Stage 3b breast cancer

Hello, my name is Lori,

I am 48 years old. No cancer runs in my family. I have 5 daughters and four sisters.

I had a mammogram, sonogram and biopsy done on the 14th of october 2009. I was diagnosed with stage 1a breast cancer october 20th 2009. Dcis and infiltrating ductal carcinoma. November 13th 2009 I had a double masectomy. I had a lump in my left breast. But I chose for them to remove both breasts. After surgery I became a stage 3b. I had 10 out of 18 lymph nodes that had roots growing out of them. I guess they dug as deep as they could to get as much as they could out. December 23rd I started chemotherapy. Taxatere, carboplatin every 3 weeks and herceptin every week. I also have R.A. and fibromayalsia. R.A. has done some damage to my heart. So my heart function is at 49%. They told me they were going to test my heart in the middle of my treatments. So today I had a muga scan done and it showed that the herceptin is affecting my heart. The doc told me that he would stop the herceptin if my numbers dropped into the 30's. So now I have to stop the herceptin. I know there are other options out there but I dont know what so if anyone can share with me what they might be. I would appreciate it. I dont know where I am going from here. The hormones is what caused my cancer to be so aggressive and spread so fast. So thats why they were trying to put me into menopause to stop the hormones. I am sure most of you know this already but I am new and clueless as to what to expect now. Any input would be appreciated......

Warm Hugs,

Lori

 

There are lots of options out there to counter hormones. There are drugs like Tamoxifen and Femara, and there is also the option of having the ovaries removed. Sometimes they recommend both. I'm not a doctor, obviously, but these are things they will consider, no doubt.

Other chemotherapy drugs can also be toxic to the heart, so they will have to take that into consideration. But there are lots of options in chemotherapy treatment these days. Let us know how things go and what they decide to do.

I'm so sorry you're having to deal with this on top of all of your other health issues! A good oncologist, however, will work with you to find a treatment plan that is right for you.

Don't worry about being new and clueless. We've all been there and done that! Which is why we support this board... there's a very fast learning curve when you're diagnosed.

Take care, Swan.

Hugs...
BEV