Triple Positive

Kathy, just wanted to say thanks for this advice! I have decided to go with the Port after all. So many decisions to be made, and I think you're right, the less visible for the little ones the better for me! :)

Naomi 

Hi,, I sorry for your outcome. It is a lot to take in .. I have having a reduction and lift in 12 days as i opted out of a Mastectomy and Lumpectomy .. and this was offered as a way better option. 

If you dont mine id like to suggest something to you. I am a RN and have Stage 2 Grade 2 IDC left breast. I used to work for an Oncology Radiologist and if I had an option on the way I was given the Chemo I would definitely go with a Port.. and not a Picc.. if you are having long term treatment then a Picc line is going to have to be changed and the dressing needs to be changed every 7 days and it can get dirty and can get infected if not cleaned properly where a Port is invasive but is hidden and your little munchkins wont even know it is there. 

Ofcourse the choice is yours .. this is just my suggestion

thinking of you

Kathy  

 

 

 

 

Hi Leila,

I was diagnosed with triple positive breast cancer in August 2015. I have had a lumpectomy, chemo (AC & Taxol), radiation & I am still having Herceptin until the end of this year & also taking Tamoxifen now too.

I don't have a blog but I'm more than happy for you to message me if you have any questions or anything. 

I managed relatively well throughout all of my treatment. Wishing you all the best for yours.

Caitlin :)

Thank you Naomi, it does sound like we have a similar situation. I will definitely follow your blog, thanks for sharing. 

I met my breast care nurse today, and feel a pretty ok about it all (although overwhelmed!) 

Will be thinking of you through out this journey 

Leila xx

Hi Leila,

I'm triple positive with IDC BC. Stage 3 high grade. It was initially diagnosed as Stage 2 but they changed the stage after final pathology.

I had surgery just over 2 weeks ago. I had the choice between a lumpectomy or a mastectomy, and decided to go for a lumpectomy (I'm 36 and even though I've breastfed 2 kids my boobs are in pretty good shape ;)). I was also booked in for a sentinel node biopsy at the same time. Woke up from surgery and they had done an axillary clearance based on the sentinel node biopsy, so that's been an experience! I finally got the drain out yesterday and I feel like a new woman. A tender woman, but still!

My breast care nurse came to see me in hospital after my surgery and after she became involved in my life everything has become so much easier. They are amazing women, and so if you're yet to see one just hang tight. They will find you!

Since surgery unfortunately I've found that while they were able to remove 2 tumors, my breast tissue is completely full of DCIS and the surgeon has recommended a mastectomy. He said it's not showing on scans, and only with pathology so it's impossible to remove otherwise. I'm going for genetic testing (I have an aunt who is BRCA 2 positive) and depending on the results of that I may be recommended a bi-lateral mastectomy and reconstruction, so we've decided to wait for the results of that so we can possible have only one more surgery (although the thought of a bi-lateral mastectomy and double reconstruction in one surgery makes me very nervous!).

In the meantime, I start AC chemo on Monday, after which I'll have Taxol and Herceptin (they are suggesting the injection for the Herceptin which would be great!). Then possible radiation (although that's still being decided based on the mastectomy situation) Then I'm told hormone treatment for 10 years. It's a lot to take in.

I've decided not to go for a port, but possibly a picc line for the second part of the chemo. It's hard with little kids, anything foreign in your body seems to be a magnet for little elbows and little hands. I have terrible veins too but my breast care nurse took me to see the chemo nurses and they had a look and said 'lets try them out before we make a decision' so that's been a positive for me.

Please feel free to get in touch. It looks like we are going through kind of similar experiences on a kind of similar timeline! I've found that even though there are so many people around it can still be a really lonely time.

Good luck for your surgery Friday (I checked out your blog ;)).

I don't really post on here much unless I have a question (I don't really feel I'm far enough into my journey to help yet!) but I've been almost doing a 'journal' (mainly because it's cathartic) so if you want to check it out it's here: myboobjourneyblog.wordpress.com

Naomi xxx

Hi Leila,

Not sure if any of the members have been in touch or connected with you yet but are you looking for some specific information?

Ann-Marie