Hi Pippin24,

im in the same boat as you, grade three ( they say stage one because of the size) are you having chemo before surgery? I’m still waiting for my oncology appointment, I was diagnosed on 6/02/2025 and I’m not dealing well, if you would would like to swap notes as we go on this adventure that would be great 

jobieejo

Hi Pippin24,

im in the same boat as you, grade three ( they say stage one because of the size) are you having chemo before surgery? I’m still waiting for my oncology appointment, I was diagnosed on 6/02/2025 and I’m not dealing well, if you would would like to swap notes as we go on this adventure that would be great 

jobieejo

Hi Jobieejo, so sorry to hear that you have been diagnosed with breast cance. Have they told you yet what type of breast cancer you have?

This thread was actually started last year, but is still going, as some of us still keep in touch.

I was diagnosed in January 24 and am now thankfully in remission. Due to being HER2 positive, I had my chemo before surgery and responded really well. I then went on to have a mastectomy with diep flap reconstruction last October. The results after surgery were amazing, as no traces of cancer were found. The chemo had certainly done it's magic. I also started having phesgo injections while on chemo, which I'm still on at the moment. These help reduce the risk of the cancer returning. I'm due to have further surgery in a couple of months, a reduction of the healthy breast, so they match.

I would be happy to keep in touch through your journey. Feel free to ask any questions that you have. It is a very worrying time, but you will be well looked after.

When I was first diagnosed, I felt such a high level of anxiety and stress. I then decided I just couldn't be like this over the coming  year. I started walking every day and eating healthily. It made me feel much better and more positive about things. It also helped me feel more in control.

Good luck with everything moving forward, keep in touch and let me know how you get on. Xx

Hi Pippin24

thank you so much for replying so quickly and I’m thrilled you are in remission. I have Her2 cancer also but I had never heard of chemotherapy before surgery so I was a bit freaked out yesterday about what that meant. My tumour is 1.5cm so I don’t know what surgery will be offered to me. I had organised my head to deal with surgery first then have recovery time to learn about chemotherapy and what it entails. I just feel a bit lost, I understand that I’m not the only patient of my oncologist but I need ( mentally) the ball to start rolling, I’ve just been and got my “chemo kit” joggers and books to start my new healthy lifestyle. I’m the first to admit since covid I’ve got into a slump of eating,watching tv and working and I feel all of this has given me a right kick up the bum. Do you have any other tips of things I can do to help myself and prepare myself? 

thanks 

jobieejo

Ho Jobieejo, as far as I know the chemo is first if you are HER2 positive. I had 3 cycles of EC and 4 cycles of docetaxel. I got through chemo with minimal side effects, so was very lucky. I did use a very good product called polybalm throughout chemo, which helps prevent any damage to your nails. 

I had 2 tumours, cancer cells in breast tissue and 1 lymph node affected  which is why I needed a mastectomy. If you only have 1 tumour, you may only need a lumpectomy. When I started the docetaxel  I also  started phesgo injections, when I started the docetaxel, I think this was also due to being HER2 positive. I need 18 in total and still have 4 to go. My hubby trained at the hospital, to give me these at home, which saves so many hospital visits. I also have zoledronic acid infusions every 6 months  for three years. This reduces the risk of it coming back in the bones. You will probably be asked if you want  to cold cap, which is something you might want to think about. I decided not to and bought a couple wigs and some lovely hats. Found a great site for hats called annabandana.

I think you'll start to feel a bit better once your treatment gets started, I certainly did. Xx