ER-, PR-, Her2+ Roll call

Hi to everyone. Wish everyone peace and comfort. I had surgery first and then treatment.. a friend of mine had treatment initiated and then surgery. But, they were able to modify her treatments to achieve better response than the initial treatments. I think her tumour was smaller though and hormone positive.

@grammie2 Thank you for asking. May your grandchildren be healthy and have long lives.

@djschmidt1 I’m sorry to hear about your father. I’m sure you will make the right decisions for him.

@todaystheday Yes, my sister had surgery first as well. I hope it was the right decision.

It has been 23 days since the surgery (BMX). She seems fine for now. I think the treatment should start soon, because HER2 +++ doesn’t wait. Do you think this waiting period is normal?

@bcnc321 I am glad you found this forum. We are all at different stages of this diagnosis and I am certain you will find love and support here. Please don’t hesitate to ask any questions you have, someone here will have the experience to answer or share their experience.

Oh goodness!! I hope your dad will get the treatment needed and heal well!! Many prayers for your mammo! I'm still on "every 6 months). It's always a little un-nerving for sure! Keep us posted!!!

What @grammie2 says is true, thr first weeks are a roller coaster as the docs get figured out the treatment plan. Lots of poking and prodding at this stage.

We are here to support you.

Thank you all for taking the time to respond. While I haven’t yet spoken with anybody beyond receiving my results and scheduling my appointment with the surgical oncologist. I feel pretty well-versed and well read on process for HER2. I’m ready to get moving and ready to get the MRI scheduled and have results so I can confirm whether we are looking at neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment. I’m a CFO professionally so I just want to have a plan and start moving down the checklist.
Of course, that’s part of all of this in trying your ability to be patient and sit in the in between phases.

are welcome any tips on preparing for a DMX (I’ve already decided that I can be at peace with that and very comfortable with it) and things that you may have done to make life easier in the recovery process and then the targeted therapy process. Again, grateful for each of you for taking the time to respond.

Great news! My second mammo is all clear. On to year two of remission!

Exactly as you said… the first stage is very hard in terms of waiting. It has been 4 weeks since my sister’s BMX, and we just came for a follow-up appointment. The doctor said the healing is continuing, but we are waiting for the scab over the wound to fall off.

I asked what was on my mind. I said, “HER2-positive doesn’t wait. It’s been 4 weeks and we’re still waiting. I’m getting anxious.”

The doctor said, “We don’t like waiting either, but we’re waiting for the wound to fully heal. There is no reason to panic. We removed the cancer, and with adjuvant (protective) treatment, it will be managed.”

I feel partially relieved… but only partially. I hope she heals quickly and we can continue the treatment where we left off.

Do you think this process is normal?

Hi to everyone. Had followup exam and lump under arm was called prominent adipose tissue and to followup again next year. It feels itchy at the site and will monitor for now. The ultrasound technician said they look at the lymph nodes for changes in the structure of the nodes, possibly the nucleus, but i can't remember. Rather than just the size. Am looking forward to spring weather soon. Take care grammie 2 , my older sister and everyone.

@todaystheday I ditto @djschmidt1 ! I hope everyone is doing well!! I'm just plugging along :)

Hope yall are well too @myoldersister

Hi all, it's been sometime since I've posted but I've been following along! I actually was hoping that I didn't have to post about my annoying chest discomfort that has been lingering since October, but it is still present. I have no idea what it is but I've been getting physical therapy since feb. It is under my submuscle breast implant (kind of where rib would be). I can bring it on if hunch my shoulders forward. I've stopped lifting weights as I thought maybe I injured myself but the discomfort is still there. My physical therapist thought maybe a subluxed rib but I never had that before, and unfortunately have not made any more gains with her recommend ed therapy, and I've been doing the exercises. When this all started I thought costochondritis, I took ibuprofen but it would just come back couple hours later. I saw plastic surgeon and they didn't see any signs of capsule contracture. I had breast mri which was normal (no signs of swelling at cartilage or ribs). Had a chest CT to rule out pulmonary embolism and that was normal.

Anyway, please let me know if anyone else has experienced this or just thoughts.. I've stopped push-ups n weights. Thank u for listening!

@catarina_fm Hey! Sorry to bother you, but wanted to check in with you and see how the hair growth is going. My dermatologist just started me on Minoxidil in pill form. I started using Rogaine about two months ago and I've seen a few hairs sprouting. But I did this waiting to get in to see this particular dermatologist. She said the pill form does work better and is easier. I was concerned about unwanted facial hair but she said it is not common with my skin tone. If I remember correctly, you started this a few months ago. Wondering how it is working for you. And are you still doing topical? My derm said I could finish what I have already purchased, but not necessary. I'd like to hear your thoughts and experience when you have a moment. And also anyone else reading this that had hair loss that didn't recover post TCHP. Thanks ladies!!

Hello everyone

@grammie2 @snm @catarina_fm I'm fine, and I'm glad you're all doing well. My sister is starting chemotherapy tomorrow, under the TCHP protocol. She'll receive 6 cycles of TC followed by 11 HP treatments every 3 weeks, completing a year of treatment.I'm trying my best to help her with what I've learned here. I would appreciate it if you could share your suggestions and advice to help her.I hope that after treatment we'll be cleared of the disease and continue with routine checkups, and that she won't have to face this illness again.

I'm waiting for your prayers. ^^

@myoldersister the SE's will vary from person to person and actually treatment number. I had SE's with #1 and 2 that I didn't have with the rest and some with #4-6 that were new. I learned with #1 and 2 how my body was reacting with stomach issues, mainly D. I had D about 4-5 days post treatment day with the first two. So with the other treatments, I would automatically take Immodium starting day 4 for about three days. I would take it before every meal and really didn't have issues with D after that. I never had nausea until #4. So with #5 and 6, I took my prescribed anti nausea meds starting day 4 post chemo and that seemed to help. I had read to not let yourself get to the sick feeling before taking it and I think that is very true. I hate taking meds so this was hard for me. I think the biggest thing I can say is to stay hydrated. I would drink tons of water and still feel like chemo sucked it out of me, especially the week of treatment. My cancer center would have me come twice a week between treatments for fluids and that was a huge help. I had mouth sores with the first two and when I told my MO she prescribed Magic Mouthwash and it was amazing! I never had trouble after the first two. Just make sure to report any SE that happens. There is usually a fix! Ask us questions for sure! One of us probably experienced it!

@catarina_fm thanks for sharing your experience! My dose is half of 2.5 but a 1/4 of that for the first few days. By dark circles do you mean under eyes? I have those already LOL.