Hello from Spain

Hi, sorry you find yourself here.  I cannot help as far as chemo is concerned but as to your diagnosis HER2-positive breast cancer is a breast cancer that tests positive for a protein called human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). This protein promotes the growth of cancer cells. In about 1 of every 5 breast cancers, the cancer cells have extra copies of the gene that makes the HER2 protein. er+ means it is 'fed' by oestrogen and pr+ fed by progesterone. The treatment options appear to be similar to the UK and, as long as you are now receiving treatment you are probably in a better situation over there.  Are there no ex-pat groups you could connect with.  If you want to do some research on your treatment, try to stick to Breast Cancer Now or Cancer Research sites as many other sites have out of date information.

Hi It's me! (you know me)!  Glad you made it here and I'm sure there is loads of help and advice for you on the threads. If not there are some really helpful, lovely people about that will help you and to have a bit of banter with too!

You've had a really rough time lately and it sounds lonely, so I hope you take full advantage of the social aspect here. It's helped me feel not so alone.... dealing with cancer wise..... so I hope it does the same for you too... sorry, so tired I'm not making much sense, speak soon xx

Hi

So sorry that you find yourself here, but a warm welcome to the group - I see you already have a friend here! 

All the abbreviations and new terms we have to learn are confusing, let alone if you are learning them in 2 different languages. I have family in Spain  who have been through cancer treatment and I think it is much the same as here - theirs was excellent.

It sounds like chemo gave you a bit of a rough ride to start with - I hope your new regime is a bit easier on you. 

As far as taking supplements etc - it's always best to talk to your oncology team - certain things can interfere with the chemo drugs and it's best to check anything with them first. We have an Ask an Expert section here where you can post questions to one of our nurses and other guest experts and they'll try to get back to you within 2 working days.

After your treatment, Memorial Sloan Kettering have a good page where you can search for herbs, ingredients and "integrative" treatments. They give very factual information and list any interactions with drugs etc.

Don't worry about ramblings (pretty common round here ) or posting things in different discussions. There are no rules and we were all new here once - we're very friendly and helpful - just give us a shout if you need help with any of it.

R

Hi I’m also in Spain and think I may have spoke to you the other night, I am in LOS Dolses and have surgery on Wednesday in Quiron Torreveija 

Hi   if you want to make sure anyone specific is notified that you have replied to them you can tag them 

Use @ Then their name just click on highlighted name you want it then goes in your message and they get notified will tag so she looks at thread . 

Good luck on Wednesday take care 

Hello @KSD2021. I'm also in Spain, also working, also with breast cancer (right breast) – mammogram Jan, biopsy Feb, about to start chemo, and with family and friends grappling with getting here because of travel restrictions. That not sure if Spain is better than worse thing is exactly what I've been thinking about. The hospital care has been fast, impressive and reassuring, but local support – I'm pretty isolated – is very, very limited and underfunded indeed. 

Apologies if this Spain related stuff should be in another thread - I'll find my way about soon. Local village social services have actually suggested I think about returning to the UK so I have a family support network and maybe access to financial support. But I've lived here for 6 years (and outside the UK before that) and I'm not sure being uprooted from my peaceful home is going to help! I have good friends locally, just not access to home support or benefits – I have to keep working which I can do from home. Finding this thread and other people in Spain – especially who work here (normally) – is really good. I'm really sorry you're going through what you are going through but grateful you joined up and posted.

At the moment I feel like I'm in a tug of war with advice about staying or leaving from all sides. I've got confidence in my (distant) hospital team but I don't know how I'm going to feel once the chemo starts. I don't want to make a mistake that's going to damage my health or have my family worrying. But I don't have a crystal ball. Anyway - that's my intro! 

The abbreviations - yes, same. I had my son in Spanish but cancer in Spanish is giving me a whole new set of acronyms, like code. Thanks @Lesley63. And thanks to everyone who has mentioned useful stuff you can buy locally.