Triple Neg HER2 what questions

Hi TripleTea I have had 2 lumpectomies (not mastectomy) but I am not BRACA1 or 2. My PET scans cost about $450 each time, and it means I have less CT scans as I have this instead but my cancer is EXTREMELY aggressive (between the scans before my last surgery and the PET scan prior to radiation I developed a new tumour which got to 18mm in just 5 weeks).  PET scan is good for my peace of mind.

@TripleTea can I pm you?

@Spiv1803 yes of course xx

Hello every-one, I have recently been diagnosed with TN BC.  I am 56 years young and live in Brisbane.  The tumour was detected on routine mammogram screening a couple of weeks ago. I had the lump removed (round wide excision) on February 13.  Since then I have had 3 aspirations for recurring seromas and yesterday the Surgeon decided to put a drain in.  So I now have a very boring plastic handbag attached to enough tubing to plumb a house coming from the catheter in my right breast.  I am fortunate that the tumour was small but it was a very aggressive grade 3 invasive carcinoma.  i saw an Oncologist last week and we have a decision to make that I am struggling with.  As the tumour was small I can just have radiotherapy and play the numbers game that it doesn't recur.  As it is TN and aggressive I have also been offered chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy.  This will reduce the chances of recurrence but as we all know, it may still recur. Whilst, I want to do everything I possibly can to reduce the chance of that happening, I am battling with the consequences of chemotherapy particularly on my immune system.  I am not the most robust person. Interestingly, I asked my Surgeon about a PET scan and he said "well if you want to..."  the Oncologist said she wouldn't recommend it at this time. I would be interested in hearing your comments regarding the side effects of chemotherapy. Thank you, and I am glad I found this forum.

Hi @annsan, I'm going to ask @Giovanna_BCNA or @Marianne_BCNA, or even @SoldierCrab to restart this as a separate post, to make it easier for you to see replies. 
We all respond differently to chemo. I was fairly lucky and managed to continue to work 3 days per week with minimal time off during chemo. Others are completely unable to work, or anything in between can be normal
Have you got a My Journey kit? Do you have a breast care nurse you could speak to?

Thank you for your response Irb_03.  Yes I have received the My Journey Kit and I have spoken to a breast care nurse. I also work in the healthcare industry.  I am interested in hearing from people such as yourself who have had experience with chemo.  I am very pleased that you were able to keep working.  I am expecting that I will not be able to.  I appreciate any information people want to offer, whilst it is my decision of course, I like being informed.  Thanks again for your help with replies too. 

@annsan, I too work in health. I'm a nurse/midwife.  At the time I was diagnosed I was working in a General Practice setting. I had a very supportive team who made sure I didn't see patients who were likely to be infectious,  and ultimately ended up doing predominantly administrative work. 

hi @annsan
sorry you have need to be here.... 
I was diagnosed in 2012 with TNBC I had bilateral mastectomy with chemo then rads    I am now over 5 years with no evidence of disease. 
Chemo can be hard but I believe it can be worth it 
Soldiercrab

I work for an obstetrician/fertility specialist  :)  My Oncologist was a bit concerned when she knew I would have contact with children.   It is very good that you worked with understanding people. How is your health now Irb_03?

I have some long term side effects from Chemo but I am back working and enjoying life with my family