Stage 2 breast cancer, her2 positive

Hi 

sorry you find yourself on here where nobody really wants to bet. But it is the right place to come to for support and some answers 

First of all can I just say Breathe .....

I take it you've had your results and plan meeting today ? And you are on a rollercoaster that you can't get off . What you need to understand is you are not alone !

we have all felt / feel like this 

Read my story on my profile and if you haven't already fill yours in it helps others when they are answering you.

Chemo before surgery or surgery before chemo or any chemo at all depends on what your diagnosis is  ?

I get no 5 Of 6 next week then start next stage of treatment but I an honestly say it hasn't been as bad as I thought . 

you need to gather as much info as you can from your team or perhaps on here but not google ( mostly out of date ) Ask as many questions as you wish .

once you know everthing you will feel more in control . 

I am HER2 pos and the chemo I'm having is to stop it recurring .

Keep posting 

margaret x

Thanks Margaret, the hospital is calling me tomorrow with all the info, results from my mri etc and where I go from there just at the stage I don't even want to take the call but i will I know deep down I'll get there its just my heads all over the place, iron has went up now too so taking dizzy turns prob with the over thinking can't eat sleep or just be normal for a full day hopefully after tomorrow ill understand things a bit better as no one has really spoke to me properly xxx

Honestly it is better once you know  

I had surgery first . No lump but lge area of calcification . The results and planning meeting was good news bad news all cancer removed but biopsy from surgery showed grade 3 Her 2 positive. So could recurmeaning I needed treatment to prevent .  Personally Although upset at thought of chemo I was more upset at the thought the little could come back lol

while you waiting ..the worst part of the whole thing .. have a browse around the threads  and read some of the stories you'll learn a lot . If you can't sleep try a AWAKE thread bit mad but usually someone on thru the night to chat to.

Her 2 pos means I have a protein that can attach to a cancer cell then divide and multiply it . So my treatment plan is all about stopping that . The masectomy removed the cancer but there could be a rogue cell . That's simplifying it . 

They may be wanting chemo first so the tumour reduces before surgery when you do go back take someone with you to write things down . Also a list of any questions they will be happy to give you time and answers .

try not to worry ..worrying doesn't change anything .

margaret x

Hi 

Sorry to hear of your diagnosis but you've come to the best place for support and advice. 

I'm halfway through my treatment schedule after having received my diagnosis in June this year. Those first few weeks waiting for everything to fall into place and getting your head around things are definitely the worst and your emotions will be all over the place.

The thought of chemo petrified me too but once I got going with it I was happy something was happening to fight the bugger. I had chemo first and am due surgery soon. Had my MRI today to find out if my tumour has shrunk. I won't go into all the details but my story is in my profile if you'd like to know more. 

Please try not to Google as a lot of the information and statistics can be out of date and you will scare yourself silly, as I did!  There are new drugs that are available to fight Her2+ BC now that weren't around years ago.  There are many positive stories out there and indeed a lot of ladies on this forum have their own, who can also answer questions and give advice around most things (as I have found out).

Let us know how you get on.

I read  threw your post and got me in tears a hope I'm as strong as you,, did you have to stay in hospital for your chemo I've not got a clue about it and its the losing my hair that's had me panicking makes me fiscally sick and terrified, people keep telling me not to be selfish because im not 100 % about taking the chemo just  so many people friends relatives take bad reactions from it it's terrifying I know everyone is different, and you've have me hope xx

Thank you very much,, I'm going to keep a pen and pad beside me tomorrow when they call xx

Hi

not Sure who your question directed at but you visit the hospital for chemo time your there depends on what type you on . I'm usually there about two hours . Some people drive themselves there and back .your imagination is usually worse than the reality .

Yes you can lose your hair I have but you can try things to combat it . Not going into it now as you already got too much going on in your head . Just do one step at a time which is sleep then phone call tomorrow .

To Highlight who you wish to talk to tap@ then the persons name a list will appear pick the one you want . 

Margaret x

You will find strength you didn't know you had. We are all warriors fighting this horrible disease. Honestly you feel so much better about things once you have your treatment plan in place. I know it's easy for me to say but try not to worry.  I was in your shoes only a few weeks ago and I can assure you that you will feel better about things than you do today. The feelings you have are still very raw as you've just found out. 

Chemo is only a day treatment so you won't have to stay overnight. The side effects vary from person to person and the hospital will provide you with all the support / medicine you need to overcome any side effects you may have. I had a vision of me being bedridden for weeks when in fact it just wiped me out for a few days each cycle then I would bounce back again and feel more like my old self. I was able to carry on doing things I would normally do. 

The hair loss is a major worry for a lot of ladies and some opt to use a cold cap to help prevent hair loss. I did this and have kept some hair. If it's something you may consider ask the hospital about it. I didn't want to wear a wig but I invested in one last week and people can't tell the difference between my old hair and the wig. In fact, I think it looks better than my hair!

Speak to the nurses at the hospital and they will give you honest advice. Read through some posts on here and these will help give you an idea too x

Sorry Margaret thought I had replied to someone else xx

Thank you so much xx