Triple Positive Breast Cancer
Hi there first time on here, not really into social media but was wondering if there are others, which I am sure there are who have the same diagnosis as me, would be nice to talk to someone who is go...
Forum Discussion
Hi @Ned01 it sounds like you’ve held up incredibly well so far.
My cancer was a 38mm lump in the left breast. I didn’t have node involvement.
My treatment was pre-surgery chemotherapy, 6 doses of Herceptin,Perjeta,DoceTaxel and Carboplatin every 3 weeks.
Then Surgery (lumpectomy) a month’s break then15 radiotherapy sessions, then 11 sessions (once every 3 weeks) of a chemotherapy and immunotherapy drug called Kadcyla. I was also started on the oestrogen inhibiting drug, Letrozole, once I was through radiation therapy, and vitamin D.
I had Kadcyla because my pathology after surgery came back with a few cancer cells, so the oncologist recommended chemotherapy and immunotherapy.
Then Surgery (lumpectomy) a month’s break then15 radiotherapy sessions, then 11 sessions (once every 3 weeks) of a chemotherapy and immunotherapy drug called Kadcyla. I was also started on the oestrogen inhibiting drug, Letrozole, once I was through radiation therapy, and vitamin D.
I had Kadcyla because my pathology after surgery came back with a few cancer cells, so the oncologist recommended chemotherapy and immunotherapy.
My initial treatment was quite a tough experience- each visit generated a different side effect (I used to joke it was like a ‘choose your own adventure’) but we got there in the end!
How have you found the change in the cadence of your work life? I also stepped back from my work immediately before diagnosis but I ended up doing a day a week. I found that was helpful.
Not sure if you experienced this but I didn’t expect the fatigue I encountered and that’s what I struggled most with accepting. Unfortunately I caught COVID too so it might have been a factor.
I had been an extrovert and energised by engaging with people so I was also surprised to discover a limit to my social stamina, and that some encounters with some people were more taxing on my energy and used more brain power to process than others. I set a daily energy ‘budget’ - if I did a particular thing that was quite draining I would cap the day and defer the next activity or social engagement to the next day(s).
I had been an extrovert and energised by engaging with people so I was also surprised to discover a limit to my social stamina, and that some encounters with some people were more taxing on my energy and used more brain power to process than others. I set a daily energy ‘budget’ - if I did a particular thing that was quite draining I would cap the day and defer the next activity or social engagement to the next day(s).
Coming into summer and getting small doses of sunshine was a great milestone. I looked forward to getting into the sea again once my radiation therapy settled down. I signed up for oncology massage treatments and oncology physiotherapy during the final run home.
To me the triple positive treatment regime of fourteen or fifteen months duration felt epic so I needed to motivate myself with
visualisation and positive thinking.
Having friends, family and colleagues- kindness and support made a huge difference.
Do you know yet how your plan will look after this forthcoming surgery? I really hope it goes well🌻
Having friends, family and colleagues- kindness and support made a huge difference.
Do you know yet how your plan will look after this forthcoming surgery? I really hope it goes well🌻