Herceptin treatment post-chemo
Hi there! I finished chemo for her2+ breast cancer 3 weeks ago and have just had a double mastectomy. I’m supposed to continue with herceptin every three weeks for a year. I’ve heard differing reports about whether this is an infusion or an injection. Does anyone have any experience of how this is given in Australia? Also, who can give this treatment? Is it only given at hospitals, or if it’s an injection can it be given by a GP or oncologist? My treatment up until now has been in France and I’m considering moving back to Australia during this year, but with doses every three weeks it’s a short turnaround for getting into the Australian medical system, so just trying to understand more about how this stage of treatment works. Thanks!DIEP reconstruction or going flat
Good morning, I'm new to this site and I'm so glad I was referred to it. I've been diagnosed with HER2 positive last week and need to have a complete mastectomy on my left breast. Everything is moving quickly with my various appointments which I'm really thankful with. I'm now faced with the decision whether to have a DIEP reconstruction or going 'flat'. I realise this is a personal choice and everyone is different but I'm keen to hear how you made the decision to go flat and if you have any regrets as I'm leaning towards this option. I'm fairly active with swimming at the beach in Summer, weekly aqua aerobics, gym, walking. Thanking you for your support 🙏Early HER2+
I understand what Early is and I am grateful that I found something at the same time as my breastscreen mammogram and it is not in lymph glands, PET was also clear but they need a new name for Early. My treatment is starting 9/10 and will be Chemo (abraxane) & hercepton then surgery and radiation. I thought I had choice after doing a lot of research on trusted websites, listening to great podcasts and asking questions of my MDT but although they say I do they highly recommend the above plan. I am resolved to losing my hair and looking forward to the freedom no hair should bring me, I am self employed so can regulate my hours, I am active and look forward to keeping that going, as I know how good it makes me feel and again research shows, it helps us through chemo and everything else. What I struggle with is seeing others reactions to the news and seeing my husband frustrated by the time it takes to have tests and get things started. I would delay treatment even longer if I could but know that is not a good decision as the HER2+ is a grade 3. With a name like Early people seem to think 🤔 I will have an easy run, and I certainly hope I do but have read enough to know that I may not. People also say oh that’s good it’s not urgent then and not that bad. For someone who limits toxins as much as one can this is testing my self control to the limits and then having people say and think 🤔 it is going to be an easy road does not sit well with me. I am babbling and that is certainly something that has happened since diagnosis. I spent 24 hours in denial and 24 hours in why and have decided to tell only positive supportive people going forward and focus on things I can control and leave the rest to my team. thankyou for letting me rant and thankyou for all your encouraging posts and links which I have loved. Let’s kick this tumours out of here x
Triple Positive HER2+
Hi everyone BCNA Online Network established a Group with Triple Positive breast cancer which is useful also for people who might be HER2+ but not positive for oestrogen or progesterone. This post is also to alert previously accepted Triple Positive Group members: you might not have been automatically transferred across to the Triple Positive Group with the recent upgrade to the new BCNA Network site. Please do request to rejoin the Group (I did)! Ned01CheriSukiCheriAnna15FeRnurserachMareealsoTriplebreast240Number2CaitySXC1947
Scared about the side effects of treatment
Hello everyone, I'm 35 with two young girls- I was initially diagnosed with LCIS just after a routine scan- but after my mastectomy surgery 2 weeks ago, the pathology has come back that I have HER2+ estrogen and progesterone + Lobular carcinoma, but thankfully no spread. It was a real shock as I was not expecting this news, thinking I would only have to have the mastectomy and that would be it. I am starting chemo, immunotherapy and hormone therapy in a few weeks. After what I thought was going to be a relatively straight forward recovery after my mastectomy and 6 weeks off work the oncologist said I am now looking at 6+ months off due to the upcoming treatment. I am feeling a bit overwhelmed and sacred about the effects of the upcoming treatment on my overall quality of life (and caring for 2 young children!). I will likely lose my hair with the chemo- the oncologist mentioned I could try the cold cap therapy- for those that have had it has it made a significant difference (the Dr said it takes a long time each chemo session to put on and off!)? I would also appreciate any insight into how to approach looking for some counselling support as well- would it be best to go through a GP or...? Thank you for reading, I'm so glad there is a support network like this available- I feel very alone so far. xx
