I'm so sorry to hear of your diagnosis. Its quite normal to feel like you do when you're first diagnosed. You feel like your world is turned upside down and you don't know how to deal with it.

 I had ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) last year and had lumpectomy and radiotherapy. I now consider myself cured. Now just 12 months later my daughter has been diagnosed with the same as you. Hers is HER2 positive as well.

She's had lumpectomy and has recovered well from that. She had 2 lymph nodes removed and they were clear. The surgeons are confident she is now cancer free and her treatment now is belt and braces to ensure a cancer free future.

She's currently undergoing 12 weekly chemotherapy cycles. It's a milder form of chemo and so far she's been able to carry on as normal which they said she would be able to do. She's still working and other than feeling a bit more tired than usual it's business as usual for her. In addition she will be having radiotherapy when her chemo is finished and she's having herceptin every 3 weeks for a year. 

Once you know your full treatment plan I'm sure you will feel much better. Take one day at a time and have all your questions ready when you see your surgeon. I totally trusted my medical team and let myself be led by them. They're the experts and every person is different. There are so many different treatments around. It's natural to think the worst but it absolutely doesn't have to be like that.

Meanwhile, go on that holiday and put all this to the back of your mind. My daughter did just that and she has another lined up to fit in with when her chemo finishes and her radiotherapy starts.

I'm sure others will pop up on here to offer advice. It's a great forum.

Please keep us updated on your progress - sending hugs - Irene x