th and they did a biopsy on lymph nodes. Doctor thinks they got everything and lymph nodes were clear. They haven't told me a stage, but according to the standard definitions, I think it would be stage 2. I'm triple positive. About two weeks after the lumpectomy I got Cellulitis at the lymph node incision site. That totally laid me up and brought me down when I had been staying so strong and positive up to that point. Now that the infection is gone, I have my first appointment Monday with the medical oncologist, and I'm very afraid. Throughout the whole beginning of this ordeal, the surgical oncologist didn't think I'd need chemo, just radiation and hormone blockers. However, because of the HER2, I'm concerned that I might need chemo. The messages at the beginning of this group in 2011 seem to indicate that chemo is a given with HER2. What is the latest best practice? I know I'm putting the cart before the horse, but I really don't want chemo.

    Thank you,

    Danna

  • BBwithBC45
    BBwithBC45 Member Posts: 727
    edited August 2017

    My husband called my MO to ask about the new drug Nerlynx. My MO said that they had lengthy discussion in their group and they were surprised that this drug was passed. He said that the improvement in preventing recurrence is too low in comparison to the possible side effects. He was especially concerned about liver toxicity. All in all, he doesn't think I would benefit from this drug.

    I'm curious to read about others' MOs and their decisions regardingthis new drug.



  • Dannajae
    Dannajae Member Posts: 40
    edited August 2017
  • deni1661
    deni1661 Member Posts: 463
    edited August 2017

    BBwithBC - my MO said the same as yours i.e not worth the side effects for the minimal
    chance of reducing recurrence.
  • deni1661
    deni1661 Member Posts: 463
    edited August 2017

    Dannajae - sorry for your diagnosis but you'll find a lot of support and helpful information here. Standard of care for HER2 triple positive is as Hapb mentioned, chemo and HP, hormone blockers. I've been in a clinical trial without chemo and getting Herceptin and Perjeta for 1 year and will be on AI (Letrazole) for 5 years. You are the only other person I know besides those in my clinical trial where your MO did not recommend chemo.

    My cancer has been eradicated with just the HP and taking the daily hormone pill. My MO ordered a Mammaprint test to determine my risk for recurrence, maybe you could inquire about this test with your MO? Standard of care doesn't have to be the only option but you should be prepared just in case. Treatment depends on many individual factors as our bodies are all different and respond differently too.

    Ask lots of questions and get a second opinion if you feel the need. I wish you the best with making your treatment decisions. Take care
  • deni1661
    deni1661 Member Posts: 463
    edited August 2017

    thanks Hapb! There aren't any results published yet. Interesting question about the Herceptin, I will ask my MO at my next appointment. He has stated multiple times that the AI is more beneficial than HP because the HER2 feeds and grows off the hormones.

  • PoseyGirl
    PoseyGirl Member Posts: 359
    edited August 2017

    you will find this debate in this link...it's a good article, and you're right that it was not a huge YES like Herceptin was. But because the difference did cross over into statistical significance, they ok'ed it...

    http://www.fiercepharma.com/pharma/puma-s-nerlynx-...

    Hapb, I am all for being aware of cancer causes and doing all we can to prevent it - you're so right. And yes, concurrent to that, being careful not to find something we did or did not do that has not been verified and beating ourselves up...I am trying!!

    I admittedly know so little about the postpartum angle. I was diagnosed at 47 and I'm pretty sure the cancer had been there at least 1.5 years (based on scans and a biopsy 2 years previous). This means it kicked into gear after turning 45, not long after miscarriages. I do think the dense breast thing was a huge factor for me. I can't go back and change either of these things. Wishing Nerlynx had a better response, as it seems to be meant mostly for triple positive

  • Soxfan75
    Soxfan75 Member Posts: 115
    edited August 2017

    deni1661 - Congratulations on being almost done! I'm surprised my MO fought to get me this and even more so that the insurance company approved it. I don't believe I've seen any studies on the effects of HP for a year, so I'm a little concerned about long term issues. Have your doctors discussed this with you? My tumor was only 1.2cm and from everything I've read on here, it doesn't sound like they usually even give Perjeta to people unless their tumors are larger than 2cm, let alone give it to them for a full year. Believe me, I'm not complaining, but I do find it curious.

  • T-Sue
    T-Sue Member Posts: 217
    edited August 2017

    Danna, I hear you, the thought of chemo is terrifying. For me, finding out that I needed it was my lowest point. I'm sending you a big hug and strength.

    I am at the end of my chemo now and it is manageable. My diagnosis is similar to your and I have had the "standard care" of weekly, low-dose Taxol with Herceptin. Yes, there are side effects but it is tolerable. You'll find lots of support and info in these forums. Just know that you can do this!

  • Cherry-sw
    Cherry-sw Member Posts: 997
    edited August 2017

    The clinic I am treated in did a neratinib trial back in 2011-2012. I found this article on their website. Now it is not a scientific one and it does not say how many patients were enrolled but it tells about a woman who participated, sh suffered diarrhea as one of the se. There was a link in English

    http://ki.se/en/research/smarter-drugs-to-save-liv...

    I was searching for neratinib before because it seems that it can cross a bbb and I asked my onc whether I can get it but he said that I will only be getting Herceptin.

