Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?

HER2+++ (or "3+") is not the grade, but rather the degree to which your tumor "expresses" the protein "human epidermal growth factor receptor 2," abbreviated HER2-neu or just HER2. That means the tumor has a gene that makes an excess of that protein and has receptors that allow the tumor to access it and accelerate its growth. (This is different from ER+ and PR+. Estrogen & progesterone are hormones in the body that actually "feed" the tumor, and "+" means the tumor cells have receptors that allow the tumor to access them. Think of estrogen & progesterone as gasoline, and HER2 as the gas pedal). Tumors that test zero and 1+ for HER2 are both considered HER2-negative ("HER2-"). Tumors that test +2 are "equivocal" and retested with a more sensitive test; and tumors that test +3 (whether originally or after that re-test) are considered HER2+. They are more aggressive than HER2- ones, but may not be "Grade 3."

The grade of your tumor, while in general indicates its relative aggressiveness, depends on factors other than hormone and HER2 status: numerical values of 1, 2, or 3 are assigned to "differentiation" (how closely the tumor cells resemble normal ones as well as each other--the better the differentiation, the lower the score and the less aggressive), mitotic rate (speed of cell division--low is better), and "tubule formation" (the % of the tumor cells that are tubular in shape--tubularity is a sign of slower growth so a high % of tubules is a good thing). Each of these aspects is assigned a score of 1, 2, or 3--the lower, the slower; the higher, the more aggressive. Those scores are then added together to determine grade 1, 2 or 3 (from lower to average to more aggressive).

But one thing you didn't mention is whether your cancer is invasive (sometimes called "infiltrating") or in situ--confined to just the milk ducts (DCIS) or lobules (LCIS). An invasive breast cancer that is ER-/PR-/HER2+ is considered more aggressive (whether Grade 2 or 3) and treated first with chemo and then with "targeted therapy" that attacks the HER2 protein and inhibits the cells' ability to access it. But because it is negative for hormone receptors, it isn't treated with anti-estrogen pills--and therefore won't subject you to those pills' side effects.

Hormone-receptor-negative invasive ductal carcinoma, of whatever grade, is more aggressive than hormone-receptor-positive. BUT after 3 years' survival, your risk of recurrence begins to decrease; after 5 years, your risk of recurrence is the same as any woman's in the general population was of developing breast cancer in the first place. Hormone-positive invasive breast cancers are generally less aggressive, with longer recurrence-free survival; but given time, they will come back. (But that recurrence isn't always metastasis, but rather local or regional. "Given time" can mean as long as 20-30 years, and most of us first diagnosed past menopause will likely have died of whatever else kills women in their 80s & 90s--the recurrence is often discovered, if at all, at autopsy).

But here's the kicker: a far larger proportion of DCIS than invasive ductal carcinoma is ER-/PR-/HER2+, and it's more often Grade 3 than is invasive ductal carcinoma. In fact, though it is genetically incapable of bursting through the ducts into the breast tissue, most DCIS is HER2+ so that it sometimes isn't tested for that. And DCIS is not treated with chemo, nor with targeted therapy. If surgery for DCIS is lumpectomy, it'll be followed by radiation; if mastectomy, no radiation. And if it's ER-/PR- DCIS, no further treatments after radiation or mastectomy--just vigilant surveillance, aka regular followups. (LCIS isn't even considered "cancer"--some doctors don't even call it a "pre-cancer"-- but just a higher risk factor for developing invasive breast cancer).

And whatever the grade, hormone-receptor status, or HER2 status, the older we are at diagnosis the more slowly the cancer will grow--whether invasive or in situ.

We are all different - and we are all one.
Take time to understand, and to appreciate.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

I finally got my jeans/pants back through the mail. I picked the right size. They have a bit more room in the leg than I like, but overall I'm happy. The size ( 2-A ) didn't shorten up too much in length which has been a problem before and while they will loosen on the second day a bit more after washing I think it will still be fine with the elastic waist. I've worn pants like that ( no matter where I got them ) for a long time so don't have to worry if I put on a lb. or two. I seldom wear shirts tucked in so I can get away with elastic easily.

They are neater and warmer ( I wasn't thrilled with the material ) than I thought they would be. Apparently ordering the wrong huge size first made it hard to tell that they could look fine and be cozy and comfortable too. Since I ordered more than one pr. I got them for $16.95 per pair and had a 10% off coupon with free shipping. I have one leg longer than the other and the only seamstress ( though she likely would do them if I asked ) that is any good in town retired a yr. and a half ago -- so I really need longer pants and most of the time haven't been able to do well in that dept. Glad these turned out to be fine. If I lose much for wt. though --- I'll have to get the next size down.

Was not going to go out today but discovered that I needed dog food. I really couldn't see my way out of it --- didn't want to have Dh stop on the way home from work so despite the frigid temps., and little bit of wind that made it feel even colder ( closer to zero I think ) I got out. Was only in Walmart for less than an hour and my car was already pretty cool when I came out. I tell you, it was so unpleasant I skipped my favorite Goodwill store -- just ducked into Walmart, got what I needed and back out.

Maybe if it is nice tomorrow I may run into Goodwill, but frankly, it doesn't sound too hot on the forecast then either. The store has few shoppers on Sunday morning so you can do pretty good, no one either way jostling or waiting to get past you.

Hope you are all getting on okay. Saying hi to Joan ( hope it is not too cold where you are NY. ) and Sandra and Mike. Also Colorado I hope ( Chevy ) is not toooo wintry.

