Newly diagnosed

Pen11

Hi Everyone,

It's really quite beautiful to see the support that goes on here.

I was recently diagnosed with TNBC, have had a lumpectomy and 5 nodes removed with no lymph node involvement.

I'm 35 and don't have any children.

I'm meeting with an oncologist in the next couple of weeks do discuss treatment (chemo), and am now asking myself if I should harvest eggs prior to starting chemo.

I was wondering if there are any women out there who have collected and frozen eggs before treatment or who may have gone on to have children after chemo.

I'm also curious to find out how many women with TNBC went on to find out that they carry the gene after having genetic testing. I'll be having the test in a couple of weeks.

Sending good thoughts,
Penny

yetbeung

First of all, welcome :-) 

I was in a similar situation to you, diagnosed with TNBC at 32, no kids. I have had the full shebang - chemo, lumpectomy, & radiation. 

I was told in a very straightforward manner by both the surgeon and oncologist that if I wanted to have kids in the future, to look into fertility options ie. egg harvesting, as chemo *could* make me infertile. 

As it happens., I have never wanted kids, so this was not a problem. I finished chemo in March, and have yet to start menstrating again, so there is a strong possibility that I could have started menopause as a result of the treatment. 

My suggestion would be to look into your options if there is even the smallest chance you could want kids in the future. You might only have a limited window of time if you are going to start chemo in the next month. Even if you end up deciding that it's not for you, at least you will be able to have a choice. 

In regards to the genetic testing, thankfully I was negative for the genes. They said that for someone my age to get TNBC with no family history there was a strong chance that I would have it, but it came back all clear. So there is hope for that!

Best of luck with whatever you decide to do, and for your upcoming treatment :-)

From Bobbie

Pen11

Hey Bobbie,

Thanks so much for getting in touch and sharing where you're at.

So many questions that I'm still working through - but it's nice to know I'm not all.

Sending many good thoughts.

Penny

Pen11

Thanks Susan - the notebook is definitely coming in handy!

How are you at the moment?

Penny x

sen

Hi penny,

Hope you are well . I was diagnosed almost 4 years ago at age 33 with tnbc. I had lumpectomy chemo and radiation . I then found out I had the brca1 gene and undertook a double mastectomy and reconstruction .
I had 2 kids when diagnosed , if I were in your position I would definantly harvest eggs , just in case you decide you would like to have kids later on in life .

Please feel free to ask any questions or pm if you want to chat .

Cheers
Sen

Pen11

Hello Sen,

Thanks for your message. Hope you're well too. How are you feeling 4 years later?  Was there any history of breast cancer in your family? 

I'm waiting for an appointment with Kate Stern at Monash IVF this week, so hopefully I'll have enough time before chemo to harvest eggs. 

Pennyx

Pen11

Hello Sen,

Thanks for your message. Hope you're well too. How are you feeling 4 years later?  Was there any history of breast cancer in your family? 

I'm waiting for an appointment with Kate Stern at Monash IVF this week, so hopefully I'll have enough time before chemo to harvest eggs. 

Pennyx

Pen11

Hello Sen,

Thanks for your message. Hope you're well too. How are you feeling 4 years later?  Was there any history of breast cancer in your family? 

I'm waiting for an appointment with Kate Stern at Monash IVF this week, so hopefully I'll have enough time before chemo to harvest eggs. 

Pennyx

sen

My journey has been quite hard but I'm here ... Unfortunantly there wasn't any history in my family I was just unlucky I guess . Are you seeing monash ivf in Clayton ? I live close by if you want to go for a coffee and a chat .

Xx sen

Pen11

Hi Sen,

I hope your journey improves. I'm trying to remain positive, but it's hard, especially not knowing what lies ahead.

Unfortunately I won't have time to do an Ivf cycle, but I will try other drugs to try and protect my ovaries. I'm seeing Kate Stern at freemasons in east mrlbourne, so unfortunately I won't be out near monash.

Pennyxx

Pen11

Hi Sen,

I hope your journey improves. I'm trying to remain positive, but it's hard, especially not knowing what lies ahead.

Unfortunately I won't have time to do an Ivf cycle, but I will try other drugs to try and protect my ovaries. I'm seeing Kate Stern at freemasons in east mrlbourne, so unfortunately I won't be out near monash.

Pennyxx

Pen11

Thanks Susan.

Good luck choosing a surgeon for your new boobs!

Penny x

sen

Hi penny ,

You have to stay positive , yes it's hard but there's plenty of us who you can chat to as well .
There is drugs to protect your ovaries so see how you go . If they offer the genetic testing do it ASAP , this can also change your outcome of radiation . If you test positive they will either recommend surveillance or mastectomy and reco . Radiation affects skin if done prior to a mastectomy and reco if you choose this path .

Feel free to ask questions . Good luck with Kate

sen

Hi penny ,

You have to stay positive , yes it's hard but there's plenty of us who you can chat to as well .
There is drugs to protect your ovaries so see how you go . If they offer the genetic testing do it ASAP , this can also change your outcome of radiation . If you test positive they will either recommend surveillance or mastectomy and reco . Radiation affects skin if done prior to a mastectomy and reco if you choose this path .

Feel free to ask questions . Good luck with Kate