HER2
Hi everyone, I would like to keep in touch with some girls who have been recently diagnosis with Stage 3 and HER2 positive. Or anyone who has been there. I have fortnight chemo for 8 weeks and the...
Forum Discussion
Hi Airlie,
I was diagnosed with Stage 3 (but not HER2 positive) Breast Cancer almost 3 years ago. I had Chemo over an 18 week period and can fully understand your anxiety about germs and what is ahead of you.
Chemo was not exactly what I expected and I was actually very fortunate to have not too bad effects for the first 3 rounds. The second type of chemo was harder for me but everyone is different.
Germ wise I used a lot of hand sanitizer. I even had some for visitors to use! Your oncologist and the chemo nurses will let you know when the most critical time immune system wise will be for you. I pretty much avoided crowds for the whole time I was on chemo.
The most danger from germs though is actually from the bacteria you have in/on your own body. So frequent hand washing, frequent rinsing of your mouth with salty water (and I found Biotene mouthwash and toothpaste was excellent). I changed toothbrushes each round too. So generally just be really particular with your own personal hygiene.
I hope that you find, like most of us do, that the time actually goes really quickly. You kind of get into a bit of a routine with it all. This site is great for info and just to chat with others who are or have been right where you are now. Wishing you all the best for your surgery and then the chemo. Deanne xxx