Just been diagnosed, BC - triple negative

Hi there,

I joined the group a couple of weeks ago after my scan and biopsy and found it useful and supportive reading what everyone is going through and their advice whilst we all face the C word!

I've now received my diagnosis and plucked up the courage to say 'HI!' :)  I'm still reading up on all the booklets i've received. A strange feeling really counting the days down to your appointment like a holiday without the excited feeling and now coming home with loads of booklets and not holiday brochures.  i feel strange that i have a sense of relief but a strange relief as I do have cancer and not the all clear.  Does anyone else have these mixed feelings?

I've been diagnosed with stage 2, grade 3 and triple negative.  Well from my understanding, i'm waiting for the confirmations to all come in the post.  I remember them saying 18 weeks chemo, 5cm tumour, lymph nodes, masectomy, radiotherapy....

I still feel very detached and like they are talking about someone else as i dont feel ill.  I was hoping to be pregnant :( so feel very sad tonight that is unlikely to happen now with my diagnosis and that i'm 42.

So mixed feelings all around tonight. 

Mich x

 

 

Parents
  • Hello ladies, hope you don't mind me gatecrashing your thread, but I've just read through it all and it's made me feel so much better, your all so nice and posative

    I was diagnosed with triple negative BC in June, I am on my 5 of 8 cycles of chemo, these last four being Carpoplatin and paxataxil, there breaking down the paxataxil to every week, i have my last chemo on 6th January and although we shouldn't wish our lives away, I can't wait, after that it will be surgery and radiotherapy, I have three lymph nodes under my arm and two lymphs under breast, but on last scan the two under breast have cleared, I'd like to ask if any of you on paxataxil oy carboplatin have had fuzzy head, I can't explain it but fuzzy slight dizzy head, I'm at day 10, my other cycle I felt so much better by day 10, it's not really bad but just annoying as I can't drive while feeling like this. Again lovely to read all your posts and really hoping your all feeling well, xxx

  • Hey Davia

    Of course not, welcome to our group that no ones want to join haha!  I was diagnosed in August so just had my 3rd course on Tuesday.  Not feeling too bad at the moment, fingers crossed it stays that way.  I have 1 more of EC then i go onto the carbo / paxo and paxo weekly.  Hope there are no major side affects of these.  How you doing on these drugs, just the dizzyness.  

    I have in my lymph nodes too so will have to have all of them out, little worried about the opp but one day at a time eh.  I'm also waiting on my brca test, guess they will send a letter confirming yay or nay.

    Yeah i could drive for a few days after my second one, felt like i was on drugs all week!

    I managed the cold cap on Tuesday, but hair is thinning quite a bit so not sure if I'll carry on .

    Hugs

    xx

  • Hey ladies, 

    I still have my snotty nose and chesty cough. I called the unit today and they said to see my doc as could have chest infection so may need anti antibiotics. Of course I couldn't get to see them today so have to call at 8am tomorrow morning to see if I can get an appointment. I feel better in myself tho. Have given it to my hubby he has been in bed all day shivering with a temp! Must be going around. 

    Glad to hear your opp is around the corner Sue, you must be relieved. Do you have a pre assessment or just go to hospital on Wednesday? We'll all be thinking of you. 

     

    Aww Davia that's good your chemo is all finished, it did play havoc with your body. Hope the rash will clear up soon. The rash on my hands is now gone. I'm due a full node clearance in the left side too as 3 swollen lymph nodes tested positive. All I know about the opp is lots or drains! Not sure if I should read up about it yet or wait until chemo finished. When is your scan now then? This is the per scan?

    Glad to hear you past the half way mark Linda. Don't forget the a antihistamines for bone ache

    It has been very grey and dreary lately which makes me emotional too esp as I have been indoors for almost a week. Funny thing is I'm never ill, I hardly get anything that comes around, well apart from migraines and here I sit poorly with cancer too lol!

    We'll get there warriors! Need to make my boob cake remember

    Xxx

  • Hi Mich

    Great to hear your on mend from cold, hope you get app for tomorrow, they should really fit you in as a priority when on chemo. Your bound to feel emotional, having a cold on top of chemo is heavy  

    I've only read up on recovering from full lumph clearence, I don't want to know how the op is done, it would freak me out, well freak me out more than I am already lol oh I have three infected lymphs to, so were very similar

    My scan should be bought forward a week, so I'm thinking 31st Jan, they need oncologist conformation, before changing appointment. 

    My surgeon app is on the 7th Feb. But I have to get through this scan, I know it's normal to have scan fobia when your were we are, my oncologist said everyone feels apprehensive it's normal. Made me feel a bit better. 

    Keep strong, love and hugs xxx

     

  • Hi Ladies.

    Davia fab news you are now chemo free and ready to step into the next stage of your journey. 

    Mich am sorry to hear you could have a chest infection, insist on seeing a Dr tomorrow, I read somewhere that if you're a cancer patient that your seen asap, though I do know some of the receptionists are a nightmare to get past.

    Hope you're doing ok Sue & Claire.

