Forum Discussion
Newly Diagnosed - TNBC - Mantis
Hi All
I received my breast cancer diagnosis a few weeks ago after finding a lump in my right breast. I had a lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy on 24th August. My tumor was 25mm and fortunately margins and two nodes were clear but it's triple negative with a Ki-67 of 50% so I have an appointment with a medical oncologist next week to sort out chemo.
The overwhelming panic has settled a little but wow, a diagnosis changes everything! I have three school-aged kids and really worry about how this will affect them. The triple negative and high Ki-67 terrifies me.
I have the My Journey Kit and have been in touch with the breast care nurses who have been great. Any pearls of wisdom for staying sane during this process would be greatly appreciated.
53 Replies
- And just like that chemo is done! I managed to get through the full 4 x fortnightly AC and 12 x weekly Taxol. It feels so good to be finished! My genetic testing came back negative for BRCA mutations so no further surgery required.
Next stop radiation. - Yahoo @Mantis. Feels good huh? Congratulations.
xoxoxo - Woohoo!
- Bloody brilliant @Mantis! Well done! K xox
- Congratulations Mantis
Rads is a walk in the park now - Congrats Mantis. Done and dusted.
- Awesome, @Mantis - tick that on off BIGTIME!!
Well done
Yep, I reckon you'll find Rads pretty easy after this xxx All the best xx Just thought I should finish off my active treatment story ....
I started radiation three weeks after finishing chemo and as expected it was much easier than chemo. I drove myself to treatment every day for the four weeks and the whole process was quick and easy each day. I used Strata XRT gel to protect my skin and had very minor skin changes with no breakdown at all.
I finished radiation in March and had a brain MRI and Chest and Abdominal CT in July for neck pain and headaches which thankfully turned out to be a just disc bulge. Chemo gave me an ectopic heartbeat but that’s all pretty much fully resolved now.
In August I had my 12 month (since diagnosis) mammogram and ultrasound which were all clear and from now it’s just monitoring appointments every three months. I can’t say survivorship is the easiest thing I’ve ever done but I’m working with a great psychologist to get me through. I told my oncologist they need to come up with a placebo for us TNBC ladies so we can feel like we’re doing something proactive!
Life is getting back to some kind of normal. I’m working a bit, getting back to running and while how I’m going to feel when I wake up is still a bit of a lottery I’m feeling more and more like myself every day. Hair and eyebrows certainly help!
- One year down! Many more to go!
- @Mantis Great to read your news! What a year it has been for you but you have done it & come through the other side. CONGRATS to you! It tests us all & we never think it will be over but we all get there eventually. Wishing you continued good health, strength of spirit & keep running!! Love & hugs xx
