Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi. I was diagnosed with HER2+ Grade 3 breast cancer over two years ago. Had 4 x FEC and 4 x Tax chemo (found it do-able), which shrunk the lump (2.3cm, no nodes involved) so I was able to have a lumpectomy. Then a heck of a lot of radiotherapy, and four months of herceptin (which hated me, oddly, so I was taken off it). So far so good. After two years, it's pretty much life as normal now (barring all the leftover things from cancer that remind us of what's occurred). Hopefully you'll find the same. Certainly on the new treatment regimes, odds of 80%+ are common. Ann x ... View more

Thanks all. Interesting that a few people here and elsewhere have had problems with muscles and stiffness etc - I'm really struggling with my joints since having the chemotherapy and herceptin. Difficult getting out of low chairs etc, and yes, getting down stairs in the mornings can be a real challenge. Hopefully much of this will stop. Ann x ... View more

Hi from me too. I was 47 when diagnosed with grade 3 cancer of similar sort of size. If it's any help at all, from what info you have so far, only 7 out of every 100 women would have a bad outcome after treatment. The treatment certainly isn't fun, but it's bloomin' good for most people these days. What can make a big difference, they've found, is a really good supportive group of family and friends. They don't know why it makes such a difference, but it does. So that's one really practical thing that friends and family can do. Hope all goes ok for you all Ann x ... View more

Been trying to contact InsurePink for two days by phone - nothing. Not sure what's going on there, but not quite what's needed. Trying others... ... View more

I have three of the Rene Amore/ Rene range wigs and they have been fantastic. My main one is so natural that people keep complimenting me on my new hairdo and are totally unaware that it's not my own hair. With my hair growing back curly and greyish under it, I'm not giving up wigs any time soon! 🙂 Ann x ... View more

There's hardly any difference for the cancer returning between lumpectomy + radiotherapy, or a mastectomy. Both are as safe as each other. Ann x ... View more

I've just had my third set of rads, and will be finishing in week before Christmas. It was a total nightmare until today - the planning session didn't plan correctly, then they had to re-plan me, then when they finally got me started they couldn't get me lined up on any of the markers of either Planning session...I spent 3 hrs one day being measured....and a solid hour yesterday stuck in one position before I was allowed to move. Very painful. ...so I had to tell them more detail on how to work with me (I'm disabled - autism, spinal scoliosis, sensory issues etc) and today they managed to get me lined up within seconds and done within a few minutes. It does help to read the notes about patients and ask them questions on what works and work with them. ... View more

Hi Lizzyship Worrying times for all of us when we first hear the news. But modern treatments are very effective for most people, thank goodness. Cancer is a strange thing. It can happen to anyone, no matter how fit and healthy their lifestyle, and there's plenty of people on here who have the same sort of pattern of discovery as you did. Hurrah that they got it early! I'm puzzled about your surgeon's advice too - might be worth a chat with your breast care nurse to see if she can interpret what was meant? Ann x (diagnosed Feb this year - done chemo, lumpectomy, now doing rads and herceptin) ... View more

Hi Chicci Not sure at all, I'm afraid. I think bodies can react when they know something's not quite right, so it may be nothing to do with the cancer spreading but something to do with your body being grumpy about it. Might be worth having a word with your BC nurse about it and see if she can find out a bit more? Ann x ... View more

Heck. Welcome from me. No-one wants to be here, but there's lovely people and very good info on the site for most people. I'm baffled about your hubby. Why aren't you supposed to cry? It's a very natural and very human reaction to all of this. So is denial, anger, etc. It's all absolutely totally normal. Might be worth ringing the helpline here and talking to the nurses - they don't mind who cries. And your breast care nurse should be a good source of support too. Modern treatments are very good and the odds of success are high, but that's no consolation at the start when we're in a right old panic. Ann x ... View more

Jo, so much seems to depend on the type and position and aggressiveness of the original cancer. Some people just don't get any extra benefit from rads, I guess. Worth checking again? Yup re numbness and scarring. Me too re the post treatment down. Not sure how to get out of it but have a virtual cuppa. Ann x ... View more

Not even started the radiotherapy yet. Planning moved back three times already - grr. Now destined for Wednesday next week. On the herceptin, and having nosebleeds (one of which was bad enough that I spent most of the day in A&E), and my consultant doesn't seems to realise it's a side effect of herceptin (which it is - I've checked). Only another year to go... Ann x ... View more

I had long straight thick hair that was blonde. Now I have 1 1/2 ins of curly fine mostly grey hair. Good job I have a sense of humour and some good wigs!! Ann x ... View more

Have had first herceptin two weeks ago, and many nosebleeds since. Some aching joints, some upset stomach. Consultant told me that herceptin doesn't cause nosebleeds. It's on the manufacturer's leaflet as causing nosebleeds. Hmm. ... View more

Hi Faith, welcome from me too. Mine was a grade 3 and I had 8 lots of chemo, so similar. It worked for me, so I was able to have a lumpectomy. Now about to start radiotherapy. Many lovely people here to ask things of... Ann x ... View more

Hi, welcome from me too. Goodness me...so sad to learn of your husband's death. I was diagnosed in Feb with a 2.3cm lump (surgeon thinks it was bigger), grade 3, HER2+. Had 6 mths of chemo which made the lump disappear entirely, which meant I could have a lumpectomy. About to start radiotherapy, and have just started herceptin. It's been doable for me and I've worked through all of it so far, but everyone's body is different and reacts differently. Many good people here to talk to... Ann x ... View more

Hi! Quick wave from me... I worked all the way through chemo. It all depends how it hits people and what sort of job they have, I think. Only took a couple of days off in six months. But nothing to do with bravery - I was just lucky that my body seemed to like chemo most of the time. Same with surgery etc - I was back in work very quickly. I have my own business so really did need to keep going anyway. Ann x ... View more

Had a load of general anaesthetics (three this year and lost count over a lifetime!) With the modern anaesthetics it's really straightforward for nearly everyone. Very normal to feel nervous, though. The unsexy surgical sock things are a pain to put on and feel very tight, and the gown's not a delight either. But that's about the worst of it. Sometimes I have had to walk to the anaesthetic room rather than go by bed, so slippers and dressing gown are important. Some anaesthetists are chatty and fun, others won't say a word. There's always a nurse to look after people too, though. Needle for the anaesthetic will sting a bit for a few seconds but once it starts up you just feel really drunk for a few seconds in a 'wheee!' sort of way, then you wake up in recovery feeling a bit confused about why the room's changed. They monitor you for about 20 mins to make sure your oxygen level is back to normal (as general anaesthetics change it temporarily). Then back on the ward you go for a snooze and then a cuppa and sandwich and wee. And more pain relief if you need it. Job done. Well, that's been the pattern so far. Ann x ... View more