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Profile picture for Chris, Volunteer Mentor @auntieoakley

I did not have a dual diagnosis like you, but when I was diagnosed, her2+ was a really bad thing because herceptin was not even approved for frontline therapy.
My tumor was grade 3 and anchored to my rib, so they said we are going to hit it with pretty much everything we have.
That included multiple surgeries, a chemo cocktail of Taxol, Adriamycin, and Cytoxin for 6 rounds which I was told was the maximum lifetime dose of at least one of those drugs.
Then came radiation for 6 weeks which was easy but exhausting.
I had my ovaries removed but they still gave me tamoxifen for 5 years and anastrozole for 10 after that.
The tests that determine the percentage of risk with or without endocrine therapy didn’t exist either, my doctor said if I wanted the best chance, take the medicine.
It wasn’t easy, it wasn’t debilitating either. I had to walk every day or I would be really stiff and I definitely have aged a lot faster than my peers, but I am still here to complain about it.
I would have done just about anything to not go through hard chemo again, although I would if it meant more time with my husband.
A lot of patients now don’t have to go through the whole thing, and that is awesome but sometimes we don’t really have a choice if we want the best chances.
I should add that I was in my 30s when this started.
Have your doctors recommended a treatment plan yet?

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Replies to "I did not have a dual diagnosis like you, but when I was diagnosed, her2+ was..."

Thanks for sharing - wow...sounds like you were put through the ringers! I am happy you are well; and also here to complain about it!

Because my lumpectomy evidenced pre-cancer, and not cancer, I was given choices regarding preventative treatment (chemoprevention - low level tamoxifen for 5-10 years OR annual high risk surviellence = MRI and Mammo OR prophylactic bilateral mastectomy). But you never know...at excision and pathology they may find early cancer in either breast. I like to be proactive and gather a lot of information before I have to make a decision. I find making these decisions exhausting; second only to waiting for any diagnosis! My original diagnosis was April 2. Much of my spare time has been used exploring treatments and reading research articles. I think I joined this group only a couple weeks ago; I was hoping to understand what the process has been like for others in order to prepare myself for any eventuality. Grateful for everyone who is willing to share. I don't believe there is a right or wrong decision for anyone - or any right or wrong treatment. We all have to do what we believe to be best for our future. If I were younger (I am 63 soon to be 64) I probably would have gone with another preventative option; but I can't say for sure. What was appealing to me about a bilateral mastectomy was not having to wait for results from biannual diagnostics - or the possibility of multiple lumpectomies or surgery - or a more advanced diagnosis. Also recovery is quicker ...so long as a more advanced form of cancer is not found. Time will tell - thanks again for sharing!