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?
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.
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.
First time I have cried
Hi Everyone I was diagnosed with HER2 Positive Breast Cancer a month ago ... some minor tears while having an appointment with my surgeon, but nothing significant in the way of tears until today .. I had my first chemo session Thursday , 09/1/20 , manged to get through the worst 2 days, Saturday and Sunday , no tears ..but today reality set in and I cant stop crying. I have no family here and I cant help but feel, if I had family living with me, this breast cancer journey would be easier..I dont know Friends have been wonderful and I feel grateful that they have been here for me and will be there for me in my journey... Im scared to be alone with what I think and feel. Being alone with my side affects frighten me, there's no one here to lean on for just a hug or to say , it will all be ok I dont want to become a burden on my friends and I cant expect them to move in with me , they have lives of their own that they need to continue with ..and I understand that .. Would love to hear from people who have lived on their own and how you have managed with your own person journey? Im open to listening to everyones comments and trying things out to make living alone with Breast Cancer not so scary Regards Miss E
26 & in complete shock
I never thought I would hear the words.. let alone at 26. I have been recently diagnosed with Stage 2 Triple Postive beast cancer after finding a 3.5cm lump in my left breast & lymph node spread after further testing. Although I have family history, my Aunty & grandma were diagnosed with estrogen Postive breast cancer. I guess I wanted to reach out & see if anyone has been diagnosed under 30 with a HER2+ with little family history… I just feel so alone, I’m the youngest person at the cancer clinic. I am two chemotherapy sessions in & I feel like I’ve been in survival mode since I heard the words. So much to wrap my head around - losing my hair, not working, being so sick, seeing my family so upset.. willing to take any suggestions on processing my new normal!
