Hello everyone, I have just joined this forum. I am 67 years old and I was diagnosed with Stage 3 19mm TNBC late November 2017. I had a lumpectomy and 3 sentinel nodes removed. Two out of three had cancer deposits so I then had an ancillary clearance where another two out of 22 nodes had small deposits of cancer. I am starting chemo next week and wonder if anyone else is having similar treatment. I am having chemo (don't know which drug) every third week for three months, then chemo (drug?)weekly for 12 weeks and then 30 doses of radiation. When I tell people this regime of treatment they all looked shocked which makes me anxious. I know TN cancer is a nasty one, so I'm assuming they are hitting it hard? Would love to hear your views on this. I have been in such a state of shock, I haven't asked the appropriate questions and I won't get a chance to talk to my oncologist until next week. Thank you for any help/advice.

@duxx1234 Like you I have just started this experience and am still confused and overwhelmed by everything. I have found by trawling the discussions on this site, I have picked up so much even if I don't understand the terminology. Then when I need it, I can go back to discussions and get a clearer understanding. It's also helped with formulating questions to ask the doctors or just plain venting to people who know what you're going through. Everyone here is so supportive. And there's no dumb questions. Unfortunately, I suspect in too short a time, we will know more than we ever wanted to and will sound like experts, too.

Hi @duxx1234, welcome - sorry you're here of course. I also had TNBC. Yes, it is nasty. And yes, they will hit it hard. And yes, it's not common - only about 10-20% of all breast ca. It's common to be found between mammograms as it's often fast growing. But the great news is that it usually responds really, really well to chemo.High end delivery chemo is how I explained it to the uninitiated.I had 3 weekly chemo for 6 cycles. 3 of FEC and 3 of Taxotere. I won't lie to you it was bloody hard and I never thought it would be over - but hey here I am all done and dusted. The effects of chemo are accumulative. First one... Ok I can do this, second one ...oh gosh I'm slammed, third one .... I'm down ( but I'm not bloody well staying down ) and so on. I had chemo on a Friday and found by the Monday I was on the downward spiral but found by the Friday I was on my way up again. Youve already had your lumpectomy and nodes clearance - well done - that's a big hurdle you can tick off! Can you take someone to your onc visit. It's really hard to take everything in yourself. If you think of questions write them down to take with you. I couldn't think of anything at first I was in such a muddle. You'll get literature about you chemo too and stuff on how to look after yourself during chemo too. We we are here for you. Xxxooo

Hi @duxx1234, your chemo and radiotherapy plan sounds fairly normal to me. Everyone’s treatment is tailored for them. I had stage 2B Pure Micropapilliary Cancer with 5 cancerous lymph nodes. I had 6 months of ACT chemo, followed by 5 weeks of radiotherapy and one week of the boost/ booster (forget the exact name now!). People are often shocked at how much we go through with treatment and aren’t sure what to say. With the support of the people on here, and the support of those around you, you will get through it. I know it can be daunting. It will be better when you know more of the details and can get onto having treatment. All the best. x

Hi @duxx1234 That sounds exactly how mine was planned out for TNBC so dont panic..... People who have not experienced Breast Cancer themselves really dont understand the treatments we go through.Do you have a breast care Nurse? https//www.mcgrathfoundation.com.au/OurMission/OurNurses/FindANurse.aspx https//www.bcna.org.au/resources/ Do you have a My journey Kit? Focus on one step at a time Duxx1234 you will get through this ... come here and chat there is usually always someone around no matter what time it is . Soldier Crab

