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Pen11's avatar
Pen11
Member
11 years ago

Newly diagnosed

Hi Everyone, It's really quite beautiful to see the support that goes on here. I was recently diagnosed with TNBC, have had a lumpectomy and 5 nodes removed with no lymph node involvement. I'm 35 and don't have any children. I'm meeting with an oncologist in the next couple of weeks do discuss treatment (chemo), and am now asking myself if I should harvest eggs prior to starting chemo. I was wondering if there are any women out there who have collected and frozen eggs before treatment or who may have gone on to have children after chemo. I'm also curious to find out how many women with TNBC went on to find out that they carry the gene after having genetic testing. I'll be having the test in a couple of weeks. Sending good thoughts, Penny

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  • Pen11's avatar
    Pen11
    Member
    11 years ago
    Thanks Susan - the notebook is definitely coming in handy! How are you at the moment? Penny x
  • Pen11's avatar
    Pen11
    Member
    11 years ago
    Hey Bobbie, Thanks so much for getting in touch and sharing where you're at. So many questions that I'm still working through - but it's nice to know I'm not all. Sending many good thoughts. Penny
  • yetbeung's avatar
    yetbeung
    Member
    11 years ago

    First of all, welcome :-) 

    I was in a similar situation to you, diagnosed with TNBC at 32, no kids. I have had the full shebang - chemo, lumpectomy, & radiation. 

    I was told in a very straightforward manner by both the surgeon and oncologist that if I wanted to have kids in the future, to look into fertility options ie. egg harvesting, as chemo *could* make me infertile. 

    As it happens., I have never wanted kids, so this was not a problem. I finished chemo in March, and have yet to start menstrating again, so there is a strong possibility that I could have started menopause as a result of the treatment. 

    My suggestion would be to look into your options if there is even the smallest chance you could want kids in the future. You might only have a limited window of time if you are going to start chemo in the next month. Even if you end up deciding that it's not for you, at least you will be able to have a choice. 

    In regards to the genetic testing, thankfully I was negative for the genes. They said that for someone my age to get TNBC with no family history there was a strong chance that I would have it, but it came back all clear. So there is hope for that!

    Best of luck with whatever you decide to do, and for your upcoming treatment :-)

    From Bobbie