I have HER2 pos breast cancer with possible lymph nodes have been told chemo not working for me!! Have opted for full surgery for one breast! Mmmmm have I done right thing? Would others do same?
A warm welcome to our friendly forum. I am so sorry to hear that chemotherapy has not been working for you and that you are now having to reconsider your treatment options. It must be so difficult for you to have to decide what the next steps will be and I hope that this forum will put you in touch with others who have faced similar tough treatment decisions.
I hope you don't mind but I have added the sentence "I have HER2 positive breast cancer" to your title - this will increase the chances of someone else who has or has had HER2 positive breast cancer to pick up your post and respond. If you type the keywords "HER2 positive breast cancer" in our search function which is located on the blue banner at the top, you will also find past threads on the subject. Feel free to respond to any that you feel would be relevant to you.
Our nurses are also only a free phone call away so don't hesitate to pick up the phone and talk things through with them. You can call them on 0808 800 4040 - their line is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.
I hope your surgery goes well - do you have a date yet as to when the operation will take place? We'll be keeping everything crossed for you that it all goes smoothly. Hopefully you will also hear from others here who have been through this before and who will share their story with you.
I have just joined cancer chat as I feel it would help to talk to others who are going through the same journey, I to have HER2 positive breast cancer but am lucky enough to have caught it early through a regular mammogram, I have had a lumpectomy and a sentinel node biopsy which was clear, as it is an aggressive type and could pop up anywhere in the body I will be on herceptin injections for a year plus Anastrazole tablets for 5 years, I start my first chemo onThursday which is paclitaxel so not looking forward to loosing hair and eyelashes, in fact I'm dreading it and can't make up my mind if I should try the cold cap, that also sound horrific, such fun. As for your choice, you are the only one that can make that decision and what you choose is right for you, I am sorry the chemo did not work for you, will you be given herceptin and Anastrazole after as these seem to be for people with HER2 positive, my oncologist told me that I would not get much benefit from the chemo it was the herceptin I needed but could not have that without chemo. I hope everything is going well for you, keep strong and be kind to yourself., love to you fellow warrior
Hi Krispy I wish you luck on your journey!! I opted out of the cold cap!! I decided after the first treatment when my hair started falling ou! That I would shave it off!! As my scalp was sore it was a good choice for me!! Everybone does it differently!! I am now on Trastuzumab emtansine to try shrink or slow down!! As it spread to lungs!! I remaine posative and you must too!! Please enjoy your life between treatments!! Talk to family and friends ! Trust me it does help!! You can all come to terms with it together!! The more you talk? The easier it gets meet it head on!! Don’t bury it away!! Stay strong love!! And don’t be afraid to cry!! Or show emotion!! I have learned it’s normal!!!!! Good luck on your journey here if you need to talk!!!!
Sorry Krispy just realised I put Krispy please forgive!! But must say I burst out laughing!!!!! Did I say? I have had mastectomy now and lymph’s removed? Had that done on the 16 th loss of boob is healing well but my arm am told will take longer!!! How you doing now love? Hope you are doing ok !! Lots of love and good wishes coming your way Love from lindy139
Krissy made me laugh to, that's how I might be down the line after radiotherapy.. I am going to look at wigs and scarves tomorrow, sort of thinking I might just go for it and forget cold cap, so many decisions to make when your brain is in overload with all the information they give you and all the treatments and dam needles. Hope the treatment does not alter my taste buds, I love food don't want to loose that pleasure to. You are one courageous lady, keep doing the arm exercises so things don't stiffen up, will you have reconstruction surgery later. All the best to you, keep positive, give yourself things to look forward to. Live to you
Morning krissy!! No reconstruction for me!! Am nearly 70 ! No man to worry about! So chicken breast for me lol!! Am 4 weeks after surgery now!! And got used to only one boob!! Don’t know how old you are love!! But one thing you must do? Stay positive and keep smiling!!!!
Morning Lindy, I am not far behind you, I am 67 my husband is 12 years older so I want this disease nuked from my body so we can carry on living and have a couple more long haul holidays before it gets too much., need something to aim for and to look forward too, usuallly take my grandson to Tenerife in November but had to cancel now so that's a definate on the list for next year. I agree with you, why put yourself through more operations, there are good bra's on the market with inserts for your correct size chicken breasts so you can carry on living and enjoying life, have a lovely day, I'm off to look at wigs and scarves at 1pm so let's rock a new look. I will keep positive, do keep in touch, love Krissy x x
Hello Lindy139. I too have HER2 positive breast cancer. I really wish you all the best with your decision as to whether you have your surgery now or not. There is so much info out there but for me it was overwhelming. In my case I had a seizure caused by encephalitis was in a coma in ICU for 3 weeks and when I woke up was told I was having a mastectomy due to breast cancer. I had no time to process so all I'm saying my dear is don't be rushed. I send you and all you ladies on this forum so much positivity as we all navigate this road of cancer. It's changed me in so many ways but I do wish you better and good health to come. People always say how brave I am but it's not true in my opinion. Doctors and nurses and emergency services personnel are brave. I like all of us did not choose cancer, so I tell people I'm not brave. I had no choice in this matter. Stay well, stay strong and all the best to you.
