Diagnosed at 36

[Mai7]

Hi Lyndsey, sorry you find yourself here. I just wanted to send hugs and let you know you can get through this. It's a very scary time but we are all here for you. Here's my story which I hope you find some comfort from: http://lifeafterlola.blogspot.com/ I was 48 at diagnosis with invasive, inoperable ductal carcinoma in March 2017 and here I am now all well again, back at work, going on holidays again and running 5k charity runs. Life goes on but you just have to hand yourself over to your wonderful medical team for a while. Xxxxx

[Lyndsey1]

Hi I would like to say a big thank you to all who have replied so far you ladies have been so helpful so thanks again.

[ice_cc]

Hi Lyndsey,

I just saw your post and wanted to get in touch to say that I'm in a very similar position and can completely sympathise with what you're going through. I was diagnosed on 17th July with invasive ductal cancer, which is HER2- and ER+. As far as I can tell being HER2- can mean that the cancer spreads more slowly, but it's worth discussing this more with your breast care nurse as I'm no expert!

I'm 31 so this has been a massive shock; I'm so glad I regularly check myself otherwise it might have been picked up much later! I had a lumpectomy (wide local excision) and two lymph nodes removed a fortnight ago, and tomorrow I go in to get the results of tests they do on the tumour which determines whether I'll need chemo or "just" radiotherapy, and what stage the cancer is. The surgery itself was much better than I thought it would be, so please don't let this is a source of stress for you.

In addition to the cancer treatment I'm also starting fertility preservation treatment next week. Not something I ever thought I'd have to consider, and it's all been massively overwhelming. This forum has been a big help for me already though, and I hope you'll find it a comfort too.

Please feel free to get in touch if you want to vent your frustrations or ask me about anything.

Lots of love,

Caroline xx

[Jobey68]

Hi Lyndsay,

Welcome to the forum, it's all a bit confusing in the early days but it will soon becomes second nature. 

As Ann says HER2 is a protein that Is present in some breast cancers and there is a specialised treatment given called Herceptin for it but as you say you are HER2 negative you wouldn't be given this. 

The importance of knowing these things is so they can treat accordingly as there are targeted treatments like Herceptin and other hormone blocking tablets for oestrogen positive cancer, they are useless to take if you are not positive in these things so they have to check.

It will all become a little easier to uunderstand and if there is anything we can help with along the way then please ask Xx Jo 

[ann-m]

Hi Lyndsey,

Sorry to see you here, glad you found us. I'm sure one of the others whose had a Her2 diagnosis will be along shortly. 

Her 2 is a protein that can affect the growth of some breast cancers, so it means your bc is positive for this protein. There is a special treatment for it, called herceptin, which targets it specifically & is very effective.

There are different types of bc, most of us are hormone positive - er+, which means our bc is fuelled by oestrogen, some of us are Her2 & er+, some not positive for either - 'triple negative.'

It is a shock being diagnosed, but before long we do all get to grips with it all. 

There's loads of info on the main bcc site here, as well as the helpline if you want to talk things through.

When you know what you're dealing with, do look at the 'going through treatment' board, where you will be able to chat & get support from others where you are.

Do come & chat or vent whenever you need to. Between us, we've dealt with whatever bc throws at us & yes, we do get through it.

ann x

[Lyndsey1]

I was given the booklets and they have been helpful. My husband always comes with me and I have no other appointments in the next 2 weeks had mri,scan,mammogram and seen consultant twice.

[Paulus]

Sorry to see you here Lyndsey1, but the warmest welcome. . . . 

Were you given the Breast Cancer Care hardback folder, with oodles of helpful information, by the nurse?

And do you have some more appointments in these 2 weeks before surgery where you can ask the questions that you want answers to?  And would you be able to take someone along with you, who might pick up on what you might miss, because the whole whirlwind of this leaves your head spinning.  My understanding has always been that BCN's are there to support and advise. 

You have most definitely come to the best place for warmth and care, because there are so many ladies, far more adept at explaining and guiding you than myself - but as I was looking in, I wanted you to know you had been 'heard'.  All the best.

[Lyndsey1]

Hi I was diagnosed on the 25/7 with invasive ductal cancer I’m hoping someone can help has my mind is all over the place. I’ve had numerous test and it’s come back has HER2 negative I’ve been told I’ll be having surgery on 28/8 to remove the lump and some lymph nodes. Then definitely radiotherapy not sure about chemotherapy yet depends on what they find during surgery. Also does anybody know anything more about HER2 I spoke to my cancer nurse and I’ve found her to be rather unhelpful and she goes through everything so fast spoke to her today and she even got my name wrong.