33yrs Newly Diagnosed QLD Anyone Else?

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. 

@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 :) 

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!

@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. 

@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. 

@youngdogmum hey! 

@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.

@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 :)

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. 

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 :)