Hi @nat_story I’m sorry to hear of your diagnosis and can understand your confusion with your HER2+ status. I have two separate tumours one in each naughty boob one was grade 1 ER+ the other grade 2 ER+ HER2+. I had 12 weekly Paclitaxel with Herceptin, lumpectomy, radiotherapy, 5 years Letrozole/Exmestane, Zoledronic acid.
I had 18 cycles of Herceptin over a year and there are some that have had 9 cycles as the Persephone study suggested that 9 gave as good outcome as 18 cycles.
There is a very supportive thread called HER2+ and need some buddies with over 50k views you may want to join.
There is also a monthly chemo starters group , this is the link for June 2025.
I taught in a primary school so was signed off as soon as I was diagnosed, my head said I needed the time to let my diagnosis sink in, I did. I was singed off for all my treatment due to risk of infection in school but many on the HER2+/ chemo starters threads. have worked through chemo and Herceptin/Phesgo/Kadcyla. I think it depends on what you need, what job you do and where you do it. Having a cancer diagnosis means you are now disabled under the Equality Act 2010 and your employer should try to make reasonable adjustments.
Changes to your treatment plan happen for many reasons, it’s not something that can be planned for. I personally had a reduced dose of chemo due to existing health conditions and family history, I then had an allergic reaction, it was reduced again and then an infection and it was reduced again. This allowed me to complete my treatment. Some ladies have also had their Herceptin stopped early due to allergic reactions.
Take care 