Diagnosed with invasive ductal Carcinoma 2.2mm. Er/HER2 +3 positive

Apparently, from the little I understand, cancer cells and immune cells compete for glutamine. I take it the day before, day of, and day after my chemo. I see my oncologist tomorrow and will ask him about it. They recommended it. 🤞

That is similar to my situation. My tumor was 2.2cm and I am triple positive. I had 3 nodes removed and 1was positive. I did chemo for 6 rounds TCHP and then 5 weeks off Proton therapy. I am now having Phesgo shots every 3weeks for a year. I am also doing the Signatera blood biopsy because I am stage 2B (due to nodal involvement). My Mammaprint score was M2 which is ultra high risk.
I chose to do everything. Chemo was hard but I think it was necessary for me. I try to do everything I can to prevent a recurrence. I dieted and lost 65 pounds, I eat healthy, avoid alcohol and I exercise daily.
I cold capped so I didn’t lose all my hair. I don’t have neuropathy. I used Suzzy ice mittens and ice booties to try to avoid neuropathy. I did have an adverse event febrile neutropenia after my first infusion so after the subsequent five I got Neulasta to help me.
I have lymphedema so I go to a lymphedema massage specialist. I had a large seroma but it is getting much smaller.
Overall I feel good.
Did you have a genomic analysis done? Did you do Mammaprint/BLUEPRINT test?
I was tested for genetic mutations but I do not have them. I also have a PNET. It is very small, nonfunctioning and indolent. I am on wait and watch surveillance for that.
I hope this helps with your decision.

That is similar to my situation. My tumor was 2.2cm and I am triple positive. I had 3 nodes removed and 1was positive. I did chemo for 6 rounds TCHP and then 5 weeks off Proton therapy. I am now having Phesgo shots every 3weeks for a year. I am also doing the Signatera blood biopsy because I am stage 2B (due to nodal involvement). My Mammaprint score was M2 which is ultra high risk.
I chose to do everything. Chemo was hard but I think it was necessary for me. I try to do everything I can to prevent a recurrence. I dieted and lost 65 pounds, I eat healthy, avoid alcohol and I exercise daily.
I cold capped so I didn’t lose all my hair. I don’t have neuropathy. I used Suzzy ice mittens and ice booties to try to avoid neuropathy. I did have an adverse event febrile neutropenia after my first infusion so after the subsequent five I got Neulasta to help me.
I have lymphedema so I go to a lymphedema massage specialist. I had a large seroma but it is getting much smaller.
Overall I feel good.
Did you have a genomic analysis done? Did you do Mammaprint/BLUEPRINT test?
I was tested for genetic mutations but I do not have them. I also have a PNET. It is very small, nonfunctioning and indolent. I am on wait and watch surveillance for that.
I hope this helps with your decision.
I also wanted to add that I take anastrozole daily for the Hormone receptors. I started it 3 weeks before my lumpectomy. My estrogen and progesterone levels were at 100% prior to taking anastrozole but dropped to 80% and 30% before the surgery. My Ki-67 was 80% but dropped to 30% after taking the anastrozole. Taking the anastrozole has not caused me any problems. I have arthritis and it is no worse than before.

Thanks VTN for sharing. Your tumor is alot larger than mine. However, you have given me great info. Did cold capping extend your treatment times. I have heard it can extend it for hours at the chemo center? How was it wearing the ice mittens & slippers? Also where do you get them from? I don't know yet what medications by name I will be put on. I will discuss with my oncologist on my next visit. Thanks again and God bless you!

I got the booties and gloves on Amazon. If you decide to do chemo you can have mine. I also read that compression socks and gloves can help and I did that for the last infusion. Cold capping does extend your time at the infusion center. I had them give me Atavin and it made me sleep. My husband and kids came with me for my infusions and they woke me up and helped me manage my cold capping and booties and mittens.
If you live in the , USA insurance doesn’t pay for cold capping but in other countries it is provided. If you do Paxman you can join a Facebook group and there is lots of information I learned about.
Good luck and God bless you.

Thank you so much. Yes I live in the US. I will check into the cold capping & costs. I don't know whst a mammaprint or Blueprint test is. I had a genetic test at the onset right after diagnosis. I didn't carry any of the genes for breast cancer. I will need to ask about this test ad well. Thank you again'

The Mammaprint will let your doctor know how much chemo will help you. There is another genomic (not genetic) test like it called Oncotype which gives similar information. The Mammaprint/Blueprint advises if your tumor or biopsy is Luminal A , Luminal B or HER2 enriched or Basal subtype. I was classified as Luminal B. Typically Luminal B is aggressive. Luminal A has the best prognosis. Triple Negative (basal) is the most aggressive and has a poor prognosis.
I have read that Triple Positive is being considered a new subtype and its prognosis is different than Luminal B. Some Luminal B is HER2 enriched. If you have all receptors estrogen positive, progesterone positive and HER2 positive (Triple Positive) then your prognosis is better. You are lucky it was caught so early.
I wanted to let you know that the Phesgo shot which are targeted therapies that you take for a year after chemo is very tolerable for me. You can always get a second opinion if you are on the fence. I have read that some doctors are backing away from chemo now. They still advise targeted therapies and sometimes radiation.
Let me know if you decide to do chemo and I will send you my booties and gloves. Also you should have ice chips for your mouth when you have chemo.

Hello @lnw! My mass was 7 mm for invasive DCIS. My oncologist said if the mass was less than 5 mm, she would not have recommended chemo. However, she has recommended that I have 4 rounds over a 12-week period. I have a few weeks to decide.
Subsequently, my cancer was not estrogen fed. Based on what you have stated the chemo and inhibitor treatment would be the best outcome. A 2nd opinion may be helpful in your case as well.
Best wishes.

Thanks. I have decided to go through the chemo & other treatments suggested by my oncologist. Good luck to you & God bless!