    Me ... I have felt utter poop since my last Fec, think it is its parting gift to me :\ I am taking antihistamines so the aching isnt so bad but I have been so weepy these last 2 days! I have listened to my body and rested and slept so much. I just hope the Doxetaxel is nice to me.

    Coming in to read your messages keeps me going, I am surrounded by my caring famiy but can still feel alone at times as they have no idea how it affects me. 

    Right thats enough of feeling sorry for myself!

    Keep well ladies xxx

     

  • Thank Linda, oh and your allowed to feel sorry for yourself, feeling emotional is part of the chemo journey, I was terrible last week, I just couldn't stop, I'm sure the chemo does it to you, runs you down so much and I think the accumulative effect really does take effect on last week of each cycle.

    I found paxo and Carbo were not as bad as EC, I have had a few side effects with paxo but nothing to put me in hospital like EC, mostly tummy upsets, rash so hopefully you will sail through next lot. 

    Keep strong, your half way, the next half will fly by honest xxx

     

  • Hey ladies,

    Finally got to see a doctor today and hes confirmed ive got a chest infection, boo. Hubby too, so we walked out with His and Hers amoxicilin lol! I have to take it for a week and go back if it doesn't clear up.  If i'm feeling ok i still go for my bloods tomorrow and if they are all clear i can still have my chemo on Friday as the anti biotics would of been in my system for 72 hours.  Its combo week too!  Eeek.  Oh well will see what happens tomorrow.  I do feel better in myself and chirpier so hopefully i can wake up early again for me bloods.

    Aww Linda i found my last EC tough, took ages for my body to recover.  Felt like i'd been hit by a bus, double decker one!  so glad to be off it, as this drug isn't nearly as bad.  So i have my fingers and toes crossed for you.  When do you start the new drug?

    Yeah we all get that scan phobia or scaniexity as they call it.  When i was diagnosed i was convinced i had it in my bones, as the tenseness gave me back ache.  Just shows how our body is affected when our mind plays trics on us.  You'll be fine, as before the waiting is the worst.  I'm still waiting to see my oncologist since i messed up my last appointment.  That reminds me i'll ask the nurses when i have my pre assessment tomorrow.

    How you doing Claire? Hope all is ok on your side.

    Hugs all around

    xxx

     

  • Hi Mich

    Glad you got to see Dr and you have antibiotics, if your nutapines are OK they will go ahead with Chemo, that's what nurse told me, it's scary as we're told so often to keep eye on infection but they keep such a close eye on you and like you say you would have had antibiotics for 72 hours. Is this last combo or do you have one more? I know you said but I forget. Nice to hear your feeling chirpier, we've had nice sunshine today hope you have it too. 

    I have my scan on Friday I've felt really shaky today, it's the scanziety, I am pooping it, well not the scan but the result. Like you say, any twinge and my brain is away. But I'm trying to keep it real and tell myself it will be OK.

    Take care xxxx

     

     

  • Hey Ladies,

    How you doing, what did you get up to this weekend? I'm feeling better with my chest infection and today is the last day of anti biotics yay!  Chemo went fine on Friday and got taxol & carbo, was quite surprised my bloods came back fine with me fighting this chesty thing too!  The steriods have kept me going the past couple of days but today i feel like a zombie, like my head is full of cotton wool.  No furniture walking so managing ok with that.

    Ooh and before i forget i finally got the result of my gene test and I'm negative!  Whoop Whoop, finally!  Took long enough.  So quite relieved about that, they did say there is quite a bit of brreast cancer still in the family but not linked with the gene mutations they tested.

    Davia, how was your scan on Friday?  Hope it went ok :)

    And this week is opp week, if I remember correctly Sue, Davia and Claire.  Will be thinking of you ladies, big hugs :)  I have 5 more chemos left and counting....

    Hope you managing ok Linda ;)

    xx

     

     

  • Hi Ladies,

    Mich, quite right, my op is Wednesday and Claire's is 2 days later. I won't lie, I am terrified. I feel like such a drama queen. Fantastic news about the BRCA test, the wait is the worst.

    Davia, I hope the scan results were positive.

    Linda, I hope you are feeling more positive. We all get weepy days when we feel rubbish so you have our sympathy.

    Good luck Claire, I hope you're surgery goes well.

    Love to everyone,

    Sue xx

     

     

  • Hi Sue,

    Ah I'm sure you are, its the unkown that makes it worse and our mind eh.  Have they said how long you'll be in hospital?  Its deff a week of operations as my husband is having a hernia opp on Saturday, due to a cancellation so heading to the hopsital this afternoon for pre-assessment.  At this rate I think i'm at the hospital almost every day!

    Thinking of you all ladies, its a tough week but we'll get through it fellow Warriors ;)

    xxx

  • Hi Mich,

    I'm only in for the day as it's a lumpectomy. It was touch and go whether I would be having a masectomy as my tumor hasn't shrunk. The density has changed which I think is what swung it.

    I hope your husband's op goes well, I'm sure it will. Is that also a day op? Any idea of his recovery time?

