Morning All.
I vividly remembering feverishly scanning posts for any positive posts after finding out I was HER2+++. Two years is a big milestone, and one I feared I would not make. Milestones are funny things, the only comparison I have is being pregnant, and thinking, ‘if I can only get to 3 months,’ and then of course quickly overtaken by ‘if I can only get to 6 months’ and so on. And that’s a bit how I feel now- looking forward, with fingers and toes crossed for the next one! It almost feels like tempting fate to post, but here goes!
I was diagnosed in October 2010, and 6 rounds of chemo, along with my herceptin starting followed, before my MX and full clearance in March 2011. I then had radiotheray, completing hereception in January 2012 and an oophrectomy and recon followed. Zoladex, tamoxifen and Arimadex were also thrown into the mix.
There were times when I thought I would not make it through to the end of the month, let alone 2 years! The HER2 factor terrified me when I was first told (yes, I googled it- stupid, stupid…), but as time went on, I came to see it as ‘another string to their bow’ in terms of what the oncology team could arm me with.
So, for all of you out there still feeling sick, and floored by a diagnosis, I hope this helps. It get’s easier xx
Hi
Needed this today - start chemo soon and also will need Herceptin for 12 months. Having Portacath fitted next week - terrified about this, terrified about chemo and not at all happy about HER2+ status! Good to hear you’ve come through it - thanks for posting.
All the best for the future.
Wendy x
Hi TSR,
Thanks for your post and sharing your milestone. Its always inspiring and uplifting to hear good news. I have just had herceptin no 6. After having chemo x8, mx and rads just over a year after diagnosis. Back at work hair growth good but slow and starting to have a normal(ish) life. So its great to here from other people doing well further down the line…long may it continue ! xxx
Thought I would drop into this thread. I don’t post often now but look in from time to time.
I was also dx in 2010 (5 Nov to be exact). I had a 45mm tumour which was HER2+. I had chemo first to shrink, then WLE, 20 rads and Herceptin for 12 months. I finished Herceptin in February last year.
WAC - I had a portacath fitted and it was the best thing ever. No hunt the vein or any problems whatsoever. That is actually the biggest scar I have now ironically.
HER2+ is not the end of the world - far from it. I feel lucky that I was able to have a wonder treatment and 2 years on life is back to normal.
One more thing, a lady I work with had HER2+ BC 8 years ago and she is as we speak planning her 50th, which as she says, she didn’t expect to see.
Hope this gives optimism to you ladies.
Hello, I’m a further down the line girl! Diagnosed March 2010, WLE, portacath fitted, FEC-T chemo (6 rounds), radiotherapy, 6 months of Herceptin (as I was on the Persephone trial to see if 6 months as effective as 12), then portacath removed. I’ve just had my mammogram check up (last week) and will get the results soon (ish). While I had a few problems with allergic reactions (to anaesthetic, to steroids, to first Herceptin) it was all expected and you do get over everything.
Wendy, I was terrified at the thought of having a portacath fitted but I’m so glad I did, they give you stuff to make you relaxed and while it was a bit of an odd sensation, once it’s in it’s fine, you don’t notice it after a while. And it saved my veins (oncologist took one look at me when I first met her and said “you’ll need a portacath” - I have small veins apparently!). In some ways I wish I still had it in as I have blood tests every 3 months to monitor my thyroid (to get the dose right) and they have so much trouble finding a vein!
Hi TSR
Thank you thank you for taking the time to post re 2 years.
I am sitting in chemo chair as i type. I am er/pr neg and her2++++. Boy did i google her2 silly silly as you say i terrified myself!!! I still find her2 scary but as you say herceptin is another treatment to throw at this cancer.
I have been quite down lately so really appreciate your and other success stories. Heres to many more happy anniversarys .
THANK YOU XXXXX