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 .....
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
Newly diagnosed with triple negative.
Hi everyone, Wish I wasn't here but glad I'm not alone. I'm 49yo and diagnosed yesterday with triple negative invasive ductal cancer with lymph node involvement. I had positive biopsies last week but got the full breakdown when I met with my surgeon yesterday. I had all my scans this afternoon and now I wait I guess until I get a call. I believe I've already been referred to an oncologist and there is a rough plan in place. To be confirmed at their multidisciplinary meeting presumably. I haven't told my daughters yet. My youngest turns 11 in 2 days, so I might hold off a little. I'm a single parent sole trader so life is about to get really hard and the feelings of overwhelm and terror are close by at all times. What a journey to embark on š³ Wishing you all the best travelling through it. Karen xo
39 years triple-negative early cance,through IVF treatment & start chemo mid-May24
Hi all, I m new recently diagnosis triple-negative early cancer (grade2). Still asking myself why I having cancer because I have good lifestyle, eat healthy food, just move in new house in Dec 2023, My husband and I willing to start house renov but nothing could happen because we need to fight cancer. I had bone scan, MRI and CT scan which result is good, no spreading. After see surgeon and Oncologist they suggest I need to do IVF egg collection to frozen embryo to make sure after cancer free, we can have IVF implant. I had 2 miscarriage in 2023 and we decide should go for IVF cannnot wait any longer. It was almost at this time that I found out that I had breast cancer. My chemo treatment will start mid-May,I will come here to update the situation and also hope that my egg retrieval will go well, Finger cross! Everyone please stay positive, it is not easy but we need flight cancer.
Triple Negative diagnosis - Mindset challenges
Moderator moved @Andrea_S post from activity section to the main discussion forum: Hi everyone! My name is Andrea. I got diagnosed late November with TNBC, and Iām 6 weeks into chemo and immunotherapy. Iām 47 with two kids - 15 & 13. My side effects havenāt been too bad so far. Lost my hair and taste. My biggest hurdle is my own mindset especially when I have to go in for a long treatment. At this rate I go every Monday for differing hours but I really really dread having to lie there for hours. Music is the only thing thatās seems to help. Plus some meds to help me sleep a little worked. Thanks for letting me share. I look forward to hearing what others are going through. ā¤ļø
New diagnosis triple negative BC
Hi all, I'm having a bit of difficulty reaching out to talk to anyone going through a similar experience - I'm 27 and just diagnosed with triple BC. I've joined the young persons group and awaiting to join triple negative group. I'm in the limbo period of waiting to be referred to oncologist and awaiting appt with the surgeon, so I really don't know anything yet. I suppose I'm just wanting reassurance and support from someone that has go e through a similar experience or maybe if anyone has any recommendations for other places I can go to for support, I've contacted a breast cancer nurse, but I haven't heard back yet. Thank you!
What a whirlwind
Diagnosed last week with Triple Negative, picked up in my routine 2 yearly mammogram and I am heading into hospital on Friday for lump removal and sentinel node biopsy. The last 2 weeks have been like a whirlwind, both mentally and physically. I am already a cancer survivor, having been through kidney cancer 13 years ago. Lost a kidney but was caught early enough that I didn't need any further treatment. Thought that would be the end of my cancer journey. But unfortunately it wasn't. This time I have to have both chemo and radio and frankly I am petrified of what's to come. How did others get through those first few weeks when your mind feels jumbled and overloaded with info and in my case fear. Any tips appreciated. Thanks š
Triple Negative Breast Cancer
Hello, I am a healthy (I thought) 69 year old woman and I feel as if I could live foreverā¦ I enjoy my life, am reasonably fit and very active ā I swim, go on really pleasant bush walks with my partner, ride my bike occasionally, love to potter in the gardenā¦. I also eat well and am conscientious about my diet but not fanatical. I must admit I maybe indulge in a little too much wine. Life is good! But suddenly, out of the blue comes a diagnosis. Triple Negative Breast Cancer, Grade 3, but luckily found early. Those of you reading this will know what a mind-numbing shock this is. And with this comes the beginning of huge decision making. So, I have read as much about my cancer as I can..I learn it is a particularly aggressive little nasty (but, as I said earlierā¦luckily for me caught early), only 15 to 20% of people with breast cancer actually get this typeā¦ the amount of research is also less than for the more common hormone adaptive cancer and metastasis tend to occur sooner rather than later. I am also reading as much as I can about how to strengthen my immune system eg diet, supplements, food regimes etc. There is a lot of information out there, and often it is contradictory. My initial decision was for a lumpectomy, with radiation, as opposed to a mastectomy without radiation. First hurdle jumpedā¦.clear margins around the tumor and 4 lymph nodes removed with no cancer. A good result! But the chemo question still looms. The pros and cons, the weighing up of my evidence (biopsy, surgery etc), can I take the risk, the odds%% - itās like a gamble ā there is so much speculation involved. Did some cancer cells escape before the tumor was removed?ā¦.absolutely impossible to know. Iād appreciate hearing from someone who has faced this diagnosis and have a chance to share the experience and hear how someone else tackled this situation.Recently diagnosed
Hi all I am new here and while would have preferred not to know about this network, I have found comfort and such helpful advice in the My Journey resources and these posts. I am a 64YO wife, mother and Nanna who loves my job caring for young people. I was diagnosed with TNBC on 20 July, following a mammogram. The shock was just overwhelming. I have found the negative overthinking and anxiety levels very difficult and something that took significant effort to keep in check. I had surgery 4 August and am due to start chemo in 10 days. I am hoping to be able to keeping working during chemoš¤ on some level, so would love to hear any advice or hints around this and preparing for chemo. Take care and thanks for posting your stories and taking the time to read my post šøDecision on chemotherapy
I am diagnosed breast cancer before Christmas in 2022. I have completed surgeries and need to decide whether I will do chemotherapy. The doctor told me yesterday I had triple negative but low risk given the small size and Ki67 10%. The benefit of chemotherapy is 3-5%. I am hesitant because of concern on side effects of chemotherapy. Did anyone have similar situation and how you have gone through? Thank you