    Do you know what op you're having yet? We are all certainly fighters although not a fight any of us would choose!!!

    Take care of yourself,

    xxxx

Reply
  • Hi Mich,

    I'm only in for the day as it's a lumpectomy. It was touch and go whether I would be having a masectomy as my tumor hasn't shrunk. The density has changed which I think is what swung it.

    I hope your husband's op goes well, I'm sure it will. Is that also a day op? Any idea of his recovery time?

    Do you know what op you're having yet? We are all certainly fighters although not a fight any of us would choose!!!

    Take care of yourself,

    xxxx

Children
  • Thinking of you today Sue ;)

    Yeah all a bit scary Claire, hope you doing ok with it all.  I guess you are over here now.  How long are you staying?

    I got my oncologist appointment now tomorrow, had a call yesterday.  This is the one i messed up, whew so glad they managed to squeeze me in.  

    Glad your picc line is all out now Davia, quite a relief.  Yeah one step at a time eh.  i'm getting frustrated with myself as feel like an old woman and every week i go for assessment i put on a kg!  But whoosah, can only do so much and must get better first.  Did have a nice walk and coffee at the harbour, now thats me done for the day!

    Glad to  hear you managing ok Linda and good for you going into the office, a sense of normality eh.  I'm checking my emails today, trying to use some brain power.

    Hugs all around

    xx

  • Mich, great to hear the oncologist has squeezed you in. I know exactly how you feel, I think I've put on a kg everytime I've been weighed, and I feel I've aged years, what with no energy, dry skin and I just look rough lol I will tackle the extra pounds after treatment, when my head can concentrate better on it, like you say, got to concentrate on getting better first

    Was lovely in the sunshine today, better than that cold wind we had. 

    Keep well xxxx

     

  • Mich, great that you got your appointment. No, I'm still in Hong Kong. Move back to the UK in 2 weeks.

     

    Sue, hope al has gone well and you're doing ok.


    Davia I hear you on the looking rough front :)

    love to all xx

  • Thanks Ladies, my operation yesterday went well. I went down to surgery at 10am, woke in recovery at 11.30 and was home at 2pm. I was in a bit of pain after the op so was given morphine in the recovery room and co-codomoal to take home. I am tender, sore and bruised but I have taken a couple co-codomal this morning which has kept the pain at bay. It was a lot better than I feared and it is all very manageable. I feel loads calmer now the op is done. I had the lump removed as well as lymph nodes, I will find out if I have clear margins on the 21st feb.

    Mich, let us know how you get on with the Oncologist.

    Good luck for your op tomorrow Claire, I know you will be fine.

    Is it tomorrow you get your scan results Davia? I'm sending positive thoughts your way.

    How are you feeling Linda? It really is a rubbish time for all of us but we are strong.

    Love to you all

    Sue xxx

  • That's great Sue!  I can't believe you were in and out in one day!!  Starting to feel they're over doing it here a bit.  I had to be admitted today, they've done an ultrasound, ecg and heart scan and I've seen the physio.  Tomorrow morning I've got lymph node mapping and something called a guide wire something or other then surgery in the afternoon, I won't be out til sunday.

  • Hi Claire,

    I had a lumpectomy, is that what you're having? I didn't need a guide wire. The physio came to see me before my op, spend 5 minutes with me, gave me a leaflet and left. It was a bit like being on a conveyor belt, one in, one out. Something to warn you about, after they put the blue dye in, your wee is bright blue and your boob is blue too. It's fine once you know that it's normal.I'm glad the are looking after you well.

    Let us know how you get on, it's honestly not that bad. 

    Love Sue xxx

  • Yes, lumpectomy and lymph node removal.  Originally it was only in one lymph node so hopefully won't have too many out.  Good to know about blue wee :)

  • Hello all,

    sorry to jump in on your thread.

    can you please tell me what we're your first symptoms before finding out you had bc? 
    I have a mammogram tomorrow I am terrified.

  • Hey Sue, ah thats great news.  So glad to hear the procedure went well and home by lunch time whoop whoop! Hope you are having a relaxed evening. 

    Good luck for tomorrow Claire ;)  Does sound like you are a celebrity there ;)  I got all mixed up , thought you were coming over here for your op, doh.  Hugs.

    Good luck for tomorrow Davia, let us know how you get on.

    Today went ok with the oncologist.  Was'nt my usual one, he did mumble a bit haha!  Anyways, the big tumour has shrunk quite a bit from 53 mm to 11mm, so just over 1 cm now so looking good and i'm all on track with treatment.  So just 4 after tomorrow, yay!  I have quite a bit of neuropathy pain this week, which i dont usually have much of on this drug, perhpas just building up.

    Big hugs

    xx

  • Hey,

    All the best for tomorrow, you are in the best hands and have done the right thing by going to the docs.  Most the time lumps are not cancer so try not to worry.  Symptoms vary a lot with everyone, so mammograms and ultrasounds are the best way to tell.

    Good luck and hugs

    xx