So stressed Triple neg 5cm need positive stories
So stressed out. Just diagnosed with nearly 5cm triple neg idc at 33yo, no children yet, with very likely node involvement (not enough cells for conclusive but looks very likely in an enlarged node underarm) but all other scans and tests show no other cancer. I need to hear from others with same type and relative size and years beyond to have a positive outlook. Can't sleep, can't eat after seeing surgeon today - mastectomy surgery within next 2 weeks and auxiliary clearance then chemo and radiation. I am just so stressed about weather I bother saving my eggs as I read the outlook isn't that good for large triple neg but all I've ever wanted is children but no point if I won't be around. please I need to hear from others who have positive stories even ones with reoccurrence of large triple neg idc. Thank you.
Recurrence in lymph nodes
Hi everyone, I was diagnosed with TN Inflammatory BC in late Oct 2017. Treatment was 5 mths of Chemo ( 8wks fortnightly A/C, followed by 12 weeks weekly Taxol) then modified radical mastectomy (rt breast and 3 lymph nodes) which showed only a tiny amount (1.3mm) of residual disease with excellent margins. There had been evidence of activity in the lymphnodes. Surgery was followed by 5 weeks radiation and then I had what I refer to as my bonus chemo - 4 months of Capecitabine (Xeloda). That all took me to Christmas 2018. Since then I have been feeling better each day and looking fabulous (according to my dear friends and family!). On an o/s trip in early June I noticed the onset of lymphoedema in the right arm - sad but not completely unexpected after the radiation. As soon as I got home I booked in to see my surgeon, who is wonderful and always says to see him asap if anything changes. He sent me for an ultrasound, having said he didn't expect anything sinister. Unfortunately the ultrasound shows at least three lymphnodes appear enlarged and diseased - I go back on Wednesday for a Fine Needle Biopsy, but the radiologist made it pretty clear she thinks it's not going to be good news. I have to wait until next Monday 22nd for the results and to know what I'm looking at in the way of further diagnostics/prognosis/a treatment plan etc. I know there's not much advice anyone can give at this stage, but am just having a little freak out and trying very hard to stay calm for my darling husband, so I thought you would all understand if I had a little figurative scream in this forum!! I am searching my self for the inner strength to do this all again - in some ways easier when you know what it entails, and in some ways so much harder for the same reason. Worried and sad, but trying to be strong. Sally
Heartbroken, but unbroken
We have just been hit with a TNBC diagnosis. My wife is 44 and we have two young kids. Our world's been turned upside down. There's so much raw emotion and the sense of grief that we all know all too well. Its been 12 days since diagnosis. She had a mastectomy on Wednesday, and a couple of lymph nodes removed. Today we heard that while the mastectomy went well, the borders are clear etc, one of the two lymph nodes had an 8 mm cancer. We are devastated. She's everything I wish I could be and I wish I could take her place, but I know I can't. We are positive and we are hopeful. She's a fighter, she is strong, she is healthy and young. Love to you all.
Newly Diagnosed - TNBC - Mantis
Hi All I received my breast cancer diagnosis a few weeks ago after finding a lump in my right breast. I had a lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy on 24th August. My tumor was 25mm and fortunately margins and two nodes were clear but it's triple negative with a Ki-67 of 50% so I have an appointment with a medical oncologist next week to sort out chemo. The overwhelming panic has settled a little but wow, a diagnosis changes everything! I have three school-aged kids and really worry about how this will affect them. The triple negative and high Ki-67 terrifies me. I have the My Journey Kit and have been in touch with the breast care nurses who have been great. Any pearls of wisdom for staying sane during this process would be greatly appreciated.
