I'm a 38 year old mum of 2 and was diagnosed with TNBC early this year. I've completed 7 months of aggressive chemo, followed by a lumpectomy, complete axillary clearance and nearly 7 weeks of radiation. I'm still here and my hair is growing back!! I had a large tumour when diagnosed and spread to the lymph nodes. Very scary - don't read anything. Don't look at the stats. I just put my head down and tried to get through it the best I could. Continuing working throughout really helped. There's still a long way to go but I'm positive and looking forward to the future. Good luck to you all and I'd love to chat to anyone and help in any way. I struggled to find younger women going through the same thing during my journey. x

Hi Charlie You sure had a lot of treatment, congrats on getting to the end of it. I agree that working helps, I'm 12 weeks through chemo and have worked full time up until this week, but had to take a break last week due to catching a couple of bugs. Hope to go back in the new year. My chemo should be over by 18 Jan, then a month of radiation and another op to remove ovaries (just a precaution due to family history). I agree about not reading, too. I did a lot at first and got myself into a right state, especially about TNBC. Now I try not to think about it and just get on with life. I'm planning a holiday post treatment, gives me somethng positive and fun to do. There seem to be lots of younger women in the TNBC group, at 54 I can't class myself as young, and have a bit of a laugh when the medical people say I am (as in "you've got tough skin because you are young"). I guess it is all relative! Wishing you good health for the future Mary

Thanks Mary! I'm actually off on my post-treatment holiday tomorrow. Very excited. I really hope you get through chemo as healthy as possible. I suffered from blood clots and was admitted to hospital a couple of times with bugs. You will fly through radiation - it's easy peasy compared to chemo. Chemo was the worst thing ever, I forgot what it felt like to feel normal. Not to complain though, as it did kill off my cancer. Fingers crossed to a happy and healthy future for the both of us. Take care and good luck :) Charlie x

Hi Charliie, I have just started my chemo treatment for TNBC. After lumpectomy, last thursday i received my first treatment. Im doing alright so far, my fear is fatigue and reading how you worked full time through it all amazes me. I work with horses and unfortunately I cannot carry on with this sort of work until chemo is over, so i am studying for the year. I would love some tips for getting through this and staying active if you have any.

TNBC Mum | BCNA Online Network

17 Replies

shereejoy
Member
13 years ago
one day at a time at pressent... effects of rads are starting to kick in.. but that was bound to happen.

Just researching my chemo options at the moment as I didn't respond to chemo last time. It's all really tricky especially when I live so remotely and now in brissy away from my hubby but with kids to do treatment. Just lucky it is during the school holidays.
Charlie
Member
13 years ago
How are you travelling shereejoy?
shereejoy
Member
13 years ago
nice :)
shereejoy
Member
13 years ago
nice :)
Charlie
Member
13 years ago
Hi shereejoy! I had a long weekend at Palazzo Versace on the Gold Coast. Amazing and very opulent :))
Charlie
Member
13 years ago
Hi Annie,

I had all my chemo before surgery to reduce my tumour before lumpectomy. I hope you're not too sore :( The fatigue hits you pretty hard and when it does you just have to go with it. I was lucky that my work was not strenuous (I sit at a desk) so I was able to struggle through. I had my chemo on a Thursday and would then take the Fri, Sat and Sun off to recover. On these days, I felt terrible and my best friends were the couch and the TV. Mondays were always super hard, especially towards the end. I found it hard to exercise whilst having treatment but it always made me feel better afterwards. Drink lots and lots of water and don't be scared. Listen to the chemo nurses - they know everything!! And if you're going to lose your hair - invest in a great wig, it'll make you feel normal and let you get out and about without people giving you the 'cancer' stare. Good luck and keep in touch. x
shereejoy
Member
13 years ago
Or should I say been?
shereejoy
Member
13 years ago
Where are you going Charlie?
annie_24
Member
13 years ago
Hi Charliie,

I have just started my chemo treatment for TNBC. After lumpectomy, last thursday i received my first treatment. Im doing alright so far, my fear is fatigue and reading how you worked full time through it all amazes me. I work with horses and unfortunately I cannot carry on with this sort of work until chemo is over, so i am studying for the year. I would love some tips for getting through this and staying active if you have any.
annie_24
Member
13 years ago
Hi Charliie,

I have just started my chemo treatment for TNBC. After lumpectomy, last thursday i received my first treatment. Im doing alright so far, my fear is fatigue and reading how you worked full time through it all amazes me. I work with horses and unfortunately I cannot carry on with this sort of work until chemo is over, so i am studying for the year. I would love some tips for getting through this and staying active if you have any.