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Belstarr's avatar
Belstarr
Member
13 years ago

New and confused

Hi all, I am new to this site, I am a 32 yo mum of 2 boys one is 21/2 and the other is 7months, I was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer in November 2012. I have had a lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy, nodes were clear but required a further re excision, as the margins were too close, I have had 4 cycles of ac and on Just had the 10th out of 12 treatments of Taxol, so nearly fin chemo, I have also had genetic testing that came back negative so my oncologist has recommended radiation, on the affected breast, I am still considering having bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction instead if any one has any advise it would be greatly appreciated :) good to be able to chat with people going through the same things x
chemotherapy
coping
lumpectomy

3 Replies

  • samkclarke's avatar
    samkclarke
    Member
    13 years ago
    Greetings Belstarr, I am also triple neg, diagnosed Jan 2012 (39yrs). I made the decision to have other breast off & it will be 6wks tmr. I have tissue expanders in both but not due for first pump till end of this month. I waited till the one year point, as I just needed to get back some strength. I was told by my spec that there was only a small chance of bc in unaffected breast but personally didn't want to chance it (I had also had Hodgkins as a teenager). The pathology on good breast came back as a-typical which meant the cells were already dividing (this could not be picked up in a mammogram). Needless to say I was happy with my decision. I am currently reading a fantastic book "Surviving Triple Negative Breast Cancer" by Patricia Prijatel; see if you can get a copy. It really explains things in lay-terms & I now have a new barrage of q's for my spec. Good luck with it. Always happy to answer any q's. Sam Clarke
  • samkclarke's avatar
    samkclarke
    Member
    13 years ago
    Greetings Belstarr, I am also triple neg, diagnosed Jan 2012 (39yrs). I made the decision to have other breast off & it will be 6wks tmr. I have tissue expanders in both but not due for first pump till end of this month. I waited till the one year point, as I just needed to get back some strength. I was told by my spec that there was only a small chance of bc in unaffected breast but personally didn't want to chance it (I had also had Hodgkins as a teenager). The pathology on good breast came back as a-typical which meant the cells were already dividing (this could not be picked up in a mammogram). Needless to say I was happy with my decision. I am currently reading a fantastic book "Surviving Triple Negative Breast Cancer" by Patricia Prijatel; see if you can get a copy. It really explains things in lay-terms & I now have a new barrage of q's for my spec. Good luck with it. Always happy to answer any q's. Sam Clarke
  • sillysam83's avatar
    sillysam83
    Member
    13 years ago

    congrats to nearly finishing Chemo. 

    & Welcome to BCNA site! 

    its a very personal decision. I would speak about all the factors with your specialists. get them to tell you the pro's and con's with both treatments. 

    Its a hard decision to make, however i dont think there is a right or wrong answer, I think everyone has to do what they feel. but dont let fear control your decision. 

    If you would like to talk to more young women with cancer - our Facebook group is more active then this one on BCNA. 

    https://www.facebook.com/groups/youngpinksisters/

    its private so only members can see posts.

    Good luck with your decision. 

    Lotza love Merylee