Triple positive - HER2 - Newly diagnosed

Hi @J59 I too was triple +, and had the same decisions to make. I had a lumpectomy - 2 tumours grade 2 & grade 3, 0/2 lymph involvement. Because it was multi focal (2 tumours) chemo was highly recommended as there was no guarantee that there wasn't a rogue cell out there in my body. 
I had 4 x 3 weekly TC with herceptin. I envy the ladies who sailed through chemo, but I got about every side effect possible. As a result I was also given Neulasta, which managed some of the side effects but added others - large bone pain as the bone marrow was speeding up white cell production. 
Yesterday I finished 5 weeks of radiotherapy - my breast held up really well with just some pinkness of the skin, some tenderness at the scar, and a couple of itchy spots. 
Herceptin is ongoing, though I also had the heart complication so am currently having it at 1/3 dose weekly until they have my heart sorted - I am on a beta-blocker & have an appointment with the cardiologist next week.
i also am in education (though not in a school), and the recommendation was to avoid schools during chemo because of the risk of infection. 
I went onto income protection and am really glad I did because of the side effects of chemo and the tiredness. I am now 6 months down the track, and while I have another 4 weeks leave, I am starting to think about work again. I will spend the time rebuilding my strength and stamina before starting a return to work program.
Would I do anything different? No - surgery was a no-brainer I just wanted those suckers out, chemo I viewed as a necessary evil to chase down any rogue cells, rads was another localised necessary evil, herceptin is yet another means to give me the best possible outcome, and the hormone blocker is the same (already post menopause so no side effects from this). 
I have exercised (mostly walking) as much as possible throughout, and tried to eat well - though not denied myself chocolate when I really wanted it :smiley:
I have followed many strands on this page, and the support from other ladies going through the same issues is truly amazing - if we have to be on this journey there is no better group of women (and men) to be on it with. 
make the most informed choices you can, ask questions. It seems like a whirlwind roller coaster, but it is your journey. 
Good luck with your journey, and know that you have many sisters here for you. Hugs & best wishes 
Lesley x

It sure is sad for those diagnosed with other forms of cancer. I have my name down for a Look Good, Feel Better workshop already.

That's sad isn't it!
I have a friend who is a retired nurse and she is astounded at the support that is available to us.
Check out Look Good feel better it's worth doing and then there's an opportunity for a free holiday with the Otis Foundation 

Thank you for the welcome @iserbrown, I received my kit in short order after diagnosis. I couldn't help but compare the resources that were available to me against those that were available to us after my husband's prostate cancer diagnosis late last year. He basically got a handshake, a 'bad luck mate' comment & had to deal with it from there. BCNA is just awesome! I am eternally grateful.

@LadyAside welcome to the site!  Hope you've received your kit from BCNA.  My diagnosis was with Breastscreen and they gave me the kit on day of diagnosis.  As time went on and I had absorbed it all and got through my first surgery I decided to actually join the forum; looked from a distant initially.  We are all here to help!
Take care

Hey All,
I'm recently diagnosed through a routine BreastScreen. I was terrified as I thought it was a death sentence. To make matters worse, my sister-in-law died 15 years ago from BC so having that experience made me very pessimistic about my chances. However, I've done some research, visited some amazing specialists, had surgery & am about to embark on chemo, Herceptin, radiation & Tamoxifen therapies. The BCNA network has been an invaluable tool for me & the support I've received has been awesome. I'm new to this forum, but I'm getting lots of positive vibes. Thanks girls & keep it up
Sharron

Hi @J59 , the thought of any of the treatments we face are always scary at the start. I , like you have triple positive BC but have had a different treatment path due to the size and aggressiveness of my tumour. I had 4 x 3 weekly doses of AC Chemo followed by 12  x weekly Taxol with Herceptin 3 weekly for 12 months. Other than hairloss, fatigue was my biggest hurdle especially towards the end of AC chemo. With taxol i found that I was extremely lucky and had very minimal side effects, again except for fatigue towards the end of the cycle. I had my 1st herceptin only treatment a week ago and have had no dramas with that at all. My Breast specialist told me that herceptin would be " my best friend" due to the type of my BC. The chemo has done it's job and my BC has shrunk substantially so radiotherapy is next on the list before surgery. Once you get passed the 1st treatment the others just seem to flow by and the anxiety of the unknown disappears. listen to your Dr and always ask the nurses if you are worried or concerned about anything, they are an amazing support as are the women on this forum. I have a portacath in my arm and although initially it was a little painful and annoying it has made the whole process of hooking up to an IV much easier.   Good luck with your treatment
Kat

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

Hi J59, I had lumpectomy, chemo with herceptin for 12 months and radiation. It is scary, but it is doable. I NEVER thought I would get through all that treatment, but 18 months on I have now finished everything, am back at work and am doing great. It can be a hard slog, but you will get through it. You will have an amazing medical team behind you every step of the way, and you will have the amazing ladies on this network who will be here to answer any question, address any concern, listen to you vent, and cheer you on when you reach those milestones. Many have gone before you, and unfortunately many will come after you, but you Can do this. While whether to have treatment is a very personal choice, just think about how you may feel if you don't have treatment and it comes back. if you are ok with that, then fine. But if you think it may be hard for you to deal with that then maybe the treatment is the best option knowing you did everything to beat this sucker. I wish we all had a crystal ball, but unfortunately we can only make the best choice with the information we have at the time. If you decide to go ahead and have Herceptin ask about getting a poracath in to save your veins. I am very grateful I had mine.

All the best, good luck and come on here anytime.

Nadi

@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