Hi everyone, I’m after a little advice and reassurance i guess, I was dx with IDC in Sept 11 had wide margin excision,tumour was very small 14mm and I had no node involvement, I was told at that time it was HER negative and oestagen positive and that I didn’t need chemo and would be fine with rx and hormone treatment. I finished my radiotherapy 6 weeks ago and was feeling much better. I went to see my surgeon on Tuesday this week and was told my HER2 status was now classified as positive although still 2+. The docs are having MDT meeting on mondaybut it looks likely I need chemo and herceptin. has this happened to anyone else,I am feeling reaaly low at moment as thought I’d finished tx and had intended returning to work next week. This is also going to have a big finacial impact as going on half salary soon
thanks jacann
Hello Jacann,
That must have been a shock for you, especially since you thought you’d more or less finished active treatment. I’m so sorry that you may have to go through more. I originally had a HER2 - tumour (stage 3 with lymph involvement)which on a recurrence was HER2 +, which was not found out until some weeks post surgery, and I then had to have taxotere and herceptin. I don’t know what your mdt will decide - but they will consider all the alternatives and whatever they come up with in terms of treatment will be the best plan for your individual case. Obviously it’s great that herceptin is around as it will neutralise the extra risk Her 2 + gives us, and I believe that it works better with chemo as well, so if they decide this it will be what you need - but that doesn’t make it any easier to contemplate. But for me herceptin itself had no noticeable side effects and once the chemo was done I quickly felt fine, even though I still had a few months of herceptin alone to go. I was able to work normally while on the herceptin. I also worked to a certain extent through chemo (one week off out of 3). You are covered under the Single Equalities Act from diagnosis, and your workplace should support you whilst you are having treatment, and make “reasonable adjustments” for you. It might be worth having a chat with them about it. There is a factsheet on employment issues on this site (link
www2.breastcancercare.org.uk/sites/default/files/The%20EMPLOY%20Charter%20-%20Policy%20briefing.pdf
(not sure if this link will work but if you look on the employment section of the site you’ll find it)
I do hope that all goes well for you on Monday. Take care Mo xx
Thanks for you reply Mo, I do feel more resigned to having chemo and herceptin. I wasn’t aware I could work and have time off for the week of chemo, will certainly look at that option altho work as nurse practitioner and may be more at risk of infection, but it is certainly something to think about. i’m glad you feel better post chemo.This site is really supportive I’m glad I logged on
Thanks again jacann