Her 2 Positive diagnosis

Good morning Sunflower! It is indeed such a shock for your dear mum to find herself in this position but we really do understand what this feels like.  Also the upcoming treatments and how they’re administered is an unknown and of course frightening to start with! Believe me you soon get into a routine and always remember, is all for the Good! Firstly, there are scans for some people, these may include bone, brain, body, but not everyone needs these. Secondly some have lumpectomies or mastectomies before or after chemo. It varies.  Chemo itself is not a walk in the park for some but others (like my friend) sail through it! It is of course poisons going through your body and can leave after-effects such as diarrhoea, constipation, aches, pains, loss of taste and general unwellness but not only do the chemo unit give you meds to cope, they will log all your symptoms. The chemo staff are the best in the hospital! I went on to have radiotherapy 18 rounds and found this fine. It’s a long road but macmillan navigators are there to help as are the breast nurses should you need to speak. Tell your mum to keep the faith and take each day/appointment/treatment, as it comes. I wish you and your family an easy onward journey xxx

One more thing, read Irishgirl16( I think that’s the title in the Blog)she makes great sense!

Hello Sunflower 

I started my cancer journey in January 2023. I to had HER2 +ve type cancer. I had a 4 cm sized lump and also lymph node involement

My treatment plan is 6 rounds of chemo, surgery and then Radiotherapy. 

I'm having my 6th and final round of chemo next Thursday. At the start of all this I wondered WHY me and NOT fair!!!

The biggest issue is the unknown. My mum had breast cancer in her 40's,  but didn't have the same reatment as me. 

Chemo therapy is a trial for anyone. It can be brutal. Every person reacts differently. The first round is the hardest, as this is the one your mum's future rounds will be based on. The Oncologist will only be able to gage drug dosage for further rounds depending on signs and symptoms from the first round. By this I mean my drugs were reduced in dosage after round one as I had quite a few symptoms. 

I decided against Cold capping and have lost my hair and of late eyebrow and eye lash are thinning. This was a big decision to make.

My experience seemed to change with every round. I didn't know I would have to have regular Heart scans due to the Phesgo (HER2) injections causing possible heart failure. I was given different levels of drugs on different rounds

Being tired is the biggest issue for me. If your mum is very active then like me, it is hard not being able to achieve what my head is wanting, but my body is refusing to do. Listen to your body. You do get better as the days go by.

Keep a daily diary and take to any oncology appointments. It is easy to forget the small details by the end of the first round, which could be important for you Oncologist to know. 

Speak to the Breast care nurses who are so patient and understanding. Nothing seem too big a problem for them to solve. Amazing ladies.

The nurses on the treatment clinic are wonderful pepole. They are a fountain of knowledge, so ask questions, no matter how stupid.

Hopefully your mum is surrounded by good friends and a loving family. They're support is very important.  

Tell your mum to be honest with her feelings and not to hide them away.  Her friends  family will not be able to help if they have little idea on how she feels.

It is OK to have break downs. Crying is a good cleanser for built up feelings. 

At the very beginning I wrote in my diary " I am exactly where I NEED to be" I may not have wanted to be there but, given the situation......

Best of luck to your mum and like all of us here, we'll see her on the other side. 

Sunflower 

I forgot to mention that after round one my lump had disappeared. The cancer cells may not have all gone but the 4 cm mass was not longer present nor the lymph node enlargement.  Best of luck 

Thank you so much Tavares. It was a shock to hear and I think I was trying to process it all but you’re right we will take each day as it comes. My mums team are lovely and so I’m hopeful for the best. I’m glad to hear you reacted well to your radiotherapy even though it was quite long. I hope you’re doing well! Xx

Hi Klee65, thank you so much for your detailed answer. I will take all you’ve said to heart. I think the main thing I am trying to do is to be there for her. She is someone who likes to stay busy so I think the fatigue you’ve mentioned will be the hardest for her but we’ve discussed this. I guess we will just take each day as if comes. 

I hope you’re well. And your final round of chemo goes well! I wish you the best of luck! 

thank you