Looking for advice, tips and smiles

Hi Donna and welcome to BCNA.  You have definitely come to the right place and will find comfort and encouragement here. 

I was diagnosed on 5/11/2013 with invasive ductal carcinoma 32mm lesion.  On 20/11/2013 had right mastectomy and axillary clearance with 8/23 nodes positive.  I too am triple negative.  I have come out the other side of the treatment tunnel.

I had the same treatment regimen as you are going to have and finished late June this year.  When I look back on it now it is hard to remember how it was, a bit like child birth.  It is the emotional scars that remain and which I am working on, with the help of a counsellor, to complete the healing process of this unfortunate journey.

What I can tell you and you are going to hear it a lot is that "it is doable".  I found that the sooner I accepted what was going on I was in a better position  be kind to myself and just take one day at a time.  Learning to say "no" and to putting my needs first was paramount in my recovery.   My saving grace was having a hobby - for me it was and is photography.  I felt I still had a purpose and found enjoyment in this.  Also, keeping in touch with my work colleagues and friends and listening to where they were at in their lives.  I didn't allow myself to become too isolated.

I was lucky I didn't have too many side affects but did have one stay in hospital due to trouble with my pic line.  Everyone's journey is different but similar at the same time.  It helps too if you make just one friend who is going through the same thing as you are.  My friend, I met at the Look Good Feel Better Program and it turned out she lives in the same suburb as me.  We met almost every week for coffee and a debrief.  We have now both finished treatment and still try to catch up every two or three weeks.

Please stay away from Dr Google as it will do your head in.  If you find anxiety becoming a problem seek help, it is all hard enough without spiralling into depression. Your hospital will have psycholgists on hand to help you.

I walk and have done throughout most of my treatment for 45 mins daily.  This helps with fatigue and anxiety.  When the weather is warm, I swim.  Now I am back to lifting weights to build my muscle strength.  I eat for nutrition not for taste, take vitamin D supplement and asprin. 

Not even three months post treatment and I am feeling pretty good again now, although a get tired quickly but after a rest I am back into things again.

I don't spend much time worrying about the Triple Negative diagnosis anymore and just concentrate on looking after myself physically, mentally, emotionall and spiritually.

You are going to find your first chemo treatment anticlimatic.  Of course right now, you are feeling anxious and scared.  I worked myself up into a frenzie.  Try to remember that "anticipation is worse than participation" and this will apply again when you start Docetaxel and Radiation treatment.

Stay connected to this site and ask as many questions as you need to.  There are many women here who will have great advice for you.

Big hugs from me to you Donna - you will get through this and like me and many others you will come out the other side and ready to reclaim your life.

Love

Joy xx