Good afternoon, my wife has been diagnosed with stage 2 invasive ductal breast cancer, she was in for her operation approx 2 weeks ago now to have the lump and 4 lymph nodes removed, we are now just waiting for the feedback / results from that. Basically what I wanted to know from those who have experienced it either directly or through a family member etc what I can do to help.
To explain a little better I work in the oil industry and unfortunatley we could not afford for me to stay at home and the choice was made easier by her mother and the fantastic support network of family and friends we have, so my wife has not been left for a second by herself.
I get home next week so I will finally be able to support her the way I feel I should be, I just want some advice on things like Chemo etc if that is what is required. I don’t like bringing things up with my wife even though I have questions and concerns because it get’s to her very easily and I am trying to make sure she keeps a possitive mind set through all of it. Has anyone ever tried any alterantive therapies? and is it true that Chemo can actually increase your chances of getting Cancer in the future due to you having a weakened imune system?
I apologise for rambling but there is so much information out there you don’t know what to believe, I’m just looking forward to gettign home to be with my wife and support her and help her in any way I can so any and all advice and information offered is greatly received. thank you for taking the time to read all of this.
Welcome to the Forum but I am sorry that you find yourself here and that you and your wife are going through this difficult time. The users on this Forum are very supportive and I am sure they will be along to share their experiences and have a chat.
I thought you might find our ‘Supporting someone with breast cancer’ section of our website helpful. You can find this here.
We also have a Someone Like Me support service where they can put you in touch with someone who has supported a partner through a breast cancer diagnosis. You can find out more here or email someonelikeme@breastcancercare.org.uk if you have any questions.
If you or your wife ever feel like you have questions or want to talk things through we also have ahelplinewhere are team of experts can offer a friendly ear. You can reach them on 0808 800 6000. The opening hours are below.
Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm
Late opening Wednesday 9am-7pm
Saturday, 9am-1pm
We were up at the hopital for the post hospital meeting and diagnosis type thing. It turns out the cancer was much worse, more agressive and faster growing than first diagnosed. They took 4 lymph nodes out and they had found cancer in two of them so she needs to have chemo unfortunatley.
She is also hepetine possitive which we are really confused about as we were told it was a good thing and she was receptive to a certain type of medication that she will have to take for 5 years but reading through the forum this sounds more like a diagnosis, I’m afraid information overload has confused us both slightly.
Any info or advice on offer is greatly apreciated.
Well an up-date on my wife’s situation… Unfortunately I am currently offshore so I wasn’t home but thankfully her mum was able to go with her.
Anyways, ongologist apointment, very morbid talking about survival rate’s and percentages, not great as it got my wife down. long story short, it turns out after initial diagnosis it was actually Grade 3 Invasive ductal cancer she had. A 2.8cm lump, HER2 possitive and now one of the pre chemo tests she had has shown up a heart issue that means they can’t start the treatment now until further tests are carried out.
So hopefully this heart issue is nothing and them we have 5 months chemo, then radiotherapy and a year’s hormone therapy. Gonna be a long slog and wish I could go through this for her, I also apreciate that other people go through much worse but as it’s my wife obviously she is my priority.
Can anyone give me any more information on the HER2 possitive thing, and the effect of hormone therapy.
I think this post is as much me getting things off my chest and writing them down as anything else, so sorry if I sound like I am rambling
hi Ian,
Its not unusual for a diagnosis to change once the final lab reports come through & change of grade seems to be the most common one, but, at least the treatment plan is now finalised, so you both know where you are.
It may be an idea to pop into the chemo & targeted therapy threads in ‘going through treatment,’ as there will be others going through these treatments who can advise.
very best wishes to you both,
ann