Just been told that my HE 2 is positive

Hi Robin59,

My cancer was also her2 positive. The good thing is that there’s herceptin and other targeted medicines that only work on her2 positive cancer. The downside is that they’re only given with chemotherapy as they work best together.  My oncologist said that before the new medicines, having a her2 positive tumour was bad news, now, with the new medicines, it’s really evened things out. Have you had surgery yet? I had surgery first as my tumour was small and they wanted to remove it before it spread. Often now people have chemo before surgery and then you’re allow another drug, which is really effective, so don’t panic!

Take care,

sarah

Hi Sarah yes a had a mastectomy about 4 weeks ago from DCIs with micro invasion - expecting little on going treatment but then told hormone receptors negative & was waiting for HE 2 but told would be chemo therapy just gutted as seems the worst case scenario - which I didn’t expect at all !

Hi ,

First of all welcome to the community that nobody wants to join but once we are here we realise it's where we need to be now .

When you get a chance fill in your story in your profile .It helps when we know a little about you .

Feel free to read my story similar to you a masectomy then two weeks after Told cancer gone but HER2 Pos and chemo etc to follow .

It is shocking but I promise it's gets better once you know your treatment plan . Then start treatment you will feel more in control .

I'm on day 17 of my fourth 21 day cycle of EC chemo . 

Your treatment depends on a few things obviously type of cancer , pre or post menapausal , any other health issues etc .

I was told in simple terms Her 2 Pos is a protein that I have in my body. This protein can attach to any rogue bc cancer cell then divide and multiply therefore causing my cancer to recur ..treatment is to stop this .

Do remember I'm not a nurse/doctor we all differ  So you need your team to explain what your cancer is .

What has been said already is true HER2 Pos is one of the few occasions when pos is not good news but neither is it the worst news there are treatments to stop it recurring . 

Chemo is pants but not as bad as your imagination tells  you . 

Try not to panic or worry too much use any distraction you can inbetween app.remember you're still recovering from op .

have a browse around threads you'll find others with Her 2. Pos 

keep posting 

margaret x

Hi

My wife was diagnosed HER2+ positive way back in May 2012 - It is a long drawn out treatment regime, but it works.

Know it is scary facing this unexpected news, but these new targeted therapies are game changers for this type of BC.

Hugs, G n' J

Thank you so much for your reply - it is great to hear your wife has done so well. Yes my surgeon said the new drugs given for HE-2 now improve outcomes. The road ahead is daunting and I know long ! But feedback like this really helps 

I'm another HER2 positive passenger on this ride and also ER and PR negative.  I had my surgery (Mastectomy without reconstruction) in May and finished chemo 4 weeks ago.  I'm waiting for dates for radiotherapy and will hopefully start Herceptin on Monday (should have been last Monday but it was delayed a week because my blood count was too low after chemo).

So far the whole process has been doable, not very pleasant but doable and the care you get from everyone is great as well as the support and advice you get here.

The good news for all of us is that we seem to have a successful treatment for our cancer type available which seems to have a good success rate.

When this all started I didn't know how I would get through this or that I would cope but I have got this far and I know you will too.  I was like you at the beginning, daunted and scared and fearful of the unknown but keep going, you'll be through it soon and can start to get your life back.

Take care and ask away with any questions or worries you have, one of us who've been there before you will try to help and certainly lend an ear.

XOXO

Thank you I really appreciate your support