Welcome to the forum nobody wants to join but when you are here, you are supported. I’m so sorry to hear of your diagnosis, I was 54 when diagnosed in May 2023 I had bilateral (both naughty boobs) lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy followed by chemo of 12 weekly Paclitaxel and Herceptin and 5 days high dose radiotherapy. Now on Zoledronic acid for bones and Letrozole as a hormone suppression. I am ER+ in both boobs and HER2+ in one. I was grade 1 and grade 2 with no lymph node involvement.
I also had genetic testing due to having two cancers at the same time, they took a blood sample and a talk with a counsellor, the results were 8 months on. I was negative which was a relief having children that could be affected.
Once your treatment starts you will be on a treadmill of blood tests, treatment and clinic visits. So try to plan ahead now if you can, meal prep and freeze. You will have days when you can’t get out of bed and you will need help and support ( just being honest). From most threads I have read and my own experience is that it is best to be explicit in asking for the help you need. Too many people will say ‘ What do you want?’ ‘let me know if I can help’ and you won’t always have the energy to ask. Use ‘I need… Could I have… Can you do this…?’
Having a positive attitude can work wonders but pleased you have realised you may have days when you are not. This forum will be there for you then. Getting to know others on here is a great way to bond with people having the same thoughts and feelings as you. Many have said it’s a lifeline to be able to rant and moan and not to burden close family and friends.
Chemo is not nice but it kills the cancer cells and many have such good results that at the end of their cycles there is no trace of cancer left. For me, I had surgery first to remove the cancer then chemo to mop up with Herceptin.
As you are also HER2+ you may like to join a thread called HER2 and need some buddies, our treatment can last a long time so the ongoing support and help is fantastic.
You may also like to join the monthly chemo starters thread so you can be with and get support from others going through a similar treatment to you. This is the link for February starters.
https://forum.breastcancernow.org/t/february-2025-chemo-starters/
Let us know how you get on with oncology next weeks and get a start date.
