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Leila34's avatar
Leila34
Member
10 years ago

The date is set!

Well I went to see my Surgeon today and got some mixed results. The first and best was that my body scans have come back all clear! So that was great news :) The next was that my cancer is grade 3 aggressive so I will def need chemo :( My other news is that I have a date for surgery, Friday 17th July, so just over 2 weeks to go. I haven't decided if this is good news or bad. Part of me is happy to get moving on defeating this thing and another part of me is freaking out that its all happening so quickly and it still feels crazy surreal.

I decided to go and treat myself to a hair cut and got my nails done today (haircut I usually do once every 6-9 months, last time I had nails done was my birthday 18 months ago) it was really nice to feel a bit pampered after feeling so stressed and crappy for the last few days.

Some other info I got today was that my cancer is hormone receptive and HER2+, not exactly sure what that means yet (I have read stuff but I didn't fully get it) but it does mean I will have some targeted therapy so I guess that's good.

Thank you to everyone who commented on my last post, your kind words were a great encouragement and I learnt some stuff too!!

Leila xx

7 Replies

  • primek's avatar
    primek
    Member
    10 years ago

    Yes...I was pressuring myself too. But eventually gave in and just look after myself as I would a friend.

  • Leila34's avatar
    Leila34
    Member
    10 years ago

    Hi Kim, wow that's such a big decision, thanks for your encouragement, all the best with the rest of your treatment xx

  • Leila34's avatar
    Leila34
    Member
    10 years ago

    Hi Nadi, that's great news about the injection! Hopefully that will be available for me when the time comes :) Hope you're doing well xx

  • Leila34's avatar
    Leila34
    Member
    10 years ago

    Hi Kath, That's great news about the nodes. Its so hard to know about the work element. Part of me thinks it would be a good distraction (and income!) but part of me is stressing that I wont feel up to it and feel pressured (mostly by myself) to go anyway. I know its just wait and see, but its frustrating :(

    All the best to you too xx

  • primek's avatar
    primek
    Member
    10 years ago

    Hi Leila, great news on the scans. I too have a grade 3 her2 cancer. I m having AC- TH chemo...which is 3 chemo drugs and Herceptin for 12 months. All going well.  I've  opted not to work...too sick in the 1st part and then just exhausted in the second part. I was very keen to get mine cut out...I kept thinking it was spreading every day it was there. I was fortunate to have no nodes involved. I had a bilateral mastectomy due to family risks and therefore do not need radiotherapy at this stage. It all happens quickly but I found it less stressful to be under treatment than waiting for it.

    Hope it goes well.

    Kath x

  • Nadi's avatar
    Nadi
    Member
    10 years ago

    Hi Leila, like you I am HER2+. it means that in addition to chemo you will have to have the targeted therapy drug Herceptin for 12 months. Herceptin has been a game changer for women that are HER2+ and has lead to excellent results. The even better news is that while it is usually given the same way as chemo through an IV every 3 weeks ( a very few women have it every week) it has just been approved to be given by injection. After you get over your surgery you could ask your oncologist about this. Not sure if all chemo units are offering it by injection just yet, but it would be easier.  Keep the pampering up. Now it definitely the time to do that!!!

    Good luck with surgery. 

    Nadine

  • Kymvass's avatar
    Kymvass
    Member
    10 years ago

    Hi Leila,

    welcome and sorry you have to go through this. I was high grade, stage 3, hormone receptive and lymph nodes impacted. They threw everything at me  chemo first, radiation and I've just finished mastectomy/immediate recon. It's been 1 year but my time isn't finished with this yet. I have elected to have the other one off, the good side. There is so much to take in and breast cancer is unique for each of us with some similarities here and there. The main advice I would give is to take in and learn only what stage you are up to and don't look too far ahead. Chemo is enough to deal with. I did everything in reverse but my doctors were happy for me to do this. It meant I stayed in tact physically (mentally) until the end and then had skin sparing mastectomy. I have since had a complete pathological response to all the treatment - no cancer left. This is a fantastic group to get advice and there are local groups as well depending where you are, that meet. All the best to you and hugs.