Newly diagnosed - Triple Negative - Chemo underway - Family history
Hi everyone, Well this is the group you really don't want to join, but it appears to be a great resource and source of support, so here goes. I was diagnosed with a triple negative tumour in my left breast on 9th May (grade 3), following a biopsy. I count myself lucky in that I have been part of a High Risk Breast Cancer Clinic at RNS Hospital since 2018, when I found I had the BRCA2 gene mutation. I have a strong family history of breast cancer, with my father having breast cancer at 64 and ultimately passing away at 68 from secondary cancers (way too early - he thought he could massage away the lump). His mother had breast cancer as well and my mother had ductal breast cancer in her 70's. So the annual mammograms, MRIs and ultrasounds since 2018 may have been a nuisance, but they picked up this cancer. I knew something was up when they did the mammogram and kept on calling me back into change again for another scan and then bringing forward the ultrasound appointment, where they did the biopsy. I am going to remember the call I received from the breast specialist's office saying that I needed to come and see the specialist "today" - no delay. I burst into tears and knew straightaway. I'm ahead of my parents in having been diagnosed at 59 - thinking of postponing my big family celebration weekend away in late July until after all this! Quickly into an oncologist and the treatment plan set up within a week. Because of the triple negative category, I'm starting with 6 months of chemo - first 3 months weekly sessions of Pembrolizumab ('the' new immunotherapy drug my oncologist says has only been approved in the last few months), Paclitaxel and Carboplatin - then 3 months of 3 weekly cycles of Pembro, Doxorubicin and Cyclophosphamide. Following that, they hope the tumour will have shrunk and they will then do surgery to remove the remainder - with the decision then on a lumpectomy or mastectomy. Radiation is a possibility after that. My twin sister (same genes of course) had a double mastectomy as soon as she found out we had the BRCA2 gene in 2018 and her initial reaction was to 'get them off' - but I'm following the treatment plan suggested - and I think a bit grateful I don't need to make that decision yet. I am down 2 weeks of chemo. The side effects I've experienced so far are the usual fatigue (have been trying to work in mornings, but I'm quickly realising that's even hard), inability to sleep the first few nights (the steroids I understand), yukky mouth sensation, slight nausea in morning with cooking smells, some slight rash spots on face - and the worst, the bloating/constipation (I won't share the details but I'm quickly realising I need to change up diet and liquids). I don't have any great questions just yet, but look forward to interacting with you all in the future and thank you in anticipation. Sorry for the essay. Kathy
Stop the ride...going too fast
I found the lump on Saturday15th August. They kept saying cyst. By Thursday I was told over the phone buying a box off nappies it was cancer. The bad news kept coming from there. It was triple negative. It was grade 3. It looks to be the Angelina Jolie gene one. I had 2 surgeries last Tue and Thurs (lucky I found it early and small but it was in 2 nodes) I am seeing the surgeon again tomorrow then the oncologist later this week. All this terminology is a new language that I have yet to discover the meaning for. I don't know if I'm stage 1 or 2. Just that its TNBC and Grade 3. Likely 6 months of chemo, they've said radiotherapy and the dr was hinting a double mastectomy and reconstruction. I am 38. I am exhausted. I'm confused. I'm scared and I have 2 little girls who need me. They keep saying not to google but it's all I can do. I am terrified.
Triple negative breast cancer
Hi, I’m 34 and just been diagnosed with Triple-negative breast cancer. It hit me hard as I have 2 small children 3 and 9 months and had to stop breast feeding instantly and have a lumpectomy n sentinel node resection. I’m very thankful I’m stage 1, so far lymph nodes r clear but get final results next week. Was a grade 3 tumour that I caught early. I’m looking at chemo, genetic testing and double mastectomy or radiation but thinking of the mastectomy. Just needing info on chemo for this type and how your effected by it? Will I get very sick and loose my hair? How fast do you recover between cycles? I’m in a bad dream that I can’t wake from! Has anyone had this and not had chemo? thanks guys x
New member
This is my first blog. Hi my name is Jodie and I'm 42. I found my lump 5 weeks ago and everything has moved very fast since. I have been diagnosed with grade 3 ductal infiltrating carcinoma, stage 2a, triple negative bc. I had a lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy 2 weeks ago, one from three lymph nodes involved. I will have a portacath put in this week and chemo starts August 3rd. AC 4 doses over 12 weeks followed by paclitaxel once a week for 12 weeks. This will be followed by radiation, double mastectomy and reconstruction should I choose. I have a strong family history of bc and my mum is BRCA 1 positive. I am waiting for test results to see if I also carry the gene. Am so glad that this website exist. The information available and being able to read the blogs has been extremely helpful