Just been diagnosed with Her2 positive, can't believe the long treatment journey I have been given, 6 sessions of chemo, then surgery, then 3 week injections for 6 months. Anyone else experienced this, treatment to start in 10 days
I was diagnosed in July last year het2 negative so didn't require chemo it was early stages but I had a operation within a week of diagnosis it's a shock I no but I finished radiotherapy in nov and soon got back to normal life it goes quick I'm fully back to before this all started you will too
I feel now like it never happened it soon drifts away you won't akways feel like you do now I promise
Sorry to see you've recently been diagnosed. I was also HER2 positive and remember feeling really annoyed at the long journey ahead and what was being asked of me.
It actually went by pretty quickly (the chemo), and I remember just trying to cross them off one by one, which was easier. I brought lots of things to distract me while having the infusions, enjoyed speaking to the nurses and other patients, and tried to keep busy where possible during the course of treatment. Surgery was booked fairly soon after chemo finished, and I had then had two weeks of radiotherapy (slightly tiring and annoying to do daily), and then herceptin injections for a year, every three weeks (they had just changed to administering them by injection from the original 30 min IV infusion), so the actual time taken to receive the injection was about 5 minutes and then I could continue my day.
I always requested to have all my appointments and injections first thing in the morning so they didn't interfere too much with life, but you tend to get into a routine quickly. The targeted therapy for HER2 has been one of the biggest advances for treatment, so I was extremely grateful for these short injections, but I do understand that it's really difficult, so please reach out for support if you need it.
I am so sorry to hear about your diagnosis and I'm sure that you still feel devastated. You have a few tough months ahead of you, but it is all perfectly doable. When you become involved with your treatments, you'll find yourself so busy with appointments that the time will fly by.
There are a number of HER2 positive people on the forum and I hope that some of them will come along to support you soon. If not, try changing your title to HER2+ results and see if you get more replies.
I sincerely hope that all goes well with your treatment. Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.
The side effects can be different for everyone, but I had very few overall. I had three rounds of EC and the nausea was managed by the anti-sickness medication I was given, so didn't really notice anything else. I then had 4 rounds of Docetaxol, with Tratuzumab and Perjeta (to target the HER2), and that gave me a dry mouth and some bone pain, and tiredness. The breast cancer now website forum has monthly chemo threads you can follow, where others post their experiences who start the same month as you, which you might find helpful for advice.
I used a cold cap but lost a lot of hair from the crown, so just covered it with hairbands and hats when out. My hair also started regrowing once the EC was finished, which was a relief. I know of others who lost theirs and just used scarves, hats, or affordable wigs which was helpful for them.
I would say take it week by week and see how you get on. Make a note of any side effects as your team will be able to give you additional medication to manage them.
there are some beautiful affordable wigs scalfs and hats hair bands on Amazon toppers are also very good they Even got hair bands with just a fringe so you could wear a hat and you got the hair showing just at the front the also have eyelure lashes specifically for chemo patients I'd also advise micro bladed brows .
Hi renehig,I am amazed when others start on chemo or surgery so quickly. Honestly ar you all private patients? I had urgent referral 3 weeks to breast clinic.3 days to biopsy started hormone inhibitor 10 yes ten weeks to surgery.Now 6 weeks post surgery told radiotherapy 2 months I too am her +2 ,negative fish. Feel I am bottom of the queue as over 60 though he did a good job surgery wise. Consider yourself lucky with the best doctors working so fast an excellent chance to beat this .Best wishes.
yes mine was private medical insurance so my first appointment I was told suspicious had mammogram biopsy utrasound in the hour 7 days later results the dreaded then was having operation within the week .love Lara ️
