Hi all,I’ve been diagnosed with stage 2B, grade 3 Triple Positive Breast Cancer. Guess I’m just looking for others similar in age who are going through the same thing who can chat and share experiences with. I feel lonely and that no one really understands me at the moment especially with being young. I am onto my 3rd AC (side effects are awful). I am married with 2 little ones so it’s very exhausting. Thanks for reading! B

Hello.. slightly younger than you at 27 but also in Qld. I wrote a lot on another post a few days ago have a search for young woman in Perth and have a see of what I’ve written :) can’t relate to the Mum stuff as I have no kids. AC is yuck, are you doing Taxol as well? Where are you based?

Hi, I'm 43 but have little ones 6yrs and 17 months. I'm her2 positive stage 3 grade 3 and I'm in brisbane on the southside. Are you at the mater? I've just had my 2nd AC and it's awful. 2 more to go and then taxol and Herceptin like you. It's not fun. I'm lucky my husband was full time at home and I was back working when I was diagnosed so I have him here to take care of the kids (obviously neither of us working is an issue but we are getting around it) but it still isn't easy. I don't know about you, but I'm dreading the school holidays. I feel awful for saying it because I love my kids but having my energetic son at home all day is really hard. He just wants me to play and be normal and I can barely open my eyes some days. Our little one is easy and is content to be with dad all day. I don't know why I'm saying any of this, it's not helpful. I guess just saying that while I'm not as young, I'm in a similar ish boat. I hope for both our sakes that the taxol is easier.

Hi @Bron33 I am a bit older than you at 44 but I also have two young children 4 and 7. I also have a triple positive cancer but mine is IBC. Strongly HER2+ and weakly ER/PR+. Had only two rounds of AC because it was not effective and then 12 Taxol with Herceptin and Perjeta. My cancer responded much better to this combo. Just had my mastectomy/axillary clearance surgery yesterday. Will find out next week if I had a complete response but the surgeon did say something about cancer in the nodes but not whether it was dead or alive. I just wanted to tell you that I used ice baths during Taxol administration and dipped hands and feet in as I could stand it. I haven’t had any peripheral neuropathy and I managed to get through all 12. I was very determined to get through the whole course because I was having chemo before surgery and I wanted to give myself the best chance of beating down the cancer. Thankfully after 5 weeks on the Paclitaxel my cancer had responded really well (like 75-90% reduced). So after 7 more doses and the targeted therapy I’m hoping it was knocked over. I remember how scary it all was in the early days and I got great support on this site. I wish you the very best. Just wanted to suggest that you might try doing the ice bath thing. I also worried about nail issues (had none) and hand/foot syndrome. I got the ice from a machine in my cancer centre and brought my own containers. You might not tolerate it and I think it has to be done from the first treatment to work. But because this can be a lifelong side effect of Taxol I thought it was worth a try. And it seemed to work for me. I used gloves and a plastic bag to vaguely insulate me from extreme cold. When it got too cold I would take out and put in again once I felt ready.

@Bron33 I finished radiation in September so am finished "active treatment" for three months now and am now using Zoladex monthly and letrozole daily...you will need some sort of ongoing treatment being triple positive as well. This brings its own set of struggles and does cause some pain but is manageable so far... Its really nice being back at work having a bit of something to do again.Merry Xmas and good luck with Taxol.

Fire Dr. Google.... Check.Don't Panic..... working on it.Thanks so much for the messages. I will check in again after my specialist appointment when I go through my treatment plan.

33yrs Newly Diagnosed QLD Anyone Else?

kabash
Member
6 years ago
Hi @Bron33 I am a bit older than you at 44 but I also have two young children 4 and 7. I also have a triple positive cancer but mine is IBC. Strongly HER2+ and weakly ER/PR+. Had only two rounds of AC because it was not effective and then 12 Taxol with Herceptin and Perjeta. My cancer responded much better to this combo. Just had my mastectomy/axillary clearance surgery yesterday. Will find out next week if I had a complete response but the surgeon did say something about cancer in the nodes but not whether it was dead or alive.

I just wanted to tell you that I used ice baths during Taxol administration and dipped hands and feet in as I could stand it. I haven’t had any peripheral neuropathy and I managed to get through all 12. I was very determined to get through the whole course because I was having chemo before surgery and I wanted to give myself the best chance of beating down the cancer.

Thankfully after 5 weeks on the Paclitaxel my cancer had responded really well (like 75-90% reduced). So after 7 more doses and the targeted therapy I’m hoping it was knocked over. I remember how scary it all was in the early days and I got great support on this site. I wish you the very best.

