Hi Dondon0808,

I have empathy for you and all who are fighting cancer.  I understand your fear but recommend educating yourself as much as possible.  Knowledge on what you have, what it means and what your options are can be your sword during your fight. 

I am proof that you can overcome this diagnosis.  In May of 2005, at age 39, I was diagnosed.  Scariest day of my life.  I had breast cancer -  triple negative, stage 3 grade 3 cancer...it was very aggressive.  The initial treatment plan was to do chemo and then a lumpectomy.  After an MRI revealed a second mass deeper in the breast, the treatment plan changed. I now had two differnt types of cancer growing in me and all I ould think of was "GET IT OUT NOW!!"  But I had to wait a bit.  On June 13, I had a modified full mastectomy (lymph nodes were clear!) with a natural reconstruction at the same time (8 hour surgery). I started chemo (8 rounds) one month later on July 13.  I had a small infection that postponed one chemo treatment but otherwise infections were not an issue. I did lose ALL my hair as the cold caps had not been invented in 2005. Me personally, I could not where a wig...not for lack of trying...I had 3 different ones.  But the chemo had also put me into a temporary menopause state so the hot flashed were unbearable with a wig on.  And it's not like you can just pull the hair off when it public...it freaks people out. Hahaha, I still remember this ladies face when I did that!.  Plus, when I would where the wig, I didn't feel like myself.  I felt like a different person and that did not work for me.  It felt like I was hiding. So I went with hats.  Wasn't a great look, but it was me.  I was open to the ridicule (and boy, people sure can be mean) if it meant people would stop calling it the "C" word!  I had CANCER and what good would it do to hide?  Anyway I finished chemo on October 26th and then had one last surgery in December to balance out the breasts (DD to a C).  I now call it a long journey on my life path and I joke about having a belly boob (reconstruction used tissue from my belly)!!  

This journey changed me in many ways!  I now think that it was a way of preparring me for my next steps in life...showing me how strong I can be!  I truly would not want it to be any different.  The trials we go through, shape us into who we are supposed to be.  This might not be where you are now, at this stage in your treatment, but someday.

So, 15 years, 5 months and 11 days after diagnosis, I am still here and healthier than before.  It took several years of figuring out the best ways to get the nutrients built back up in my body after chemo. But I have learned so much about holistic and natural ways to do this with supplements and diet. I AM healthy, I AM not taking any long-term medications or suplements and I AM so much more aware of my body, how it feels and how things affect it.  It brought me closer to spirit and showed me the link between mind, body, health and spirit.  I discovered that "dis-ease" of one's spirit causes "disease" in the body.  It showed me love and support like I had never known before.  Many, many good things came out of what I had thought was so very tragic at the time.  

So, keep a positive attitude!!  This is key...do not let yourself become a "victim".  Watch as many funny movies as possible or what ever makes you laugh and your heart smile. 

Peace and love to you!

Hi Kem,

This is an amazing story, thank you so much for sharing. I myself have just been diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer, stage 1 grade 3. Im 32 with a 2 year old daughter so did not see this coming! Its been a few days now since diagnosis, and i have a treatment plan in place. Whilst we are still in some degree of shock, we are bloody determined on fighting this! Well I don’t have a choice, my daughter needs her mama! Its stories like yours that give me so much encouragement, positivity is going to get us through this. So thank you for sharing your story.

Hi, I have just finished treatment, after a long year, I'm 29, got diagnosed at the end of last year with triple neagative stage 2, grade 3. I too have 3 young children. My treatment kept changing throughout the year, as I had many side effects, but believe me, you will get through this, try to keep positive, even on bad days, I was an emotional mess on and off, the hardest thing for me was loosing my hair, I felt like I'd lost my identity, but believe me when I say, it does come back! mines growing really fast now. I tried wigs but didn't get on with them, so ordered some chemo headscarf's, and have wore them since January, I say to myself, at least I'll save money on hair products,, It is such a shock in the beginning, and your mind runs away with you, but having your family around you, will make you stronger and more determined than ever. sending hugs xx

Hi Ellie1989, 

That's amazing, thank you for that lovely message! I really appreciate your encouragement! It was such a shock but you are right, family makes me determined to fight this and come out the other side even stronger! Keep up the positivity! xxx

i have also just been diagnosed with this age 37 and wondered what yiur treatment plan was ? it's been a couple of months so i hope it went well. 

