Chantry....

Hi there...I just read your post on the roll call, what an interesting background! I am in Detroit, your neighbor to the South! I did not realize you were in Canada...

As for the family history, they say less than 10% of breast cancers are hereditory, and they say that BC under age 40 can be a sign. Have you checked out FORCE? There is a wealth of information there, about risk for inherited cancers from the BRCA mutation. It sounds like it could be a good idea for you to seek genetic counseling to evaluate your risk and possibly test, so you know how to fight best. 

To answer some of your questions...

Herceptin has nothing to do with ER/PR status. SOme cancers overproduce a protein (?) called her 2 neu. An overexpression means that the cancer may respond to a drug called herceptin. Recently it was approved for use to prevent recurrance in early cancers, when I did chemo (2000) it was mainly used for stage IV.  It is not considered a hormonal drug like Tamoxifen, they are unrelated.

A MUGA test is easy...it is measuring something with your heart, to make sure it can tolerate the chemo. The test is painless and you may even fall asleep on the table.  

Knowledge is power!  Consider taking a tape recorder too, when you see the doctors, it is impossible to get it all at once.

And keep asking those questions!

Lori 

 

P.S. I live near Kitchener-Waterloo, in a little town called Heidelberg (near St. Jacobs). Fortunately, in Kitchener there is a new cancer centre called the Grand River Regional Cancer Centre, so I only have a 20 minute drive to the hospital! And, since I've just had a baby, I'm on maternity leave. Origionally I was supposed to go back to work (high school teacher) in April, and then my DH would take April, May and June for paternity leave. But now we are re-thinking the whole back to school plan. Its been so serendipitous (sp??) that
1. I got my family history when I did, and knew to push for a biopsy
2. I was able to have my daughter
3. I am on leave and don't have to worry about work too
4. The hospital is only a hop skip and a jump away.

Anyways, hope you have a great weekend!

Hi Chantry! Welcome to our board! I also come from a very stong family history of bc and have made choices based on the history. I've found that the genetic testing doesn't necessarily help; my mother, sister and three maternal aunts all had bc but neither me, my mom or sister tested positive for BRCA 1 or 2! The assumption was that there is another gene in my family and we should proceed as if my bc is hereditary and follow the same protocols. I opted for bilateral mastectomy w/ reconstruction and down the road I had a bilateral oopherectomy (ovaries & fallopian tubes). Turned out my mom had ovarian ca, too! If you have any specific questions I'll be happy to share. You are on the right track being your own advocate! Good luck! Frayda

Chantry, I can tell you that you are so very normal in everything you say and feel....I am not a self-proclaimed expert, but being a veteran, we become "reluctant" experts....and I have been posting for over 5 1/2 years, I can vouch for the normalcy of what you are fearing. In my experience, the anticipation IS much worse, and the fear of the unknown is hard to handle. I too wanted to be so prepared, I wanted to prepare for every possible scenario....just in case. Turns out really you can't predict much. Prepare for it, but don't expect it. PLAN on being able to care for your baby during chemo (positive attitude) but line up some help just in case.

As for the what-if's, we can all relate. It will get easier over time, but it takes time. Trust me...besides having to cope with the shock of cancer, learning to live with it can be harder. Frankly, I think most of us were not told to expect that, and it took me by surprise. Learning to find a new normal takes time...during treatment is one thing and then again afterwards....it can feel like one step forward and one step back, but knowing what to expect can help it to seem normal...

Hang in there! And we're here whenever you need us!
L&H,
Lori

Thanks Lori & MK.
I just found out today that my chemo has been rescheduled for Wed. of this week. I was supposed to go this coming Monday - now I only have 2 days to work myself up into a tizzy!!
Finding a new normal is very difficult! I used to be just "me", then became a "wife", then "mother", and now "cancer patient". All these different facets, and the two last ones have been one on top of the other. It's been difficult to remember who the "me" is any more. This past weekend was extremely stressful, but we are learning to get through this day by day.
One more positive though - we've hired a "nanny" to help me out on occasional days. She was here today, and things seemed to work out ok (more of this being prepared that I was talking about). So I'm hoping that she will work out.
Anyways, thanks for the info, the support, and lending me your ears and letting me vent.

Chantry

Chantry, Stay strong for yourself and your new baby. You are feeling overwhelmed right now, but be positive that this will not be bad and it probably won't. I had very little illness with chemo. Just remember to get your meds right and take them regardless of whether you feel bad or not the first few days after treatment.

JUJU