Hi again @duxx1234, I finished chemo almost 2 1/2 years ago, but my last surgery was just over 6 months ago. I found chemo fairly manageable and was able to work 4 days a week. I was very tired though. I actually gave up most social media during chemo and I found this easier at the time. There's no wrong or right. Just take it step by step, trust the professionals, but get a second opinion if you feel you need one. The Cancer Council has 5 free counselling sessions which are amazing and can be accessed over the phone. The nurses are a great support as well. Like @LMK74 I had 3 months of AC which is a combo of Adriamycin and Cyclophosphamide (I think that's right ?!), followed by 3 months of Taxol. I have some side effects now, but I work full time, have just got a permanent position and I was house hunting today! I think life is good for me now, despite my health issues and being a bit stuck in a post cancer daze. My aim this year is to start volunteering and to give back in a positive way. I remember what it was like in the early days and it was really difficult. Something in you changes when you are faced with such a daunting disease. Just know that we are thinking of you and that you will be finished chemo and radiotherapy before you know it. Radiotherapy was actually quite a quick process when I got in there and the staff were lovely. The routine becomes a bit of a comfort. I used to close my eyes and imagine I was on a beautiful beach. I do this with most scans, especially the yearly check ups which I still find quite stressful. There are lots of groups on here with people with more recent experience. I always tried to retain a sense of myself beyond being a patient, or someone with cancer. This has helped me to be more resilient and to stand up for myself and ask questions when I was unsure. Never be afraid to ask for something to be repeated, or written down if you are unsure. There are times where I wish I had done this. All the best. x

Treatments | BCNA Online Network

15 Replies

LMK74
Member
8 years ago
Welcome @duxx1234, sorry you had to join us all. In the beginning it's very scary and daunting. Try not to worry to much regards to chemo. It's the gold standard chemo for most of us. Ac chemo is a two combination chemo given three weekly by four treatments. Taxol is given weekly by 12. Some ladies though have it fortnightly. I was petrified at the beginning but over all chemo was not the worst thing. I was never sick on either combos. I did chemo first and finished in July last year. I then had a mastectomy and 30 radiation treatments. I finished in November last year. It's a long road but very doable. The support you get here is amazing.
Mollygirl
Member
8 years ago
Hi @duxx1234, welcome - sorry you're here of course. I also had TNBC. Yes, it is nasty. And yes, they will hit it hard. And yes, it's not common - only about 10-20% of all breast ca. It's common to be found between mammograms as it's often fast growing. But the great news is that it usually responds really, really well to chemo.

High end delivery chemo is how I explained it to the uninitiated.

I had 3 weekly chemo for 6 cycles. 3 of FEC and 3 of Taxotere. I won't lie to you it was bloody hard and I never thought it would be over - but hey here I am all done and dusted. The effects of chemo are accumulative. First one... Ok I can do this, second one ...oh gosh I'm slammed, third one .... I'm down ( but I'm not bloody well staying down ) and so on. I had chemo on a Friday and found by the Monday I was on the downward spiral but found by the Friday I was on my way up again.

Youve already had your lumpectomy and nodes clearance - well done - that's a big hurdle you can tick off!

Can you take someone to your onc visit. It's really hard to take everything in yourself. If you think of questions write them down to take with you. I couldn't think of anything at first I was in such a muddle. You'll get literature about you chemo too and stuff on how to look after yourself during chemo too.

We we are here for you. Xxxooo
duxx1234
Member
8 years ago
Thank you for your response LucyE. I'm not sure of all the terms used here yet, ACT chemo? What is that? How long have you been finished your treatment?
SoldierCrab
Member
8 years ago
Hi @duxx1234
That sounds exactly how mine was planned out for TNBC so dont panic.....
People who have not experienced Breast Cancer themselves really dont understand the treatments we go through.

Do you have a breast care Nurse? https//www.mcgrathfoundation.com.au/OurMission/OurNurses/FindANurse.aspx

https//www.bcna.org.au/resources/ Do you have a My journey Kit?
Focus on one step at a time Duxx1234 you will get through this ... come here and chat there is usually always someone around no matter what time it is .
Soldier Crab
Anonymous
8 years ago
Hi @duxx1234, your chemo and radiotherapy plan sounds fairly normal to me. Everyone’s treatment is tailored for them. I had stage 2B Pure Micropapilliary Cancer with 5 cancerous lymph nodes. I had 6 months of ACT chemo, followed by 5 weeks of radiotherapy and one week of the boost/ booster (forget the exact name now!). People are often shocked at how much we go through with treatment and aren’t sure what to say. With the support of the people on here, and the support of those around you, you will get through it. I know it can be daunting. It will be better when you know more of the details and can get onto having treatment. All the best. x

Forum Discussion

Treatments

15 Replies

Recent Discussions

Papillary Lesion - overwhelming anxiety

Sydney Lymphoedema Public Information Day

Triple positive invasive lobular carcinoma

Fluoxetine and Letrozole

2nd operation DCIS

Disclaimer: