Is this all normal?

Hi Naomi, welcome to the Network. Being upset is completely understandable - what a shock at 36!!. I am sorry you found yourself here but glad you have reached out. I was frantic at the beginning. The experience you described with the doctor was the same for me. I am HER2 positive and had a lumpectomy with sentinel node biopsy then chemo,  followed by radiation. I am still having Herceptin until next year. After your surgery you will get your final pathology results which will determine your treatment plan. While everyone is different, like Kath has said almost all HER2 positive breast cancers will have chemo and Herceptin. Women with lumpectomies almost always have radiation. You may have to have hormone therapy as well. But they won't know for sure what treatment you will have until after your final pathology comes back. The waiting times before surgery and before you get your treatment plan can be very stressful simply because everything is up in the air. I am sure you are worried about what is going to happen to you and how you will get through this being a young mum with small kids.  There are many many many women on this network who have gone through or are going through this. It is doable, not always pleasant, but doable. And we will be with you throughout your treatment. Come on here and ask anything whenever you need. And good luck with surgery next week!!!

Take care

Nadine