Forum Discussion

Kitten's avatar
Kitten
Member
11 years ago

Diagnosed with TNBC 3 weeks ago

Hello all,

My name is Sonja and I'm a mother of 2 children and sepmother to another. I'm 34 years old and was diagnosed with TNBC approx 3 weeks ago. I have already had a lumpectomy and a sentinel lymph node removal. My lymph nodes are all clear but my tumor was found to be TNBC at 1.6cm. I am starting my first lot of Chemo "FEC 100" on the 11th of Sep. I'm scared and worried that this drug will do damage to my body and for what? Will it really work?... Will my cancer return?... TNBC is more likely to return during the first 5 years, BUT I'm going to do it and I'm trying to change my thinking and believe in this chemo drug. I'm going to start meditation and visualisation techniques as of today, and hopefully I can make this as part of my everyday life.

Does anybody have any tips for this or for making life easier during chemo? Natural supplements ect?

I'd love any helpful advice or tips if you have any? Thank you for reading. Sonja

chemotherapy
complementary-therapies
triple-negative-breast-cancer
  • Pammi's avatar
    Pammi
    Member
    11 years ago
    I am a TNBC survivor 3 1/2 years on from my diagnosis, I also have Eostrogen + BC as well. My advice to you is knowledge is power, so ask your oncologist, Breast Care nurse and oncology nurses any question you may have regarding your treatment. That is what they are there for. Surround yourself with positive people, they will help you through this journey. See each step in your treatment as a milestone on the journey to becoming a cancer survivor. Your surgery has removed the cancer and chemo and radiation will deal with any rogue cancer cells. Put your faith in your oncology team, my experience is they are amazing caring health professionals who are always there for their patients. Learn to listen to your body, if you feel tired rest. Accept help from others, it doesn't make you less of a mother if someone else cooks dinner for the family whilst you are undergoing treatment. Regarding natural supplements just be aware that some natural medicine may be contraindicated with your chemo treatment, your Breast Care Nurse is probably the best to give you this advice. Ginger can help with any nausea, acupuncture can also assist. Go to the Look Good, Feel Great day run to help female cancer patients learn tips on makeup, wigs, scarves etc. It is a great day out and you will be pampered and come home with a goody bag of makeup. You will find an inner strength you didn't know existed, and you are not alone in this. Sending you warm healing energy. Check out meditation podcasts of Dr Robert Puff "Meditation for Health".
  • Kb's avatar
    Kb
    Member
    11 years ago

    You are not alone. I have struggled being a natural medicine first gal to even enter into the medical side but I have. It's not been easy for me head wise and physically. I told them last week not doing the last chemo, they have now offered me an alternative which I am thinking about. You must speak up when you have question and be strong In Your quest to find something that sits with you. Everyone is individual and you have to ask and push a little to see of there is another option if you are not happy. My time through chemo 5 times has not been an easy ride. Though because it was rough I've now found my determination to find a balance in all of this. I have created this page with info and natural stuff on my journey which I add to often. I do meditation listening to YouTube meditations almost everyday research when I'm in the mood, I do accupressure points again Found on YouTube, do nutribullet juices/smoothies etcc...to nourish my body without I referring with the action of chemo. If you are interested here is my facebook page. Anyone is welcome and encouraged to share and comment on anything natural they used to help them through this journey. Love and healing to you, we are stronger than we believed. :-) https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1445396859068237&ref=bookmark

  • Kb's avatar
    Kb
    Member
    11 years ago

    You are not alone. I have struggled being a natural medicine first gal to even enter into the medical side but I have. It's not been easy for me head wise and physically. I told them last week not doing the last chemo, they have now offered me an alternative which I am thinking about. You must speak up when you have question and be strong In Your quest to find something that sits with you. Everyone is individual and you have to ask and push a little to see of there is another option if you are not happy. My time through chemo 5 times has not been an easy ride. Though because it was rough I've now found my determination to find a balance in all of this. I have created this page with info and natural stuff on my journey which I add to often. I do meditation listening to YouTube meditations almost everyday research when I'm in the mood, I do accupressure points again Found on YouTube, do nutribullet juices/smoothies etcc...to nourish my body without I referring with the action of chemo. If you are interested here is my facebook page. Anyone is welcome and encouraged to share and comment on anything natural they used to help them through this journey. Love and healing to you, we are stronger than we believed. :-) https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1445396859068237&ref=bookmark

  • AngelaSF's avatar
    AngelaSF
    Member
    11 years ago
    I was diagnosed with TNBC just under one year ago . Mine was 4cm With node involvement and I fully understand the the fear of TBNC . I coped with it one day at a time . I talked to my children age 5 and 9 in a matter of fact way way about treatment and the hair loss. I emphasised the medicine was strong but good for me and I wanted to have it . I gave lots of those bedtime cuddles when kids feel safe to open up to you. My son did have some strange dreams but seemed to cope well. I talked to thier teachers early on. Chemo was not as bad as I had feared and I kept in my mind that it would pass. The nurses were soo lovely and upbeat yet sensitive to those times i needed a cry. I had my chemo outfit - leggings and a shirt for easy portacath access - I had a special bag with a note book pen hand cream lipbalm socks so each week it was all just ready to go with no thought involved. I was told by my oncologist he planned to cure me and I put my faith in him. Get through chemo it does end and be kind to yourself. Accept offers of help from everywhere. Big big hug you are stronger than you know.xxangela