Adjusting to bad news, staying hopeful, changing habits
Hi, I am a 44 year old mother of two girls, 3 and 7. Was diagnosed with breast cancer on Tuesday evening after a mammogram and ultrasound in the morning. On Wednesday I saw a specialist who sent me for biopsies and scans. On Thursday afternoon I learnt that I have HER2 positive BC in my right breast (3x3cm with two smaller tumours nearby), and one lymph node biopsied because it was enlarged was also cancerous. A lump on the left was benign. It does not appear to have spread to bones, pelvis, liver etc however there were two 5mm nodules in my lung that might be BC. I am hoping they are something else but have to be prepared in case the cancer already is stage 4. I remember the doctor said it was grade 2-3 but not sure if that is the same thing as stage 2-3. I have somehow lost the reports, so I can't look over the details until they are mailed but I have an appointment on Wednesday with a different specialist to plan treatment. I am glad that things are moving quickly but am still reeling from the news and wish the appointment was sooner. I think I will be having preadjuvant chemo and/or targeted treatment, followed by a mastectomy of the right breast in several months (with optional rebuild), however I have not met with the oncologist so am not sure what to expect. I should have gotten to a GP weeks ago as I had noticed hardness over many months (which I had thought was related to it being dominant for milk production) and had a sore breast in early July, however because I was breastfeeding and fairly ignorant of BC I mistook the symptoms including a swollen lymph node for mastitis. Only when all pain went way and I noticed the boob seemed bigger and misshapen with a prominent lump did I get myself to a doctor. Waited a week and a half for the scan that showed it was as suspected a malignant carcinoma. Strange thing is it only started hurting again after I learned what it was. I don't know much yet but am trying to learn a bit without scaring myself too much or googling into the night. My youngest daughter has weaned herself, and on the night of the diagnosis she accepted bedtime without breast, understanding that I have sick boobies and the doctor said we should stop. In the middle of the night she was desperate to breastfeed, and I allowed this briefly. That is the last time I fed her, and she has been proud of herself for giving it up but has wanted to kiss it and hug it today. Next move is for me to give up smoking, a bad habit of mine for many years off and on, which is not easy when it has been a response to stress and I have been quite stressed at times. It must be done, as I understand that it increases the risk of metastasis (if it has not already happened) and I wouldn't want to invite another cancer along right now. But I am trying to be gentle with myself when I occasionally light them only to put them out shortly thereafter. I hope to eliminate this habit fully by Wednesday. I have to clean up my diet and prepare for the treatment. I was a lifelong vegetarian until my early thirties however I have eaten a tiny bit of fish in the past ten years. I eat lots of fruit and veg. However I do have too many sugary things and processed stuff so I need to cut the crap out of the shopping list. Emotionally I have been struggling a bit and I should arrange some counselling to work through my feelings. My mother and friends have been amazing, my husband has been a good support but doesn't like to see me crying, which I think is just a normal thing from time to time in such a circumstance. I am being open and honest with the kids and have been giving them lots of love and sweetness. Honestly I am sometimes very scared but I am trying to be strong for myself and for everyone around me. Sending love and understanding to others with BC, and those who have recently been diagnosed, it's pretty tough to take, huh?
Mastectomy
Hello ladies, I’m 32 yo with HER2 positive breast cancer. I’m currently undergoing chemotherapy and i’m 3 weeks away from finishing my Abraxane+herceptin+perjeta treatment. I will be having a mastectomy mid May, followed by radiation, then reconstruction which is scaring me a lot. I’m having all sorts of anxiety. My appearance is a huge thing for me, and on the other side I fear recurrence. I’m afraid of feeling ashamed of myself and never be confident again. I know the world of plastic surgery is so advanced, and the stuff they do are amazing, but I know it will never be the same specially after loosing sensation. I’m just wondering if anyone else felt the same? What did you do to feel better ? Has anyone had a recurrence? I would really appreciate any help! thank you
Experiences with Docetaxel, Herceptin, and Perjeta
Hello ladies I am newly diagnosed with stage II, HER2 pos, E/P receptor neg breast cancer. I have been reading your posts this week and feel very comforted by the great combination of information and support. The process has been very confronting for me, but the kindness of others that I have experienced along the crazy path of investigations has been very welcome! Next week I will start on Docetaxel, Herceptin and Perjeta. I will have breast surgery after 4 cycles, and then stay on Herceptin for 1 year. I was wondering about other people's experiences with this combination - how were the side effects and any tips for treatment days? I am also wondering about making the choice for surgery between mastectomy and lumpectomy/radiation. This seems to be left up to each woman to decide. My gut instinct is to get rid of the breast tissue to decrease further risk in the future, but is this the best option from a recurrence perspective? How have others made the decision?