    Back in 2011 there was a user in this thread Christean, SpecialK knows her, she was enrolled in a lapatinib (Tykerb) ALLTO trial but could not do it due to the se, she mentions it in her profile. According to her it was the lowest point of her bc experience so ill she felt and had to go back to Herceptin. I was also looking for info on lapatinib because theysay it also crosses bbb.

    Cherr

  • Cherry-sw
    Cherry-sw Member Posts: 997
    edited August 2017

    Hi Dannajae, welcome to this group, really sorry you had to join it. I am new to this too, was diagnosed in the end of June, still have not come to terms with the diagnosis, had my lumpectomy in July and will be starting chemo on Monday. I was also initially told that I will probably only have rads after the surgery but the pathology came showing I was highly Her2 positive and I was later told that I will have to do chemo, Herceptin, radiation and Tamoxifen after. As I understand it is a standard protocol for triple positive bc. This community was so far very helpful t me, I feel I can only talk about my condition here, no one who was not in the same situation can exactly understand what I am going through. And here you can find so much info and practical advise.

    Cherry




  • FleurDeLis49
    FleurDeLis49 Member Posts: 46
    edited August 2017

    Dannajae, I haven't met with my MO yet, but my breast surgeon brought up the option of no chemo for me. I wouldn't think he would do that if it weren't a possibility considering triple positive, but we will see. I get final pathology on Wednesday from my lumpectomy and will let you know what is said then. I don't want to give you false hope - chemo definitely seems to be the preferred line - but you're not the only one to hear that as an option.

  • coachvicky
    coachvicky Member Posts: 1,057
    edited August 2017

    About how one gets cancer...

    I was reading in another forum (stupid comments I think) and a BC Woman was asked "how she caught cancer."

    She replied "from a toilet seat."

    I am still laughing and plan to use that line if ever asked. LOL

    Vicky


  • shelabela
    shelabela Member Posts: 584
    edited August 2017

    omg Coach Vicky that's funny. I was at a sporting event Friday and someone told their child not to sit to close cuz I had cancer and it spreads. I was laughing so hard I cried. Poor kid. And just to be a b***h when I got up to go to the bathroom I purposely touched that lady. Her face was the best. My husband looked back at her and said "you better go see your dr"

  • Cherry-sw
    Cherry-sw Member Posts: 997
    edited August 2017

    Thank you, HapB, I am very nervous. I just had a long conversation with an oncologist I who happen to be a mom to one of my youngest daughter's classmate. She works in another clinic not the one that have treated me so far. I did not want to bother her from the beginning but then decided that it was not time to be shy and just asked If I can call and discuss my case. She confirmed that I will receive a standard treatment for my type and stage but was not satisfied how my clinic handled the process, that we have not received councelling for how to handle my anxiety and how to tell our daughter, so I will go this another clini for the second opinion. Apparently I can be treated in one hospital meanwhile another one goes through my case If they both are in the same county. Also this protocol weekly Taxol has been used here only for a couple of years and this decision was based on the results of international research and trials. Cherry

  • Cherry-sw
    Cherry-sw Member Posts: 997
    edited August 2017

    Shelabela, no, please say she didn't. Are people analphabets, ever red a book or paper? Anything except for a drive-in menue? Now your husband was funny, what a great line. What kind of adult this child will be when he or she will grow up with the parents like this? Stupid people is the worst kind Unbelivable

  • PoseyGirl
    PoseyGirl Member Posts: 359
    edited August 2017

    Yes, stupid people is right. I really can't believe it. And how did they know you've had cancer??

    By the way, Shela, quick question. Your signature says 3b; how come you were that and not 3a? I just notice sometimes people with similar profiles and differing stages and wonder why the inconsistencies; do others of you notice that?

    Yes, the side effects of Nerlynx sound awful. Diarrhea can be severe. I guess they suggest you take Imodium alongside. And then the liver damage angle... I was excited reading about this yesterday, but now feel a little disheartened as it doesn't sound super great when you line up benefit next to risks. It's a bit surprising FDA bothered to approve it? I will keep watching. Hopefully we'll see some new kids on the block soon

  • Cherry-sw
    Cherry-sw Member Posts: 997
    edited August 2017

    Hi guys, when is it better to take my Zofran? I have an infusion in the morning 10 AM. Now or right before it starts?

  • shelabela
    shelabela Member Posts: 584
    edited August 2017

    Posey girl, I was told , not sure it's true, but I have decided if i don't believe my oncologist who should i believe.....

    So I was told the "b" part is the lymph node positive and multiple tumors that dictates that.

    I have based my "diagnosis signature " off her notes.

  • Cherry-sw
    Cherry-sw Member Posts: 997
    edited August 2017

    There is another thread on Nerlynx, very recent, started in July by Moderators. The user geewiz used to be on this thread a lot before, she participated in a neratinib trial years ago

  • PoseyGirl
    PoseyGirl Member Posts: 359
    edited August 2017

    hi Shela, I guess the multiple tumours dictated the 'b' part. As soon as a person is node positive, I believe they are in the 2a to 2b range and up from there....

    I am going to check out the Nerlynx thread - thanks

  • twiggyOR
    twiggyOR Member Posts: 270
    edited August 2017

    Here is the link to the Nerlynx thread. I posted what my MO told me this week when we discussed it.

    https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/80/topics...

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