My little sister, 34, was diagnosed with a grade 3 HER2 + breast cancer 3 weeks ago. She has since been told the MRI showed an area of concern which they believe is a new cancer. She had a ct last week to see if it’s spread, she gets the results Monday.
She also meets with clinical and medical oncology Monday.
How the hell are people coping? I’ve not stopped crying since I found out. I feel absolutely broken. I’ve not cried in front of her.
This wait for results is absolute torture.
Would appreciate any words of wisdom, positive stories, anything x
They say the early days are the hardest, once all the investigations are complete and a treatment plan is in place it all feels a little less daunting.
I’m HER+ and they did find a baby tumour next to my main one on the MRI but they still believe everything is contained in that one breast with no lymph’s and it didn’t change my treatment plan.
I had my first chemo a couple of days ago and I’m still feeling ok.
I’m HER2+ too and I’m 33. The time between the biopsy results and the final picture after all the scans was really tough. I had a CT to check for spread and my breast MRI picked up a spot on the other breast which ended up being benign but I needed to get more mammograms, ultrasounds and a biopsy for that result. It’s a really tense time.
I think it’s best to reassure yourself and your sister that now they know there is a cancer in her breast absolutely everything is being checked before they start the plan.
It’s hard not to spiral into the worst case scenario but there are so many stories of women on the other side of breast cancer thriving and living their lives again.
There will be some waiting around now for results and as hard as that is, it kind of gives you time to adjust. Not knowing the full picture is the hardest part. Once you have a plan things are much easier
My advice would be to spend more time searching in this forum than you do google because there are real people here that share the same story as your sister and they have come through it. Ask as many questions as you need to.
All the testing they can do now to get a clear picture of whats going on means they will know exactly how they can treat her. Please don’t spend too much time thinking the absolute worse (I do need to take some of my own advice haha) I know its easier said than done but breast cancer is very treatable now
Sorry to hear about your sister. The waiting is definitely the hardest part! I’m 34 and was diagnosed with 1 lump at the end of October, following mri and mammogram that found 2 more areas of concern that they wanted to biopsy so had to wait another couple of weeks for full results. Luckily both were benign and I’m booked in for Tues 16th December for a lumpectomy.
I think I’ve dealt with it better happening to myself than I would if it was happening to one of my family members!
The waiting is the hardest part but I just had to look at it that they were getting the best possible treatment plan for me and making sure there was nothing they were missing.
What helped me was:
-This forum and staying off Google!
-Keeping busy and doing nice things. I didn’t let the diagnosis stop me from living life.
There are so many treatment options now for BC. I started a thread for positive stories when I was feeling down a few weeks ago, of you search “positive stories” you should find it.
I’m 32 and I was diagnosed with the same as your sister just one month ago. My MRI also picked up further areas of concern and after further biopsies it turns out I have 2 tumours and a positive lymph node in the same breast.
It’s been a crazy month of tests and time spent at the hospital but my CT scans thankfully came back all clear and I started treatment on Wednesday this week. I’ve felt ok so far, just a bit tired.
It’s been a struggle if I’m honest but I feel a bit better now a treatment plan is in place. It was so daunting waiting for results, always expecting the worst
Just wanted to update. They have since found 2 more areas in the breast they believe are also cancer. She starts chemo 31st for 6 cycles. Absolutely terrified xx
It really is terrifying Sending you, your sister and family all big hugs. I hope you find comfort in the many stories here of people that have been in similar situations. Once those little chemo soldiers go in and kill off the cancer cells, you could start seeing things shrink and hopefully that will also fill you with hope
It’s your sisters job now to make sure she’s as strong physically and mentally as possible. Get her immune system fighting fit
Sending you, your sister and family all big hugs. I hope you find comfort in the many stories here of people that have been in similar situations. Once those little chemo soldiers go in and kill off the cancer cells, you could start seeing things shrink and hopefully that will also fill you with hope