HI, yes I have all the same feelings and mixed emotions. I am having my first chemo session today and am terrified. I was supposed to be going in at 8.30am but I got a call yesterday putting my appointment back to 11.30am as they haven't got approval yet even though I have already signed the consent form. I am praying that my chemo doesn't get delayed. 

It is really hard to stay positive but I am really trying. Good luck with everything, have you got a start date for your treatment? I found that the hardest bit, waiting for my appointment and praying nothing gets any worse whilst waiting. 

Hi SueBea

Urgh I'm not very clever I've just typed a message to you and did something wrong when sending and lost it, doh! I'll blame movement of the train! 

Thanks for your reply a d good to know we all have these mixed emotions. At the moment it feels like it's not me a d was someone else they were talking about. As I don't feel ill and haven't had any letters etc. I was diagnosed on Tuesday so early days still. Think they said chemo in about 4 weeks. 

Aww sorry your appointment has been moved, I hope they don't keep you waiting too long. Good luck for today, I'll be there soon needing some encouragement.

Mich x

Hi ladies, hope it's ok to join you.  I live in Hong Kong but was home in the UK in August, found a lump and now been diagnosed with triple negative bc.  I'll do an introductory post and write a bit more.

I just wanted to say since diagnosis I've come across two women that have had breast cancer (not trn) and gone on to have children naturally so it definitely is still a possibility.

Looking forward to getting to know you despite wishing none of us had to be here!

Claire

Hi Mich,

It is a very long road but as you say not worth thinking about the big picture and just take it in small steps. I’ll tell you both another positive story about my cousin: Diagnosed 2 years ago, same as us TNBC grade 3. She ignored the lump in her breast and even ignored lumps under her arms that appeared thinking it was nothing. They got larger and she went to the doc. It was all a bit out of control stage 3-4 by this point. So she commenced FEC, which didn’t quite work due to the advanced nature of her situation, so they switched her to carboplatinum, then taxol, radiotherapy, mastectomy. She’s now in the clear now and enjoying normal life again. So there’s definitely hope in 2019 :)

Mich I saw a dietician who told me to eat loads of antioxidants (veggies) and to limit sugar (even natural sugar in fruit) on the day before/of/and day after chemo. Apparently spiking your sugar level on these 3 days can make the side effects stronger. She said eat protein every day if you're less active (even just a glass of milk) because if you are losing muscle this again stops the chemo toxins hanging around in them and gets it out of your system quicker. On top of this I switched to organic milk and have almost cut out red meat, just a luxury steak once a month! I tolerated the side effects well and I’m sure it was down to a healthy diet, lots of water and as much walking as I could do. 

I’ve been racking my brains as to what I could have done differently in life, less bacon, wine, not living in polluted London, but in all honestly for triple negative I think it just happens! So now chemo is over i’m just ensuring an ‘everything in moderation’ attitude and will ensure exercise twice a week, but I haven’t drastically changed anything. 

Both of you stop googling :) enjoy your day xx

Welcome Claire! 

So sorry to hear your diagnosis and I hope you’re doing OK with the treatment. Thanks so much for sharing about your two friends, it’s great to hear these positive stories xx

Hi Ladies,

Sorry that you have to join our club Claire but hopefully we can support you.

These positive stories are really great to hear as people seem to forget to post once they get the all clear but it's the boost most of us need. Wow Roz, that's amazing news about your cousin. 

My cancer nurse told me that there was nothing I could have done differently to stop getting TN cancer. Obvoiusly a healthy diet and healthy lifestyle is recommened but we would have got the illness anyway. I will find it hard to cut out sugar as all I crave is chocolate and most other food makes me feel sick. 

Keep positive Ladies, easier said than done I know!!!

Sue xxx

Thanks ladies.  

So far I'm not doing badly on the chemo but it's early days.  Bit of nausea on double dose weeks but kept under control with tablets.  My hair started coming out by the handful so my boyfriend (a hairdresser) shaved my head and I'm going the bandana route.

I'm having paclitaxel every week for 12 weeks, every 3 weeks I have an additional dose of carboplatin.  After that I go onto cyclophosphamide once a fortnight for 8 weeks - I understand that one is a bit harder on the immune system.

My tumour has shrunk from 2.5cm to 1.5cm and I'm told that means I can have a lumpectomy instead of a mastectomy.  To be honest, right now, I just want a double mastecomy but the doctor says there's very little difference in survival rates.  

I know what you mean Sue because I got addicted to haribo when feeling nauseous! You will be pleased to know that chocolate doesn’t quickly increase the sugar level. The fat content in it slowly releases the sugar in you rather than quickly spiking it...it was the spiking my dietician suggested to limit. So don’t worry about chocolate :) 

Hey Ladies,

Welcome Claire :) 

Thanks Rozza for the positive stories and the food advice.  It does make sense about limiting the sugar around treatment so I'll give that a go.  A friend of mine is going through it in France, also TN and she has just said that she fasts the day before, during and after as it could help the drugs be more effective for the cancer cells.  As the little buggers lap it all up to grow lol!  So just need to find whats right for me, at the moment just hope I'll keep food and err water in me next time!

My one tumour feels different already, the big *** 53mm so hope it is getting the ***. I've been told I'll prob have a masectomy as only a small cup but they will assess later. I guess that will also depend on the gene test.

Which week are you on now Claire?

xx

Hey Ladies,

Hope you all have a lovely weekend :)

Big hugs

xx

Have just read your post and you had the same as me ... 4 epurubicin then 4 Paclitaxell or whatever it’s called! I’m nearly 4 years ok! Keep positive an I wish you all the best xx

Hi Jojo,

Thank you for your post, it gives me hope. How were the side effects on Pacllitaxel? I am so happy you are 4 years clear, it is the news I am praying I hear. Most days I am up-beat but every now and then I have a total meltdown, they always come out of the blue. 

Have a wonderful weekend,

Sue

Hi Jojo,

Thank you for your post, it gives me hope. How were the side effects on Pacllitaxel? I am so happy you are 4 years clear, it is the news I am praying I hear. Most days I am up-beat but every now and then I have a total meltdown, they always come out of the blue. 

Have a wonderful weekend,

Sue