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Erica_Shadiac's avatar
Erica_Shadiac
Member
13 years ago

Final piece of pathology puzzle

Dr Kollias was able to fill me in on the last bit of the puzzle which will determine what type of treatment I need and for how long.

Summary:

  • Size and location - 18mm near nipple
  • Hormone Receptors - oestrogen receptor negative (ER-)
    - progesterone receptor negative (PR-)
  • HER2 status - positive
  • lymph nodes - 2 out of 17 with cancer
  • surgical margin - 'well clear'
  • grade of breast cancer is 3 (score is 1-3; this being high grade - growing more quickly)
  • stage of breast cancer is IIB (top level of early breast cancer - locally advanced)

On Friday I see the oncologist who will detail my exact schedule of treatment. What I do know is that I will have chemo in 4 cycles of 3 weeks. Then a repeat of this with the addition of Herceptin for 12 months. I am led to believe the herceptin is a new miracle drug that greatly increases the chances of surviving BC, does not have side effects so you can go back to work and costs the government $60,000 per course of treatment!! Thank you!

So bring on the middle of next year!!!

  • Erica_Shadiac's avatar
    Erica_Shadiac
    Member
    13 years ago
    Thank you, Valerie, for sharing and your support! I have always tried to find positives in any situation. Being a sour puss does help me or anyone else! And there really is so much to feel good about. I think I might need that soft toy when the going gets tough though. My daughter who lives in Africa left her Hippo for me to cuddle. She's a bit big to take to chemo! I'll see if I can add a photo....
  • Erica_Shadiac's avatar
    Erica_Shadiac
    Member
    13 years ago
    Thanks for your support, Mich. I'm using the blog here to keep family and friends updated (I have a daughter living in Africa and a brother in Cambodia). I'm also about to create an old fashioned scrap book which will include this blog and extra bits stuck in, scribbled, drawn... A visual diary. My daughter taught me how much this can help when facing a tough journey. A journey has its ups and downs but there is an end. Light at the end of be tunnel. Cheers Erica