HORMONE NEGATIVE...

mrs99r

I AM 36, HAVE JUST COMPLETED ALL SCHEDULED TREATMENTS (MASTECTOMY, CHEMO, RAD)... PARTICIPATING IN CLINICAL STUDY FOR "HERCEPTIN"... AM FACING HYSTERECTOMY AND ALSO CONSIDERING RECONSTRUCTION...ANY ADVICE?

tiger

Hello mum!!
I did Herceptin for six months and the stuff is great!! There are no sideeffects, actually about three days after I had it I had the runs and chills for a day then that was it. Your hair will grow back etc!! Wonderful stuff, I also did nine courses of Taxol with it too and am currently waiting to see my onco to see what my latest Cat scan says. Put your mind at ease that the Herceptin is wonderful and works!!!
Tiger

24242

I too was 36 when I embarked on my treatments. My cancer was not hormon receptive so no other treatments other than matectomy, chemo and radiation. I'll bet you too wondered if you would make it through, but you have and it is amazing what a difference time makes in our lives. I had to have the second breast removed a year after diagnosis because lumps still occurring. Time does heal old wounds.
Best wishes to you and yours,
24242Tara

nkac

Hi, I am 34 and have had breast cancer twice. The first time, I was 31 and had a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery. I don't think I would have the recontructive surgery again. I had the one where they took the muscles and nerves from my back, I forget the correct name for it. My back bothered me for a while and I still have pain, only it is on the opposite side. I'm not sure what this is caused from. But, if it makes you feel better about yourself, then I say go for it. But do it for yourself and not for anyone else. I also had the "Herceptin" treatments and I took shots to keep me from producing estrogen. I had a hysterectomy on April 23. This was my choice. I figuered they didn't want me to produce estrogen and I was already experiencing the hot flashes, I wasn't planning on having anymore children, so get rid of it. So far I'm glad I had it done although, I wish now I had waited until Winter. I live in Texas and I really like working in the garden and flower beds. I will get to start back doing that soon, but I hate sitting in the house when the sun is shining, I'd rather be gardening, flowering, or fishing.
What ever you decide, decide it for YOURSELF and nobody else.
Good Luck and God Bless,
Nelda

judyd

nkac said:

Hi, I am 34 and have had breast cancer twice. The first time, I was 31 and had a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery. I don't think I would have the recontructive surgery again. I had the one where they took the muscles and nerves from my back, I forget the correct name for it. My back bothered me for a while and I still have pain, only it is on the opposite side. I'm not sure what this is caused from. But, if it makes you feel better about yourself, then I say go for it. But do it for yourself and not for anyone else. I also had the "Herceptin" treatments and I took shots to keep me from producing estrogen. I had a hysterectomy on April 23. This was my choice. I figuered they didn't want me to produce estrogen and I was already experiencing the hot flashes, I wasn't planning on having anymore children, so get rid of it. So far I'm glad I had it done although, I wish now I had waited until Winter. I live in Texas and I really like working in the garden and flower beds. I will get to start back doing that soon, but I hate sitting in the house when the sun is shining, I'd rather be gardening, flowering, or fishing.
What ever you decide, decide it for YOURSELF and nobody else.
Good Luck and God Bless,
Nelda

Hi Nelda, I had a mastectomy in Dec. I am considering reconstruction. I really didn't think it would bother me as much as it does. My husband said it is my choice, that it doesn't bother him. He has really been very supportive through all of this. I will not do anything at least until Fall. I also like working in the yard & garden. It's hard to be inside when it is so nice outside. I also live in Texas. What part of Texas so you live? We live in a small town, Bowie. Judy