Just had my appointment with the Radiology Oncologist. I thought I was seeing the Chemo Oncologist today but received a call from the hospital this morninggiving me appointment on Thursday with them. I am in shock, I don't know what to feel or think about this result. There isn't a whole lot I can do about it but go with it. How do you stay positive and optimistic in this situation? Joy

Thank you Lorainne for your comforting and very sound advice. I don't even feel like contacting family ad friends who are waiting to hear how I got on today. I don't know what to tell them. I am too scared to even talk about it. Love Joy xx

This is not the news you wanted to hear. Just remember even though triple negative is more likely to reoccur, it is very responsive to chemo. I guess like all of us you reconcile that you will have all the treatment the doctors recommend, do everything you can to help yourself and what will be, will be. None of us know what the future holds but you do the treatment and you hope that that is the end of it. Remember that for many people that is the case, so you have every right to think that you will be ok after treatment. I stay positive and optimistic because the alternative would only make me and everyone I care for miserable. I stay positive because I have a choice and I choose to think that I will probably be fine and even if I'm not, worrying won't change this. You just keep reminding yourself that many people go on to lead healthy lives after treatment. Focus for now on what you can do to help yourself through your treatment. When you get down you come and get support from all of us here who know how hard it is to stay positive. We all have our moments but we can help each other. Sending you a big hug and hope you feel better after you get your treatment plan on Thursday. Take care. Deanne xxxxoooo

Hi Joy , I am so sorry to hear you didn't get the news you wanted but Deanne is right ,there are many women with all different types of breast cancer who go on to lead wonderful, healthy,long lives and there is no reason why you won't be one of them.The worst part of not knowing is behind you now and you are in excellent hands with everyone doing what is best for you . Treatment can be tough but it's so different for everyone and certainly doable when you think of the end goal. Hope all goes well at your next appointment Take care, Sophie xoxox

Hi. Not sure if you have joined the triple negative group on here. Lots of support. I think when I was diagnosed triple negative I did not give it too much thought and so probably didn't realize what it meant. Having said that I have since learned that even though there is initially a higher chance of recurrence ( I actually had one :(...). Once you get to the five year mark there is less of a chance of recurrence. It's ok to feel sad and down, In fact it's normal. However once you speak with others on here and your Drs you will hopefully see that the future is brighter than you think. Paula 4 years and 4 months since first diagnosis 2 years and 9 months since second and still here to tell the story. :)

Triple Negative | BCNA Online Network

18 Replies

Bearteggie
Member
12 years ago
Thanks Diane for sharing your triple negative story. I think I am feeling a little more like you describe - thinking realistically about it and not racing too far ahead in my mind. It is what it is and if i make the 5 year mark I will definitely be celebrating big time.

Thanks for your encouragement.

Joy xx
Bearteggie
Member
12 years ago
Thanks Diane for sharing your triple negative story. I think I am feeling a little more like you describe - thinking realistically about it and not racing too far ahead in my mind. It is what it is and if i make the 5 year mark I will definitely be celebrating big time.

Thanks for your encouragement.

Joy xx
Deeay
Member
12 years ago
Don't you hate it when people say 'be positive' ? I prefer to say I'm a realist. You don't have to be negative this way but you can see both sides of the story. That's how I've been. It has helped me. There are positives about being 'triple negative' as others have mentioned. I had a recurrence which was triple negative after the first diagnosis was positive and I'm now two years two months down the track after finishing treatment. I'm going to have a party at the five year mark as we have less chance of recurrence than others then. Cause to celebrate! So hang in there. You are not alone! Diane
Deeay
Member
12 years ago
Don't you hate it when people say 'be positive' ? I prefer to say I'm a realist. You don't have to be negative this way but you can see both sides of the story. That's how I've been. It has helped me. There are positives about being 'triple negative' as others have mentioned. I had a recurrence which was triple negative after the first diagnosis was positive and I'm now two years two months down the track after finishing treatment. I'm going to have a party at the five year mark as we have less chance of recurrence than others then. Cause to celebrate! So hang in there. You are not alone! Diane
Bearteggie
Member
12 years ago
Hi Lorraine, I hadn't even noticed that you didn't use my name lol. Thank you for making contact again today.

I wish you all the very best for the New Year too.

Lots of love

Joy xx
Lorraine
Member
12 years ago
I am so pleased you are feeling better. I want to say sorry for getting your name wrong in my previous post. I wish you all the very best for 2014 enjoy your book.

Lots of love

Lorraine
Bearteggie
Member
12 years ago
Hi Tonya, Thank you for your words of encouragement and advice about telling everyone after Thursday. I have decided to do just that. I woke this morning feeling a little better and am not going to rob myself of today worrying about the worst scenario, which may not even occur. I am going to enjoy cleaning my house and making it look nice and then this afteroon I am going to continue reading a book,given to me by my son for Christmas - Elianne by Judy Nunn. So far it is a really good story.

Reading your post this morning was a lovely positive start my day.

Big hugs

Joy xx
Bearteggie
Member
12 years ago
Hi Tonya, Thank you for your words of encouragement and advice about telling everyone after Thursday. I have decided to do just that. I woke this morning feeling a little better and am not going to rob myself of today worrying about the worst scenario, which may not even occur. I am going to enjoy cleaning my house and making it look nice and then this afteroon I am going to continue reading a book,given to me by my son for Christmas - Elianne by Judy Nunn. So far it is a really good story.

Reading your post this morning was a lovely positive start my day.

Big hugs

Joy xx
TonyaM
Member
12 years ago
Any new or unexpected information about your cancer can reduce you to a blubbering mess.This is quite normal so blubber away.In about 48 hours you'll get your head around it all and come out fighting.And you know what -you can put off telling everyone until after Thursday when you'll have more info from the oncologist. The girls above me are right - triple negative bc responds the best to chemo and you are highly unlikely to get a recurrence once you get to 5 years.We are thinking of you so let us know you go on Thursday.

Big hug,Tonya xxxxxxxxxx
Bearteggie
Member
12 years ago
Hi Robyn. Thank you for this, I really am a bit of a blubbering mess right now. My husband has just come home from work and asked how I got on and Ididn't want to fall apart but did. He couldn't come with me today but he is now definitely coming to my appointment on Thurday. Your friends story has given me some hope and I will do my very best to be strong. Tomorrow, I am sure will be a better day.

I am so glad I joined this network it really is an emotional life saver.

Thank you once again.

Love

Joy xx