Hi and welcome, I'm sorry for your dx but do you know if you're hormone or her2 positive which can determine what treatment you need and makes it easier for us to advise:) ?? IF it comes down to doing chemo dont worry about the effect on your family as you're doing this to save your life and they'll know this! ((((hugs)))

Tricia Keegan...From Ireland Dx July '05 IDC 3/9 nodes pos..triple positive..a/c x 4..Taxol/herceptin x 12
Herceptin 1yr ..rads x35 oophorectomy Aug '06
Currently taking Arimidex /Zometa 1 x yearly
Carepage- survivortricia

Hi Trish!
Thank you for the welcome!
I am estrogen and progesterone positive (is that what HER stands for? I've been reading so much it's as if I block some things out, but nowhere on my pathology report does it say "HER", although all the docs say it has the estrogen and progesterone receptors, so that's "good" as far as cancer goes?).
Thanks for any insight. I am completely overwhelmed...

Hi Ginger Amy and hormone positive is good as it means you can take hormone therapy which will help you avoid a recurrance and I still take Arimidex seven years on. The Her gene is another factor but sometimes they don't have the results for the path report but your Dr can tell you if you ask, if positive it means a more aggressive cancer but the good news is there's a drug to combat that called herceptin which was just approved when I was dx but I'm fairly sure the Dr would have mentioned it if you were positive for this.:) I'm so glad you have great family support and don't worry as children and teens are more resilint that we think and will survive this as will you, you dont have to be strong for them as they're probably trying to do the same for you. Its a little quiet today here but hopefully someone else that was in a similar position can help you and please keep us posted!:)

Tricia Keegan...From Ireland Dx July '05 IDC 3/9 nodes pos..triple positive..a/c x 4..Taxol/herceptin x 12
Herceptin 1yr ..rads x35 oophorectomy Aug '06
Currently taking Arimidex /Zometa 1 x yearly
Carepage- survivortricia

Megan, it may be too late for a response, but I am more than willing to assist an any way I can. Just contact either via this format, or my direct email which is dads1997@embarqmail.com ... My facebook page is found under Debra Bourland Allen, just look for the poodle as my avatar and you've found me. Best of luck to you in your research...

Deb/aka Mimi
Dx '03, ER/PR+, Her2+, Grade II, Stage III
SNB, 18 wks chemo  36 rads; 
Rec in 07, Bi-mast/DIEP 08/29/07; MRSA in abd incision w/resulting hernia, difficult healing
Still alive and kicking and ornery as ever...butterfly kisses to all

DJW


This community may seem overwhelming at first and it may feel like you are joining a conversation in progress. We would love you to introduce yourself! Please introduce yourself to us, give your diagnosis, and tell us where you are in your fight against this awful disease. Someone will respond within a few hours (sooner if during the daytime) and welcome you to this community.

I am a newbie on here as of today. I was diagnosed with breast cancer at Tne end of 2009. Mine was stage 1 no, actually stage 0.A mammogram caught mine and ladies I can't stress enough how important they are! my cancer was caught in time and I elected to have a right breast mastectomy. I had a lumpectomy first and my surgeon recommended a mastectomy otherwise I,would have to possibly have lumpectomies every year. it was the best decision I ever made. I chose not to have reconstruction surgery so I went shopping doe my new mastectomy bras and Betty Boob! I have never been sorry about my decision. I had no chemo or radiation. Was put  on Tamoxifen and I have serious hot flashes and joint pain. I would love to hear from other ladies and their experiences with Tamoxifen. My name Is Charlene, by Tje way and I live in Camden, NC. Feel free to ask questions. I might even learn something. I have a very supportive husband and son that helped me through and helped me make decisions. I am two and a half years cancer free!

Hi Charlene and welcome, If you check out the hormone therapy forum you'll get more info there I think, I had an ooph to take Arimidex and I'm still on six years later and take Glucosamine/chondroitn for the joint aches and although I do get some hot flashes they're manageable thankfully.:) I was highly triple pos with three nodes affected so needed chemo etc but was happy with my own decision of a lumpectomy, it just goes to show we're all different and whats right for one may not be for another!:)

Tricia Keegan...From Ireland Dx July '05 IDC 3/9 nodes pos..triple positive..a/c x 4..Taxol/herceptin x 12
Herceptin 1yr ..rads x35 oophorectomy Aug '06
Currently taking Arimidex /Zometa 1 x yearly
Carepage- survivortricia

Hi, I'm sorry for this diagnosis which I'm sure is made worse by you not having a full picture as yet, it does get easier once you know what you're dealing with and begin treatment and for me it helped me feel more empowered against this disease. I hope they get answers for you very soon and please keep us posted.:)

Tricia Keegan...From Ireland Dx July '05 IDC 3/9 nodes pos..triple positive..a/c x 4..Taxol/herceptin x 12
Herceptin 1yr ..rads x35 oophorectomy Aug '06
Currently taking Arimidex /Zometa 1 x yearly
Carepage- survivortricia

Hi Tbrtmm....first off, big ((HUGGS)) for you, I know what your going through.
Unfortunately I have no pep talk to ease your distress. I thought I was going to go crazy waiting for results, making a plan, etc. I had 3 different surgery's scheduled and then cancelled. I guess the only thing I can tell you is that as much as I thought I was going to go crazy, as much as I thought I just couldn't deal with it all...I did, and now I am recovering from my surgery. Finally!!!
One little bit of advice from my own personal experience tho is trust your docs. But if you don't...get a new one. I had a surgeon and oncology team set up, had quite a few visits, and just decided that they weren't right for me. I realized that my life was just too important to settle for whatever doctor I was sent to.
I know this can be tough depending on your insurance, but if it is the least bit possible, do it if you need to!! I am soooooo happy I did. The surgeon I have now is a Godsend!
Good luck next week!

~ charlie
Dx : 5/16/2012 Left breast Infil. tubular carcinoma 2cm Grade 2 Stage 1 ER+ PR+ Her2-
Dx : 6/5/2012 Right breast Infil. lobular carcinoma 1.5cm Grade 2 Stage 1 ER+ PR- Her2-
Bilateral mastectomy, TE's, and sentinel node biopsy 8/6/2012  Nodes - 0/6 :) 

I'm not sure what to say yet...it is all so new to me. In May 2012 I had a normal mammogram but in June I found a lump in my left breast. Believing it was "just another cyst", I've had so many over the years...I saw my surgeon 3 weeks ago and my life changed. I went for an ultrasound a few days later to verify that it was a cyst but it was not...the radiologist stepped into the room and told me it was a "mass" and there were abnormal axillary lymph nodes as well. Two days later I had the core needle biopsy and three days later I was told it was breast cancer...One week ago I had a lumpectomy with axillary node dissection - 3 nodes were positive and I had an invasive breast cancer, a ductal cell carcinoma in situ and lobular carcinoma in situ. Today I had a PET scan while at the same time, in another hospital... my mom died of breast cancer...Next week I see the surgeon to get the drain out, have an MRI to see if I have breast cancer or lobular carcinoma in the other breast, see the oncologist to talk about how to fight this, and bury my mom. Life will never be the same...