Breast Cancer Now Forum

Again - I had exactly this!!! I had specks of microinvasion so was told I was borderline and that it was my choice. My oncologist did give me a nudge to suggest I went for it though and my family all wanted me to as well.  obviously it’s up to you but what I would say is that the paclitaxel (for me) was pretty easy to deal with. I didn’t really have any significant side effects. I’d feel tired after treatment that day only but I think that was from the antihistamine they give you more than anything. Felt fine the next day and rest of week. Had a few strands of hair come out but otherwise cold capping kept my hair. Other than that, compared to some it was pretty easy. I’m still having the herceptin and that pretty much gives a nasal drip for me and that’s it. Occasional aches in the joints but very mild.  herceptin I’m told is a very impressive (and expensive) drug. If you’re being offered it then in my view it’s worth seriously considering. Many people aren’t offered any such treatment so the one good thing about Her2 is that herceptin is available. It’s supposed to have very good results.  I think in the end I just thought about whether I wanted to do everything I could - if the worst case scenario happened and it came back I knew I would kick myself for not taking the treatment. It was probably a bit of a sledgehammer to crack a nut approach but I wanted to minimise every bit of risk I could and start a war against any cancer that dared to remain in my body!  Do let me know if I can help any more. X ... View more

yes, I was a week away from going back when I heard the bombshell that they wanted me to have chemo with herceptin. If they do suggest that, you should (IMO) consider it carefully. Herceptin is a very effective drug - I’m told - and the chemo they put you on to administer it is a “gentler” form so to speak!! No hair loss or sickness. The only side effects I really had were nose bleeds occasionally. That was about it.  ... View more

I had this almost exact scenario. They told me no further treatment but then changed their mind once they realised it was Her2 and advised I start on herceptin - which means it has to be given alongside chemotherapy. That was all fine actually. Bit of a shock tho. ... View more

Hi Sarah, just wanted to say hi and that I’ve just come out of the other side with similar experiences to you I think. I’m 39 with a 1 year old and 4 year old too! Had mastectomy last summer and thought that was all going to be it, then got pathology results and told as it was her2 I needed to have chemo and herceptin. Which was a bit of a shock to say the least!!  I may have been lucky but I have to say I found chemo really pretty easy. It was so much better than I feared and less scary!!! And I coped with two young kids. Albeit we weren’t in lockdown so I had my in-laws around. Anyway, I just wanted to say that I understand what you’re going through (I think) and that if you want to email/talk I’m more than happy to. If I can help in any way.  happy to do the same with anyone else here too if it might help.  the treatment really isn’t as bad as you fear it might be, I can promise you that. Your fears are usually so much worse.  x ... View more