Breast Cancer Newbie

rush361
rush361 Member Posts: 14
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I was just diagnosed with BC on June 12. I immediately went to MDA in Houston and have been through all kinds of tests. It turned out to be stage III-C. I am HER2-negative, ER+/PR-. I'm not quite sure what that means. One of the test showed a spot on my liver and I will have a biopsy done in a couple of days. If it is benign, the onc will start me on chemo, rather than surgery right now. I have been reading a lot of your posts and y'all are amazing. What a great support system. My question and I'm sure I will find out soon... how often do you get chemo? My onc said I would be on it for 6 months. Is it every week? I think I will be starting out on Taxol.

Comments

  • zahalene
    zahalene Member Posts: 670
    #2
    Welcome rush
    So sorry you need to be here, but it is what it is and we can help.
    As for chemo, it differs with each person. Different drugs and time frames for treatment, but I think the most common frame is a treatment about every 3 weeks.
    Side effects vary greatly also, so tell your onco everything that is going on and he will have meds for you that will help, should you need them, which some people don't at all.
    Get a game plan in place in case you need help with whatever your life style is. Simplify wherever you can. Fatigue is a big issue for most people on chemo and the less we have to deal with the better.
    Plan some little 'celebrations' for each milestone you reach on this journey. Not only does that help you mark each victory, but it's just down right fun and keeps the spirits up wonderfully. Of course, your best source for that is US. LOL God bless.
  • confused123
    confused123 Member Posts: 251
    #3
    Hi and welcome,
    Sorry to
    Hi and welcome,
    Sorry to hear of your news. Really with chemo it depends on your specific treatment. I was on A/C chemo for 4 treatments every 2 weeks and then Taxol 4 treatments every two weeks. I know someone who is on Taxol for 6 months, I think once per week and others who do it every week for 12 weeks. There is no one answer to all our diagnosis.
    My understanding is "er" means estrogen and "pr" is progesterone, the hormones in the body. If you are positive then I think you may get a pill to take also. Her2 also has to do with hormones I think, I am posotive so I have to take Herceptin for one year, IV.
    Hope your biopsy is negative, let us know how you do.

    Kim
  • rush361
    rush361 Member Posts: 14
    #4
    zahalene said:

    Welcome rush
    So sorry you need to be here, but it is what it is and we can help.
    As for chemo, it differs with each person. Different drugs and time frames for treatment, but I think the most common frame is a treatment about every 3 weeks.
    Side effects vary greatly also, so tell your onco everything that is going on and he will have meds for you that will help, should you need them, which some people don't at all.
    Get a game plan in place in case you need help with whatever your life style is. Simplify wherever you can. Fatigue is a big issue for most people on chemo and the less we have to deal with the better.
    Plan some little 'celebrations' for each milestone you reach on this journey. Not only does that help you mark each victory, but it's just down right fun and keeps the spirits up wonderfully. Of course, your best source for that is US. LOL God bless.

    Advice
    Thanks for the advice. I am a teacher, so I have the rest of the summer to do some adjusting. I hope I can still go back to school in August. I have grown, college kids, so it is just my husband and I at home during the school year. I have a strong faith and trust in God to help me through this journey. This discussion board has been a real blessing.
  • phoenixrising
    phoenixrising Member Posts: 1,508
    #5
    Sorry to hear about your dx.
    Sorry to hear about your dx. It really turns your life upside down doesn't it? Once they gather all the information concerning your breast and liver they will then decide on the best tx for you. If the liver is involved they may do something quite different then the usual protocol for breast cancer. Unfortunately there is waiting and more tests to do and that is always hard. Let us know how it works out and in the meantime we wish you the best outcome possible.
    hugs
    jan
  • CR1954
    CR1954 Member Posts: 1,390 Member
    #6
    rush.......
    Hello and welcome. I'm very sorry for your dx, but happy that you found us.

    I had chemo after surgery, but there are some survivors here who had chemo before surgery. I'm sure that they will post here.

    HER-2- means that you do not have the HER-2 protein that "feeds" some tumors. That is good. Some of us do, so we have Herceptin infusions for a year, following A/C chemo & Taxol...in my case, Abraxane (a relative of Taxol).

    ER/PR- means that your tumor is not hormone receptive.

    Wishing you the best possible outcome on your biopsy. Sending "good vibes".

    CR
  • rush361
    rush361 Member Posts: 14
    #7
    phoenixrising said:

    Sorry to hear about your dx.
    Sorry to hear about your dx. It really turns your life upside down doesn't it? Once they gather all the information concerning your breast and liver they will then decide on the best tx for you. If the liver is involved they may do something quite different then the usual protocol for breast cancer. Unfortunately there is waiting and more tests to do and that is always hard. Let us know how it works out and in the meantime we wish you the best outcome possible.
    hugs
    jan

    In shock
    Yes, I am still in shock about my dx. I feel fine, except for the stress of not knowing and waiting. Now, I'm trying to prepare myself for the chemo and all the side effects. Thanks again to all who post and are so supportive. I'll be reading...
  • dmc_emmy
    dmc_emmy Member Posts: 549
    #8
    CR1954 said:

    rush.......
    Hello and welcome. I'm very sorry for your dx, but happy that you found us.