thanks

Hi paulap 

I was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer on 28th jan. I'm 39 years old with 2 children. This thing certainly turns your whole life upside down. I have grade 2 12mm lump in my left breast. My surgeon has advised that he will do a lumpectomy and sentinel node removal. This is being done tomorrow after a long 3 week wait for this to take place.

i had an isotope injection today that turns the nodes blue so they know where to remove. Then got to wait 3 weeks for those results. 
hope your well

loumw

Hi Paulap,

I'm sorry to hear that, i was diagnosed in Sept, i'm 32 and have a 2 year old daughter. My treatment plan was 4 cycles of weekly paclitaxol and carboplatin every three weeks followed by three cycles of EC. I responded really well to the chemo (i was told triple negative is known to respond well to chemo) and my tumour went so i didn't need the 7th cycle of chemo. I had a lumpectomy two weeks ago (to remove the clip that was put in to mark where the tumour was before chemo started and biopsy some tissue to check all cancer cells are gone (fingers crossed!) and then i'll have three weeks of radiotherapy in a few weeks time.

I've had highs and lows but honestly hasn't been that awful, i've met some really inspiring people and done my best to stay positive throughout. Took the view that this is just another square to my life tapestry and what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Recommend the headspace app and some reflexology to treat yourself. 
 

You've got this!xxx

Hi Paulap

yes it's been a few month . I was diagnosed last September with an aggressive stage 3 , 57mm invasive Ducatal carcinoma , triple negative ( the younger woman's rarer breast cancer ) as I'm sure you're already aware . I have spread to lymph nodes and internal mammary glands . I've been in chemotherapy for the last 5 months and have another 2 months of chemo to go . As my tumour was so big at 57mm we needed extensive chemo  pre op . I'm planned for a double mastectomy in April then query post op chemo and certainly radiotherapy. My treatment plan is a year in total but to be honest I can't believe Im nearly halfway there !  It turns your life upside down completely and all you can think is you don't want to leave your children without a Mammy  . My little girl is 6 . I think you have to hope for the best possible outcome and laugh when you can . My husband and I laughed and cried together the day I had my hair shaved . They don't tell you when it falls out it actually hurts , shaving it is a relief ! I honestly think the cancer doesn't like it when you're positive and laugh . Mine is shrinking nicely and oncologist feels I'm having a good response . I've managed With chemo fairly well apart from at Xmas I was admitted to hospital for 10 nights with neutropenic sepsis and pneumonia . That caused a few weeks of chemo being delayed which is frustrating but I'm caught up now ! I try to enjoy the good days and accept the rubbish days as they're enevitable . Sometimes you want to cry and eat crap so just go with the flow but I think having kids keeps you going as you really have yes choice . Use the people around you to help wheh needed .  I told myself at the start that I was going to beat this and I wasn't going anywhere without a bloody big fight . Im also a paediatric nurse and I run a large children's transplant unit so I've had the privelage of seeing little people come through cancer so if they can do it so can I !! That's what I tell myself on the tough days !  Ask lots of questions at appointments and write it all down as I guarantee you'll be bamboozled ! I wish you lots of luck on your journey and hope for a fab outcome for you and your loved ones xxxx

Hi all, I’ve not posted since Nov. 2018. I finished treatment May 19 for tnbc. Chemo, lumpectomy, nodes, n radiation! 

I am so happy to say that I honestly can put most of this in my past. Living my full life with my three boys, and not looking back. My hair is just below my ears, and I can’t wait to put it all in a bobble. Loool. 

I know it’s hard but it really can be ‘just a Phase’ for most of us. 

Stay strong sisters and you’ll get through it. 

Love to all of u . Xxx

Hi 

I finished my treatment in May 2019 also. I am off to my bucket list holiday to South Africa next week.  Feeling good and looking forward to it although I am still wearing wig as my hair has come in really horrible.  I love my wigs so I don’t mind.  Be positive everyone and get plenty walking and exercise be it active in house a sport.  Golf helped me big time.  Praying for everyone with a difficult treatment.  I was lucky. 

hey 

thanks for all your time and response. it's really helpful to hear other people's experiences and has helped ease my mind with some questions. all your stories make me feel hopefull! as you all have said it's scary especiallly having young  children. Just got keep focused on the positive will few better when know exact plan ! 

Hi Loumw,

I just want to wish you well for your surgery tomorrow.

I shall be thinking of you tomorrow and am sure that you'll find it a breeze.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Loumw,

I just want to wish you well for your surgery tomorrow.

I shall be thinking of you tomorrow and am sure that you'll find it a breeze.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx