Her 2+ good or not

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Having been diagnosed just over a month ago and having a bilateral mastectomy recently I was today told I am Her 2 positive. I burst out crying when they told me. I had just been told about all the effects of chemo and it was just too much.

I am not sure whether I should be glad or not about being Her 2 +. Does it mean you have another way to fight this thing? Should I feel positive about it?

I’d appreciate your comments.

Thanks
Judith

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Judith

My Onc explained to me that its better to be Her 2 negative, as positive is more agressive. The good news is we now have herceptin to help fight the cells and it has shown to work wonders on some woman.

I have completed chemo, herceptin and rads and now just on tamoxifen but I found the herceptin to be a doddle, I didn’t have any side effects, the only drawback I didn’t get a break from the chemo suite for 16 months and my veins are knackered.

Small price to pay if it has done its job.

Good luck, it is all do-able.

Debbie X

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Hi Judith

I found out I was Her 2 + just before Xmas and I felt so upset, it just seemed liked another year of treatment to get through. I have spoken to my BC nurse and am in a way glad as this is another treatment they can give me, the Her 2 status puts me on an even playing field with other patients who are Her 2 negative. My nurse explained that herceptin will not effect me in the way that chemo has (I have 2 more to go). I went for my heart scan today to check whether ok to go ahead and all was good so I have my first dose booked in for 21st Jan along with 5th chemo. It is alot to take in but you will get there, all of the professionals and doctors I have around me said that its additional treatment that will benefit me, so be it!!! I will take every single thing in my stride and take all that is offered.

Much love
Mel x x x

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Thank you both so much for your comments. I found them very reassuring. Sometimes it just seems like one bad piece of news after another but I feel much better now. My partner also did some research and said the treatment with herceptin was very positive. Thank god its not a few years ago when we may have struggled to have even got the drug.

Thanks once again to you both.

Judith xx

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Hi Judith,

Just thought I’d let you know that I have had two herceptins so far, and they have caused me no problems whatsoever. there is one way that it is positive - after months of intensive treatment (mastectomy/chemo/rads) it must be very difficult to suddenly stop treatment, to have the comfort of regular time with nurses & other cancer patients abruptly taken away and be left to your own devices. Herceptin is a way of being let down lightly!

The trial results for adjuvant herceptin are very good.

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Thanks all. Is Herceptin given weekly?

Judith

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Herceptin is usually given every three weeks in the UK.

One good thing, too, is it turns out that her2 positive patients are much more likely to benefit from the types of chemo that have been brought in in the last five years.

All in all, I would say that her2 doesn’t matter so much now because of the newer treatments (and there is probably more to come). We should all be thankful we weren’t diagnosed 10 years ago!

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Thanks Christine

I know there is a lot to be thankful for.

Judith

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Feel reassured by reading this thread, having recently been told that I too am HER2. I’m trying to stay as focused and positive as I can, and trust these new drugs, so it’s wonderful to have as much reassurance as possible. Thanks girls!