Back in 2021!!! I visited my GP because I thought I felt a lump. Was examined and told nothing there, nothing to worry about just breast tissue, “you look healthy”.
Got on with my life and then 5 weeks ago (4 years later) I felt two lumps, one so big it took the GP by surprise (different doctor this time) was referred for a 2 week fast track ultrasound.
Before the ultrasound the consultant said it’s most likely to be benign lumps but let’s check it out. Straight away I’m told there’s not one, not two but three lumps and something in the armpit. Several Biopsies taken and I’m pretty much told there and then that it’s highly highly highly likely to be cancer.
Waited 4 weeks for the official results as it was deferred, now diagnosed with Grade 3 Invasive ductal carcinoma, Her2 positive. One of the lumps is 5cm or 7cm mass next to the other one. They believe it’s spread to lymph nodes in my armpit too so biopsy coming for that.
Had a CT scan yesterday due to bone pain in my legs been going on for a while.
And today I just woke up with swollen neck glands which made me cry for the very first time in this whole thing. I’m scared.
Two kids, three and six years old. Recently celebrated my 40th birthday.
Can’t help but think that they missed the cancer 4 years ago… When I asked the question I was told it’s unlikely to be from then…
I’m sorry that you have found yourself on this forum @bless2025. It’s a club none of us want to join.
I was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma 11 months ago and like you I am HER2 positive. I lurked on the forum for a month before posting on the HER2 thread. If you’ve not found it already, it is really worth a read. It took me 4 hours from start to finish. I reckon that may have doubled by now! The fabulous group of supportive women scooped me up in my low moments and gave me hope with their shared stories of getting through treatment. There’s lots of sage advice, kindness and humour alongside the reality of how crap it is.
I found it hardest at the beginning. Telling my children. Sharing the news with family, friends and colleagues. I catastrophised. I was scared. The uncertainty, lack of control, investigations, drip feeding of information at each appointment as results came in and then waiting to start treatment. Once I had a plan I felt so much better. Then it was head down and get on with it. It felt insurmountable at the beginning but it’s doable. I had chemo and targeted therapy from January till May then a double mastectomy with immediate reconstruction in June (I had ‘it’ in both ). My targeted therapy finishes in February and I’ve hormone blockers for 5 years as mine is oestrogen positive too.
My life has changed and I have changed but I look back and marvel at what my body has got me through. It’s been a lot but it’s not been as awful as I thought it might be. You will get through it too. You will have all of us on your side.
My dear @bless2025, it’s so scary to be at the stage you are at. @mrsjelly is quite right to say come on over to our HER2 thread. You will find lots of support, good news, relevant information and, dare I say it, humour in amongst all the horror and uncertainty of the nightmare situation in which you find yourself. See you over there.
). My targeted therapy finishes in February and I’ve hormone blockers for 5 years as mine is oestrogen positive too.