I don’t know where to start really. 10 years ago at 42 I had a lumpectomy, radiotherapy & tamoxifen for 5 years. Followed by mammograms every year. sadly this year wasn’t my year, a new grade 2 her2 + 1 cm mass found. Mastectomy incoming, reconstruction and then the her2 directed therapy. I am just feeling numb and wanted to reach out to anyone in a similar situation.
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Hello, I’m not in the same situation, but just wanted to reach out and say how rubbish this is for you. I hope you get a manageable plan swiftly and you can crack on and get through it, and find another new normal. I am sure others with similar experience will come in and offer support, but in the mean time, I just wanted to say we all have your back and we are thinking of you .
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Sorry you going tgru this agian…its rubbish i know…ive had 3 primary breast cancers 2012, 2018 and 2020 …second one was a recurrence in same breast ( same cancer)… 3td one was in other breast …i dont trust my body anymore and have terrible health anxiety …but i try to find the positives …like i actually feel lucky that all 3 cancers were aught early and treated with curative intent …you will get thru this … but forcthe simple reason you have no choice …and i wish you the very best of luck 
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I feel for you , I was 13 years clear then 3 years ago I got a small cancer in other breast . This year I managed to have a clear Mammogram in Nov 23 and in July 24 was told pain in breast was not an issue and Doctor could not feel any lumps , but to reassure me doctor ordered had an ultrasound . I was very surprised to be a diagnosed with a stage 3 in August 2024.
I know the the “ I don’t believe it feeling”.
The waiting for treatment was worse for me but had a mastectomy last week so just feel relieved at present that the known cancer is not growing . Next stop is results but I am not worrying about that as cannot change the result and I feel I must take one day at a time.
The other thing that helped me was that I changed my diet as that gives me feeling of having a little control (albeit I maybe kidding myself) .
Please also speak freely to your friends and family, I have found that this has been one of the things which has sustained me.
Sending you all best wishes
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6 years here and now HER2 as well as hpromone receptive. Mine is in my SLNB scar tissue so lump will be removed and level 1 clearance to get clear margins and levels 2 and 3 being recommended too although not in nodes as small in axilla. No cancer in nodes though so not keen on that as I don’t want my quality of life to be affected. It’s taken me a while to get my head around it. Currently having chemo. Paclitaxel for 12 weeks and Phesgo 3 weekly then op then Phesgo for rest of the year if 100% response or afew mm left or Kadcyla. May be a new primary rather than a recurrence. Then radiotherapy and Exemastane for life/ 7 years as it is a steroid rather than Letrozole. I’m still working so not been too bad. My neuts were low last week so having Pegfilgastrim injection tomorrow for white blood cells. I had a week off chemo but back on it today. The strength was reduced by 10% but didn’t help. Anyway neuts are 1.59 now so have gone back up (they need to be 1ish). I’m not going out apart from walks and appointments. My hubbie has a temperatur and s and d though so trying to keep my distance from him. I have had a bad stomach though this week.
My lump is now 5.9mm so the chemo is working. Roll on 29th November.There is a thread for HER2 which you will see called HER2 and need some buddies.
I’ve been told it’s treatable but may or may not come back.
I just hope the chemo kills all the cancer this time. Last time it killed 85 to 90% which was the best I could expect. Also hope the AI’s work better.
I also am having another CT on the 11th to check 2 lung nodules but they arn’t worried about them as they may be normal for me. Another CT will be done in a year. I also had an echo and ECG prior to Phesgo. Phesgo is just a jab in your leg and been OK the last 2 times. The first time my leg hurt for a week. I think it’s hit and miss.
Anyway happy to answe any more questions/keep in touch if it helps you. The worst bit was waiting for results oh and the cold cap. It seems to be working thoughalthough I’m losing more hair now. It maybe as 3 weeks ago it stopped working when cooling or just the chemo.
I have afew side effects and slight numbness in fingers and toes but it’s not affecting usage of them so no problem currently.
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Hi Louise, I was 46 with IDC ER+PR+Her2-. I had a lumpectomy, chemo and radiation. I tried Tamoxifen but after 3 weeks the side effects were too much. That was in 2011 and all has been well until this past June. Went for my regular mammo and they wanted me back for a diagnostic mammo and ultrasound. After that it was a biopsy and then yep… it was back. Same breast, same type and same area. I understand the feeling of being numb. I went through that. Later I went through some very intense anger. I had a rubber stick that I could hit on the floor for those moments. Now that time has passed I have settled down. You will too.
I am not sure where you are at in treatment, but my past oncologist put me on Arimidex immediately. He said this would shrink the mass or the very least keep it from getting bigger. I had an MRI, a bone scan, CT scan, genetic testing, tumor marker blood work and finally a PET scan. The CT showed enlarged lymph nodes in my abdomen and then the PET showed metabolic activity in the same area. Both those tests got me a trip to the hospital for a biopsy. Fortunately the biopsy was negative.
My oncologist is terrific and as antsy as I was to deal with my breast he explained that if I was Stage IV there would be no dealing with the breast. All these tests took time and from June until now I had a lot of time to research what I wanted done. Turns out most of my choices may not have been the best, but now that I am ready I understand why. I decided that I will have a double mastectomy so I won’t find the other breast coming back to mess with me. I also really want symmetry so both can be reconstructed. The idea of no more mammograms for the rest of my life is also a plus.
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Welcome to the forum @louise11
I’m so sorry to hear what you’re dealing with at the moment. It’s normal to go through a lot of different emotions, please know that the forum is always here for you, however you’re feeling.
We hope you find this a supportive place and please know if you ever want to chat things through, our breast care nurses are here. They can be reached on our free helpline on 0808 800 6000 which is open Monday to Friday 9am-4pm and 9am-1pm Saturday.
Thinking of you,
Lucy