Hi Olivia, like you, my diagnosis was HER2+, Mine was Stage 2, Grade 3 (aggressive). I did the mastectomy, chemo and targeted therapy. I was told that IF it were to come back, with mine being Grade 3 it would most likely happen within the first two years. So, of course, I would second guess any new ache or pain, especially crazy since I already get migraines and have trauma related severe arthritis.

After the two years passed, I felt less anxious, and a little less so with each following year. What you feel is totally normal- not fun- but normal. Try to take a deep breath, consider the less scary, more likely alternatives, and go with that. If the headaches persist, you can always get them checked. This time of year it can be allergy/pollen related, sinuses, stress- any number of things. We do learn to move past the anxiety, with practice. Don't let the worry of what could happen in the future, interfere with enjoying your life today. Tight hugs!

Dear Oliva,

So true what Teto said.
I sometimes caught myself thinking of metastasis every time I have a headache but I am learning to assess my headache. Talk with your doctor about it for your peace of mind .

Happy Easter to you and your family!

I get headaches once in a while at the base of my neck when I am sleeping and sure I think it could be brain mets but I just let it go. No sense of worrying about it unless I get such a bad headache that its obvious something is wrong. Posture issues how I sit at my laptop most of the day and how I sleep is the probable cause and whatever it is it goes away once I get up and about. But then I think I remember reading a while back that headaches from brain mets go away when you get up but I'm still not going to worry about it. You have live without fear the best way you can or it will start to control your every thought.

Of course, you’re not alone in this. We all fear brain cancer, especially in Her2. I think if you have continuous headache, that I would have checked out. But if it’s sporadic, it’s maybe nothing. At some point it’s also important to push some of the fear away and just try to live your life as best as you can. Fear only paralyzes us and creates unnecessary worry.

thank you for your encouraging words :)