Hi Annie sorry to hear you are in this position but there are lots of lovely people on here to try to answer or help with your anxieties.

I am 58 older than yourself but obviously just as anxious as everybody is.

I too was terrified of having chemo and cried a lot. I wasn't told that chemo was expected initially as my lump was 22 mam with no node involvement but following tests after surgery my tumour had eroded blood vessels which is as bad as having positive nodes. Anyway I have just had my 3 rd cycle last Tuesday , I need 6 , and have to say it is manageable. 
The side effects for me have been very tired but I just rest, sore eyes but have eye drops, constipation but now have medication and a bit shaky but I can put up with this as the chemo quite significantly decreases the risk  of it returning.

Everybody experiences different side effects but most of them can be managed with other medications. 
I am glad I accepted this as it is definitely very doable!  
It is entirely up to you whether you accept chemo but I know what I would do if I was in your position lovely.

Im sure if you contact your oncologist they will arrange it if you chose to have chemo.

I would at this point accept anything to help prevent it coming back as I have a lot of living to do!

Take care 

Love Kiera 

Thank you for responding. I have been in touch with the Oncologist and am waiting for her to phone me back so that I can start my treatment. X

Hi Annie that's brilliant, hope you get sorted. Maybe ask more question when they ring so you understand all the implications of your diagnosis, maybe compile a list before hand xxx

Hi Annie,

I'm sorry to hear of your diagnosis. I have been diagnosed with the same TNBC as you. Because of TNBC and it's nature, I asked my consultant if could have the lump taken away first, then give me Chemo and everything else I needed after.

My Oncologist said the best way forward is to have 8 cycles of Chemo first, surgery, then radiotherapy. That way they could see if the Chemo was working by shrinking the lump. (makes sense now). Anyway, I had my second cycle last Thursday, and I feel it had reduced in size already, and my Oncologist agrees. I  had nausea, a sore tongue and was tired a lot, but like Kiera said, with rest and changing your meds to combat the side effects, it's doable.

I can't think why your Oncologist wouldn't agree to giving you Chemo, unless it interferes with your healing process and overall recovery period. 

Take care, hope all goes well 

Xx

Thank you so much for your encouragement. I have decided to go ahead with the chemo and start my treatment on 18 March.  I still feel very anxious but know now that I need this to give myself a good chance of recovery.  God bless