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Re: BRCA2+ and HER2+
Hi TripletMom,
I haven't seen many discussions here about whether BRCA+ status affects which treatment you get. For the most part, the standard of care for early stage (Stages 1-3) HER2+++ breast cancer is TCHP -- taxotere, carboplatin, Herceptin, and Perjeta. If you were diagnosed at Stage 4, please let everyone here know and there are women here who can discuss those treatments with you.
I didn't qualify for the Perjeta two years ago because back then you had to be Stage 2 to get it; now I think it might be offered to Stage 1 patients, but not universally yet.
There is a search button up in the right hand corner where you can enter your diagnosis history, tumor particulars (estrogen pos/neg/etc) and where you currently are at in treatment; see my signature for an example.
Welcome! I was tested for the gene but my insurance would not pay for the results because I was over age 45 when I was diagnosed (I was 56, age 58 now). But I am pretty sure it was negative, I have no family history on either side of my family whatsoever, and many aunts and great aunts, etc who were never diagnosed with either breast cancer or ovarian cancer.
Sorry you had to join us ... but this is an incredibly supportive forum; I am sure when someone who is BRCA+ sees this they will chime right in. 
Carol Ann
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July 24, 2013: "Infected" Right Nipple and benign cyst removed, pathology report revealed Paget's, DCIS, and ILC 1.25 cm, ER+/Pro+/HER2 equivocal, Grade 2 under benign cyst, previous diagnostic mammo/ultrasound said I was perfectly healthy in both breasts.
Aug 18, 2013: MRI report says Left breast is perfectly healthy "consistent with previous studies".
Sept 2013: I insist on a bilateral mastectomy anyway. Too nervewracking to let left breast remain with higher risk after 3 cancers in right, nipple in right is already gone anyhow.
Sept 18, 2013: Bilateral mastectomy, 11 right nodes removed, ALL negative BUT -- ER+/PRO+/HER2+ tumor, 1.0 cm, Grade 2 found in a piece of "grossly unremarkable" breast tissue from prophylactic mastectomy of left breast, no nodes removed.
Oct 25, 2013: 13 left side nodes removed, ALL negative, Stage 1 across the board, NO RADS needed, YAAAAY! Port also installed.
Nov 25, 2013 Begin 6 rounds TCH.
March 10, 2014 Just finished 6th and LAST Chemo today, YAAAAAY!
March 24, 2014 Echocardiogram to make sure I'm still good for Herceptin every 3 weeks.
March 31, 2014 Echo results NORMAL, first Herceptin all by itself. Now if only my eyes would stop streaming from the Taxotere ... :)
April 21, 2014 Started Arimidex and therapy for "mild" lymphedema in left hand and arm
May 2014 Therapy completed, I have sleeves and gloves for both arms, a Flexi touch lymph pump to hook up to for an hour every day, and I've become an arm bandaging expert. :)
June 2014 Begin Fosamax to prevent osteoporosis; bone scan revealed osteopenia
Nov 17, 2014 FINAL Herceptin!
Dec 4, 2014 My right thigh muscle has been extra achy for days ... I discover a blister rash cluster on the side of my right thigh while taking a shower. Port appointment cancelled until Dec 17, my doc is working me in tomorrow afternoon to see me and the rash. My muscle at least feels less achy.
Dec 5, 2014 Yep, I have shingles. Boo! I start acyclovir and also have a prescription for a painkiller just in case for over the weekend.
Dec 17, 2014 Port is OUT!
January 2016 Shingles again and this time it started where my left breast (where the hidden HER2+++ tumor was!) used to be. My onc nurse got me a same day appointment to see my doc when I called and told her I had a rash on the site. The antiviral meds are working once again, though, so that is good news. :)
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