No longer feeling alone

Hi johjoh, Am glad you have found us. You must have a mountain of questions...don't believe a thing you read on google! Ask us all of your questions. There will be someone here who will be able to help. Take care. Paula xx

Hi johjoh, Am glad you have found us. You must have a mountain of questions...don't believe a thing you read on google! Ask us all of your questions. There will be someone here who will be able to help. Take care. Paula xx

Hi Johjoh We are a rare breed! Good luck with the chemo - which type are you having? Michelle

Welcome to this wonderful site!  You have definitely come to the right place and will quickly see there a re quite a few TNBC ladies here.  I am one of them and I have just finished 3 weeks ago my chemo treatment and started my radiation therapy yesterday.

In the beginning I was a total mess and very scared but once I had my plan and started chemo I settled down into the process.  It is no walk in the park but as everyone will tell you it is doable which is starting to sound a bit cliche - but it is true.  I was fortunate, I didn't have too many side effects and only one real hiccup along the way which was quickly sorted out.  I found the fatigue the hardest part and of course losing my hair etc. 

When you arrive at your last chemo session you are going to be so excited knowing that the hardest part of your BC journey will then be behind you.  During your journey look after yourself both physically and emotionally.  I recommend walking every morning, relaxation exercises, drinking plenty of water, going to bed and rising at the same time each day and eating a varied and healthy diet.  Plus of course the other things you are told by your team to attend to.  

If you find you are anxious and aren't coping emotionally I highly recommend booking in to see a psychologist.  It really does help to talk to someone outside of your family about all your fears and concenrs.  We ladies have enough to deal with without having to struggle with anxiety too.

I wish you all the very best and send you a big hug.

Love

Joy xx

Hi Michelle The treatment I'm having is Docetaxel & Cyclophosphamide. I need to have 4 sessions of chemo and then 6 weeks of radiation. Can't wait till it's all over!

Thanks, it's good to hear from people who have been through this and who are willing to share their experiences. I will probably need some advice on how to deal with the side effects of chemo. Hopefully I don't get to many side effects.

Hi Joy Thank you so much for your reply. After reading it I felt so much better. I will take up your recommendations and make a point of going for walks everyday and look into taking up relaxation exercises. I have to have 4 sessions of chemo and then 6 weeks of radiation. I am worried about having chemo, mainly because of the side effects that I may experience. I try not to think about it and try to keep positive. I suppose once I have my first treatment I'll know what to expect. It's the unknown that scares me. Good luck with your radiation and please keep in touch. Regards Johanna

4 treatments is a great number to count down. Remember every one is a whole quarter done! Just concentrate on yourself, take every med you need and as much rest as you can. I am one year out from diagnosis and feel fabulous that its all behind me. It seems like a bit if blur now and i'm putting the challenging days out of mind. Good luck and if things aren't great try to find something very distracting to spend your time on. Michelle

Hi Sam, My chemo is Docetaxel & Cyclophosphamide. I am having 4 sessions of chemo ant then radiation for 6 weeks but I'm considering having a double masectomy & reconstruction, not sure yet! My breast surgeon referred me to have the genetics test to see if I carry the gene as my older sister also had breast cancer ( hormone receptor - Positve). Im waiting to hear from the genetics people at the Austin Hospital to contact me, I think it will take a while. If I do have the gene I will definitely be having the double masectomy with reconstruction but I'm hoping I can have the tests before I start my radiation. I have already cut my hair short and will shave it off once it starts to fall out. I'm just hoping I don't have really bad side effects to the chemo. Good luck with your recovery! Regard Joh

Hi Joh, good luck tomorrow with your first chemo. Some great advice I received from the ladies in this Group was to drink lots of water and rest when you feel you need to. Chemo can affect each person differently. Some of the ladies on the same type of chemo as I was having were able to work during this time with no problems, whereas I couldn't. I'm 40 and just finished my chemo 5 weeks ago. I decided to have a bilateral mastectomy pre chemo, so no radiation for me. Please don't hesitate to ask any questions or have a vent. We are all in this Group to support each other. [Big hug] Trish x