Morning, I got diagnosed with invasive ductal grade 2 ER and HER positive. I have no idea what that means? They have said I will be having chemo first which I feel very confused about. Surly they should be removing the lump first? They have said it hasn’t got to my lymph nodes so I think that is a positive.
I just wanted to see if anyone else had chemo first and why? I no it’s not a death sentence and that it is very treatable. Well I hope it is as I would really like to see my children grow up. I don’t think I have ever been so scared in my life. I told my children yesterday my 12 year old took it very hard it is very scared he is going to lose his mum I have reassured him he will not be getting rid of me anytime soon. My 7 year old doesn’t really understand other then I’m going to lose my hair and have surgery. And of course my 5 month old hasn’t a clue. Sorry I have gone on bit. Back to the main question has anyone had the same as me and offered chemo first followed by surgery?
Hi Hopeful,
A warm welcome & glad you found us. Getting diagnosed is a huge shock, so what you feel now is common to all of is at this stage.
Yes, there are certainly others who’ve had chemo first who will be along to share their experiences. It is quite usual. From what I’ve seen here, it can help to reduce the bc first so that surgery can be less invasiove, no doubt others will be along to advise. It’s good the nodes look clear.
Although it doesn’t feel like it, thank goodness it can now be dealt with. Treatment is excellent now & we do get through it. The normal outcome is recovery.
There’s loads of support here, so do come & chat or vent whenever you need to.
This is the worst stage, it does all settle down once your treatment plan is confirmed.
Sending hugs
ann x
Thank you Ann, I feel like I need to stay strong for my family but it’s hard because inside I’m screaming. I no the outcome looks good it’s just hard and I never thought I would have to tell people I have cancer especially at the age of 32! The positive I took yesterday that it is very curable and that it should all be over in 6 months it’s just so scary!
Jess x
Thank you Charys. Unfortunately I did have a little breakdown and unfortunately it was when we had family and friends round for Halloween. Luckily they know what is going on but it did shock me because it came out if no where. The tears just wouldn’t stop! I keep get feelings of anxiety with what In case it doesn’t work. But I have been reassured that this is very treatable of course they can’t say it will be 100% ok but they seem pretty close. And luckily it hasn’t spread to the lymph nodes. But I have that feeling what in case it has now before treatment starts? It is a good thing I have young kids because they do destruct me from what is going on. X
Hi Charys, I have invasive ductal caraioma hormone sensitive and heriptin positive grade 2. So I no it is quite a common one well that’s what they said. I think they are doing chemo first to shrink it first because it is 22mm so they want to try and save the breast. Even though I said to just take it. I meeting the oncologist on Wednesday Then having a clip inserted the following Tuesday then I assume it will be all go from there. Well I hope it is I just want to start treatment and get it all over and done with so I can then get on with my life. How long ago where you diagnosed? Have you started treatment yet? X
And how are you now if you don’t mind me asking?
That’s fantastic by the sounds of there is a lot of survivors on here so that is keeping me very positive. I keep looking at the survival rates and they seem pretty good then I get that dreadfull feeling what in case I’m the 5 or 15% that doesn’t then I bring myself back to reality that it is grade 2 and it hasn’t spread so there is no reason why I can’t beat this. It’s just the word cancer and it makes people think **bleep** I’m going die but then I remember that medicine is so advanced now and that so many people get it and it is treated and they go on with there lives. It’s just that all my children are still so young and I’m so scared I will not be able to witness the grow up sorry I think today maybe a bad day x
Thank you ladies I think it is just one of them days today. I’m going to keep being positive. What I find so hard to believe though is that apart from this horrible thing in me I feel fine i don’t feel ill or any different in myself. It’s so strange i actually forget I have it then I remind myself and I’m like man this sucks. It’s also annoying that they have got to pump me with posion which is going to make me sick so I can get better. I’m sure you no what I mean. Very annoying. Sorry I keep going on. When I try to talk to my husband he kind of shuts off. Which is completely understandable because he is finding this very hard. X
Thank You Jobey.
Yeah it’s so weird I really Hope they change the age of regular mammograms so people have mammograms at a younger age I’m only 32 and if I hadn’t found a lump and if my nipple hadn’t changed o wouldn’t of known till god knows when. X
Oh definitely it doesn’t matter what age you are always check. Thank you Charys for letting me rant about it all and replaying back. It really does help speaking to people who are or was in the same boat and have gone through this it really does make a big difference x
I was called for an early mammogram at 47 as they are trialling it in my area. I had been diagnosed the year before at 46 so didn’t need to go,
My diagnosis was sheer chance, I had been referred to the clinic with a lump which turned out to be fat, had a mammogram which was clear and an Ultrasound while I was there just to double check, thank goodness they did as they found a small tumour lurking that hadn’t shown on the mammogram which is a worry but i have dense breast tissue and was told it could have been a few years before it showed itself.
I whole heartedly agree with earlier screening but feel there needs to be something that’s more accurate for younger women. Xx Jo
Wow Jo that is lucky not lucky that you got it but lucky they decided to check you so they managed to get it early. X Jess
Hi Hopeful, big hug to you. How are you feeling?
I was diagnosed 3 days before you and still can’t believe I got breast cancer and in such early age. Im not having any treatment before surgery(which is the part which scaries me), but I’ve seen many ladies here who are, so it seems normal when it’s HER+. Wish you all the best 