IDC: ER+, PR-, HER2-

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  • wanderweg
    wanderweg Member Posts: 549
    edited January 2019

    rrshannon - it's good that you're getting a second opinion. I think for something that serious it always helps. It's hard for me to imagine that given your history and your oncotype score, that another oncologist won't also recommend chemotherapy. If you do move forward with that plan, I can tell you that I did the very same regimen, and I think it's very doable. And since it was an aggressive cancer, I wanted to treat it aggressively and do what ever I could for any cells that had gone rogue. I was triple negative on the oncotype but 64% ER positive on the pathology. My MO felt like not doing endocrine therapy of one sort or the other wasn't an option. The research does show that AIs are a little more effective than tamoxifen, but it also depends on what other health issues you have. For me, I had osteopenia even before I got cancer and the bone loss issue was a big concern. I have been on tamoxifen now for about five weeks without any side effects at all.

    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27017249

    Of course, it's really important to remember that everyone's cancer is different and everyone's treatment path is different. You and your oncologist have to figure out what is best for you.

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  • Murfy
    Murfy Member Posts: 342
    edited January 2019

    It is my impression that AIs or TAM are a beneficial treatment following surgery/chemo if your tumor was ER+. The TN BCs tend to have a more aggressive treatment approach because they don't have this option. When AIs/TAM are included in one's treatment plan, recurrence is decreased.

    Best of luck with this journey!

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  • wanderweg
    wanderweg Member Posts: 549
    edited January 2019

    Murfy, would you also say that the TC regimen is fairly manageable ?


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  • Murfy
    Murfy Member Posts: 342
    edited January 2019

    Wanderweg, I found T/CX4 manageable. Didn't you? I was well-prepared thanks to this site and the recommendations of its many members. I also joined a January 2018 Chemo thread and we all went through our various chemos together. I now have a head of very curly hair and am back to my usual active self with a positive outlook.

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  • wanderweg
    wanderweg Member Posts: 549
    edited January 2019

    Yes, TC was surprisingly manageable. I was terrified of chemo and really, really didn’t want to do it. But it helped to have a group of women going through it at the same time and also talking with people who have been through it before me. As it turned out, I was able to manage the symptoms really well and at almost 11 weeks PFC I’m regaining strength and energy, andmy hair is coming back in. I have the Sinead O’Connor look right now.

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  • rrshannon
    rrshannon Member Posts: 117
    edited January 2019

    I had my 2nd opinion and I am glad I did because she did reaffirm our decisions so far and gave me her thoughts on the future if thing progress as we think they well. She said due to the size of the tumor she say the 4 TC will not totally shrink my tumor as I know my friends tumors had, on more chemo than 4. She said also the pathology of the upcoming Mastectomy after Chemo may show a different pathology as the tumor can have more than one type in the same mass. So for long term treatment we will have to wait and see. Starting TC tomorrow.


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  • DebAL
    DebAL Member Posts: 877
    edited January 2019

    rrshannon, I'm glad you went for a second opinion and have a plan in place. It's just so much to absorb in the beginning. Try to drink extra water tonight. Please know we are all here if you have any questions. You will get through this!! Deb

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  • wanderweg
    wanderweg Member Posts: 549
    edited January 2019

    rrshannon - I'm glad you have a plan that you are comfortable with. There are three of us (at least) on this thread who had four rounds of TC, so we can answer any questions about that particular regimen. I know you've already done chemo once, but there may be some differences. Also, you might check the Chemo starting January 2019 group for the companionship. Will you have neulasta after each round? Claritin really helps with the bone pain. Wishing you much good luck tomorrow!

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  • rrshannon
    rrshannon Member Posts: 117
    edited January 2019

    @wanderweg thank you. Yes i am on the Chemo Starting January 2019 group. The doctor has Claritin on my list of meds. :)

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  • wanderweg
    wanderweg Member Posts: 549
    edited January 2019

    Hey rrshannon, hope it went well yesterday and the next few days aren't too hard on you.

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  • rrshannon
    rrshannon Member Posts: 117
    edited January 2019

    wanderweg hi, so far so good. So far much better than when I had AC. Though on AC I didn't have much issue with taste like this time.

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  • wanderweg
    wanderweg Member Posts: 549
    edited January 2019

    rrshannon - Glad to hear the first round went okay. I found the taste thing got worse with each round, so I made sure to have plenty of bland food on hand.

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