Invasive Ductal Carcinoma HER2+ estrogen negative Grade 3. Help positive stories!

My surgeon gave me the option of mastectomy so i went for that with reconstruction. However it's a huge decision. But I was quite large breasted so able to save the skin to reconstruct. In hindsight I may of made a different choice. Speak to your breast nurse and discuss any further options available. There maybe a reason not to do a mastectomy. I didn't have any pre treatment either, not everybody does. It does feel like your in limbo waiting, it's the worst. There is hope. The only difference I had was I was oestrogen positive. I'm now two years in remission. I still have lots of tests scans etc to keep an eye. Lots of lovely people on here...they were my saviours, lots of support and info xx I do feel for you xx I'm a nurse so they went with my reasons for mastectomy. Mine being on my left breast, already have a heart problem with pacemaker, and any radiotherapy if I needed it  could of damaged my heart further, and they agreed. Being medical didn't make it any easier decision. I was only 48 at the time as well. That was two years ago. I've just had further surgery on my reconstruction (two weeks ago)as lots of scar tissue that was causing restrictions in movement. And a reduction on the right to match the sizes, now got perty boobies but Crazy amount of pain. You will have an array of emotions xx having cancer means your a bad ass xx keep strong chick xxx 

Hello, i had IDC Her 2 positive , i had mastectomy in March with immediate reconstruction, chemo for 12 weeks and still getting Trastuzumab injections every three weeks ( HER2 positive cells blocker). I remember very well how i used to study in google my diagnosis, it make me sick even more I followed advice my surgeon, he advise me to have mastectomy instead of lumpectomy as after MRI they found. Precancer cells in two areas. I wish you to be strong you will pass this as we all do , even our cancer more aggressive but its very treatable this days . Please ask anything im very happy to give all info about my journey. X 

Thank you for your story. I think people that get through this are super human. I feel exhausted and it's not even properly begun. I just want to feel like I'm doing something instead of waiting for it to spread before surgery. I really don't understand why they won't give me the mastectomy, I'd do anything to get rid of this! They say that they don't think it's spread into a lymph yet but by the time I have the op 23rd November who knows? I am grade 3 which I know is bad and they won't stage it until after the op which I presume will be another long wait. Well done for being so strong and thank you for getting back to me x

Hello thank you for your reply. I really don't know why they won't offer the mastectomy. I spoke to a nurse on Friday and she said they obviously don't think I need it or they have their reasons. I am worried it's because I'm younger so they don't want me to have to have one but I'd cut anything off if I knew I had a better chance. I am supposed to have chemo with a target treatment after. You are so brave and well done on keeping your strength x

Hi you shouldn’t be worry about what type of surgery you been offered as this is not one person’s opinion. Doctors know what they doing and you in very safe hands and you will get best treatment! You will have same like me chemo and targeted therapy for one year. Apart that iam getting bone strengthening infusions every 6 months for next Three years. My life its back to new normal and i even forgot about my diagnosis and chemotherapy… its hard in the beginning but with the time you just moving on with whatever it is. Be strong and positive x

If you want a mastectomy you can insist. I did just wanted it gone and it is. Xxx it’s your body your choice 

Please take the advice of your team. There has been lots of research to show that removing the lump with good margins is as effective a treatment as a mastectomy. Once they do the lumpectomy it’s goes to pathology and they then can assure you that all is gone. If not then the disadvantage in having a lumpectomy is you perhaps have to return to surgery for a mastectomy if they feel it necessary. They will advise. Please think carefully about asking for a mastectomy if they feel you don’t need one. I had a lumpectomy first but ended up with a mastectomy as they found more pre cancer cells. I  have found it hard to cope with my appearance/prosthetics etc but know in my heart it was in my case necessary. That’s why I can live with it ok.Although I don’t like it it is a small price to pay for a life. But consider carefully. 

Jojodot X 

I completely understand how you feel - the waiting is so hard.  Once it all starts you will start to feel better knowing action is being taken so to speak. I had my op first then chemo after / I think they will decide what is best for you based on your pathology results so try not to worry what everyone else is having even though that’s hard right now. Try to keep remembering this is your personal plan they have designed for you - based on you. I was also told I would have lumpectomy and I felt same as you I just wanted it gone and so asked for mastectomy.  However they explained that lumpectomy removes  the cancer and if they couldn’t get it all then I would have mastectomy after. They want to preserve your beast if they can. I ended up with two lumpectomy operations to remove more pre cancerous cells. I’m now 7 weeks post chemo and I’m glad I listened to their advice. If your worried keep talking to the breast care team,  we are all different and it’s important to say how you feel and talk about all the options. Hope it all goes well for you.