Sad to be joining this journey with everyone, but staying positive 'is what it is' has become the new slogan in this house.Got an official TNBC dignosis mid december, was an incidental find. Had a mamagram and got called back to for a further look at 2 things, turns out those things were fine but found a BC lump which was not fine. No one could feel it which made me feel slightly better than I would have felt if it was something I had just missed (or igrnored) I meet with team at the hospital 4 days later then had to wait it out over the Xmas Break to get appointments for a lymph node biospy. It was all clear which is great, they decided as my lump was only 11mm lumpectomy was they way to go first. That was a Monday, Wednesday I was in getting a ROLLIS seed implanted and surgery Friday. What a roller coaster of a week it was. So here I sit 10 days later, very tired after 2 days back at work after surgery. Surgeon really happy with everything, the lump came out within margins and the 1 lymph node they took out it clear. The swelling and bruising was (and still is) pretty impressive but feeling pretty good overall Now I move on to the Oncology team to see where we go from here .....

@TaraJ If your scalp starts hurting, chop or shave your hair. It will relieve it immediately

So sorry to see you both join our exclusive little club, @TaraJ and @Katie46 xx. We'll do our best to support you thru these early days xx. And also tell your family & friends that they are LEGALLY ABLE TO BE CHECKED FROM AGE 40!!!!! (Tell your GP too!!) MANY younger women are also diagnosed - including Jane McGrath - she was diagnosed in her 30s!! If there is a history of BC in your family - make sure everyone knows to get checked early too - and maybe even get tested for the BRCA gene, too.TaraJ - consider joining the Triple Negative Group - jump on here & click 'join'. It is totally private - you can ask any questions, put up pics or whatever you want to, with others who are TNBC so know exactly what you are going thru xx. It sounds like it has been caught early which is great.https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/group/30-triple-negative-breast-cancer-tnbcTake care that you don't try to do too much - I hope you have lots of support back at home. SOmetimes it is the 'automatic' things you do that can cause a setback - picking up the dog or a grandchild .... reaching into a high or low cupboard. ..... so do NONE OF THAT! ;)Jump onto this thread for a lot of 'general' info on the forum - and other areas that we 'play around with'! You can show off your pets, your art & craft, your garden ..... and we even have a couple of funny threads too - as we all need a good belly laugh now & then!!! https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/23477/a-big-welcome-to-all-our-new-members#latesttake care, make haste slowly & all the best with your ongoing appointments & stuff xx. Make sure you have a buddy with you in all your early appointments both as support & an extra set of ears xx. Also, consider recording your meetings, as it is SO easy to miss bits at the time. x

SO glad you've joined the TNBC group .... @SoldierCrab was diagnosed over 10 years ago ..... I am sure she'd be only to happy to answer any of your questions xx (TNBC Group)Yep @TaraJ - it is those things that you just don't 'think of' as being 'weights' ..... Just make haste slowly, buddy xx. Yep - SILLY little things that you just never think of, like that towel thing! ;) xxtake care

@SoldierCrab thanks will check out the facebook group, Off to meet with the Chemo team on Monday

Hi @taraj, all the best for Monday, and definitely take a buddy with you if you can. Katie

