The beginning - triple negative BC
I was pretty sure that 2014 was going to be a year of positive change and excitement for me. I guess I was almost right, but just not in a way that I would have expected in my wildest nightmares.
...
Forum Discussion
Hello Genevieve and other ladies,
It’s so good to hear from you all. I too have been diagnosed with TNBC in May of this year and have been wanting to connect with others who have experienced the same – thank you Genevieve for getting the ball rolling. I am 56 years old and have always considered myself very fit and health conscious so it was definitely a shock to find out I had breast cancer.
At first, I had a lumpectomy and 4 sentinel lymph nodes removed. They found cancer in one of the lymph nodes so I had to go back a week later for more surgery and had 11 more lymph nodes removed which were all clear, luckily.
Tomorrow I will have my 9th chemo treatment which means that I have 7 to go. I have just started to see a glimpse of light at the end of the chemo tunnel. Luckily, I have managed the side effects reasonably well and hopefully, will make it to the end of the treatments without too may unwanted side effects.
I will also most likely start the 30 recommended radiotherapy sessions in November.
Yesterday, I had genetic counselling at the Austin Hospital and have decided to go ahead and have the test done which tests for defects in the BRCA1, BRCA2, PTEN and TP53 genes. I will get the results in 4 weeks’ time. The outcome of this result may change my treatment plan.
Amongst all this, like all of us, I have experienced a roller coaster of emotions. Although it’s hard at times, I try to guide my thoughts to good things I have experienced. I realise that I have so many wonderful family members and friends who are helping me along the way. I have even been contacted by people I don’t know (e.g. friends of relations or friends) who have sent me words of encouragement and gifts.
Last week, at Kmart, one of the staff who was just coming in to start work came up to me and said that she too had experienced cancer many years ago (the beanie is a giveaway). She then asked if she could hug me and I said of course. So there I was in the middle of a busy shop getting a hug from a stranger with my eyes welling up.
I have been so touched by all of this kindness.
I have also experienced the best type of happiness with the birth of my first grandchild 2 months ago. He is definitely one of my good thoughts which keep me going.
Take care and best wishes to all,
Liz