New and after some advice

I was diagnosed in September 2020 after finding lump, with stage 2 triple negative ca with tumor around 2-3cm. Biopsy showed 1 positive lymph node but they think maybe a couple more. 

AC chemo every 2 weeks for 4 cycles had great response in reducing tumor size but did give me horrendous side effects which I’m sure you have all experienced and did result in a couple of stints in hospital with temps, neutropenia and anaemia. 

 My last hospitalization Was 10 days and I ended up with renal failure because of all the contrast dye they gave me during multiple CT’s. They kept trying to work out why I kept spiking temps , even when on 2 lots of heavy duty IV antis on board. Pathology and even drs struggled to access veins even resulting in my foot. On that day I counted 10 needles. So port was the cause and I have now had 2 ports inserted and removed. The first shifting and the second one infected. I now have a PICC line which is working. 

I have had 6 doses of the weekly taxol so far but unsure if Oncologist with give me any more due to worsening peripheral neuropathy. 

Because of this I am now looking at surgery within the next few weeks and am so unsure.  I started saying I wanted a double mastectomy when I first found out thinking that would eliminate my chances of going through this again, but now I don’t know.  Seeing surgeon again on Friday wanting to have a bit of an idea but the more I think about it the more confused I get. My prognosis is good but I keep thinking mastectomy and then reconstruction wondering if lumpectomy and keeping part of the effected breast is enough.  

I know surgeon will advise me but would love to know what others, that have lived this think and what your recovery and experience has been with your own surgery. I am of course happy to answer any questions if it helps someone else going through this. 

Thank you for taking the time to read my post, it’s longer that I expected but I guess it’s the first time I’ve actually put it all together. 

What a ride... 

xx 

Welcome to the forum. You were right to share your story here. 

I don’t have any experience with chemo, but I did have a bilateral mastectomy. I was stage one, hormone positive bca, but it was multifocal and bilateral, with more changes showing on the MRI prior to surgery, so agreed with surgeon about DMX. I had tissue expanders inserted at the time of surgery, which eventually need to be replaced with implants. I’m ok with my decision, at least I know my faulty breast tissue is gone, but have kept my skin and one nipple so my breasts look very similar to before. Being TNBC, it might be a good idea to go the mastectomy way as it is a more aggressive type. But then again just see what your surgeon suggests, and what you’re comfortable with. It didn’t take too long to recover from the mastectomies, and I currently feel ok and have most of my movement back, apart from some numbness and tightness is places. Good luck with your decision. Im glad you have a good prognosis 👌🏻🍀♥️