My Triple Negative Breast Cancer journey - now 5 years clear

I was diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer in 2019 at the age of 60. I worked as an Outpatient Matron at the time and I’ve never been more terrified in my life. I underwent 6 months of neojuvant chemotherapy, a mastectomy, 15 sessions of radiotherapy and 14 months of oral chemo as a precautionary measure as there is no other targeted treatment for TNBC - Also had two years of Zoledronate infusions at six monthly intervals  to protect my bones. I am so grateful that I am five years clear now and have been discharged from all follow up and back in the national breast screening programme. And I now have a wicked mastectomy tattoo! 
I hope I can offer support and encouragement to anyone going through this and to say that it’s a long road but there is life after cancer. I completed the mini moonwalk for breast cancer awareness in 2023 walking 15.6 miles through the streets of London, overnight, wearing a decorated bra which was so emotional and I burst into tears as we crossed the finish line! Last year I did the 10k nightwalk for Cancer Research Uk and completed it in 2 hours. 
I hate the ‘warrior’ and ‘fighter’ analogy along with the soft voice and head tilt thing!!!! You’ll know what I mean!!! 
it’s your journey and don’t let anyone invalidate your fears and anxieties - they are real! 

  • Hi themother,

    Welcome to Cancer Chat. It sounds like you have been through a lot - it's good to hear you're getting on well.

    Your challenges and fundraising achievements sound fantastic - well done to you for this, it must have been quite an experience, and thank you as well for supporting the charities.

    I'm sure your post here will be very helpful to others looking at the forum, particularly those with similar experience, and it's lovely to hear you are keen to offer support and encouragement to others.

    Thank you for sharing your post here and we hope you find the forum useful.

    Best wishes,

    Ben
    Cancer Chat Moderator