Hi All
I was initially diagnosed with DCIS and had a mastectomy but no reconstruction due to the corona virus. Mastectomy was originally cancelled aswell but happened about 4 weeks later. Told all along I didn't have cancer and once mastectomy is done I wouldn't need further treatment as lymph nodes were clear. However, my pathology report came back saying two small elements (11mm & 16mm) had become invasive at grade 2&3, and had tested HER2 positive so I now need chemo and Herceptin injections but I was also told the cancer had been removed so I was completely confused and didn't initially understand the pathology report. Due to virus I was told this via the telephone just before the bank holiday weekend and I was left all weekend without a full explanation as to why this treatment was need. I finally managed to get hold of a breast nurse some days later who used the phrase 'well its the HER2 positive thats the game changer for you' not really much help or explanation there! I was absolutely shocked to not only get this diagnosis after being told everything was fine but also for the way it was given, I spent the following week in termoil wandering what HER2 positive was, why I would need chemo if it had all been removed and what the prognosis would be for me. Needless to say I've done a lot of my own research now and am a little more informed. After finally speaking to my oncologist two weeks later (face to face - but wearing a PPE mask) I understand this is a preventative treatment as the lymph nodes were clear and the invasive element has indeed been removed. I just wondered what others experience and prognosis was with a HER2 positive, lymph node clear diagnosis.
