Second diagnosis. Three years clear :)

Thank you for your response Paula, it has helped me a lot. I have days where I think I am a ticking time bomb and that surviving TNBC is impossible, then other days I am feeling really positive. Just when I start to think of a positive future then it hits me again. Today was not such a good day as my mum, who has been staying with us since the beginning of chemo, had to return home to Hobart. She has been here since November and has been an amazing source of strength for me. She kept me strong and kept me going and despite annoying everyone else in the household, I needed her here desperately. It has been hard to say goodbye. I tried to explain it to my husband but he didn't quite get it, a mother is the only one who can selflessly put their children first. Everyone else here ...my husband and children need me and my needs usually aren't paramount. It's not a criticism, just how it is, but I knew with mum everything she did was done with my needs in mind. It's funny how you can need your mum so much at 44! Anyway, it's just so good to hear that this damn thing is survivable. I seem to need to hear it over and over again. I so want to do all of the things you have done to help my chances of survival and am looking forward to chemo being done so that I can begin to get healthy again ( not that I was before!) Take care Mandyxxx

Yes daily dancing!!! How are you doing? Paula

I did my first diagnosis treatment at Cairns Private hospital. I was initially on a regeime call TAC (this was 5 years ago). Anyway at first treatment had severe allergic reaction to Taxotere. As I was in a regional hospital without any oncologist on site (my oncologist flew up from Brisbane once a month) they immediately changed me to FEC. I DID 6 cycles of that and I hated it. It messed with my head lots! I then went to Townsville for 6 weeks of radiation (there was none in Cairns back then). When I had my recurrence 18 mths on my lovely oncologist said I needed the Taxotere. I was like...the drug that nearly killed me!!! Anyway he flew me to Brisbane where every 3 weeks I had Taxotere and another drug (can't remember off the top of my head but can drag out if you need to know) at the Wesley hospital. They were fantastic. Dosed me up with phenergan the first time and I was fine. Every other time just had a claratyne pill and was fine. Physically it was harder than FEC bone aches etc, but mentally I was so much better. Lifestyle changes...I now meditate daily...ok well mainly I daydream! But I do sit still and try and breath and clear my mind. Before my reconstruction my blood counts were not good and my surgery kept getting cancelled. I tried and still do to be as fit as I could. My knees are not great and neither is my back, so I struggle a bit, but make sure I walk at least 4 times a week. I also do about 20mins of core strengthening exercises daily post op as I had a tram reconstruction. I also bought a slow press juicer and am a big fan of juicing. With the slow pressed ones you can make 3 days worth at a time. Daily I drink a green juice and a carrot and apple concoction with a few other things thrown in. Each morning I have a fresh lemon water ( takes 30 secs to squeeze half a lemon). Just this week have started to add apple cider vinegar. I try to eat a well balanced diet with salads for lunch and don't drink very much alcohol. Wow typing that it seems a lot. It's not really when you get in a routine. I wake up, make the lemon drink, shower then a quick meditation. I wasn't as fanatical after my first diagnosis, but when you have a second one you sit up and take notice!!! I am not a complete fanatic, if I miss a walk it's not the end of the world, and I have unhealthy stuff from time to time, I guess I am trying to just be as healthy as I can in a way that fits my lifestyle. My sister said its me investing in myself and so it's worth it. If I go out with my friends or family I will have a wine. I just don't go overboard. My friends actually laugh and say they can't believe I got cancer...I was always the healthy one! They are not being mean, we are great friends who pay out on each other I thought I was really healthy, but yeah as you can see I made a few subtle changes. Don't panic and feel you have to do all this at once. If you do, you will just stop. Just slowly make a few changes. Maybe wait until you are through all your treatment. I met a lovely lady at the Kim Walters Choices center in Brisbane. She was 23 years on from a triple negative diagnosis. I try and not focus in the triple neg stuff too much. I remind myself that if we can get to 5 years we have a better survival rate. Triple neg responds well to chemo. Yes I had a recurrence, but it was 3 years ago, I got through treatment again and I am doing well. I hope this helps you. Paula xxxxx

Sorry it has taken me so long to reply to you Paula. I gave been in the process of getting a second opinion regarding my stage 2a TNBC. I have started treatment with a new oncologist which is 12 weekly doses if Taxol (actually for the first 6 only as have done x2 rounds of Taxotere) and Carbolpatin. I feel like I am slowly coming out if the fog, although some days I can not shift the thought of this being a death sentence. I am doing well on this regime, it's not nearly as severe as FEC and Taxotere which I did first. May I ask where did you have treatment and did you make any changes to your lifestyle after diagnosis and treatment? I obviously want to do EVERYTHING I can to remain cancer free! Love Mandy xx

Then I will be happy dancing for you. I already am after your big ops. You are one brave lady. Hugs xxxx Paula :)

Give me a few years & I'll be posting that too Paula!

WELL DONE :)

Sam xoxoxox

*Screw you Triple Negative BC!!!!

It was a huge op (tram flap). Doing well four months on, you can read my story in the recon page. Fancy, same name, same age ;). You must be a lovely person ;) Paula :)

Yes I probably will join. Have you had any trouble with your newbies? I see we are also the same age. I'm 51 on Friday. Also similar size tumors. Except I had a mastectomy and full node clearance. Cancer found in 1/37. Xx

Glad my news can give you hope. How are you going? Paula x

Such great news! Gives so many of us hope xxxx Mandy xxx