New to the Journey | BCNA Online Network

28 Replies

Katie46
Member
2 years ago
Hi Taraj, I was diagnosed with IDC stage 2 (2cm), grade 3 with 1 lymph node involved. Mine was also an unexpected find at my first ever mammogram at 50, and I am very grateful my GP kept reminding me to get it done once I turned 50. Mine was also too small and deep to feel on self exam, and the nurse and doctor also had some trouble finding it even when they knew where it was. The lump was removed with clear margins. My lymph nodes looked normal on ultrasound, but unfortunately, after taking 3 the first was positive, the other 2 clear. No further clearance required thankfully, but chemo and rads required due to the high grade of the cancer. I'm currently 3 rounds into chemo, and so far I've been lucky to avoid the worst side effects. I have 1 more round of AC then on to 12 of paclitaxel. I found waiting for test results the worst part, now I have a clear plan I feel more in control and I'm just going with the flow. One of the breast care nurses up here gave me some good advice, she said there was nothing I could have done to prevent this happening, catching it early was the best thing I did. So I'm going with the flow and doing everything recommended to hopefully stop it in its tracks. All the best with your journey. Katie
arpie
Member
2 years ago
So sorry to see you both join our exclusive little club, @TaraJ and @Katie46 xx. We'll do our best to support you thru these early days xx. And also tell your family & friends that they are LEGALLY ABLE TO BE CHECKED FROM AGE 40!!!!! (Tell your GP too!!) MANY younger women are also diagnosed - including Jane McGrath - she was diagnosed in her 30s!! If there is a history of BC in your family - make sure everyone knows to get checked early too - and maybe even get tested for the BRCA gene, too.

TaraJ - consider joining the Triple Negative Group - jump on here & click 'join'. It is totally private - you can ask any questions, put up pics or whatever you want to, with others who are TNBC so know exactly what you are going thru xx. It sounds like it has been caught early which is great.
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/group/30-triple-negative-breast-cancer-tnbc

Take care that you don't try to do too much - I hope you have lots of support back at home. SOmetimes it is the 'automatic' things you do that can cause a setback - picking up the dog or a grandchild .... reaching
into a high or low cupboard. ..... so do NONE OF THAT! ;)

Jump onto this thread for a lot of 'general' info on the forum - and other areas that we 'play around with'! You can show off your pets, your art & craft, your garden ..... and we even have a couple of funny threads too - as we all need a good belly laugh now & then!!!
https://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/discussion/23477/a-big-welcome-to-all-our-new-members#latest

take care, make haste slowly & all the best with your ongoing appointments & stuff xx. Make sure you have a buddy with you in all your early appointments both as support & an extra set of ears xx.

Also, consider recording your meetings, as it is SO easy to miss bits at the time. x
TaraJ
Member
2 years ago
@arpie
its funny you say the 'automatic' things. This week there has been alot of going to pick something up and thinking well thats not going to work, stretching to put something in the bin at work and thinking nope dont do that, the best one was getting out of the shower and going to wrap the towel around me, had to stand there and think about which way to do it :)

have joined the tnbc group as well
arpie
Member
2 years ago
SO glad you've joined the TNBC group .... @SoldierCrab was diagnosed over 10 years ago ..... I am sure she'd be only to happy to answer any of your questions xx (TNBC Group)

Yep @TaraJ - it is those things that you just don't 'think of' as being 'weights' ..... Just make haste slowly, buddy xx. Yep - SILLY little things that you just never think of, like that towel thing! ;) xx

take care
SoldierCrab
Member
2 years ago
hello @TaraJ
and @Katie46

Yes I was diagnosed in 2012 and I am here and I am cancer free. If you have questions please fire them at the group or myself. There is also a facebook group called Triple Negative Breast Cancer for Australian and New Zealand Sisters (A private group for Women diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer from Australia and New Zealand.)
TaraJ
Member
2 years ago
@SoldierCrab
thanks will check out the facebook group,
Off to meet with the Chemo team on Monday
TaraJ
Member
2 years ago
@Katie46
Im off to meet with the chemo team on Monday to find out what the next stage is going to look like
Katie46
Member
2 years ago
Hi @taraj, all the best for Monday, and definitely take a buddy with you if you can. Katie
TaraJ
Member
2 years ago
a bit freaked out .... starting chemo Monday
Katie46
Member
2 years ago
You can do this @taraj, I've just done my 4th AC and then on to 12 weekly paclitaxel starting 26 Feb. That felt like so far away when I started chemo back at the end of December, and here I am 1 step closer to the finish line. Be kind to yourself, and take each day as it comes. Nana naps are good too. Katie