Introduction

Question

Hi everybody
To introduce myself I live in Hobart and have recently been diagnosed.&nbsp;Even though it seems like such a long time ago it was only 4 weeks ago that I was diagnosed with a grade 3 invasive ductal carcinoma after finding a lump in my breast. I am 44yrs old so right up until the pathology results I kept believing it would just be a 3.5cm benign lump. No such luck.
I had my first meeting with oncologist last Wednesday and she has recommend I commence on 3rd generation chemotherapy drugs (docetaxel, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide) on the 1st day and pegfilgrastim on the 2nd day. I am to have 6 courses of this every 3 weeks and then have 6 weeks of radiation. Has anyone else been on these 3rd generation drugs as I woud appreciate your input on how you found these drugs. My oncologist has told me these are the drugs I most likely to get most side effects from.
I wasn't worried about surgery or pain but the idea of what chemotherapy will do to my body scares me. I do plan to keep working even though I've been told this will be unrealistic.
I was glad to see a Tassie specific site as many on here may have been or are going through The Royal Hobart Hospital and maybe able to give me helpful hints on how to survive the system :-)
Theresa

deanne · Answer

I am not from Tasmania but just want to say I am so sorry that you have been diagnosed and want to encourage you to use this site for support.

You will find a number of ladies on here with TNBC and there is a specific support group but I generally find that you will get great support from everyone regardless of diagnosis or location. That is the amazing thing about on-line support.

I was diagnosed last May at the age of 47 and can identify with your feeling that it seems like a long time even though you have only been diagnosed 4 weeks ago. It is a life changing experience and I felt like I'd taken a wrong turn and could not get back to my old life. Some people say its like waking up on another planet.

The first few weeks are the toughest as you wait for results and a treatment plan. I had 18 weeks of chemo, FEC and Docetaxel. As you have probably been told the side effects vary for different people. I coped reasonably well with FEC and could probably have worked through most of it. For me I had a bad first night, then just basically felt like I had the flu for a few days before bouncing back to normal for 2 weeks each cycle. Docetaxel was a different matter and I suffered from pain and muscle weakness. I also picked up an infection and was hospitalized with low white cell count. I could not have worked very much at all for the time on Docetaxel.

I think you just have to see how you go with chemo. You might be ok to work but you might not. This is really a time in your life where you need to give your body every chance to recover and become healthy again.

Hope you hear from some of the lovely ladies in Tassie. They have a fairly active support group down there. Meanwhile if there is anything you want to discuss please keep in touch on here. Take care and I hope you find chemo ok and that it goes quickly for you. 
Deanne xxx

mandycoop · Answer

Hi Tess
So sorry that you have to join us here but glad that you have reached out for support. This site has been a lifeline for me since my very similar diagnosis in November last year.
I have just recently turned 45 but I too was 44 when diagnosed with stage 2a TNBC, 3.2cmlump completely removed with lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy was negative.
I have completed 7 rounds of chemotherapy so far. I had3 rounds of FEC which has two drugs similar to yours. It contains Epirubicin (like Docirubicin) and Cyclophosphamide, it has added 5FU. I also had 2 x rounds of Docetaxol before swapping to another regime with a new oncologist.
I actually have found the chemotherapy, whilst unpleasant, not too bad. I just have taken it day by day and taken whatever medication has been prescribed for me for the side effects.
I have actually found that physically I have done quite well and I have been very lucky with side effects etc. unfortunately I have struggled very badly with depression, which I have had for many years but has been very well controlled until my diagnosis.
I am an ex-Tassie girl, originally from Mornington but I am currently living on the Gold Coast.
There is a TNBC specific group if you are interested as well as a group for young woman.
I will try to answer any questions if you need. 
Don't  anticipate too much with the chemo as everyone reacts very differently. After consulting with my oncologist I started on Fish Oil, Acidophillus, Calcium and Vitamin D supplements to try and help with the side effects.
Goodluck. 
Keep using this site for support, it will help.you get through
Love Mandyxxxx

donna · Answer

Hi Tess,
I was diagnosed with DCIS 7 1/2 years ago, and treatment has changed a bit since then.&nbsp; But the one piece of advise I can give you about work, is to take it easy.&nbsp; Your about to put your body through a lot and&nbsp;you need to be kind to it and yourself.&nbsp; I continued to work full time during my treatment and in hindsight I wish I had cut back to part-time.
If you have any questions about anything let me know and I will try to answer them for you.
All the best with your treatment and remeber to take care of you!
Donna x

custard · Answer

I am in Launceston, and agree with Donna about work. I was lucky enough, going on 10 years ago now, that my employer said I could come in whenver I felt like it. Some days I DID dress, slap some makeup on with my wig, and attended, then fell in a heap the next days. Just be kind to yourself.. looking back I think what on earth was I thinking?? Not putting myself first, always thinking I was needed at work... and thinking I looked ok, but I didn't. Fine now, but it takes a year or so out of your life, so ask people for help, meet up with sincere good pals, listen to your body.
I hope you will travel this treatment road well, you will come out a stronger and dynamic woman!
Take special care, Mandy

dmed · Answer

I was also TNBC it's just two years since my surgery. I had 4 rounds of  TC . I was interested in the 3 rd generation chemotherapy ? Never heard  that said before. I live in Hobart so if you would like to catch up at any time just ask. I'm in Pink Sisters and also go to a support group in North Hobart once a month. This is a great  place to ask anything your concerned about. I found the chemo a bit hard going but still doable. Lots of blogs on here  for the  things that help with side effects of the treatments. . Wishing you all the best Deb

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