HER2 positive

Shaz52

I think key to surgery is exercise and resting. Let the body heal, so you did splendidly. Us ladies tend to have much going on that we are on the go. So resting may 'appear' lazy (guilty of myself!!!) So it's good of you to say to remind me to take things easy.

Well having neoadjuvent chemo like Dawnlou I know it's a scary place this waiting  and I am trying to keep calm (as they say ignorance is bliss). Waiting for scans and port next week. I don't let myself think too far ahead as I will then have so many unhelpful thoughts. Feel less warrior and more worrier...I need my head to be in a good place going into treatment. Like many I feel scared about spread...I tell myself my body has more good cells than bad at the mo so I am not letting C win...fighting talk I know! You read about the side effect in books off chemo, and you wana just run for the toilet! So I think I am being sensible with most things. Sleeping is a struggle ..just broken nights sleep although I get the 6 hours stretch

I think it's so important we are here (unwillingly!)that we keep giving each other strength and encouragement to get through this. You ladies and your stories gives so much warmth and hope in a truly scary time. 

Sending you healing vibes 

C x

Waiting is the worst but you got this. Some people have few side effects and that’s great, I tried out most on the list and more besides but that was ok to.

 I never had nausea or vomiting, I didn’t lose my eyebrows but all the rest of my hair fell out. Not so bad, didn’t have to shave my legs for 6 months and went to the hairdressers for the first time in 10 months yesterday.

Lack of eyelashes caused a bit of a problem but I was given eye drops, if needed keep them in the fridge it’s really soothing when they are cold.

 I was given steroids and much to my horror I could have applied to the Guiness  book of records for biggest weight gain whilst on chemo -nobody warned me of that one! Don’t panic within 6 weeks of finishing chemo I had lost it all with no effort on my part!

At times it will feel like it’s never going to end but it does and you will look back and think it wasn’t that bad.

Take care x

What is next for you?

Thanks for sharing...you seem to make the most of a bad situation...so many pluses right? no spend on hair dressers or shampoo lol Weight gain also ...it doesn't say in books but of course everyone is different.

I want to eat healthy, have you any recommendations during chemo about appetite? I am not a big eater anyway and normally would go against grazing but I think I need to rethink this strategy! 

I totally admire that you took everything in your stride...well done you...would it be surgery next?

I hope to take time off during chemo to concentrate on my health, one less worry! Thank godness work is supportive.

Goodnight and rest well - take care

C x

@Dawnlou

Will be thinking of you on Monday!! Make sure you are armed full with some self entertainment! Did they say how long will your day be?

Ditto about the eyebrow. It's strange isn't it....must have taken for granted my eye brows lol

Do something nice for your weekend ....let us know how you get on? You're lucky you aren't hanging about waiting! Long road ahead but I am confident you will be alright. 

Take care 

C x

Thank you , I will be getting lots of magazines and taking my tablet .

Its going to be about 3 1/2 - 4 hours , first session they said will go on a bit longer as obv need to discuss things etc . 

I will let you know how it goes xx

Hi. Your diagnosis is similar to mine. HER 2 Positive on the left breast.  Lymph node on that side is also affected,  just that I don't know what grade it is.  I'm starting chemotherapy on Thursday and don't know what to expect. 

Very encouraging.  Thanks so much.  About to start treatment and I've been gloomy ever since. Alot going on in my head, school,  family, work... felt forsaken. Trying to pray despite all so many distractions. I just can't get answers to anything...

I had my first EC chemo on the 1st October and the thought of it was much worse than the actual chemo. I had about 4 days where I slept a lot and felt pretty out of it but I felt progressively better from day 6 onwards. 

I was told by the nurses at the chemo centre to remember to do nice things in between chemos and not to just wait for the next cycle. 

Hi, I was diagnosed with HER2+ grade 2 stage 2 two tumours in one breast with lymph node involvement..I had chemo first rather than surgery.  I have just gone through 8 sessions of chemotherapy which included 4 herceptin. My ultrasound at 7 sessions of chemo showed full response as in couldn’t be found on scan. Which was huge relief and worth the pain of going through chemo.  Had my mastectomy yesterday with sentinel node biopsy. pleased to get cancer breast gone. Annoyingly I seem to have some of the listed side effects for herceptin so another year of that I am trying not to focus on too much and keep of them screaming cancer cells in pain and at bay. Radiotherapy next for me when recovered from slicing. Happy to chat through any things about Chemo cos that is damn tough but doable. 

Hi I am just about to start chemo, any advice pls. So pleased your scan was clear that's amazing news. How big was your tumour, amazing news it's not on scan. Best wishes with your treatment xxx