Just wanted to suggest that you might try doing the ice bath thing. I also worried about nail issues (had none) and hand/foot syndrome. I got the ice from a machine in my cancer centre and brought my own containers. You might not tolerate it and I think it has to be done from the first treatment to work. But because this can be a lifelong side effect of Taxol I thought it was worth a try. And it seemed to work for me. I used gloves and a plastic bag to vaguely insulate me from extreme cold. When it got too cold I would take out and put in again once I felt ready.
Bron33
Member
6 years ago
@Lythe Number 4 has hit me pretty hard with fatigue not as bad with the nausea this time, have had muscle pain and sensitive skin this time round. I’ve had to stay with my parents so far as hubby has had back to back shifts and I couldn’t look after the kids by myself but they and myself have been well taken care of very lucky in that regard. I’m glad you have been able to organise play dates for your son, that would give you some reprieve. I would definitely like to know how you go with the acupuncture, I will try anything if if gives us a much needed break. This is exhausting. It’s funny I can’t wait for active treatment to be over but then comes along the next lot of issues I guess. Thanks for your reply :)
Lythe
Member
6 years ago
how did dose 4 go? I just had dose 3. Yuck! How are you going with holidays? I'm lucky I've been able to set up some play dates for my big guy so he will be happy. I saw above you were talking about the neuropathy pain from the taxol. I was talking to my acupuncturist and he said that he has really good results at reducing that particular side effect. He is pretty honest and up front with me about what he can/can't help with. He is more 'medically' focused rather than hippy dippy (not that there's anything wrong with that, it just isn't me), so I tend to believe him when he says he thinks something will work. I can keep you posted if you like about how I go? Of course, we may both be lucky and not get that side effect!
strongtogether
Member
6 years ago
@Bron33 we have an 11 and a 9 year old. It definitely adds another dimension. They have both been brilliant but it's not easy on anyone.
We live on the North side of Brisbane. Not long to go now before active treatment is over.
Good luck to us all, and know that you are not alone.
Bron33
Member
6 years ago
@kezmusc Hey guess what Hee is my nurse, small word. She is amazing and so lovely she calms my nerves all the time. I’m usually not the best patient of a morning but once I’ve seen her we have a good day.
Bron33
Member
6 years ago
@youngdogmum hey!

I’m at Matar Springfield. My friend works at the PA and was telling me how great their Breast Clinic was. I was hoping to go there but I can’t complain I’ve had a really good experience with Matar so far. How far out are you from finishing treatment?

I’m onto my 3rd AC 1 to go. I am doing 12 weekly Taxol I was told not everyone makes it to 12 but 9 is as good as 12. I hope I can make it all the way through. I was pre warned the bone and joint pain is awful I feel for you i hope I don’t get it as bad. Everyone responds so differently.

How have you found being back at work? I had to stop my beauty business I had just started and I miss it very much but there is no way I could do it at the moment. I have found myself counting down the days of treatment all ready but at the start I was so scared of finishing treatment I googled things and I really shouldn’t have very depressing.

I followed some of the ladies you mentioned who are on Instagram From the other post you told me about. I don’t use Instagram often I’m a Facebook fan lol but it seems to be the go to.

Yes that’s very true, I hate being looked at it makes me feel sadder for some reason. I feel like I’m in an odd age group for it. It’s a little isolating I guess.

Thanks again for your reply 🙂
kezmusc
Member
6 years ago
@Bron33, I went to Mater springfield as well. I found them all so lovely (all but one really). Is Hee sill there? She was awesome.
Bron33
Member
6 years ago
@Lythe thanks for your reply
I fee for you with two young ones it is hard isn’t it. My son (4) is challenging he is very loud and energetic and I do feel bad to he gets a lot of tv at the moment so I can have some quiet. We were a very active family before this happened been a big adjustment. My daughter (8) so much easier and is very helpful, very lucky. I’m at Matar Springfield is that where you go? I agree AC is horrible I did my 3rd last week it was horrible my worst so far hoping 4th is easier. We are at very similar stages also in this too by the seems of it. I couldn’t imagine with work it would have been very difficult with both not working definitely financially. I had just started my own beauty therapy business when diagnosed so have gave that up for now my hubby is a shift worker. I’m gl sit is working for you though it’s good he is their to help you. Yes to school holidays haha my two fight so bad arrghhh not looking forward to that. Oh don’t worry talk away it does ya both good to get it all out, happy to chat anytime can’t do much else when sick. Thanks for your reply :)
Bron33
Member
6 years ago
Thank you so much for all the replies it’s been good to chat with others about this when it does feel lonely or you feel like your placing pressure on family. I have a couple of lovely friends who been excellent however I did lose a couple once I told them of my diagnosis.

@PV123 thanks for the info I didn’t realise this :)

@kezmusc I’d definitely does stink to be here could not agree more! Fingers crossed 🤞 I hops so AC has really knocked me about 1 to go. Thankful for my mum she has been a great help. My son is the hardest to manage he is so energetic and loud lol gets tiring but then some times he makes me smile. Haha, I feel like a baby in the waiting rooms compared to everyone else and you definitely get looked at. I really hope you are doing well at the moment :)
youngdogmum
Member
6 years ago
Hi @Bron33... are you at Mater or PAH? I was (and am still) based at PAH for oncology but live on the GC. I did 4 AC and then dose dense Taxol over 4 doses instead of 12 which was honestly rougher for me than the AC but in a different way. I suffered a lot of body pain after each infusion for days on end. I never thought I'd make it to the end of chemo but here I am months later and back at work...it eventually ends which is the most incredible feeling.

Surprisingly there is a fairly large number of women diagnosed in their 30's but as you say, when you're in our age range you are typically the first you know and feel like the whole world is against you. I detested all of my waiting rooms being stared at, the youngest by 20+ years most weeks.

Yes I'm a dog mum :)