Hi Vicky, so sorry to hear of your diagnosis, it must have been a shock for you. Our situation is not quite the same as I'm older than you and my children are adults. However, I was diagnosed in January with invasive ductal carcinoma and am also HER2 positive. I was put on chemo first, then will be having surgery, followed by radiotherapy. I will then go onto hormone blockers for 5-10 years. The chemo I was put on is EC-T. So far I've had the 3 EC and 2 of the T (for me this is docetaxel). I also started on phesgo injections  when I started the docetaxel,  due to being HER2 positive. My next treatment is on Tuesday and last one on the 9th of July. For me the side effects have been minimal and I'm able to do all the normal stuff like cooking and cleaning. I also go for a 2 1/2 mile walk every day, which is great for the mindset. Obviously everyone is different and some people do get more side effects, but thought you'd like to know it's not so difficult for everyone. I hope all goes well with your journey moving forward and  if you have any questions I'm always here. Xx

Just newly diagnosed with breast cancer (not sure what type though!) but my treatment plan is similar to yours. Reassuring that you can still live a reasonably full life during chemotherapy. Did you use the cold cap as I’ve decided to give it a go? 

Hi Smudge24. I am glad you are doing well after surgery. That's great to hear. Long may it continue.  I am having a lumpectomy and  partial reconstruction as they are having to take the overlying skin as its too close to the skin. They will take skin and other tissue from.around my bra line under my arm round towards my back.  They'll also take between 1 and 4 lymph nodes. I have had tamoxifen before surgery and likely radiotherapy afterwards. X

Were you her2 negative? Mine is positive which is why I need chemo afterwards. Will find out the exact route when I meet oncologist after recovery x

Yes HER2 - and ER +.   How long did they say it would be before you see an oncologist? They've told me pathology after the operation is taking 4-5 weeks of more which seems like a really long time. X

They said 6 weeks recovery from surgery then I’ll talk to oncologist. If I don’t need any more surgery because the margins are ok from lumpectomy, I’m going on holiday before starting chemo. It was booked before we knew and we thought we’d have to cancel but if luck goes our way, we’ll get to go away before starting the long road of chemo.  It’s all the waiting around that’s hard. You maybe don’t need chemo because of the her2 negative status. How big is your tumour? In terms of the lymph nodes, I assume scans have not picked up any on you either? I was given a radioactive injection next to my nipple the afternoon before surgery and it starts to drain away through the sentinel nodes. Because the radioactive stuff drained into 2 of my nodes, those were the ones they took. Sometimes it can be 1 or up to 4. I just hope there’s no microscopic cancer cells in them. 

Hi 

Hope they managed to get the all clear margins. Start chemo EC next Wednesday. Every 2 weeks for 12 weeks. Bloods and picc line fitting on Tuesday. I’m giving the cold cap a go. Yesterday I tried some wigs on which was hilarious ( I know I shouldn’t laugh) 

Smudge24 l, I will keep my fingers crossed for you that you can go on holiday!  My tumour is 44mm x 38mm (so quite large from what I gather on here). How big is yours? 

I also noted you told your children recently. How old are they? I've got to tell my just turned 5 and nearly 7 year old this weekend and I'm dreading it. 

Yes I'm in for the same injection to identify the lymph nodes.  Fingers crossed that all of our lymph nodes are clear. 

Did you find out what type of tumour you had? Receptors etc? Chemo over 12 weeks is a new one - shorter than some are. Did they say why every 2 weeks as opposed to every 3 weeks? Good luck with the cold cap. I figure even if you manage to keep 50% and wear the wig during chemo, it’s a head start for growing the rest back after treatment. I know I’ll be eager to get back to work afterwards but not until I have hair. 

My children are 10 and 12 so slightly older, or slightly more aware than yours might be. The tumour is (was) 14mm. If you don’t need chemo, do you need to tell them? 

I'll have to be in hospital for 2 days so I need to tell them something. They've told me because I have small children I will need to stay over night because of the element of reconstruction. 

It’s a big one! 11cm  I know every 2 weeks sounds a lot. I’ll be just recovering and them bam another one. Still if it gets the job done. Happy days. 

It’s a big one! 11cm  I know every 2 weeks sounds a lot. I’ll be just recovering and them bam another one. Still if it gets the job done. Happy days. 

I think it’s good every two weeks. I’d prefer it. Shorter time but maximum treatment. Just wondered if they gave you that option or just told you that’s the way it was. When do you start? 

Start on Wednesday. Picc line fitting  tomorrow . Hopefully bloods will be ok. Hope you get some positive news soon. I’m hoping life will be pretty normal apart from the tiredness, sickness, diarrhoea, loss of hair ( so probably not normal life) . Went to m and s and bought loads of treats for myself today. 

I’m pleased you got yourself some treats. And I’m really hoping you don’t suffer from any tiredness, sickness, diarrhoea or loss of hair. Positive thoughts in all directions. What’s a picc line fitting? Is it something you wear constantly throughout chemo?

Yes a picc line is in all the time.  I’m not sure why I have to have one. It does mean I cannot swim or do yoga so I am a bit cheesed off. It does however mean if I get an infection they can get antibiotics in quickly. 

How is your chemo going Vitchy? Are you having much luck with the cold cap?