    I had chemo after surgery, but there are some survivors here who had chemo before surgery. I'm sure that they will post here.

    HER-2- means that you do not have the HER-2 protein that "feeds" some tumors. That is good. Some of us do, so we have Herceptin infusions for a year, following A/C chemo & Taxol...in my case, Abraxane (a relative of Taxol).

    ER/PR- means that your tumor is not hormone receptive.

    Wishing you the best possible outcome on your biopsy. Sending "good vibes".

    CR

    Rush-welcome
    I'm glad you found us, but I am so sorry for the reason.

    You're right, this place is a blessing. I joined in May (I'm a 3 and a 1/2 yr survivor) and I wish I had the foresight to join when I was dx--it would have made this journey much easier.

    You will find that you will bond quickly with the fine folks (aka, Daft Sods) here. Someone is on-line most of the time, either due to different time zones or insomnia :). That's great, because sometimes you just need to talk to someone who really understands. ACS also has live help 24-7, I've called them in the wee hours of the AM instead of calling friends or family (probably one of my wiser moves in life).

    I think the ladies, prior to my post, gave you some good info as to what your dx means and in explaining that everyone is different as to their treatment. As you have questions, pls free to ask us and we will tell you what was our experience. However, the most important thing to remember, I think, is to stay in close contact with your med'l team. If you feel nauseated, achy, confused, or have questions about anything-call. That's why they are on your team, to help you through this the best way they know how. I called my drs, and still do, if I have any kind of change in mood, pain, ...

    Remember, that we will be with you every step of the way--you are never alone.
    dmc
  • Akiss4me
    Akiss4me Member Posts: 2,188
    #9
    Welcome Rush...
    I'm so glad you found us. I will not know if I will be going through chemo yet until this Tuseday, but I will go through Radiation and Hormone therapy (since I am ER+/PR+) for 5 years. I am hoping your liver biopsy will be benign. Hang in there and be sure to keep us posted. We are here when ever you need us! :) Pammy
  • Alexis F
    Alexis F Member Posts: 3,598
    #10
    Just want to welcome you
    Just want to welcome you Rush! Sorry for your diagnosis. I didn't have chemo, so, I cannot answer those questions. I do wish you good luck and please let us know how your test turns out. Hugs, Lex
  • cats_toy
    cats_toy Member Posts: 1,462 Member
    #11
    welcome Rush
    Sounds like you are right at the beginning of this wonderful journey. Luckily you found this site, and you will get a lot of great advise from a bunch of amazing people here.
    Your chemo schedule will depend on your diagnosis and your onc. Let us know how it works out for you

    Cat
  • Kylez
    Kylez Member Posts: 3,761 Member
    #12
    cats_toy said:

    welcome Rush
    Sounds like you are right at the beginning of this wonderful journey. Luckily you found this site, and you will get a lot of great advise from a bunch of amazing people here.
    Your chemo schedule will depend on your diagnosis and your onc. Let us know how it works out for you

    Cat

    Welcome Rush! We are here
    Welcome Rush! We are here to help and support you. So post often and update us on you!

    Hugs, Kylez
  • Kristin N
    Kristin N Member Posts: 1,968 Member
    #13
    rush361 said:

    In shock
    Yes, I am still in shock about my dx. I feel fine, except for the stress of not knowing and waiting. Now, I'm trying to prepare myself for the chemo and all the side effects. Thanks again to all who post and are so supportive. I'll be reading...

    Hi Rush! I, also, would
    Hi Rush! I, also, would like to welcome you. And, I am very sorry for your dx of bc. But, we all are here to support and encourage you. Hope to see you posting again with updates!
  • susie09
    susie09 Member Posts: 2,930
    #14
    rush361 said:

    In shock
    Yes, I am still in shock about my dx. I feel fine, except for the stress of not knowing and waiting. Now, I'm trying to prepare myself for the chemo and all the side effects. Thanks again to all who post and are so supportive. I'll be reading...

    I think most of us, if not
    I think most of us, if not all, were in shock with our dx. It comes out of nowhere and scares us to death. But, you can get thru it and you can be cancer free! I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers that you glide right thru chemo!
  • Moopy23
    Moopy23 Member Posts: 1,751 Member
    #15
    Hello
    Hi, Rush, and welcome, though I am sorry for your diagnosis.

    ER+ means that estrogen feeds the kind of tumor you have, but that is generally considered good. This is because there are several medications that you can take after chemo and/or radiation. Her2 negative is good also as that means the cancer is not as aggressive as it could have been. As for length of time for chemo, there are just so many regimens that it is hard to say. I received a treatment every 3rd week, for a total of 6 infusions, that is, from January 8 to April 28. Others are on a 6-month schedule, like you. Again, how often each month is determined by your onc and you, based on your pathology report.

    Hope this helps somewhat. My best wishes to you

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