TRIPLE POSITIVE GROUP

windgirl seems more BRCA is triple positive but not sure if that's true in all cases.

I only know that the genetic counselor seemed to think I was high risk (thanks Dad!). She ordered the BRCA1 and BRCA2 with a reflex to an additional 20 genes if the BRCA's were negative just to see if it is some obscure gene or if there is any overlap of other types of cancer. Mostly, they are a research hospital so they eat this stuff up. LoL.

I don't recall her saying anything about the triple positive being a factor though. Hard to remember when I talked to so many people about a variety of things. My take-away was: 1) You're high risk for a genetic link to breast and ovarian cancer and 2) You'll probably have to have your ovaries out too regardless of the genetic results. Why do the genetic testing if that's the end results? Primarily for my siblings and daughter and secondarily to see if they need to tweak the treatment at all based on the genetic testing. Made sense to me.

We talked for an hour and that was the gist of it. All I know is that I feel like I'm in good hands and I slept better last night than I have in the past 3 weeks! This feels manageable now

Looks like alot of new ppl came aboard !!! I just did weight loss surgery Jan 26-2015!!!! Next is reconstruction....Then I hope Im done with surgeries lool

mamadewbs - here is a blurb about Zoladex and chemo:

"If being used as adjuvant treatment for early breast cancer, the Zoladex is usually started after all chemotherapy and radiotherapy has been completed. This is because hormonal manipulation may interfere with the effectiveness of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and clinical trials have shown that this is the best sequence."

Zoladex is actually also used to preserve ovarian function during chemo for young women who want to preserve fertility.

Has your MO discussed any hesitation regarding sequence, or do you think this is the lesser of two evils?

Thank u lago! I feel like I know all of you! I have been reading on this board for a while but never had the courage to post. I just feel so lost in all this sometimes

formydaughter - heavy menses might be problematic during chemo because of the possibility of anemia from the heavy bleeding combined with the blood cell damage from chemo. Delay or cancellation of treatments is a greater possibility.

I will ask the MO again but I am pretty sure that's what she said about HER2 positive not being linked to BRCA or any of the other genes on the full panel (which is what I was tested for). She works at a comprehensive cancer center and is actually working on the gene research so I would trust what she says on this. My actual MO or BS did not mention this as maybe they are not as involved or knowledgeable on this topic as her

chrissie29, I had the BROCA genetic testing which looks at over 40 genes and had no variations. My twin sister and I were both diagnosed under age 40 (she is not HER2 positive though), with no prior family history. Sounds environmental to me...

Anyone have a recommendation for a good bra for use with expanders and implants that doesn't compress the lymph channels?

Chrissie

mommadew - What does your gyn say about these heavy periods. I'd think your MO would be consulting with them and maybe want a pelvic and an internal ultrasound to check everything. But, just what 'I'd think'; I know nothing as my periods stopped on TCHP, although I might have had the 1st. BTW - 3 kids and chemo... yep, my twins just turned 10 and I have a 7 year old. I accepted that this next year, year and a half, were for healing mommy so I could be around the next 30+ years, it is helping with the guilt of missing every practice and game last fall. Remember what they say on airplanes, put the oxygen mask over your face, THEN over your child's. I keep repeating that when guilt comes, as well as 'breast cancer is a marathon, not a sprint'. It helps me, as I am a control freak, and having to turn this over to doctors has been hard on me. Thank God for these message boards.

Mamadews, I spotted through my first two treatments, so while not heavy, something was still going on in there. It eventually stopped. I had a lot of hair left at my second treatment. If you didn't know what I was going through, you couldn't have told by my hair. But it had started shedding by then and felt uncomfortable. I buzzed it short a few days later. Never did lose every last bit of hair, but it got very sparse. Has yours started shedding at all?

My hemoglobin dropped after the first treatment and never really rebounded to normal levels through it all, so it makes sense to watch for heavy menstrual bleeding.

I just wore a cami with expanders. I would wear bras with wide straps with Lymphedema. Ended up my bras don't cause an issue with my LE. But for a while I would wear bras with wide seamless sides that prevent back fat like this: linky

I bought sports bras at Walmart , of all places, that hooked up the front. I bought them big and wore them post BMX and through TE and exchange. I tried a few others, but found these to be the most comfortable. They laundered easily and held up as well

I can't seem to link. Go Google Amoena Michelle camisol. You should find Amoena US. It's product 2105.

They no longer sell it on the Amoena site with the inserts. But it's on sale on Metro Medical for 39$. That includes the 2 puff and drain pouches.

@mamadewbs i had zoladex during chemo treatment and i had a complete pathologic response. i recommend it if you want to preserve your ovaries. my period stopped after my first treatment and it still hasn't come back. it has been since july

i tested positive for palb2 mutation. it's a very new mutation. aren't i so lucky, lol.