Just diagnosed - feeling very lost

Welcome - BCNA is the best support and advice centre on the internet.  We are always here for you 24/7.  I am so sorry you have had to join us, but you could not have come to a better place.  The pink sisters here all understand - they have all been through the shock and the fear and the confusion after diagnosis - ask anything and there will always be someone here to answer you or to chat. It is very calming not to feel alone.

I am also TNBC - we are usually Grade 3 when we are diagnosed - it means we have an aggressive form of BC.  The Stage (1, 2A, 2B or 3) shows the progression.  Your My Journey books from BCNA explain the difference between Grade and Stage better than I can!  Have you sent for them?  We also have a TNBC group you could join, and read other people's experiences and treatments.  There are lots of helpful tips and advice.

There are some lovely pink sisters in Perth, and they will contact you I"m sure - I am in Qld so no help geographically - but I can assure you that I have just passed the 2 years mark since my surgery (bilateral) and life is almost normal again.  When you are facing chemo and radiation, try to take things one day at a time.  Looking too far ahead can be overwhelming.  Just take one step at a time.  Buy a thick notebook to keep a diary of appointments, side effects if any, questions to ask your medical team, reminders, etc. as your life is about to become filled with appointments, scans, etc.  You will get through it, and with a plan in place the time goes surprisingly quickly.

Will be thinking of you, Leonie - keep in touch and let us know how you are going.  Big hug.  Michelle xx

Hi Leonie. I am also in Perth - Bayswater. My sister who lives interstate was diagnosed with triple negative April 2012 Stage 1 Grade 3 no positive lymph nodes. She had a lumpectomy, radiation and chemo. In January 2014 she was diagnosed with the exact same cancer in the same breast again! Lucky she hasn't had any mets. So now she has had a mastectomy, is completing her second round of chemo, and will them have a prophelactic mastectomy and reconsstructive surgery. She is 47. Unlike some oft he other people here my response was to get as much information aout BC as possible and as my sister doesn't I pass on information she might find useful ignoring the out of date and pessemistic information which is around. I also encourage her to get other opinions and not to rush into decisions - a few weeks to consider options will not matter in the longer term for her. I do know that there are a lot of women living long, happy lives with triple negative so try and stay strong.  We don't have any other relatives to date that have had BC so it seems that it is a freak genetic mutation for my sister. If you want to have a chat let me know.

Hi Leonie. I am also in Perth - Bayswater. My sister who lives interstate was diagnosed with triple negative April 2012 Stage 1 Grade 3 no positive lymph nodes. She had a lumpectomy, radiation and chemo. In January 2014 she was diagnosed with the exact same cancer in the same breast again! Lucky she hasn't had any mets. So now she has had a mastectomy, is completing her second round of chemo, and will them have a prophelactic mastectomy and reconsstructive surgery. She is 47. Unlike some oft he other people here my response was to get as much information aout BC as possible and as my sister doesn't I pass on information she might find useful ignoring the out of date and pessemistic information which is around. I also encourage her to get other opinions and not to rush into decisions - a few weeks to consider options will not matter in the longer term for her. I do know that there are a lot of women living long, happy lives with triple negative so try and stay strong.  We don't have any other relatives to date that have had BC so it seems that it is a freak genetic mutation for my sister. If you want to have a chat let me know.

Hello, the first couple of weeks can be very difficult but finding this site is excellent. I am sorry you need us but a huge welcome. Any time night or day you can hop on and get support and advise. There is a Perth after noon tea May 24th in Mount Lawley so if you join the group you will get an invite. A lovely bunch of Pink Ladies. I have only been once before. I am a public patient at RPH and in a week will be doing my 5th round of chemo and then only 1 more ye ha! Taking a friend to all appointments and you can ask to record. I cannot tell you how much I recommend this as my brain just goes off to La La land at appointments. Where are you in Perth? I am down here in Mandurah. Take one day at a time all the best and here's a healing hug Sarah54

Hello, the first couple of weeks can be very difficult but finding this site is excellent. I am sorry you need us but a huge welcome. Any time night or day you can hop on and get support and advise. There is a Perth after noon tea May 24th in Mount Lawley so if you join the group you will get an invite. A lovely bunch of Pink Ladies. I have only been once before. I am a public patient at RPH and in a week will be doing my 5th round of chemo and then only 1 more ye ha! Taking a friend to all appointments and you can ask to record. I cannot tell you how much I recommend this as my brain just goes off to La La land at appointments. Where are you in Perth? I am down here in Mandurah. Take one day at a time all the best and here's a healing hug Sarah54

Hey Leonie,

I'm so sorry to hear about your diagnosis. Completely understand your feeling of being overwhelmed, there's a lot of information coming at you from all sides, particularly in the early stages. Strongly recommend taking a notepad to all your appointments as it's way too hard to remember everything they tell you! Take your time talking to different health care professionals, get second or third opinions if you feel you want them! And remember, there's no right or wrong decision, just the one that's right for you!

I'm also a young (27), single, childless lady in Perth - so you aren't alone! If you want any recommendations on Perth doctors or fertility treatment feel free to send me a private message :) There's lots of women on here that will be invaluable resources to you.

Take it one day at a time. Keep staying positive :)

All the best,
Kerryn