Tapper - My wardrobe is currently almost exclusively JJill. Saleswomen have advised me that size M is the most popular. I am wearing size M now after losing some weight. Wore some size L and some size M prior to that.. Sending you a PM - contact me if you want (I am EST time zone, just hanging out watching telly with DH) - we can look at what you are interested in and perhaps I can give more advice.

Looked at J Jill, they have womens sizes, but no womans petite. Also seemed quite pricey. Womens petite, wide leg are sooo hard to find!

It depends on us. . . Another year lies before us like an unwritten page, an unspent coin, an unwalked road. How the pages will read, what treasures will be gained in exchange for time, or what we find along the way, will largely depend on us. -Esther Baldwin York

For those ladies checking out JJill - they have 50% off sale tops and 40% off other sale items plus free shipping on $100 or more on offer now. These days, my wardrobe is almost exclusively JJill. They can be pricey, unless on sale - and, I always try to buy on sale. If anyone wants "help" with JJill shopping, please send me a PM. FYI - In tops, size M is the most frequently purchased per saleswomen at my local store.

Happy New Year to the U.S. and to all of who have been such great friends through the years.

Happy New Year......

Beautiful but frosty morning outside this first day of 2018. The yr. dragged a lot of times as many adjustments had to be made but the last three and a half months just seemed to have gone at almost breakneck speed.

I'm as always grateful for the yr. despite some of the disappointments, and very grateful in the mornings as I have a whole day, starting in this brand new yr., to make as good as I might be able to. I wish blessings on all and hopefully lots of peace and contentment in the world.

Nothing special planned for the day -- we will start off slow and just let it develop. Dh has the day off which is nice. It is below zero here this a.m. so we are off to a really frigid start. Hope you all have a wonderful day.

Older Than Dirt here. Number 6 is particularly memorable for me. I grew up in Montreal and our winters were really cold. The top milk would expand so there was a column of frozen milk sticking out of the top of the bottle about 2 inches and the cardboard lid would be perched on top.

I remember when our milkman had a horse named Ben! Then they went to trucks! ALso remember my grandpa making calls, saying "hello Central." and giving the operator the number. How about Clarabell and Buffalo Bob?We did Green Stamps! I also found some ration stamps in my baby book. Do you remember practicing for air raids? We wud go to the school basement, in grade school. We also had the knife sharpener man, the vegetable man, the Good Humor man and the organ grinder man! AAAh the good old days!

WOke up to -4 degrees. Staying warm inside. We stayed in for the New Year. Watched the crazy people in Times Square freezing . Wonder how many got frost bite.

Happy New Year to all.

Cenok- sorry I haven’t been here for a few days. I had the same diagnosis as you- HER2x3. I was DX on Sept 25, 2013. My oncologist sAys my chances of getting cancer again are the same as anyone my age who has never had cancer. She says that if I do, it will not be connected to my original Dx.

My team did decide to do chemo before surgery, so when I had a double mastectomy in Jan 2013, I was cancer free. The first time I met the surgeon, he put his hand on my knee and told me I was in for a rough year or two, but I would be fine. My best advice is to find a team of Drs you trust, write down your questions, and make sure someone is with you when you go to the Dr, especially the next appt. I had my daughter, son and son-in-law with me. Thank God I did, because even though I had been told I had cancer on the phone, as soon as the Dr said it to me, I didn’t hear another thing. I nodded my head appropriately I think, but I didn’t hear another word.

We are all here for you, and this particular thread got me though some hard times. I didn’t want to let my kids to know how scared I was- even though they are all adults. They had lost their father just 13 mo before my Dx. So I came to this site, and while my first posts were probably panic stricken calls for help, as I moved through the process, not only did I get the info and support I needed, I found some really good people I love spending time with.

Last night, as I was heading to bed, I texted my kids and my brother and sister, Happy New Year. Next thing I know, my son in SC said he needed more beer- who was available to go? His oldest sister said she had plenty,why didn’t he just come on over? She lives outside Atlanta. The daughter that lives with me said she couldnt go because our dogs were terrified of the fireworks and one was actually on top of her in bed( which is really a no-no in this house) It just got crazier from there. I said, like always, I would do the beer run, even though I had already taken my sleeping pills. Then my youngest daughter pops in with “I have no what you’re all talking about, but if it includes beer I’m in” We just went back and forth getting sillier and sillier, until I texted 6 emojis of glasses of beer- 3 for my son, 3 for my daughter. It was so much fun.

It has been a very quiet day here. A little organizing of the silverware drawer, then reading. Tracy is making “Chicken fajita lasagna”. Most of what she cooks is great, but I’m not sure how this is going to go- especially since it includes a Bundt cake pan.

Chevy- congratulations on the weight loss! I get lost trying to eliminate the flour- I don’t know what to have for breakfast, if not a bagel, cereal or an Englishmuffin. I could stop the sugar, if I wanted to, but there’s always cookies around here, especially this time of year. My brother will be back Thurs, and we’re going to try to make a healthy food plan.

Anne

Another older than dirt here. I remember the mimeograph ink very well. I was a high school English teacher.

It's below freezing here, too. We are running a tiny stream of water through the kitchen faucet.

It's time for me to go to the gym for Tuesday exercise. I'm having a struggle with myself. I'll have to wear tights underneath the shorts. Brrr.... The car will be cold.

To be continued for conclusion!

Frosty again this a.m. Below zero, but will warm okay -- nothing to get excited about but okay. That gives me good reason to stay inside and do lots of things that I might otherwise be a bit slow to accomplish. Then again -- I have been slow about some because too much hurry and I seemed to lose some focus about what I really wanted -- and that has been getting minimal. This is a long time project but that's okay.

Hope you all have a good day, not too much cold, or if cold -- a nice sun to make it seem better.