Newbie, 27, no kids, HER2+ Breast Cancer

Hey sorry this is late im not very good at checking my messages and navigating the site on my phone. 

Ive been having herceptin since october. No side effects to note and its not harsh on your veins like the chemo.

im currently in hospital after my mastectomy but recovering and hopefully home tomorrow. Ill be more diligent in keeping in touch!

Hi there,

The study sounds really interesting, I'll have to ask my oncologist if there's anything like that in NSW. He seems to think that it shouldn't be an issue me coming off tamoxifen after a couple of years to try for kids, so fingers crossed.

The port seemed to have settled. I hate it. It's so uncomfortable - not painful, just really awkward. But it does make chemo waaaaaaay easier as I discovered this last session, so definitely a silver lining.

 

I'm finding a month/year planner really useful, and crossing off days is a very good visual reminder of how far I've come already and how quickly the time's going.

Have you started herceptin yet? And if so, how are you finding it? I start in a couple of weeks, and although I've been told it has less side effects and that some of the nausea I've been experiencing with the other chemo drugs should go away, I'm nervous. 

Thanks for getting in touch. How are you doing? Thinking of you too.

Em x

 

Hi Tiff,

I'm sorry it's taken so long to respond to your kind message, it really helped. My family flew out from the UK over the festive period which was a wonderful distraction. The day after my 28th birthday (which was just before Christmas) I got some good news from my oncologist: he can't find the lump anymore, and neither can I when I check. So it seems as though it's responding well to treatment. A week ago I had my third chemo, so I'm now half way through, and it felt good to get past that marker.

I am definitely going to go to a psychologist - I have great friends and people who listen, but I feel as though I need to speak to someone with experience in dealing with cancer patients. Most times it's easy enough to put one foot in front of the other, but you're right, not thinking too far ahead and not letting the scary thoughts spiral is tricky. 

I find writing in a 'good things that happened today' journal really helpful - makes me focus on the good stuff before I go to bed. And there are good things in every day :)

Congratulations on coming out of menopause! I have to say, the hot flushes are incredibly annoying, but my mum and I have such a laugh over sharing the experience of menopause sometimes - my partner hasn't got a clue how to handle two menopausal women in the house!

Thank you for sharing your story. I hope that having your last herceptin left you with a well-deserved feeling of relief and self pride. Wishing you all the best.

Em x

 

Hey! Im also new on here but seem to be in a similar situation as yourself. 

I was diagnosed july this year with triple positive breast cancer (HER2 ER/PR+). Im 25, married, no kids, also chose to get on with chemo and having zoladex for fertility preservation. Mastectomy, radiation, herceptin, tamoxifen and recon are all on the cards for me... 

I have a Hickman line (CVC) and recall when it was first put in it was quite uncomfortable. As long as you dont have a temp or the area isnt red and angry or hot it should settle down in about a week.

Im also possibly going to be part of a study called the Positive study where women are monitored as they come off the Tamoxifen (sometimes early) for fertility and getting pregnant. Im in WA so not sure where you are but might be something to look into..a long way off at the moment I know.

 Can I just say good on you for getting the lump looked into when you found it. All the research that I've read  says how much of a difference it can make in  the long run. 

Its great you also have a good support network! Ill be thinking  of you and love to hear how your going. 

Cheers 

Hi Em, 

Firstly I just want to say I'm so sorry. I know I can't take any of the pain, fear or feelings of isolation away but if it helps you to know that there are other women out there like you, then I'm one of them. 

I was diagnosed with Stage 3C HER2+++ ER/PR (-) breast cancer in November 2014 at 29 years.

I recognise the same feelings that you describe - saying the right things to make others more comfortable, protecting your loved ones & remaining 'positive' - it's all so exhausting. Do you have a trusted friend or family member where you can feel safe to just let go? My girlfriends were mostly great but none of them were willing to hear the hard stuff, I think it's too hard for them to process my fears, so in the end I had to find that support from a professional. I can fully recommend you see a professional psychologist during this difficult time - even just to have a good sob in a safe place where you don't have to worry about protecting others!

I was lucky that my cycle landed at the right time after surgery, so my husband & I decided to harvest some embryos before chemo started but I was also given the Zoladex injections during chemo which I've heard can be pretty protective. You'll be happy to hear that I got my very first period today, 6 months after my last Zoladex injection (I don't know if I'm fertile but it feels great to be out of menopause!) It's amazing how quickly the time will fly...

I have my last Herceptin next week & I don't know how I feel about it - relieved yet terrified of what the future might hold. We've just got to keep putting one foot in front of the other.

I wish I had more advice but the best thing I can say is try to be kind to yourself, mentally & physically. Breathe, write in a diary, listen to music & try not to think too far ahead (ha, wishful thinking).

Sending you some comfort tonight, you can do this but it's okay not to be okay every now & then...

Take care,

Tiff x