Breast cancer HER2

Hi Karen 234 welcome to the forum that nobody wants to willingly join but you have come to the right place for information support and advice.

I'm not surprised that you are in shock it takes a bit of taking in but take it in you will maybe just not today and that's ok.

I don't know a lot about the HER 2 mine was negative so no chemo needed for me just the Radiotherapy. It s difficult the waiting and wondering and this time is the worst because everything is up in the air and there is a huge degree of uncertainty for you.and it can be scarey as well. They wont know the whole story until they get that Cancer out and it goes to Pathology and things can change when that is known sometimes for the better.

They wouldn't say that to you about it being treatable if they didn't think it was they are usually very honest about things.

I'm not going to lie to you its can be a difficult journey but you will get through it and we will be here with you every step of the way.

Meantime Im sending you some huge big hugs. xxxxxxx

Thank you so much for your reply. It's made me cry, but in a good way! It really is a rollercoaster. I'm being positive one day and the next anything can make me cry. I know it's all a waiting game and I'm trying to take one stage at a time. xx

Hi Karen 234

Hugs xx 

I was diagnosed in January ,

You made me look out my results and I have 

ER-   HER2 + 

But when I met my oncologist she was so positive about my treatment plan that I just put the piece of paper with my diagnosis away . I remember me asking about it being grade 3 and she said that didn’t bother her. 

I had my husband and 39year old medical scientist son with me . My son asked - so is this all positive and my Oncologist almost jumped out of her seat saying YES YES very positive . 

I had a mastectomy with immediate reconstruction ( my breast was peppered with lots of early cancer and one nasty one ) before meeting my oncologist . 

I’m getting Chemo and Herceptin the wonder drug for HER2+ . 

As far as I’m concerned I have been told they got all the cancer in my breast , removed 32 lymph nodes of which 3 were positive . 

So we say I don’t have Breast cancer anymore but just incase a critter went walk about then the chemo is out to get it . 

I am concentrating on being well , medicating when I have side effects and getting on with life . 

Ooo it’s all so scary but please write down questions and speak to your BCN. 

Only consult MacMillan and breastcare uk DO NOT GOOGLE. They could be written by someone on the moon for all we know :-). 

Lots of hugs , take care 

Ruby Rose 

Karen 234 

Crying is good , in the early days I cried EVERY DAY in the shower , a sort of release . You would explode if you didn’t cry - em I still exploded now and again - probably have that to look forward to in the future too . We are human . 

The waiting and the unknown are the cruelest things , not planning ahead is difficult too . We learn to be spontaneous - if it’s a good day then fill with nice things . When I look back to January,  February and March it was such a worrying time . My family and friends were and still are my rocks - I just told everyone by messenger text and email . I kept them up to date with what was happening . My house was like a florists and still is . 

Be kind to yourself 

Love 

Ruby Rose xxxx  

Thanks Ruby Rose, that's been a big help. I think I'll feel better when I start the treatment, whatever it's going to be. I've got lots of support but sometimes you just need to speak with someone who's actually been through it themselves. Lots of love xx

Hi Karen 234

Yes this site is great all the ladies have been so supportive to me , I’ve told them when I’m crying , when I’m hurting and they have all been there for me . 

Love 

Lorna 

Ruby Rose

Hi  

My wife J was having a left side mastectomy this week and was Grade 3  and also ER/PR + exactly the same as you apart from her needing the mastectomy - The second test for J came back HER2+ Positive

That was 6 years ago (May 2012) Seems like only 18 months ago now looking back.

Just had her six year review (result = No Evidence of Disease) I wanted to let you know this is treatable and there is sunshine at the end of the tunnel :)

Hugs, G n' J

That's great news. Thanks so much for replying. It's exactly what I need to hear at the moment. xxx

Hi

I was diagnosed in January ER positive, PR positive her 2 positive grade 3 aggressive, thought the bottom had  fell out of my world. The consultant said that although it wasn’t a good result that I was lucky because the treatment for this type is very targeted and very successful, obviously I didn’t feel lucky. However I have since had 5 of 7 chemo’s slongside two targeting agents, I can’t pretend it’s been a walk in the park but it’s doable, after my second chemo the lump had significantly shrunk and by my fourth had gone. I’ve got two more treatments to endure then a mastectomy followed by radiotherapy.

I’ve cried a lot but my belief is you have to stay strong and be stronger than the actual cancer. My goodness I’ve cried buckets, still do on my down days. Be strong, keep strong and the support  from family and friends will help you through this awful time. 

I’m thinking this process will have taken up to 9 months of my life but will give me a future.

Wishing you all the best xx

Hi Karen, how you are feeling is how we all feel when you hear the news!! And being all different we have different types +grades but result it still makes us worry. 

I had similiar so I begged for a lumtectomy but no it had to be mastectomy so it sounds like you caught it small. Borderline HER2 + a wonderful surgeon developed a drug called Herceptin and later they may continue you on Femara. 

Yes its a journey we all would give anything not to be on but push the fear aside arm yourself with good friends and family, listen to your body, perhaps looking back it was the advice my son gave me when he wrote down a long list of questions to ask the surgeon (the surgeon was so happy to answer as he said it feels we are working together and over the years he has always listened to me) This forum is brilliant as peoples experience Helps us understand which gives you strength.

So now its tests and a few more when you thought thats it. Then surgery then to have chemo or not! radiotherapy or not ! Go with someone if you can and never fear ask questions. 

You will have your life back perhaps not exactly the same but with determination   I hope you do ok.

Big gentle hug and wishing you an easy journey.

Mf