Immunotherapy for er+pr+ HER2-
it's wonderful to see that there are trials for triple negative metastatic bc. Are there trials for er+pr+ HER2- happening here at all? I have just returned from the Hallwang Clinic in Germany where I was given the GP2 vaccine as the Clinic tested my tumour which they sourced from Australia and I tested positive for HLA antibodies and this made me eligible for the vaccine, which is both used for HER2- and HER2+ bc. I have bone mets and am on Faslodex and Xgeva, both of which are recommended with the GP2 vaccine. It's interesting too that in Germany I am slightly HER2+ but here I'm HER2-, just different testing, but makes me think that really no one knows for sure. I'm hoping that the GP2 works as I'm NED in my organs, but have bone mets. It is like having my own immunotherapy trial, wish HLA testing was available to everyone here.
35 y/o and diagnosed with HER2 positive breast Cancer
Hello, I am new on this online discussion thread but I find it very encouraging. Here it goes.. Is anyone out there who is HER2 positive who is the same age range like me? I just got got diagnosed on the 25th of Nov and I just cried my hearts out because I cant believe that its me. But of course cancer doesnt choose right it just does what it does. The thing is I am a nurse by profession and to read my pathology report I cant believe that what I am reading is my own result not someone else which I am used to doing. Then I started blaming myself because I was not proactive on my health management when I went to GP. She told me its nothing and did not even perform a biopsy which I should have insisted. Backtracking I felt the lump 10weeks ago before I was officially diagnosed and everything was pretty full on after that in terms of the treatment. Right now, I am crying again because I am scared. You see I have two kids a 3y/o and a 1y/o. I cry for the future. I really wanted to beat this cancer. I want to build more memories with the bubs because you know they are still to young to remember me if God decided to take me...
Triple positive looking for buddies and hope
Hi everyone I am a 42 yr old working (previously) single mum with a 15 and 18 yr old.Diagnosed on the 3 August with HER2 positive E + P + still learning lots thought I was triple negative :( whoops nope I am positive I have had a right breast mastectomy and auxiliary node clearance done a week ago today,I live in the south west of WA and I looking to chat and make new connections with an interest if anyone else has the triple positive factor. This community is amazing and any advice info is greatly appreciated as I feeling very isolated right now re others who have walked this journey Thanks a million x
Her2 positive
Hello I'm 40 and recently diagnosed with her2 positive. No family history of breast cancer. My sister and maternal cousin recently diagnosed with lobular cancer. They are having surgery. It's been a Whirlwind recently. The professionals say it's early, the treatment is going to be chemo , waiting for my medical oncologist appointment to find out how long etc. Surgery then hormone tablets. I'm struggling to understand why I need chemo first. If anyone had or has her2 I would be grateful to share your story. Thank you kindly.
Her 2 ladies can you offer any desperately needed advice?
Hi ladies I have a huge dilemma. As anyone who has read my posts I am on herceptin and perjeta for ever. Unfortunately I have down the past 10 months suffered terribly with a severe skin reaction. No creams no antihistermines dermatologists or many other treatments have helped. If finally appears its an immune response my body has reacted with that affects my mast cells and produces an extreme over abundance of histermine causing severe burning and itching and many many sleepless nights in ice and tears. Slowing down infusions tablets before trying the herceptin alone and visa versa no avail even extending 3 weekly infusions to a month and 6 weeks. So here I am..... Do I stop treatment ? I AM SCARED STIFF i can not live like this anymore however sadly the dual treatment has worked wonders for me elimination of liver tumors all 12 and 4 spinal mets . HELP please? My oncologist says well it' your choice? I DO NOT WANT TO DIE I am to young.
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
Worries/Questions regarding Mastectomy
Hello, I wasn't sure which section to place my question in so I went with newly diagnosed (hope that was ok). I am 56 and was diagnosed with Stage 3 HER2+ and ER+ breast cancer in July 2019. I had a 5cm mass in my upper left breast which had spread to my armpit lymph nodes. I have completed chemotherapy(doxorubicin & cyclophosphamaide followed by paclitaxel). I am on herceptin for 12 months and soon to start tamoxifen (10 years worth). A MRI done in January 2020 showed that there was only scar tissue in my breast and that my lymph nodes had gone down. My problem is that I have had trouble accepting a mastectomy and removal of my lymph nodes and have deferred my surgery from January to April. Now when I was finally close and decided that I wanted a double mastectomy (all or nothing) I find out there is only scar tissue present and as I am taking anti-cancer medication I want to defer the surgery and just be monitored until there is further sign of cancer. My Oncologist and Surgeon are against this but the only reasons they can give me is that it's the protocol for best case scenario and that no one ever doesn't have surgery. I am hoping that there are people out there that have chosen the wait and see approach or know someone who has. Thank you.