Hi just found out I am grade 3 HER2 positive, anyone else been given this. Told I am having 4-6 months of chemo followed by surgery than possibly radiation. x
Hi Gina. I was HER2 pos, grade 3. Diagnosed April 2019. As far as I know, I am now clear.
It’s a longer journey because you will have to have a bit more treatment than some, but it’s doable, and it does end. I had 6 months of chemo, then surgery, then radiotherapy, and then ongoing herceptin and perjeta. It takes a while.
On the positive side the aggressive cancer is greedy, so it eats up all the chemo and dies! Chemo is not pleasant but it is very effective. You can do this. Good luck.
After my MX in July 2019 I was diagnosed with HER2 pos grade 3 .
Everyone different but my treatment plan was chemo EC x6 on three weekly cycle which finished seven weeks ago and now on Herceptin injections til Jan 21 also three weekly .
Im also on an infusion to protect bones once every six months all as a protection .
Your treatment plan could differ but just remember it is tailored to you and it is all doable
Your story sounds very much like mine. How did you get on with the EC what side effects did you get i know we are all different i am starting my chemo on tues 18th feb
i am going mad with all the reading of the posts on here. Looking forward to the weekend as going to the seaside with my daughter and her family think its going to rain though.
have you had a picc line put in, it seems i might have to have a cannula for first lot of chemo if they cannot fit me in ti have picc line then have line fitted for second cycle.
i was told by the nurse the side effects that i could have, i'm only having EC and the injections what ever they are i think i'm lucky i'm only having half the amount of steroids due to being diabetic steroids make your blood sugars go up and mine are high enough.
i was shown the chemo suite this did not help let me know how you get on
My story is on profile just click on my name to read . Good idea to fill your profile in as it helps when people are replying to you .
I had EC x6 original plan was EC x3 then Docetaxel but I have Bowel ptoblem so Docetaxel removed from plan and EC x6 .
Everyone different but for me I would say SE were minimal / Manageable . Not saying felt marvellous but remained on feet and no infections .
Hair loss with EC is classed as inevitable but you you could chose to use cold cap which can be successful in keeping hair
My choice was not to use cold cap and was lucky with hair loss not starting til 3/4 Cycle . A lot of people can lose hair in first cycle .
I had hair cut to pixie before chemo then only handle when nesc. So less shampo used and def no hairdryer etc . Just finger dried think that's what made it last longer . Certainly I felt better as Inwas in control not chemo so less upset about it going . Hairdresser kept it tidy with short cut until Just before no6 when I decided a no 2 shave so it had a shape to grow back into . 8 weeks since end of chemo and it on its way back now .
with regards other SE you'll be told the long list don't worry you won't get then all that would be greedy
So expect Nausea for a few days ..take meds shouldn't vomit report to your unit if you do they can change meds .
About day 7 I got mouth ulcers not many but started mouthwash as I started chemo . Then about day 10 oral thrush again chemo unit provided med when told .
Dehrydration can cause problem with skin and constipation so make sure drink plenty . Listen to body rest when it tells you but also be up and about when you can .
Have a read on first page of Feb Chemo page there is a link with tips well worth a read .
The only other thing I would advise is use a diary and you will see a cycle emerge then you can plan when your good days are usually around day 15 onwards ( treatment day 1 )
Ditto me diagnosed 8 Jan. Just done my second chemo and facing a similar path. It’s not fun but I can already feel a change to the lump and feeling positive. We are fortunate to have very effective treatments. Onwards and upwards!
My first EC in Jan dragged me down bad - second. Second one not as bad, apparently not as much of a shock to the system. I also fasted 24 hrs Pre and 18 post which I think helped.
it causes nausea but I was given plenty of meds so didn’t throw up at all. These drugs mad me feel vet dehydrated, so drinking a lot of water.
fatigue - you’ll feel like you’ve got a terrible flu but slowly start coming back to normal. After 8 days I was feeling strong and like myself again.
tastes changed for the first two weeks - went off coffee completely which I normally love.
favourable side effect? I felt stinging and shooting pain through the tumour and just before second cycle plucked up the courage to feel the tumour and it definitely feels smaller.
im grateful to have a great team and treatment plan. We’re going for complete pathological response, 60% Chance of that, then surgery and then we’ll see. A long road ahead... but I’m positive.