HER2+ ER+ - huge side effects
Hi I was diagnosed with HER2 positive and estrogen positive breast cancer in October 24 Am having chemo / Herceptin - perjeta weekly until 20/1 then prob surgery end of February. As I’m older 73 am so worried about survival rates and if the treatment will work I’ve had no ultrasound or anything to see if the tumour has reduced and I have a satellite cell next yo my tumour - multi 3 breast cancer it’s been terrifying to say the least and still in shock and have had huge side effects - numbness - chemo rash and sores all over my body / hair loss despite having the gold hat and diarrhoea
Potential liver issue
Triple positive Radiation and chemo AC and paclitaxol completed by March 2024 Lumpectomy Feb Early stage On letrozole, zoladex and finishing of my 17th cycle end November of Herceptin. Also taking 5mg of cholesterol tabs. Gp rwq blood to monitor the cholesterol tabs and if they working. Liver issue picked up. Oncologist req abdomen scan. Been feeling ok but for the last two days terrible nausea after eating. Headaches (which I never get) fatigue (which has also been ok) Has anyone been through something similar, what was the outcome? Look forward to hearing from you x
Diagnosed Today
Hi all, I'm new here. I'm 48. I had my last Mammogram in November 2022, and was due for my next December 7th....however.... I went to the GP in November after feeling a breast lump for 10 days which I was hoping was hormonal. It didn't go away so I got it checked. GP didn't seem concerned but she appreciated that I was and ordered mammogram & ultrasound. Appointment was in 2 weeks. On Wednesday 4/12 I had the scans, the mammogram lady went quiet, later with the sonographer I said 'I'm just not sure if it's in my head or if I'm being hyper-vigilant' He said 'I'd say you're being the right amount of vigilant', then told me he would go and get the Dr who would need to check me. The Dr started telling me that I'll need a biopsy and that the statistics in Australia in particular are very successful for treating breast cancer. He went on to say that he'll get his report to my GP straight away and if we decide to use them for biopsy they'll get me in straight away and to contact my GP. So I drove home and on my way I stopped at the GP, the receptionist could not get me in till the next day to see the GP. I left in tears and went home. I decided to do some work and 2hrs later I got a call to say the GP wanted to see me immediately. I drove back and saw the GP who gave me a referral for urgent biopsy. I went straight to the local ultrasound place to see if they could book me an appointment at their sister site, that I attended earlier that day. They said they'd need to speak to their Dr and would call me. Within an hour they called me, and said their Dr would come to my local clinic and do the biopsies there for me the very next day, saving me the 45minute drive. Thursday 5/12 I had the biopsies of my breast and lymph node done. That was pretty smooth sailing and the Dr said he didn't want me waiting a week at the other clinic so came up here especially for me. All the staff were SO lovely and I'm eternally grateful for their care and concern - however the urgency is absolutely scared the crap out of me 🫣 Today 10/12 I got my biopsy results and am officially diagnosed with Breast Cancer. No idea what most of it means but basically 👻 Invasive Carcinoma NST; and 🐝 Metastatic Adenocarcinoma 🍃 ER/PR Positive 🍂 HER2 Positive (Amplified) An hour after j left the GP, the local Cancer Centre phoned me, so I have: Medical Oncologist Appt: next Monday Radiology Oncologist Appt: next Thursday I don't understand what NST means, and it wasn't staged on pathology...is that usual? I haven't told my children, and am hoping to hold off till after sons' birthday and grandsons first Christmas. One thing I have to say is that I am SO incredibly grateful for the swiftness of care I've received and am receiving. It's a crappy club to be a part of 😭 but I look forward to 'meeting' you all xxbrain fog post chemo treatment
Hi All Just a question about brain fog and how long people experience this after chemo treatment has stopped. I finished chemo about 5 weeks ago and am in my last week of radiation. I expected to have a clearer mind by now. Just wondering about other people's experience with brain fog post treatment. thxs fiona