I was diagnosed with non invasive ductal breast cancer a couple of weeks ago and was told I’d have a lumpectomy followed by radiotherapy. To be honest this seemed like best of a bad business and I’d been adjusting. But when I went to sign my consent form today the consultant told me I had. HER2 positive and would need chemo and or radiotherapy... suddenly everything feels horribly scarey with all that goes with the chemo word... can anyone help me calm down?
Hi Cora S
this time last year this was me in some respects . A very frightening scary time.
I was told lumpectomy and radiotherapy . But in the end I had a mastectomy and Chemo but no radiotherapy!! You see once they get all that pathology and scans analysis, they make us a plan purely for us , individually . This isn’t a one size fits all situation. On Saturday i I had a meet up in Glasgow with several ladies from this site and we all had different treatments . I also attended a breast cancer care meeting and again we were all different . You should take comfort in this , it’s a personally tailored plan for YOU.
I was terrified and had a couple of mega melt downs , I asked lots of questions and this is what you must do , speak to your breast care nurse or team . Also the nurses on this site , their number is on the bottom of the page , they are wonderful .
Chemo isn’t easy for everyone , but it’s doable . I didn’t get radiotherapy, so can’t comment .
The ladies on Saturday at our meet up agreed they can’t fault our treatment from the NHS . Ok we had questions of our team and they were answered.
Last January I thought my world had ended , now I need to ask myself “ did that happen to me ?”
Im living life to the full again . I have been really well since September - active treatment was March operation, April to July Chemo .
Someone else will be along soon , to put your mind at ease re radiotherapy
once your treatment starts it actually gets easier, because it’s happening and some people get side effects when some get very little , I was NEVER sick , wore coldcap and only got thin hair on top. It’s the worry and wondering how you will be that is hard.
And the WAITING !! The WAITING IS THE WORST !!
Lots of Love
Ruby Rose 
Hi Cora S
I have had a similar experience with being told DCIS and radiotherapy then everything changed after WLE surgery when I was told I was HER2+ so chemo, Herceptin and radiotherapy for me now.
I am screamingly angry at how scary this sounds-chemo was my worst nightmare-it’s ok to feel scared, we are human and the unknown is really scary but I was just wondering how you got on with your treatment 2 years down the road?
hope all went well x
Wishing you all peace and calm in the storm...with a helping of laughter and joy to bring healing 
️
Hi Ruby Rose,
just read your reply and profile. I’m hoping I can be as positive as you. It sounds like your chemo got progressively harder, that must have been difficult. I’m trying to get my head in a positive attitude that this is my choice for a better chance at survival when my head is screaming these are toxic chemicals they want to give you. Probably underlying fear as my 1st husband had Hodgkin disease at 22 and died at 26 from chemo induced leukaemia, albeit that was 40yrs ago the drugs haven’t changed much.
I’m 64 and live in Glasgow, Scotland and am interested that you met up with others although in Covid times that might need to be virtual! Support outside family is key I think?
Hope all stays well and hopeful and joyful with you. I have too much to live for to let this overtake my life, love that your living life to the full. Hugs x
Wishing you all peace and calm in the storm...with a helping of laughter and joy to bring healing ️