I’m back
Hi everyone. Its been 15 months since my last chemo and on Friday afternoon I found out my TNBC has spread to my lymph nodes in my armpit after finding a lump. I see the surgeon on Wednesday and have been ok thinking fingers crossed it has gone no further and we just do it all again and beat it BUT I have since been reading on this website and the way it sounds to me is that it is now metastatic cancer and I will never actually beat it but can hopefully live with it for a number of Years? Please tell me I’m wrong?? So so gutted it’s back!! tripletea
Completely overwhelmed
so, found lump a week ago, had biopsy 3 days later after mammogram and ultrasound. Had to wait to today for results. Thought was going to have lumpectomy and radiation but today told it's a triple negative high grade tumour so seeing oncologist next week to talk about chemo. feel very under researched! I had spent the intervening days looking at all the lumpectomy reading and therapy, now feel like I have hit by a truck... my main worry (after the cancer and my kids) is costs, I do not understand how the health system works for cancer. My consultant has sent me to a private oncologist, is this normal? I have bupa (who, when I thought it was lumpectomy said they cover costs) but I don't know what they pay. I am having CT and bone scans on Monday, and I know there is a rebate on that. I am just so confused, just wanted to talk, thanks XDiagnosed 2 weeks today & need help with mindset please
Hi Everyone, I am a 39 year old mother of 2. I was diagnosed 2 weeks ago and what a whirlwind it has been. I have IDC Grade 3, triple negative cancer. I have had a Lumpectomy and sentinel node removal and the margin and all 4 nodes were clear. My Bone & CT were also clear. I was told by my GP of my diagnosis who told me we had not found it early and that my prognosis is "not good". She said "it's not a good type or a good grade. It is an aggressive tumor and most likely to spread" I sat there dazed and then cried. Thankfully since her diagnosis my test results have been good. I am now waiting to heal from the surgery and then I will be starting 5 months of chemo followed by a double masectomy and radiation. Still so many decisions to make about all of this part but I guess I have 5 months to do it all. I have handled it all pretty well and after the initial outbursts of tears I am going ok and am confident I will beat this. What Im really struggling with mentally is the Triple negative side and how it brings a higher chance of cancer coming back anywhere in the next 5 years regardless of my double mastectomy. I am trying to keep positive, and I am mostly but every time I think about anything too far in the future a little voice sais "if your still here" and then it brings me down and scares me. I know its ridiculous and I need to worry about getting through this first but I cant seem to turn it off. Does anyone have any tips about mindset. Thanks Tracy
Treatment decisions-Triple negative
Hi everyone I was diagnosed with triple negative, stage 3C breast cancer in October last year. Initially I had a lumpectomy with sentinel node removal. As there were no clear margins and cancer in the nodes I then had a mastectomy and nodal clearance. I had cancer in 14 out of the 31 nodes that were removed and locally advanced. I have finished my AC dose dense drugs and the Paclitaxel standard care treatments. In addition to this I opted to take Carboplatin with the taxel as it had the potential to have some benefits but due to low neutrophils I missed the last dose. I start my radiation therapy tomorrow. After radiation therapy I will have to decide whether to continue my chemo by taking another drug called Xeloda or Capecitabine. Again there is some potential to be of benefit but not clear cut and was told not to expect definitive advice on whether I should or shouldn’t take it. I am hoping to hear from others who are in the same situation and have had to make that decision themselves.
Triple Neg, diagnosed 4 wks ago, have had 2 cycles of AC chemo - I wonder what has happened?
Hello, I am not sure how to introduce myself, as this self, is new to me. I feel I havenʻt had time to prepare or make sense of who I am when I look at self. An experience, I have walked into or more precisely, I am on a treadmill of some sort and someone has yanked it up and I canʻt keep up. Emotions running havoc. I am very grateful for support services such as this and give thanks to the community of people who reach out to help each other. For those who read this, thank you.
New to the Journey
Sad to be joining this journey with everyone, but staying positive 'is what it is' has become the new slogan in this house. Got an official TNBC dignosis mid december, was an incidental find. Had a mamagram and got called back to for a further look at 2 things, turns out those things were fine but found a BC lump which was not fine. No one could feel it which made me feel slightly better than I would have felt if it was something I had just missed (or igrnored) I meet with team at the hospital 4 days later then had to wait it out over the Xmas Break to get appointments for a lymph node biospy. It was all clear which is great, they decided as my lump was only 11mm lumpectomy was they way to go first. That was a Monday, Wednesday I was in getting a ROLLIS seed implanted and surgery Friday. What a roller coaster of a week it was. So here I sit 10 days later, very tired after 2 days back at work after surgery. Surgeon really happy with everything, the lump came out within margins and the 1 lymph node they took out it clear. The swelling and bruising was (and still is) pretty impressive but feeling pretty good overall Now I move on to the Oncology team to see where we go from here .....