Hi allI started my journey 3 weeks ago! It started with a call back from Breast Screen Q. I received the results, my GP got me to a surgeon the next day & I has surgery the day after! No thinking time I just wanted this sucker out! I have since had a 2nd surgery to increase the margins but all was good.Diagnosis: Invasive Carcinoma 10mm Grade 2 Total Score 70/2 Lymph NodesOestrogen receptor: Positive 25%. (most women 75-100%)Progesterone receptor : Positive 5% (negligible)HER2: Positive Score 3+I am very lucky that the cancer was very small, found early and hadn't escaped through the nodes. There will Radium but the question of Chemo - the jury is still out? I have seen the Chemo Oncologist who just gave stats on the first visit, (see her next week again) Surgeon says I'm on the border in fact Chemo is over treating but I should probably have the Herceptin as an insurance policy. Radium Oncologist suggested same but you have to have Chemo to get Herceptin.I am terrified at the thought of Chemo! I would value other ladies opinions especially if you have had to have Chemo just to get the Herceptin or if you chose not to have the Chemo just for the benefit of Herceptin. J

Good morning ladies! Firstly the question regarding working. No the School has certainly not at any time suggested that I could not work. It was my medical team and mainly regarding Chemo. This is due to me being the only person in the office at a School, front line & I would come in direct contact with students, parents, customers & there would be no way that I would be able to avoid infections whether it be coughs or colds or more serious. Radium treatment would be fine however the timing of it all would put radium during the school holidays at Christmas time. I certainly have no issues with regard to not working if Ido go ahead with treatment I would not wish to tire myself out with additional stress of work! Thanks Nadi for your thoughts. They are exactly the emotions I am currently working through presently. I think I'm almost there just have some more questions for my Oncologist later this week. J

Can't help with the choice as I had none but I did have both chemo and herceptin. Experiences with chemo vary widely so if it is recommended, think seriously about the benefit not just the possible side effects. Good luck.

Hi J59, sorry your here. My breast cancer is er positive her negative. Can't help with herceptin. I was literally terrified at the thought of chemo.whilst it's far from fun, it's nowhere near as bad as I imagined it would be. I'm nearing the end of chemo with one more to go then I have surgery and radiation. Of you have to have chemo it's not that bad.Hugs Lisa x

Radiation will mop up any stray cancer cells around the breast area but what about any that slipped into the blood stream and carried to elsewhere? Do you want to run that risk? Everyone fears chemo but usually apart from a bit of tiredness which you can get with radiation too, and some nausea and hair loss most don't have a huge problem with it. Actually sitting down and having it is the easiest part yet seems to be the most feared. <3

I had similar and was supported by this support site, Mine was much smaller and I was also borderline, however I was encouraged to have the very best chance and have Herceptin, ( cost to hospital $60,00) with chemo to enhance its working and chemo (taxol) was not too bad. I have worked through and although tired, baldish, some days in bed by 7, not the worst thing and now starting radiation. I think you should give it the very best chance and not a huge problem, the staff were excellent and very supportive. It is the fear of the unknown that scares us! good luck and think carefully

Triple positive - HER2 - Newly diagnosed

Afraser
Member
8 years ago
Can't help with the choice as I had none but I did have both chemo and herceptin. Experiences with chemo vary widely so if it is recommended, think seriously about the benefit not just the possible side effects. Good luck.
LMK74
Member
8 years ago
Hi J59, sorry your here. My breast cancer is er positive her negative. Can't help with herceptin. I was literally terrified at the thought of chemo.whilst it's far from fun, it's nowhere near as bad as I imagined it would be. I'm nearing the end of chemo with one more to go then I have surgery and radiation. Of you have to have chemo it's not that bad.
Hugs Lisa x
Brenda5
Member
8 years ago
Radiation will mop up any stray cancer cells around the breast area but what about any that slipped into the blood stream and carried to elsewhere? Do you want to run that risk? Everyone fears chemo but usually apart from a bit of tiredness which you can get with radiation too, and some nausea and hair loss most don't have a huge problem with it. Actually sitting down and having it is the easiest part yet seems to be the most feared. <3
Cassina
Member
8 years ago
I had similar and was supported by this support site, Mine was much smaller and I was also borderline, however I was encouraged to have the very best chance and have Herceptin, ( cost to hospital $60,00) with chemo to enhance its working and chemo (taxol) was not too bad. I have worked through and although tired, baldish, some days in bed by 7, not the worst thing and now starting radiation. I think you should give it the very best chance and not a huge problem, the staff were excellent and very supportive.
It is the fear of the unknown that scares us! good luck and think carefully
Cassina
Member
8 years ago
sorry $60,000, you are worth it!! good luck
primek
Member
8 years ago
Yep...can only have herceptin with taxol chemo usually as it is far more effective in combo...plenty of clinical trials support this. So 12 weeks then just herceptin. We get it. Chemo is scary but plenty of drugs to help with side effects. Most people tolerate taxol pretty well. Best of luck. Kath x
fairydust
Member
8 years ago
@J59 there is such a misconception around chemo. Years ago there were more side effects. Today there are side effects but not as bad as in the past. My oncologist stated I would probably not get nausea with the chemo she prescribed. If I did there were tablets I could take. I only used tablets 4 times over 16 weeks of chemo.
I did have side effects but not anything that couldnt be handled.
Yes my hair fell out and I became extremely fatigued but a year and a half later I am here and grateful that chemo and radiation saved my life.
J59
Member
8 years ago
Thank you all so much for your thoughts it is very valuable to me in my decision making. I have been told that I won't be able to work whilst having treatment due to working in a school environment but I can cope with that. Cassini it is good to hear from someone who is also borderline as well and that you opted for treatment
Afraser
Member
8 years ago
Did the school tell you you could not work? Just interested as I had not heard that schools might do that. Some people can't work or choose not to, but others are able to work through chemo.
fairydust
Member
8 years ago
@J59 Hi again I just read you were advised you couldnt work due to school enviroment. When I was going through chemo there was a fellow patient who worked in a high school. She was determined to get her year 12 student through and worked part time all through chemo.
Another friend of mine was a school secretary and had radiation first thing in the morning and then went off to work.
I found treatment tiring but also met ladies who did work through it all equally a lot did not