HER2 positive

Hey Shaz

Thanks for your explanation. Sorry to hear you have had to go through surgery twice. You did what is right based on expert medical advice.

I have been told mastectomy, then TCHP regardless of which comes first. I understand some ladies have chemo first but in my head my overwhelming worry about spread is the issue. Even though some say the chemo will clear anything else..but how will they know...each person is different. So in my head if surgery first then can am mentally stronger to face chemo. The risk of course is the healing as I need to heal properly before chemo starts. But who knows this until you're in it! I have just been so mentally challenged like never before!

They have checked out my left boob now to just make sure nothing sinister there. Wednesday I see the Surgeon and hopefully then get more clarity. I feel the surgeon of course say surgery  and onco will sure say treatment. But ultimately they say its your body you decide...easy for them to say ...Baah!

Sorry to sound panic here....I just wana go in hole and hide right now.

C x

Hey Wallydug

Yes...bonfire to burn all things boobies at our meetings  

Your Onco needs a medal for explaining in detail for your decision is made in a well informed way, the best you can do for you!

I do wonder whether there is a chance of success rate... I briefly spoke to the nurse and she said not much in it! They do chemo first as some ppl think off with the boob and I am then cancer free  but the treatment is what helps to keep the cancer at bay. As I understand it, aim of it is preventing reoccurrence and make tumor smaller to operate on. So what I was told is the downside is like what you say...no idea whether treatment is working.

But if after 3 rounds of chemo my body is shattered and if its not working then I have to operate...I know its prob not priority the op but in my head the cancer spreading scare is overwhelming and that I can heal a lot faster with op out of the way.  Maybe I am talking myself into the journey...gaah lol I just need to feel comfortable in my decision. Once you're on it you're on it! And no pulling the breaks.

Did you feel your boob hurt as the tumour shrunk during chemo? Don't answer if not comfy to, sorry to ask as it's so personal. My boob hurt some days which leaves me to think spread!!

 Thanks for the tip about the new Her2 drug...I am so glad medicine is getting so much better for all our sakes

Hi yes another surgery after chemo. I recovered really well after my first. I did have mri and ultrasound  both confirmed lymph nodes was clear and they was after surgery. Also mri showed my other breast clear and I had a reduction on that breast and tissue histology was clear. My biopsy sample was not enough to show a full result for her2 positive so was advised surgery. They had a good indication of my size because of the contrast mri  was 25 mm on mri and 20mm when removed. Mri does sometime shows things bigger. They got good margins around my tumour it was just my pre cancerous cells.  Ahh bless you, happy to help and chat anytime. What would you feel more comfortable having done first xxxx

Thanks for the explanation Shaz.

Myself I think in my head it's surgery first. Do you get told all this in a report or from Dr? No one said anything off the many scans I had but perhaps this is going to be discussed on Wed.

Slightly sore on left boob today as had biopsy which they think is a cyst. At least they're being thorough.

Bless you...do please keep talking. Where are you on the journey?

Thinking of you and hope you're OK?

C x

Yh I am okay, first cycle of chemo I have been fine. I met a lovely lady there and I understand our bodies process things differently but she advised drinking loads of water, she was a cycle ahead of me on the same regime. So I did and have been okay. After chemo surgery, while still on herceptin so Feb time then unsure about rads but hormone tabs. Yh they should go through all your results with you, you can ask to see them on his screen. I am seeing my oncologist 2 days before next treatment so I still have questions to ask. I write them down. xxx

Hi , I’ve actually not felt to bad , but tired but apart from that nothing much else , hope you are ok ? X

Oh OK I feel I am not getting much info fr doctors or am I just being blur. Drinking water is always good. Since diagnosis I gave up coffee...never thought I could but I did! Just water for me these days too. It flushes everything out. Prob is it makes you pee so much lol

It's nice to have a natter with another during chemo...we are naturally social butterflies...when u have common ground its even better.

Yup me too writing down all the questions although I am not sure i want to hear all the answers lol

Does you boob hurt during chemo, assuming the tumour responds to the chemo? Just wondering 

C x

Hi all, I was diagnosed in Feb 21 with BC stage 3  which was 20mm and had spread to 5 lymph nodes, also was oestrogen and HER2 positive. I had 4 rounds of EC chemo, then 4 docetaxel/herceptin that took me to mid August. I had surgery (lumpectomy) end September  and now awaiting radiotherapy and have the herceptin/phesgo injection every 3 weeks until next May,

I was advised to have chemo before surgery as this would kill/reduce and cancer cells within the lymph nodes and any other areas in which it spread. I tried the cold cap for the first 3 cycles, but I found it too draining and my hair was still falling out, so I gave up on it and shaved my hair off early May, best thing I did, felt in control!!! I bought loads of headbands and hats. You also get £150 off the government towards a wig/- ask the hospital for a referral if you need one. Post each chemo session I’d have a few days feeling really good due to the steroids, but then hit the wall and have to rest up for a few days due to extreme tiredness. You do need to listen to your body and some days just lie on the bed or couch- I’m a master at afternoon napping now, whereas pre cancer I was hyper active.  Top tips were- drink loads of water for days after, get some senocot and take on a night before bed if you are on EC as it bungs you up! However the docetaxel had the opposite effect- the joy! you will get aches and cramps take ibuprofen, get an antiseptic mouthwash without alcohol in it - I used corsodyl - use it daily to prevent ulcers and thrush, have some gaviscon at the ready for heartburn. Slept as much as you can- I was having 14 hours some days. It helps your body heal. However you sweat a lot- so get some nice cotton nightwear and think about light bed covers. When you have good days, dress up, go out (safely!) and enjoy. Your tastebuds May change- red wine tasted like petrol for me but organic red was ok! I found creamy things were best and am now an ice cream fanatic!!! Ginger can be good and some sweets too suck on for your taste buds. I was cold all the time so be sure to wrap up warm and always have layers. If you go to chemo wear comfy clothes, take some nibbles, also  reading materials or things to keep you occupied as you can be there a while- I had a chemo bag that I had packed to take every time. I think that’s probably more than enough for you to think about, but please ask me anything at all. It’s a time of unchartered territory and if I can help then I will. Please also remember there is financial help with free prescriptions that you will get and apply for the personal independence payment through the government website - neither are means tested and do not affect any other benefits. Good luck xxx

Hi thank you for your lovely reply and speaking about your journey. Was yours grade 2 and how did it respond to your treatment  best wishes xxx

Hi, I am grade 3 and stage 3 - oestrogen and her2 positive, tumour 20mm and in 5 lymph nodes. I am still awaiting the histology results post surgery, but early reports from the pathologist has said they think the tumour had disappeared from chemo and herceptin treatment, albeit still waiting confirmation. Will continue with herceptin till next May, although having more regular Echo cardigan scans as heart function has reduced, will get radiotherapy in next few weeks and will be on tamoxifen daily tablet for next 10 years. Side effects are very manageable at the min although I think radiotherapy may be tiring for a week or so.I feel lucky to have responded so well, and though it’s not been easy there have been more good days than bad. Hope that helps, please ask anything and I’ll share whatever I can to help, but I know everyone’s journey and reactions to treatment can be very different xxx sending you all big hugs xxxx