HER2 Positive

I'm so sorry you've found this at such an advanced size. The best possible pieces of advice I can give you at this time is to take everything one step at a time and write everything down. It will help with how utterly overwhelming everything can be.

Remember that while your children are important you can't sacrifice your care and well-being for them as much as your impulse says otherwise. Speaking from experience being one of those 7-year-old children whose mother had breast cancer and living with it around, they understand more than you might give them credit for. It's okay for things to change.

The BCNA offer a free "My Journey Kit" they will mail to you, to help you stay informed at each stage and organize yourself because that can be so challenging. It's really helped me out so far. Link: My Journey Kit 

I would love to give you the information on what to expect from your treatments but your side-effects will depend on the cocktails you're given and the procedures you undergo, and these vary from person to person.

With chemo:

When you have your chemotherapy treatment plan consultation they will give you all the information you need. You don't even need to ask for it, they have to inform you by law. 

The list does go on, but all of these things are manageable. I keep telling myself: If frail little old ladies can get through this so can I. From what I gather over the forum the most common side-effects you can expect are:

• Nausea (is combat with medications they will provide),
• Dryness (moisturizer will be your best buddy),
• Hair loss (Thinning, happens to just about everyone around the second session),
• Lethargy (Your body is fighting, unfortunately unavoidable),
• Stiff muscles and joints (Exercise to get on top of it),
• Others include: Watery eyes, nail damage, skin rash, fluid retention, soreness/redness of hands and feet, numbness and tingling, diarrhea/constipation.
• And of course, it may cause infertility - an early onset of menopause.
• BCNA Page link to Chemotherapy information: Here

Your treatment may have others, just read what they give you. People react in different ways from mild to severe. They will adjust your personal treatment based on the side-effects you report, to make you as comfortable as possible, so note them all down and tell people about them. Rip off that band-aid of not wanting to worry anyone with your niggles- they are all important (You are a real princess now and you gotta get someone to get those damn peas out from under your mattress, no pea too small to complain about).

With surgery:

BCNA Surgery information link: Here

Do not worry about this right now. It's a long way away for you. These procedures are routine and afterwards you'll experience discomfort pain that you will get pain medication to combat. You'll go in, be anesthetised, wake up, and focus on recovery. You may need to deal with tubes they put in place to filter out fluid from the area, having your lymph nodes removed might cause lymphoedema which is reversible if you catch it early enough.

It's that physically simple, it's the psychological side that is the most challenging. Learning to love your new body can be a challenge.

But cross that bridge when you get to it. One bridge at a time.