have very invasive cancer- about to start chemo

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cindylb
cindylb Member Posts: 7
edited June 2014 in High Risk of Recurrence or Second Breast Cancer

Hi i am new and wanted to talk to others in my situation- I have stage II, Grade II IDC with a ik-67 rating of 21% and it is also hormone receptive positive - also have one positive lymph node even though sentinel node was negative - i keep falling into the odd percentages and that scares me - i have been precribed AC for 12 weeks, then Taxol and Herceptin for 12 weeks once per week and then herceptin for 39 weeks - tamoxifen for 5 years after that- the amount of chemo i am getting (15 months) really scares me but my oncologist says without the program my changes for reoccurence is very very high. Please let me hear from you if you have this type of chemo regimen and even if not the same, any words of encouragement are appreciated from my fellow breast cancer sisters. Thanks so much, cindy

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  • luckymel
    luckymel Member Posts: 643
    edited June 2007

    Cindy, sorry you have to go through this, but that's why we're all here - and this is a very good site to get support and good information. My situation is not identical to yours, but similar in ways. I am also IDC Stage II, Grade II, but am triple negative (therefore, no tamoxifen or Herceptin for me as it wouldn't help me at all). I had a total of four positive nodes. I can tell you that what you are being prescribed is standard treatment, and you will get through it. Many of us who had chemo were given the same three months of AC and three months of taxol or taxotere, and those who get Herceptin finish out their year of that, making a total of about 15 months. So it isn't anything unusual, what they're telling you. Nobody wants to do it, but you will get through it. One way to look at it is to be glad that there is Herceptin and Tamoxifen to help you, even if it does seem like it's going to go on forever. The time goes fast, and you'll manage. Find your group in the "Going Through Chemotherapy" thread, and get some support that way - it helps so much. I finished chemo in April, and I don't know what I would have done, or would still do, without my chemo sisters. Good luck to you.

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  • cindylb
    cindylb Member Posts: 7
    edited July 2007

    Mel: I cannot thank you enough! I am so relieved in some way, although I hate it that others are in my shoes, to know that my chemo regimen is not so completely unique - thank you for your response and I will certainly take your advise about the chemo support group. I wish you the best of luck with your follow ups and congrats on finishing your treatments. I know you are glad to be done and I am glad for you. Again, thanks and take care! cindy

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  • momto4girls
    momto4girls Member Posts: 93
    edited July 2007

    Cindy...you have the same treatment I had. I finished with my Herceptin (every 3 weeks) in Oct. 2006. It's a long road to recovery but I for one can tell you, it's doable. I have 4 kids, they were 10,8,2,1 when I had chemo. I did chemo and was able to still care for the kids. Now I am on 5 years of Tamoxifen and get Lupron shots every 3 months.

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  • cindylb
    cindylb Member Posts: 7
    edited July 2007

    If you can do it with 4 kids then I am certainly inspired to do it with one! I am so encouraged by this discussion board and so thankful for it - just what I need. thanks so much! cindy

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  • mikeysmom
    mikeysmom Member Posts: 137
    edited July 2007
    We have a lot in common besides our names! My treatment will be 4 AC (had one so far), 4 taxol, herceptin to start with taxol, then rads, then 1 year total of herceptin. I'm stage II, no lymph node involvement, er+++, and HER2/neu borderline. They are treating me with the assumption that the HER2/neu is positive. I guess I'd rather be overtreated than undertreated...still, it is overwhelming isn't it?
    Cyndi
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  • cindylb
    cindylb Member Posts: 7
    edited July 2007

    Yes, Cyndi we have alot in common and yes it's so overwhelming- I have moments of complete faith and promise that this will never come back once I finish treatment and then just minutes later, feelings of complete dispair -- that I keep falling into these weird percentages and that I won't be one of the 90% who overcome this with the same stats as me. I know the odds are still in my favor and I am a very upbeat and positive person, but to think that the next 6 years+ of my life will be fighting this disease (and that's if it never returns, WHICH IT WILL NOT I KEEP SAYING) is so overwhelming. I think about things like the fact that my daughter will have graduated high school and finished with college by then, that I will be eligible for AARP discounts (LOL). But then again, I am so thankful that I have this chance to get better, to receive treatment, to have good health insurance, a most loving family, a terrific daughter, husband, mom (a breast cancer survivor herself) to support me, great friends, job, etc. etc. I have to keep the faith and know that, no matter how long the road, there is a bright light at the end waiting for me. Thank heavens for sisters like you to share it with. I am rambling. thanks so much for your kind words and for sharing Cyndi - I really appreciate it so much!!!! Cindy

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