Her2 positive breast cancer

Hi @Charlieand lola

This is the same diagnosis as me but my lump was bigger but with no spread to lymph nodes. I too started off in a main city hospital as it was picked up by a routine mammogram and so first call was a breast cancer centre. There after initial diagnosis I had a liver scan a bone scan and a chest X-ray. Then I asked to be transferred to a more local hospital. Here they asked for CT scans and Breast MRI scan before I met my team. And I did find all the waiting for appointments and results a most traumatic time.

Luckily though all was straightforward and once I met my oncologist she explained treatment plan which from diagnosis to that point was a bit over a month.

Since starting treatment I have felt quite positive that things will go smoothly due to the professionalism of the team I am under.

Fo me treatment started soon after that and I had chemo to reduce the size of the lump every three weeks. For the first three treatments it was EC . Each treatment took about two hours and it was administered through a cannula with a nurse supervising at all times. So it was a quite relaxed environment once you get used to it. Then I had an MRI to assess the effect of the treatment. The lump had decreased a bit but not remarkably. Then I moved on to Doxataxel /perjeta and herceptin for three treatments currently just had my second of these. On examination on Tuesday I was given great news as the oncologist was very happy to tell me that after one dose of these drugs that the lump was more or less gone. This has to be confirmed with an MRI but if that is the case I should be able to have a lumpectomy rather than a mastectomy which is much less invasive surgery. So I am keeping my fingers crossed. So you see the chemotherapy does work and does so in many many many cases.

As it is Her + I will receive 15 further doses of herceptin at three weekly intervals after chemo is finished.

Following surgery I will then have three weeks of radiotherapy. So it is a long road but once you start treatment you just have to go along with it and fight all the way to be rid of this cancer.

We can do it - you can do it . Stay positive. Be brave but you are allowed to cry and before you start treatment enjoy all the things you can do now and try to overcome the inevitable fears you will have.

Hope this helps.

Jojodot X

Thank you so much you have explained alot to me. I really appreciate it. It just worries me it's in my lymph nodes. I really want to get the treatment started because as you say the waiting is terrible.

Thanks again xxxxxx

Julie xxxx charlieandlola 

Hi @Charlieand lola and Jojodot,

Jojodot, my diagnosis is quite similar to yours. Similar (ish) journey so far. Tumour size about 2.5cm by 1 cm and like your experience, picked up in a routine mamogram. I am at the initial stages where I've just had one chemo session. I have been prescribed the same medical route as you. However, no liver/bone/MRI scans were done.

I am sure @Charlieand lola, you will be fine. In present times, much advance has been made in this field and we are receiving the best care. The oncologist will tell you the implication of it having spread to the lymph nodes. I know from the experience of two others, that it gets contained by chemo/radiation. Please have faith, think positive ONLY and don't Google for answers. A dear friend, who is a doctor, advised me this and I cannot thank him enough. It can be devastating when you hear the initial diagnosis. Soon you realise, the prognosis is good and how common it is. We will be strong and get through this!

Jojodot, I had some questions re the aftereffects of chemotherapy. Would you be happy to address/discuss them?

Wishing you both a happy weekend.

With love and best wishes XX

PS Are both of you going through the NHS? I am.

,

Hi there. Hope you managed your first chemo session ok. And the side effects are manageable. I think once you get started and you know what the plan is things are easier to deal with. I am sure the medical team would reassure you.

I am happy to discuss my experiences but be aware everyone reacts differently . You can pm me if you like or happy to discuss here. 
I am under NHS but again different areas have different procedures.

Jojodot X

Jojodot,

Hi,

Thank you for your prompt reply. The three days after the session were very difficult. Thank you for asking. I have spoken to the oncology nurse and she has asked me to give feedback in the pre assessment clinic.

Indeed, it seems that different areas have different procedures.

I do not know how to send a personal message. However, I have selected an option of 'befriend' or something on those lines! Will that make personal messaging possible? I wonder! I do realise everyone reacts differently. It's little things which might sound silly, that I wanted to ask. :-)

I hope you are coping well. 

Best wishes XX

Hi Charlieandlola,

How are you feeling now? I hope you are being positive. The good thing is that treatment will begin after the 17th.

Please don't feel scared. We are lucky that the situation is under control and medication is beginning soon.

How did the MRI go?

XXX

Hello

I'm a state today. Its consuming every waking moment 24/7.

The MRI was on my breast so they can assess the

lump and the affected nodes. 

I feel worn out with worry.

How are you?

Julie xxx

Hi I have just returned from an oncologist appointment. I am very similar my lump was 2.8 cm with 6 lymph-nodes out of 9 involved macromatatiss. I have completed 4 fec and just about to start the T part. Today I have been told second lump that appeared had gone and I am responding to treatment. I was also told my prognosis is good. Hope this helps. 

BB

xx

Hi Julie,

Please do try to shift your attention so breaking the pattern of thought. Worrying will not help you in any way (Sorry if you don't like to hear this!). BB has also written a few minutes back about her journey and the prognosis is good! Great news. I am sure your prognosis will be good and positive too. Have faith.

There's this British graduate from Cambridge who became a monk-Ajahn Brahm. Google him on youtube. Listen to any of his talks (you can see the title and choose) and believe me you will enjoy them. Let the initial few minutes go by before you decide it's not for you. Brilliant chap, great messages..no religious overtones. He is a Buddhist monk. Do try and tell me what you think of it. :-) He is based in Australia.

With love. Smile for no reason and you feel better. Try!

Hi BB,

So good to hear about the second lump disappeared and the prognosis is good. Reason to celebrate!

How did you hold out with the FEC? I have to go through three-only one over so far. Are you Er+ and HER2 + as well? Thank you for sharing and encouraging us. WIsh you all the best.

XXX