TRIPLE POSITIVE GROUP

Yay for Eileenohio 3 year Ned !!!!!!  Great news and good to here from you.

I gave up contacts over the taxo tears! I will wear them occassionally now, but just never got back into them. As it gets closer to thanksgiving, I think back to everything over the past four years. I got called back to a second mammogram on the day before thanksgiving when the oncall radiologist who was not part of the Women's area came in and her first words were "I'm think I'm going to ruin your day." Next two months went downhill from there.

I think I mentioned that I started on the low dose of Cymbalta. I am pleased to report that my bad joint pain is literally completely gone. if it weren't for the hot flashes (which are milder on Tamoxifen thank heavens) and some tiredness/lack of initiative, I feel almost normal.

MRI in a couple weeks to check the implants at their three year mark, which also has the bonus of checking the whole area for potential recurrence. If all clear, I anticipate that will probably be the last big test I will have. I doubt I can talk any potential new doc into much of that. I hope to at least keep the CA 27-29 in the mix, just to know the number.

I am interested int he genetic test some of you are doing. My OB/GYN gave me brochure on lynch syndrome once. At that time, I didn't really think it applied to me. However, on my dad's side of the family, my grandmother had colon cancer (I think), my aunt had IBD, and my dad dies from a rare duodenal tumor. My mom had a stage one colon tumor that was surgically removed and did not need chemo. I am on the five year plan for colonoscopies.

Mouser2843 hang in there. There are women that have survived without Herceptin…and you did get 4 doses. Did you get Perjeta? I didn't get that because it wasn't approved but it seems to be really good. Not sure if it's approved in Canada yet but there may be a trial. What chemo are you on?

What they said! I too had to quit Herceptin early. I only had half my tx because of EF problems. They did not put me back on probably because I also have a pacemaker. I was a year too early for PERJETA. It's a we shall see type of thing.

Taxo-tears is pretty well known side effect of TCH. The runny nose is more of the Herceptin. Drippy mess to make the eyes and nose red to go with the bald head! Add the bags beneath the eyes to complete the picture of chemo head. LOL but we get through it, maybe not prettily, but we get THROUGH !!!!!

Thank you all for the good wishes on 3 years of NED. With my family history I worry. But i had chemo my Mom did not. I had 6 months of Herceptin, my Mom did not. So i am going to go on and try not to wallow in fear all the time. Occasionally I manage to get there though, that's when these boards can realy help!

Much love to all.

Moonflower - Bags under the eyes! IS THAT WHATS CAUSING IT? I just assumed it was the weight gain! Anyone else???

I definitely have the teary eyes and drippy nose, but so far *knock on wood* no bags. Two more TCHP to go...

Does anyone know why some people get Perjeta and some don't?

I think for right now the protocol for perjeta is for tumors over 2cm and it given before surgery. My BS peformed the lumpectomy before I saw my MO. Originally the tumor was estimated to be 1.5cm but turned out to be 1.9. MO said I would have been a candidate for perjeta had I not already had surgery, but after surgery insurance won't pay for it.  However I've seen some instances on here where patients were able to get their insurance to pay for it even after surgery.

I Perjeta given for a year like herceptin?

Peferta was tested on specific stages and node status. I tried to get into the study. I was the correct stage but they just changed the study and you had to be node positive. I do believe though that if diagnosed now they would give it to me due to tumor size.

What is comes down to is if they didn't study it then insurance might not cover it.

Good point momwriter. I could have been on the study and still not have received it.

Hi Hutchins3. Have you discussed this pain with both BS & PS? Sometimes pain can linger. What did they say? I turned 50 two weeks PFC. So I did have my colonoscopy about 4-5 months later. My maternal grandmother died of colon cancer but my gastroentinolgists said it has to be a first degree relative. He didn't see the breast cancer as an issue. I was all clear so I don't have to do it again for 10 years from last one. My mom has to do it every 5 because of my grandmother.

Hutchins3 People pass all the time. Some too young. This is part of life. 2 weeks after I finished chemo I lost one friend (breast cancer) and another friends sister funeral (Non Hodgkins Lymphoma) was that weekend. Both gals were younger than me. One married with a young child. I was devastated. It made this disease so real. But now that more years have passed I realize this is part of life…and I'm still here and healthy.

Now to re-post my infamous speeches:

seat belt speech:

You don't assume you will get into a car accident every time you get in your car. You do put on your seat belt and drive carefully. Same with breast cancer. Eat right, maintain a healthy weight, exercise, and take your hormone therapy (if prescribed). No reason to think you are going to get mets until you actually have a symptom.

shit happens speech:

Some people win the lottery and become millionaires too but do you really think that's going to happen to you? Shit happens. Sometimes good shit, sometimes bad shit, but most of the time shit doesn't happen. Don't assume shit is going to happen to you.

And this one is a bonus for a few others:

Remember the word "if" is in the middle of the word "life" for a reason. As long as you have life you will always have "what ifs". It's your MO's job to worry about those cancer "What Ifs"

Hi Lago, your speeches are such good reminders.

I didn't know anything about breast cancer when I got my diagnosis- of the 3 friends who had it, all were Her2 and all were and are still doing great. So then it saddened, shocked and scared me to learn how fatal this disease can be- I really had no idea And the lottery aspect can be so nerve-wracking. I like your buck up attitude. You are right. People pass all the time.

But what do you say to yourself to help you get through scans? Do you have a scan speech?

Hi Everybody, wishing everyone comfort and ease as we head into this busy holiday season. I don't post a lot but check in periodically and always find some great info from Pbrain or lago, and a host of others. Thank you for your diligent support

xo from Maine

Thanks for that, Pbrain. It makes me feel not so crazy like I am the only one who's breast still hurts. They would look at me askance when I told them how much it STILL hurts... I mean, my eyeballs ain't bleeding or anything, but...It's really nice to know that you got an official explanation.