Hi
I have been diagnosed 2 weeks ago with HER2 positive. I had my first appointment yesterday with the oncologist, to say I am feeling scared is an understatement. Just really struggling at the moment and I am finding it hard to talk with family, close friends I think because I am thinking of them. Just thought it would be good to connect with people in a similar situation .thanks for reading . Julie x
Hi juliedoc12
I wanted to reach out and welcome you to our Forum. I hope you find the information and support you need on these boards.
We have information on diagnosis on this page - I hope it’s helpful at this stage. Don’t worry if you feel like there is a lot of information for you to take in at once. If there’s anything that you feel you’d like more information about, or if you just want to chat, you can call our breast care nurses on freephone 0808 800 6000 to talk things through. The team is friendly, patient and entirely non-judgmental, so please don’t think twice about calling.
Sending you our warmest wishes
Bernard
Dear juliedoc12,
I would re-iterate what Bernard has said - a very warm welcome to the forum, although I know it is not necessarily the group you would want to be part of! I have not been on here very long, and everyone has been lovely and supportive. I am sorry to hear of your recent diagnosis.
It is very early days for you, and it is quite normal to feel scared. Have the doctors said to you what the plan is going forward?
I found writing down my thoughts helpful - that can help you to identify what exactly it is that are your main issues of concern. Lots of the ladies on here, can offer their experience and moral support to you.
There is no right or wrong way to talk to family/friends. People will react in all sorts of ways, some more helpful than others. But that is their problem, NOT yours. It might be helpful to find out what support is on offer to you. Some people were good at the practical, eg shopping/taking to appointments, others were just “there” to listen, while I ranted/cried about having breast cancer. Others were the people who talked about normal life things, and NOT cancer.
Other forum members can comment on Her2 positive - mine was Her2 negative, but I did have to have surgery and radiotherapy. I am now on tamoxifen.
Anyway, big virtual hugs Julie.
Take care x
Hi juliedoc12 - you have had some lovely advice and a big welcome from Bernard and Pandabear, and I too would also like to welcome you and send a big hug to you. I’m really glad you found this lovely forum and hope you will find support and advice on here as you go through treatment.
Like Pandabear I am HER2 negative, but I did have chemo, plus surgery and radiotherapy so can try to help if you have any questions or concerns.
At the moment I’m sure you are feeling like you just got hit by a big truck that came out of nowhere. I think that you will find things easier once your treatment starts - I know it sounds bizarre, but at the moment you are in that place where you fear the unknown.
Sometimes it is so much easier to chat on here with people who have gone through it or are currently going through it - no explanation is needed, people just “get it”. I found this forum a real lifeline when I was going through my treatment. One of the many wonderful pieces of advice I received on here was to take one day at a time. I then read in a lovely book that “fears are NOT facts”, that’s also important to try to keep in mind.
So please do use all that is on offer on here - as Bernard says, there are lovely nurses you can call, or there is the Someone Like Me service where you can be matched with someone who went through what you are going through. If you have any other questions at all please ask.
My very best wishes to you as you start treatment, sending strength to you. Evie xx
Hi Julie, how are you doing? I too have been recently diagnosed with her2, triple positive. Had initially thought op then radiotherapy but the her2 moved it to chemo after op, now chemo before op, start next week. You’re not alone. What did oncologist say? Thinking of you, hope you managed not to think too much today and had some kind of Xmas X
Hi
I also was told I’m Her2 positive just two weeks before Christmas and told it’s 4cm .I’m starting my 6 months of chemotherapy on the 20th of jan absolutely terrified with the list of side effects that were read out to me. My letter says I’m in the hospital for 10 days then in the day after, obviously the hair loss is stressing me out so much. I have a wig lady from the hospital on board already speaking to me who seems so lovely
Just got to now start this journey
x
hi julie
Ive been diagnosed with her 2 do you want to contact me privately
Thanks ruth x
hi julie doc
i know what you mean hard to talk with family and friends
westie ruth