Hi Ruth, 

First of all, don't blame yourself at all or give yourself a hard time. None of this is your fault and you haven't done anything wrong at all. Your dog seems amazing though - it's incredible what our four legged friends can do and how they can detect something like that. 

I wanted to let you know that I have edited your title slightly to add details of your diagnosis. This will increase the chances of someone who has had the same diagnosis seeing your post and responding. If you use our search forum function which is located in the blue banner at the top of the site and enter keywords  such as HER2 positive, you will be able to see other relevant threads on the subject and feel free to respond to any that you feel would be relevant to you. I had a little look myself and managed to dig up a couple of threads you might be interested in. For example, [@annamarieph]‍ mentioned on this thread that her mum had a similar diagnosis and you will also find many ladies on this thread who have been diagnosed in the past with HER2 positive breast cancer so don't hesitate to respond there too. 

You mentioned that you are starting chemotherapy on Wednesday. I hope that it goes well for you and wanted to share with you this link to our general page on chemotherapy to help you prepare yourself ahead of your appointment. 

Should you have any questions at any stage, feel free to give our cancer nurses a call on this free number 0808 800 4040 - their line is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm and they will be happy to answer questions you may have. 

I will now let our other ladies who have had a similar diagnosis and had chemotherapy before come and share their story with you. It does help to talk to others who are facing or have faced a similar situation and I hope they will be along shortly to talk to you about their own experience.  

Keep us updated on how things go. I hope everything goes well for your first round of chemotherapy on Wednesday. 

Best wishes, 

Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator

Hi Ruth 

please don't blame yourself no-one asks for this to happen to them and no-one deserves it! 
 

I just wanted to tell you my story and hope it helps you and let you know that I am here if you need to talk or need advice about anything. 
 

I'm 41 and was diagnosed with Triple negative Ductal breast cancer last May after finding a lump in my right breast. On further examination it was found that I actually had 2 separate lumps which were both cancer.  
 

I started Chemotherapy in July 2020 for 5 months which finished at the beginning of December. Last week on 6th of Jan I had a mastectomy and reconstruction and some lymph nodes taken away fir testing. I will Be having Radiotherapy but just waiting to hear from my Oncologist to find out when and for how long.

I think the main thing I would say is try and stay as positive as possible. It will honestly get you through this a lot easier! 
 

please message me if you need to talk or ask anything 

lots of love and big hugs xxxx

Thank you so much for contacting me im crying at the moment

Feel terrified chemo starts wednesday i keep thinking that im going to die

and the treatment at my hospital will stop

Aah Ruth please try not to panic too much. It's totally natural how you are feeling but try and think of the positive side. You've had that clear scan which is brilliant. 

The treatment for me wasn't too bad, I had moments where i felt pretty sickly but nothing major. Honestly positivity is massive and will bet you through it. It helped me to think of it like any side effects I had were not because I was sick but because I was getting better. That stuff is blasting that little *** but it has to make you feel a bit rubbish to do that. 
 

There was a query on an internal Mammory lymph node on my first CT scan and I've been re- scanned after treatment which shows it has gone smaller so they think it was either inflammation From my biopsies or part of the cancer and the chemo has got rid of it.. I'm gonna have some radiation on the area I think just to be sure that if it was the cancer it is gone for good. 

I was a little worried that treatments would stop because of Covid but I was reassured that it wasn't going to happen. Speak to the nurses tomorrow about any concerns you have and they will be able to put your mind at rest about that. 
 

Remember that your stronger than you could ever imagine.. even the fact that you went to your GP proves that! 
 

I have sent you a friends request on here in case you would like to talk in private about anything at all. I don't really get notifications though which is a pain but I will keep coming back on as often as possible to check. 
 

 You've got this!! 
 

xx 

Hi Ruth :)

im sorry to hear about your diagnosis, My mum has a similar story to yours! she's 49 diagnosed back in August 20 with grade 2 breast ca estrogen and Her2+ve. she was also a lover of PinotGrigio! But honestly don't blame yourself, just  be thankful that you found it when you did, this is an opportunity to start a fresh with healing your body :) 

she had a mastectomy in September 20 and turns out it was 48mms, she's now going through Docetaxel, carboplatin chemotherapy and herceptin injections for the Her2+  
the first 4 rounds of chemo have been difficult but she's getting through them day by day. 
I am here if you need any further information 

Anna x

[@annamarieph]‍ ,  Hi Anna, Sorry to hijack this link, I am due to start the exact same chemo/Herceptin package as your mum next week, I cannot find anyone else with the exact same combination, how is she doing? My two tumours were 43mm combined total and Her2 pos. mastectomy 5 weeks ago. If i’m not being too intrusive what were her worst/main side effects? (I know we’re all different, and do understand we may differ enormously with side effects) did she cold cap? if so has she had success with it? I am going with it and realise it will be challenging, but feel the need to try. Again apologies for chipping in. Many thanks in advance and give your mum a hug from me. Lyn. X

Hi Lyn [@yorkiegal]‍, don't be sorry im Glad I can be of some support! She had a mastectomy back in September & started chemo at the start of December (yes COVID delayed it abit). And because of covid, they were against her having the cold cap as it meant that she'd haveto be in the unit for longer periods, increasing her exposure. Hopefully By now with the rates falling that they will allow you to have it :) she lost her hair but luckily with it being winter & lockdown she can hide from the world and just wear bobble hats outside. 
She's just had her 5th round of chemo yesterday, side effects have been difficult but it's all to be expected. Initially she was experiencing stomach cramps and vomiting/Diorrhea (anti sickness tablets, Imodium and buscopan) all helped. She's also had joint pain and insomnia, breathless episodes and she is now anaemic on iron supplements.  It's good to know that they keep a close eye on your blood results to ensure that your body will handle it.  medication can help with side effects but on the other hand her liver is now having a hard time due to all the toxicity from the chemo & drugs! So I have told her to try and avoid tablets unless she absolutely needs them. It's all about balance, and drinking lots of water is important. Please ask if you need any more info 

Anna xx

[@annamarieph]‍ , Hi Anna, That is so helpful to me, thank you so much for taking the time to explain, and in such detail, I’ve read all the ‘guff’ given to me, of what you may or may not experience side effects wise, but it’s much more preferable to hear of ‘actual’ experience. I was expecting as much, so not too scary really. I wish your mum a speedy return to as normal a health as she can possibly have, and I wish you both a brighter time moving forwards, it will of couse have affected you too, I know what I would be like with my own mum who’s now 83, we only want the best for them. Thanks a million Anna, have a lovely weekend. All the best, Lyn. X

hi

I haof chemo including herceptin why did they do surgery first

Best wishes

ruth x