Hi Can-Bra,
I am so pleased to have found your post. It seems we have a very similar - if not identical diagnosis and personal situation. I have also been searching for information and support - specifically success stories for TNBC, G3, KI67 = 60%.
I have found a closed Facebook group focused on support for young women diagnosed with breast cancer. It doesn't specifically target TNBC but I have already found the group to have a supportive aspect - just with individuals sharing personal stories and events. Let me know if you would like further info and I can send you the link.
I am 44 with 2 young girls. I was had by biopsy on the 12th Oct, confirmed on 13th Oct with TNBC, grade 3.
I had surgery the following day. Post surgery pathology confirmed TNBC, grade 3, KI67 of 60% and thankfully clear nodes and margin. I met with my oncologist on Tuesday where I was advised I will have a port inserted and start Chemo on 8th Nov then genetic testing on the 16th.
Like you, the timing for my work hasn't been great. I was due to start a new and exciting role on the 10th Oct having left my old company on the 7th Oct. Finally it felt like my life was heading in the right direction, a new home, a fabulous new job which was designed for me, beautiful family and good health. It was on the 8th when my world was turned upside down. My new company has been great with allowing me to immediately take time off for the surgery and recovery although I'm not sure how I can justify holding the role where I will need time off for treatment when I haven't had time to establish myself in the new role or organisation - or build up any leave options. I went into the office 1 week after the surgery - it has been a beautiful distraction. I am really hoping I can pull this off and work through as much of the chemo as possible. If I don't keep the role, I'm not sure how I can support my family with the mortgage, my children's school fees etc. I'm sure I will work something out, but at the moment my head is ready to explode with new information I am trying to absorb.
I know all treatment types are different and your treatment plan may be quite different - but I have been advised I will be going through 2 rounds of Chemo and then radiation treatment (or mastectomy - dependent on the outcome of genetic testing). My treatment plan is 4 treatments of AC at 2 weekly intervals then weekly treatment of TC(? - hard to read the oncologist's writing) - a total of 5 months of chemo treatment.
Sharing treatment side effects - and most importantly tips on overcoming them with someone in a similar situation would be great and I'm happy to connect with you and share mine if you like as I go through these next steps.
For now, my most important focus is on keeping my head positive in the face of such an unknown situation. Before the chemo starts I am taking one day at a time, enjoying my family and getting out and active to keep myself busy and most importantly for me - away from the internet (I have deliberately tried to avoid the internet searches - the general searching hasn't helped me at all). BCNA and sites advised by my surgeon are the only sites I now refer to - they deal with fact, geographically relevant information and people I can relate to.
Until 2 days ago, the thought of chemo petrified me - I couldn't mentally deal with the thought of putting a poison into my body and the thought of terrible side effects. That was until I caught up with a dear friend who has been through chemo for a different cancer. She told me to think of chemo not as a poison but as the drug that will save my life. Without it, the options are not great, but with it, the odds are in our favour. She changed her position to think of the side effects as ones that were necessary for the chemo to do its job. Stay focused on the good that the chemo is doing. Just this small tip alone has allowed me to move into a more positive position going into chemo.
There is some really great advice in information in the previous responses to your post. I hope you find the help and support you are looking for. Where your friends and family have offered to come and help you, try to accept what you need - it will be good for both parties. It's hard when loved one is sick - but when you're far away and unable to help it's even harder. They will be happy to see you and feel they can support you and most importantly, you will have the help you will need.
Take care,
Sharon x
