HER2+ ER-

Hi Ginny,

I6 years agoI I had the same kind of cancer and my biopsies and scan revealed 1 large and 1 smaller lump which I hadn't noticed. Also about 5 lymph nodes affected. I had my chemo first, then mastectomy and reconstruction followed by herceptin infusions. Ever since I have been taking Tamoxifen but that's another story. The surgeons at Broomfield were wonderful as I needed a reduction of the good breeat and my own body fat for the reconstruction ( from my abdomen). I was very lucky  not to suffer too much from chemo and made an effort to get fit I am feeling so well these days, and although my breasts are different sizes I feel so glad to be alive as at first discovery of the lump I thought I was going to die. Stay positive, I am sure it helps xx

Sorry, meant 6 years ago!

Thank you, that’s very encouraging to hear.   I’m sure you are right that it helps to keep a positive mindset.  I feel lucky that I found the lump and got referred very quickly.  Still can’t quite believe I’m in this position, how life can change in a short space of time!

6 is great - 16 would have been even better!

Hi Ginny like you I am Het 2 positive grade 3, I had my lumpectomy beginning of March with the all clear with sentinel nodes.

I am having 12 weekly Paclitaxel and 12 months of three weekly Herceptin.

I am up to week 5 next week, up to now my symptoms have been manageable with just a couple of days that I have struggled with. 

Hope everything goes well with your treatment x

love Jude

Thank you Jude, I think my worries about treatment are mainly about side effects so it’s good to know that they’re not always as awful as you think they are.  Good luck with the rest of your treatment.

Hi Ginny - you have exactly the same as me (diagnosis and size) . So pleased you posted as I had been able to try and find someone with the same thing. I have had one EC chemo - another 2 to go, then onto Docetaxel, Trastuzumab and Pentuzumab for 4 sessions.  I have managed the first chemo ok - but tired today (which is day10).    I just read the Docetaxel thread - those side effects look rough so not looking forward to that.   I also just had a portacath (canula) inserted into my neck / check.   I look like the walking wounded already (I also have a broken wrist) - someone asked me if I'd been in a  car accident!.     Ideally I would like to find someone on here who has the same as us but is much further on .     

Hi LuckyLil, I will be interested to see how you get on.  It seems that everyone has a different cocktail of drugs, I'm not looking forward to any of it, but then I doubt anyone does!  I am due to see my Oncologist on Friday this week, but want to delay start of treatment until after the second week in June as I have a break away with my girlfriends which I desperately want to enjoy first.  It's something that has been cancelled twice due to the covid restrictions so I'm really looking forward to it.  I will compare notes with you if that's ok when I get my treatment plan.  And I am trying to be positive about it, knowing that we all react differently - I'm hoping side effects will not be too bad.  I think after the positive news of getting everything out with no spread, I was disappointed that I still need to be bombarded with chemo.  Good luck to all who are having to go through this - the club none of us want to be in!  And just to add I am very grateful that I am in the position I'm in, I know it could have been much worse, and very much appreciate the care and kindness I've had from the breast surgeon and nurses so far.

Hi Ginny. I had one ‘negative’ lymph node and a lump they’d found removed last August and after having results where lump had grown (stage 3) a lot then things moved really fast for me - to be fair I couldn’t get it all done soon enough, but didn’t feel I’d had time to absorb it all before appointments and treatment started. The lymph node they removed was positive but as my cancer was so fast growing (8mm when they found it in May, 42mm + margins removed in August), they wanted to deal with that first - I had 6 chemo sessions every 3 weeks until the end of Jan. I had 3 sessions of the triple treatment, then, as I’m diabetic, they changed my chemo treatment for the last 3 sessions. I was lucky and sailed through the chemo with virtually no side effects, except for gradual hair loss. I then had to return to hospital for op for lymph glands to be removed and I was, for some reason, more nervous about that than anything else. They couldn’t start the herceptin immediately as my heart function had gone too low, but once the heart specialist was dealing with that and rate went up a bit, they opted to just give me herceptin every 3 weeks (for a year) and monitor me! Have appointment for lymph gland surgery results this week then a MUGA (heart) scan, appt with heart team and appt with cancer specialist the following week. (don’t know how I’d fit all these appts in if I wasn’t still on the sick!) - I know they normally give a combined herceptin injection following chemo but not sure if they’ll introduce that if my heart function has gone up. Am fully expecting them to tell me i’ll need radiotherapy once results given, but taking each appointment as they come! Hubby jokes that I should have permanent reserved parking spaces at the hospitals I go to as I’m there so often! 

Thanks for your reply Cookie, you’re right about there being lots to take in, it can feel a bit overwhelming.  It’s good to hear you are being so well monitored, but sounds a pain to have to visit the hospital so much!  Guess I’m lucky to have steered clear up to now!  I live on my own so will have to get a rota going with friends and family to give me lifts.  Parking is a nightmare at our hospital but maybe you get some priority (or free parking!) if you’re going regularly.  Good luck with the rest of your treatment.