Forum Discussion

Cindylou's avatar
Cindylou
Member
14 years ago

New diagnosis - HER2+

Hi,

I have just bee diagnosed with early stage HER2+ Breast cancer. I am kind of going out of my mind with fear - I have two young daughters and a wonderful husband.

My world has just come crashing down I cry most of the time.

I need some fighting spirit!

9 Replies

  • Cheryl_D's avatar
    Cheryl_D
    Member
    14 years ago

    Dear Cindy,

    I wish so much I never had to hear from you but you are with us now and we will help you the best way we can, with support and the knowledge we have gained from experience.

    The waiting is the worst and like others have said  try to do things now as whilst treatment is on  you may just be too tired to organise anything ( meals, babysitters, shopping and driving ) so do as much as you can for things to be covered for the next 6 months at least for your family requirements.

    I too was early Her2+ and had a wide excision of a 27mm lump and nodes were all clear so not all are masectomy or lumpectomy, best to wait and see the results,  I know that is hard but believe me you are going to get damn exhausted from all the jumping to conclusions that you will do, patience is something you will learn begrudgingly, we all did!

    Speak to the breast nurse, she will be your best guide for daily functions of your family, get connected on the Her2 support group as there is so much info but please dont overload  yourself with too much, just do the immediate research as  there will be many nights when you are wide awake and can go to the sites for answers later on when treatment begins

    I hope the result turns  to be the best  possible and remember we are always here as sometimes  screaming, ranting and raving can be very beneficial when your audience is cheering for you,

    Cheryl D

  • dawny's avatar
    dawny
    Member
    14 years ago

    Hi Cindy

    Hope you got some things sorted out with your onc?  That waiting, is the worst.  I found the anticipation of everything was actually worse, than when you got into it.  I am just out the other side of chemo now, but will continue to take Herceptin ongoing every 3 weeks.  After about 9 weeks I now have some soft peach fuzz hair growing, which is very exciting!

    Keep strong Cindi, and remember to drink lots of water with your treatment, to help with the i.v. before, and to flush the toxins out after.  Whilst on chemo, normal tap water tasted revolting to me, so I had to buy bottled water, but that is back to normal agin now.

    Let us know how you get on..'

    Dawn

  • Cindylou's avatar
    Cindylou
    Member
    14 years ago

    Hi,

    It has been the hardest time, the waiting. I seem to worry about every pain I get now. I cried half of yesterday and not as much today. I was really besides myself when I posted my first message and it was such a comfort to have someone to chat to.

    I hope your treatment is going well, I will see my Oncologist tomorrow and hopefully start treatment soon.

    Regards
    Cindy

  • hilsandglen's avatar
    hilsandglen
    Member
    14 years ago

    Hi Cindy,  I am so sorry to rear of your news, I was diagnosed on March 10 this year. The pathology came back HER2+++ and ER +++ I was in so much shock I dont know how I managed to breath . The waiting  for everything to start was the hardest time for me.... too much time to think! my breast care nurse told me to treat myself and do some nice things with my husband and family. The early days are truly the hardest, but remember you are never on your own. This is a great way to be connected . There is always someone else who cant sleep !!! Let us know how you are going Regards Hilary

  • Cindylou's avatar
    Cindylou
    Member
    14 years ago

    HI

    Thanks you for writting back, it helps me feel not so alone.

    I only see my onoco on thurs and the waiting is doing my head in.I never thought I would be so keen to have chemo , but I just want to get things going.

    Thank you for the support it means a lot to me

    Cheers

    Cindy

  • Cindylou's avatar
    Cindylou
    Member
    14 years ago

    HI

    Thanks you for writting back, it helps me feel not so alone.

    I only see my onoco on thurs and the waiting is doing my head in.I never thought I would be so keen to have chemo , but I just want to get things going.

    Thank you for the support it means a lot to me

    Cheers

    Cindy

  • Ann-Marie_AK's avatar
    Ann-Marie_AK
    Member
    14 years ago
    Hi there Sorry to hear of your bad news. It's such a shock when you hear those dreaded words. If you are looking for fighting spirit then you have come to the right place. This network is full of wonderful and courageous women with such great fighting spirit that you just can't help but be inspired. The early days of diagnosis are very difficult as your whole world changes. You feel like you are in a whirlwind. It's a tough fight but you can do it! I have, so you can too. I am also married with two young girls. I was diagnosed in March, had mastectomy with tissue expander inserted, did 6 rounds of chemo and am now about to undergo my final reconstruction. There have been many ups and downs but with the support of my loving family and great friends as well as the wonderful ladies here I pushed through. It's hard, it's emotional, it's not the path we hoped for but it is doable and there are many ladies here to prove it. This is a great site to share your worries, hopes, good times and bad. Ask all the questions you like. There is always someone here with an answer. Good Luck Ann-Marie x
  • Ann-Marie_AK's avatar
    Ann-Marie_AK
    Member
    14 years ago
    Hi there Sorry to hear of your bad news. It's such a shock when you hear those dreaded words. If you are looking for fighting spirit then you have come to the right place. This network is full of wonderful and courageous women with such great fighting spirit that you just can't help but be inspired. The early days of diagnosis are very difficult as your whole world changes. You feel like you are in a whirlwind. It's a tough fight but you can do it! I have, so you can too. I am also married with two young girls. I was diagnosed in March, had mastectomy with tissue expander inserted, did 6 rounds of chemo and am now about to undergo my final reconstruction. There have been many ups and downs but with the support of my loving family and great friends as well as the wonderful ladies here I pushed through. It's hard, it's emotional, it's not the path we hoped for but it is doable and there are many ladies here to prove it. This is a great site to share your worries, hopes, good times and bad. Ask all the questions you like. There is always someone here with an answer. Good Luck Ann-Marie x
  • Maxene_36's avatar
    Maxene_36
    Member
    14 years ago

    Sorry to hear about your diagnosis, there are never enough words when you first get the news, its just unbelievable and shocking. 

    I was diagnosed in September, had a L masectomy and axillary clearance and will embark on my second round of chemo in a week's time.  I'm also HER2+.  I'm 36, married with a 3 y/o son. 

    BUT, if you're looking for help with a fighting spirit, this is the best place for it.  This forum is a wonderful source of information, and its members, absolutely the most wonderful, inspiring, couragous and supportive friends to have.  You might also find some support groups in your area, so check them out.

    Truely wish you all the best Cindy, and look forward to chatting,

    Maxene xx