I don't know how to deal with this

How did they know it had travelled to the nodes? I had only one sentinel node and that was removed, but how do I know it isn't in any others? I'm too scared to ask about the vascularity of the tumour and wether it could already have metastasised.

I am petrified that a nagging cough for over a year and I think it has already spread to my lungs. Then I get pain in my lower (R) side and am convinced its in my bowel or kidney. I am an absolute basket case. 

I see you are from Tassie. I'm originally from Hobart.

Do you feel that you won't live to be an old lady?

PS Mandy - we have a site for TNBC if you would like to join.  Have to admit I can't remember how but I'm sure its easy to find  Xxx

Hi Mandy - I'm so sorry to read your story but all the other ladies on here are right.  One step at a time.  I'm Triple Negative - Stage 1 - 18mm, Grade 3 - no nodes and clear margins.  I'm also a BRCA 1 gene.   I had a bi-lateral mastectomy with tissue expander re-construction on 19th Nov 2012 followed by 6 rounds of chemo started on 11th Jan 2013 and finished 1st May.  I had what they call FEC but don't worry about that till later.                                                       I had my treatment at RAH in Adelaide and I have 2 lovely Breast Care nurses . Who ever you  have, they are wonderful and you can ask them anything.    Enough for now - you are in my thoughts.                                       Love Leanne  Xxx

Hi Mandy - I'm so sorry to read your story but all the other ladies on here are right.  One step at a time.  I'm Triple Negative - Stage 1 - 18mm, Grade 3 - no nodes and clear margins.  I'm also a BRCA 1 gene.   I had a bi-lateral mastectomy with tissue expander re-construction on 19th Nov 2012 followed by 6 rounds of chemo started on 11th Jan 2013 and finished 1st May.  I had what they call FEC but don't worry about that till later.                                                       I had my treatment at RAH in Adelaide and I have 2 lovely Breast Care nurses . Who ever you  have, they are wonderful and you can ask them anything.    Enough for now - you are in my thoughts.                                       Love Leanne  Xxx

I was told "Triple Negative" and I had to have 2 ops under my arm, because it had travelled into my nodes, had up to stage 2 removed.  You get lots of information at the start and every one feels theirs could be the worst case situation because we arent doctors and we dont understand all the Grades and Stages and Sizes and types.  I hope you too find, as I did, now I am over all my treatments, that you too can be a lucky one.  For most of us, there are treaments, for triple negs, we dont get to take the hormone tabs for 5 years after, and we do rely on Chemo and Radiation.  Its a lot to take in, and you will have plenty of advice.  I stopped panicking each time I got to talk about it to the right people.  I rang who ever was out there, eg Cancer Council, Community Nurses, and I had the best Breast Care Nurse in the World Susan Schwabe in Launceston.  The minute I started reaching out to medical people, who could give sound, accurate answers, I stopped panicking.  Sue said to me "Your life is about to fill up with appointments" and she was right!  I hope you will take a big deep breath, and not think the worst.  My wise ol dad says constantly to me "Dont worry about it..it may not happen!"  I have mastered the skill of worry over the years, its the undoing that takes practise.  Big hug, we are here!  X Bel (survivor and a Triple Neg)

Thank you all so much, I have such a beautiful family and many wonderful friends who want to help so much but I'm not ready yet. I feel having them with me will make it far to real. My husband is beautiful but is petrified too. He feels there was something the surgeon wasn't saying but I don't know I just heard aggressive, bigger than we thought and triple negative. Everything I have read on the net about TNBC is doom and gloom. What if it has spread by the blood stream?

I wonder if I will be able to leave the scans a bit and just get into the Chemo? I'm just not strong enough at the moment, Do you have any onconlogists to recommed. I can't even think of the name of the one my surgeon suggested.

Where do you all live? 

I so need this support right now.

At least the margins were clear by 7mm and the one and only sentinel node was clear.

I know that you must be in shock and feeling very low right now but don't jump the gun my dear girl. You are doing all the right things, seeing your medical team, planning treatment. I had Stage 2 BC and I can tell you, it's not a death sentence. I am through chemo and surgery and right now I'm cancer free. My Oncologist told me that yes TNBC is aggressive and fast growing but it responds very well to treatment. As opposed to ER+ and/or HER2 + in which case you need to have targeted treatment as well as chemo which can be ongoing for up to 10 years. I had two lumps one was TNBC and one was ER+ and HER2 + both in the same breast. Quite rare apparently but look at me now. NO CANCER!

There is always hope Mandy. Things look so black right now but the clouds will clear and you will see you way again.

I wrote a poem that might be of help to you if you want to read it. The link is http://www.bcna.org.au/user/12607/blog/62506

Mandy you have begun a difficult journey, there's no denying that. But it is 'doable' and I'm sure that other lovely Pink Sisters will reassure you too that you are not alone. This network has been my savour when I first begun and you will find strength and determination to get through it all like I did.

Sending you lots of hugs.

Love Janey xxx