New and just diagnosed with TNBC

Make haste slowly, @Heathy78 ..... Do what you can when you feel up to it.  With the chemo, you may have to cover up really well when out in the sun too.

Re your mouth ulcer ... maybe get a really soft toothbrush?  If it is a medium or hard - it could be doing the injury that turns into the ulcer.

WOW!  Well done on that App!!   Can you add my name to it!??  ;)   Terrific that you have a great support crew around you

Have a great Xmas xx

Just a quick update - first round of chemo was last Wednesday (a week ago). The fatigue was overwhelming from Saturday through to Monday, but gently lifting now. I managed a yoga class last night which was gentle and calming. Today I managed a trip to the market with my mum (to help carry the bags)!!!
 
I’m able to eat pretty much most foods (except the oily fish that was recommended!). Crackers with avocado and salty goats cheese are the best! 

Only had one mouth ulcer so far. 

Hoping to do a few hours of work from home tomorrow if my energy levels keep improving. 

Round two is scheduled for 27th! So far, not too bad. 

I’ve also set up a website for tasks that I need help with (now that I know what I can and can’t do myself). It’s called Gather my Crew. It allows people to log on and accept tasks that you set up. Really good for meals, cleaning and other help with dog walking and appointments. I’m very lucky to have such amazing friends and family - lots of people wanted to help so the website is a good way for people to do that! Highly recommend it. 

@Heathy78 I had mastectomy and all nodes and CT scans were clear. My oncologist told me it was up to me if I wanted to do chemo - she would be happy whatever I decided. She said the only reason she would lean towards it was because of my age (43) and just to prevent recurrence. She said if it came back we would be looking at curative treatment so I decided to go ahead. I had 4 rounds of TC chemo - wasn’t the most fun thing I have ever done but doable and I managed to work a lot during it. At least I know if it comes back I did everything I could and I won’t be kicking myself for not having chemo xoxoox

@Heathy78 Glad that you have a plan that makes you feel comfortable with treatment.  As others have said, run things by your onc to make sure there are no contraindications.  The last thing you want to do is to go through all of this only to find that something you took made it less effective (such as grapefruit!).  And don't beat yourself up if you can't follow the healthy diet that you want to.  You may sail through it with very little issue or you may find it more of a slog.  There is a discussion somewhere on here about what people found they could eat during chemo.  Personally, pasta with tomatoes and olives and pesto was a favourite for me.

Hi Heathy78, sounds like you have a plan and are being in control more.
With what I have heard and the wonderful  women that I have spoken to here online and other women I know who have had Chemotherapy, there are so many different stories on how they coped and side affects they have all had. What I have heard from all of them though, is that it is doable.
Everyone deals with Chemotherapy differently, I’m yet to start mine. My surgery is in 14 days then I will have a plan of how much Chemotherapy and radiotherapy I will need.
Keep us posted on how you go, sending hugs your way ❤️

Hi @Heathy78  Good luck with everything. Sounds like you have a plan of attack which is great.  Just  keep in mind you have to be flexible to everything once chemo starts, even some foods you are used to eating you might find you can't tolerate anymore.  Everyone is so different to their reactions to treatment whereas some continue to work and others like myself where incapable of working. Just let your medical oncologist know exactly what your naturopath has prescribed to you as I know I was advised that some alternate remedies are not compatible with some of the chemo drugs as they reduce the effectiveness.   I found meditation and gentle exercise great on my good days. Let us know how you go and be kind to yourself. Hugs  xox

Thanks everyone! 

I’ve had a really positive meeting with an oncology naturopath. She has written me up a treatment plan to compliment the chemotherapy and radiation and to try to limit the side effects but also the long term impact on my immune system. 

I think if I reframe the treatment from ‘just’ being the chemotherapy which doctors prescribe, to a more comprehensive plan that includes chemo as one of the many options, then I feel more comfortable. I’ve also weighed up the odds, and it looks like the long term side effects have lower odds in some cases than the general population! e.g. a 1% chance of getting lung cancer as a result of radiation but the general population has a one in six chance of getting cancer. 

The good thing is that the naturopath can work to specifically lower inflammation through diet and herbal remedies. I’m also doing Yin Yoga and meditation, as well as a reduced strength and conditioning program in the gym (which I normally do). 

I’m feeling more comfortable as the days go by!!! 

Hi Heathy 78, I’m with TeePee, I’ve also been diagnosed with triple negative and I’m with her.
Ive spoken with a few ladies that have also had triple negative BC who are now 6 years plus cancer free. 
The choice is yours but I know I will be doing what ever it takes to give me the best chance to be another one cancer free.
We are all here for each other ❤️

Thank you ladies. This thread is really helpful ro me too xx

I'm sorry you had to join this group.

I was diagnosed with multifocal ductal invasive carcinoma Triple Neg in August, just over 3 months ago.  The biopsy found it was also in my nodes, and ct scan and bone scan shown it had no spread anywhere else. I had a single mastectomy and lymph node removal fairly quickly

I am a single Mum with 3 kids who depend on me so chemo for me was a no brainer - I'm prepared to do everything and anything that is offered so I survive this.

I've ve just had my 4th and final AC fortnightly chemo dose yesterday. I am one of the lucky ones, I've had very little side effects - no nausea, just a few issues with my bowels, a bit of reflux and fatigue. Generally I rest for 2 days after chemo (self informed as I have a tendency to over do things) then I'm back at it.  

In in two weeks I start my next round of paclitaxel every week for 12 weeks and carboplatin every 3 weeks.  Following that I'll have a 3 week break then 5 weeks of radiotherapy....then I'm done.

When I first met my oncologist she said with surgery the cancer was all removed and essentially I was cured of cancer. Chemo buys you 'insurance' to kill any strays that might be floating around and to help protect against it coming back. I found this reassuring, and when my hair fell out and when I had some annoying side effects I took this as signs that thepdrugs were working and doing what they were meant to.

I willingly agreed to all of this as there are lots of new awesome drugs out there for hormone positive cancers, but of course none of those work for Triple Negative, so I felt these were my only treatment options.

One of my best friends was diagnosed with Triple Negative during her pregnancy and had similar treatment to me, and she's fighting fit with no reoccurrence 7 years later. She is my insoriation that I can beat this, and really I haven't really given any thought to the fact that I won't.

 I've had the genetic testing an waiting for the results but lots of interesting discussion was had. I learnt that while Triple Negative in the short term is not great, the long term prognosis is excellent and the risk of reoccurrence and other cancers are lower.

Good luck with your decision.