As everyone will say....waiting is awful and I do not pretend to know how to time-warp past it. If planning is your natural approach to life, then I see no harm in mentally preparing "lots" of plans to match various scenarios. Not for everyone but it works (a bit) for me. 

Hoping the end of the wait is good news day.

Aaaaargh the wait is the worst!  I agree with dj48 that why not start planning (as best you can) for either eventuality).  Ultimately getting the HER2 diagnosis won't change all that much in terms of things you can do (rather bits of your treatment) so if you are a planner try and focus on what you can do just now.

There are things you can do to prep for radiotherapy/chemotherapy (whatever you're having), you can plan for elements of your care at home (finding ways to make certain things easier for you after surgery), look at underwear items for post-surgery.  Also, if you haven't already, don't forget to check what life insurance or critical illness policies you have in place, if any, I was so grateful that this was one of the first comments a friend made to me as it wouldn't even have crossed my mind yet the financial assistance is such a relief.

All the best, let us know how you go.

LJx

Hi,

Her2 tests came back negative so all good, surgery on Monday 23rd July.  The surgeon has said that it is fine for me to go on holiday to Portugal on 31st July and then my post op results will be available on my return.  I am starting to feel really tired is this normal? and irritable as well.

That's fantastic news, really pleased for you, and glad you can go and enjoy your holiday knowing that at the very least the bulk of the cancer has been removed from you during the op.

In terms of what is normal, if you're tired you will be more irritable, so it's probably easiest to put the irritability down to the tiredness and try and tackle the tiredness.

It's hard to know what is normal.  I thought I had no symptoms prior to my diagnosis of stage 3 breast cancer, but then thinking back I have been exhausted for over a year, and my life has involved coming home from work, going to bed, getting up and going to work, coming home from work, going to bed, and so on and so on.  I had put the exhaustion down to having such awful shifts, but then I had coped with them previously and my colleagues weren't as tired as I was.

I think tiredness is part of the deal eventually anyway.  After all your body will be trying to fight it but because it's inside you there won't be any visible side effects of your body fighting it (like pus around a wound, or our body producing more mucus when we have colds etc.).  Our body will be expending energy trying to fight it so tiredness makes sense.

I would imagine the usual rules apply, get plenty of rest but don't take it to extremes (cause you'll miss out on stuff).  A siesta will fit in well in Portugal :) and I've found an afternoon nap helps regenerate me to enjoy the evening, so you've picked the right holiday destination.  Eat and drink in a way that helps promote good quality sleep and doesn't give you the 'post-meal' lethargy to add to your tiredness.

But, most importantly, enjoy your holiday!!!!!

Wishing you best wishes for the surgery, and a great time away in Portugal.

LJx