Recently diagnosed

Lozz

Hi all
I am new here and while would have preferred not to know about this network, I have found comfort and such helpful advice in the My Journey resources and these posts. 

I am a 64YO wife, mother and Nanna who loves my job caring for young people.
 I was diagnosed with TNBC on 20 July, following a mammogram. The shock was just overwhelming. I have found the negative overthinking and anxiety levels very difficult and something that took significant effort to keep in check. 

I had surgery 4 August and am due to start chemo in 10 days. I am hoping to be able to keeping working during chemo🤞 on some level, so would love to hear any advice or hints around this and preparing for chemo.
Take care and thanks for posting your stories and taking the time to read my post 🌸

Afraser

Bad luck and wishing you all the best for treatment and recovery. It’s quite possible to work through chemo, problem is that you won’t know till you start. Chemo
reactions are hugely unpredictable. So it’s best to have a plan A and B! 

I took a day off off work for A/C (three weekly for three months) but only a half day for Taxol (weekly) - my work location was close to day oncology. I had no nausea or fatigue. I did lose my hair, had peripheral neuropathy with Taxol and some more minor side effects with Taxol (A/C is always considered worse but I really disliked Taxol!) but work was fine, my colleagues all knew and happily I had no chemo fogginess and found work a happy distraction. 

But nausea and fatigue are common and can really knock you about. Take things day by day at the start, remember that treatment like cancer does not discriminate and you are not somehow responsible! Take what help
is offered until you can work out your chemo cycle - and take it after that too! It’s tough medicine but eleven years on, I am grateful for it. 

Best wishes

Lozz

Hi @Afraser, thank you very much for sharing your experience, really appreciate it! 💐 

jennyss

Dear @Lozz,

from jennyss in Western NSW

June1952

Hello @Lozz

Welcome to this group which none of us thought we'd have a need to join.  You will find a lot of support on a wide range of topics.  Always remember that no question is too silly or too small.

BCNA has just started a private group specifically for TNBC ladies which you may like to join.  You will find a list of groups at the right hand side of the screen or at the blue banner at the top of the screen.   Just apply to join.  If you need assistance just ask.

https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/25721/new-group-triple-negative-breast-cancer-tnbc#latest

Thinking of you as you begin your road to recovery.

PS  You live in a beautiful area !  (I am really a Melbourne girl).  😄

arpie

So sorry to see you join our exclusive little club @Lozz ... but you are in the right place for both support and answers to any question that you may have, from those who've 'been there, done that'. xx. Absolutely - as @June1952 says -  there are NO silly questions - ask away about ANYTHING that you are concerned about or just need more info on.

Your chemo team will make sure you have all the anti nausea, diarrhoea/constipation meds on hand .... so take the anti nausea tabs ANYWAY, as it can kick in a bit later & is better to prevent it in the first place ...  I didn't have it, but my husband did - drinking lots of water afterwards helped 'wash it out' and he often felt very fatigued at about day 3 and would just put himself to bed for a day or so .... Eat what you can, when you can as it may not be at 'meal times' - sometimes just grazing throughout the day, as you feel it ..... just go for what you love eating & are able to tolerate.  If you are up to it in the meantime, maybe cook some meals and freeze them in portions, so you can just grab them when needed (or ask a family member to do some for you xx)  Make sure they also do your cleaning, washing, gardening/mowing etc as well for a while   .... so you don't have to do too much yourself. xx

Some people can work thru their chemo - but everyone is different - so see how you go.   It could be a 'week on' a 'week off' situation, depending on how frequent your treatments are .... or just give yourself a break now & then, as it does take a bit of a toll on your body & mind xx.
Now is the time to look after YOU xx  You may need to put yourself FIRST (and that can be tricky, if you've been used to looking after others all your life.) 

The "overthinking and anxiety" after diagnosis & surgery are totally normal - as this bloody disease really mucks with your BRAIN even more than your BODY ..... and it can be random when the anxiety (in particular) happens ..... I was very weepy in the weeks after my own diagnosis ... but slowly, it does get easier with time ... and I think talking to people about it helps, rather than trying to 'save them from distress' and NOT talking/telling them about it .... as that just puts more pressure on YOU!    Mind you - you don't have to tell EVERYONE, either - just on an 'as needs' basis.  I used to keep in contact with folk by email - and they knew I'd get back to them when I felt up to it ... rather than getting heaps of phone calls ....  Some people (even some family members) only found out about my diagnosis 12 months later ..... and that was just fine too!

Don't forget, we have our own helpline (Mon-Fri) 1800 500 258 if you feel a tad overwhelmed & would like to chat with our lovely ladies .... Have you been assigned a Breast Care Nurse yet?  They can also be your 'first port of call' as well ... 

Feel free to explore a bit more of the Forum - we have some interesting threads that may take your fancy - we show off our gardens, our pets, art & craft ... and even have some funny sections for a giggle (which we need now & then!)   There is a link (down the bottom) to some 'tick sheets' that you can print off - and fill in, to take to your appointments with .... for both your physical & mental wellbeing xx
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/23477/a-big-welcome-to-all-our-new-members#latest

take care, and all the best for your upcoming chemo xx

Lozz

Thanks for your response @afraser and explaining your chemo experience it was really helpful. Sorry for the only delay in responding, I am still learning t9 navigate this website. 

I have just had my 6th chemo and am using the cold cap which seems to be working so far🤞 
I am working about half time sometimes more, which is fantastic and really takes my mind off BC . 

Thanks to all for taking to time to respond it is really heart warming. 🥰 L

Tarma

@Lozz

Just hello 👋and a Hug 💌

Abbydog

Dear Lozz,
Sorry I'm late to answer. I had problems logging on with the BCNA online network.
I'm happy to hear that you are managing so far with Chemo, well done.
It is really not until you have started that you have an idea how it will be for you.
I'm also happy to see that you are trying the Cold Cap. I used it with good success.
Wishing you well as you continue your treatments.

Julez1958

Hi @Lozz
I didn’t have chemo but had mastectomy and radiotherapy.
I did want yo comment on working through treatment - I was 62 and semi retired on diagnosis and did take sone time off after the surgery but found going back to some  part time work  helped keep my mind busy and stop too much ” dwelling” on the situation.
Also keeps a bit of normalcy in your life when it has been otherwise turned upside down.
It all depends on how you are coping physically of course.
Take care.
🌺

Afraser

Hello @Lozz

I too worked through treatment (surgery, chemo, Herceptin). I was 67, no
intention of retiring and happily I dodged nausea, fatigue and chemo brain! Work not only kept me grounded but helped me do a little promo for mammograms among my colleagues! Best wishes.