Hi carol im 38 and was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer just over a week ago, my oestrogen and HER2 are negative just awaiting the last one to confirm triple negative, I have my MRI booked for Tuesday and my insert fitted Wednesday for 12 weekly chemo sessions, I’m dreading chemo was hoping it would be a last resort. I hope your keeping ok xx

So sorry to hear what all of you lovelies are going through at the moment. Lebell84 I am of a similar age (40 in the next week) and just wondered what your symptoms were if you don’t mind me asking? Were you told they think it’s C at the end of your scans etc or did you not have a clue and only found out when receiving biopsy results?

im just awaiting my results.  Xx

Hi Julles

Well done at getting through 3 chemo sessions so far.  That's amazing.  That's a quarter of the way there.  

Sometimes we worry about things and we've no idea why.  Don't beat yourself up about it.  You're allowed to worry.  What we're all going through is major and will take it's toll on us both physically and mentally, and some days will be better than others.  Give yourself a round of applause for battling on and being determined to beat this.  Go have some fun wig shopping.  If you can, have a 'you' day. 

I hope chemo goes well for you tomorrow.  Thinking of you all. xx

Hi Carol

Thank you 

I am actually going wig shopping tomorrow, hopefully depending on how I feel after todays cocktail of drugs.

Julles63

Hi Carol

Sorry for the late reply. We do sound very similar and I know what you mean when you say  you don't feel quite so alone. 

How are you feeling today?

My Chemo went OK yesterday, immunotherapy treatment that's every 3 weeks..phewwww. Feel.ok today, but learning hatt can change in a blink of an eye.

Sending hugs xx

Tracey

Hi Julles63

How did the wig shopping go? I'm due to go Saturday

Hope the chemo went OK

Take care  Tracey

Hi Tracey 

Once my heart rate settles after all the morning routine, I have been feeling fine this week.  I'm very apprehensive about my next chemo session next Thursday.  Like you, my immunotherapy is only every other session (as I'm every 3 weeks, that's every 6th week for immuno), also, like you, I'm very relieved, as that seems to be the baddest boy of the bunch!  

Hope you continue to feel ok or better.  Just remember to look after you and listen to your body.  That was the biggest mistake I made last week, trying to carry on as if nothing was happening.  My body soon took control of that scenario lol. 

Here when you need me :)  

Hugs xxx

Carol

Hi Carol

I am exactly the same and also my heart pounds before any appointments,never been like this , suppose its part and parcel of our situation

What day is you chemo session next week. Try and relax and if you need a chat pop on her anytime..everybody Will support you , you are not alone in this xxx

I'm taking it easy made the mistake of trying to be normal at the beginning of the week and that went badly..lol

Sending big hugs xxx

Tracey

Hi,

hope you don’t mind me jumping on this thread but really just looking for support. 

I was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer on Friday and I feel like I have been handed a life sentence. I am absolutely terrified of going for these scans and it being even worse then it is right now. 

Im only 30 and have a daughter and im so scared to leave her. 

I have had to move back in with my parents as I am so scared, barely ate and cannot sleep.

Sorry to be a downer… I’m just so lost. 

x

Hi Kmills,

so sorry to hear of your diagnosis it’s an awful time, I too am relatively young at 48 and have 2 young children, I also have triple negative breast cancer so I know exactly how you feel.

on the plus side you have found your cancer and it’s now in the hands of the people who know what to do for the best. You will beat this I am sure and we will do it together.

lovely you have the support of your family and they will help you get through. There are soooo many things they can do now to help so please don’t think of it as a life sentance, there are many on here that will help to reassure they have come out of the other side and life is good again.

I am currently on 4/16 of my chemotherapy treatments and side effects have not been to bad for me, although I have now started to loose my hair :(

we are all gear for you and we can try and answer any questions you have at any time.

sending love and hugs xx

Hi Kmills

Sorry to hear of your diagnosis. I've also been diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer.

You are not alone in this, talk to as many people as you can. Good to know you have a good support system with family. 

It really is a rollercoaster of emotions, talking to friends, family, medical people and everybody on here can offer strength and support. There are no silly questions..every question is relevant.

Sending hugs and love

Tracey x

I am just an emotional wreck just now. I think from going from a very strong minded person so a ball of emotion and fear is unsettling for me. 

My scans are on Thursday and then 2 weeks after I start 16 weeks of chemo and then an operation (wasn’t fully paying attention so could be wrong).

In all honesty, the side effects of it doesn’t scare me. Did you try the cold cap? I’ll take a year of illness as long as I survive. Do you have any tips for going to chemo and after? 

x

I am just an emotional wreck just now. I think from going from a very strong minded person so a ball of emotion and fear is unsettling for me. 

My scans are on Thursday and then 2 weeks after I start 16 weeks of chemo and then an operation (wasn’t fully paying attention so could be wrong).

In all honesty, the side effects of it doesn’t scare me. Did you try the cold cap? I’ll take a year of illness as long as I survive. Do you have any tips for going to chemo and after? 

x

Hi

That is exactly how I felt, still.is some days. We all have good and bad and thst is totally fine.

I made sure that I started drinking plenty of water before my Chemo began, during and after. Dress comfy and take a throw, I get a bit cold. Take whatever you think you will need. The nurses are amazing and will.go through any concerns you have..its the unknown but you will feel looked after.

I tried the cold cap, but unfortunately I did not like it, but they are a few on my Wednesdays that do, so give it a try.

After I would advise listening to your body and taking care of yourself, do what feels right and don't push yourself to be super women...take each day as it comes, and if you need help, ask.

Hope this helps a little

Hugs Tracey xx

Hi Kmiĺls                                                              I  agree definitely a roller coaster of emotions. I was very distraught initially but now chemo has started and no really bad side effects, other than hair loss which will grow back. I still have worries about surgery after 24weeks of chemo. But my partner has been very supportive.  It is really good to have support from people going through similar experiences and emotions. 

I know it’s hard not to stress about it it’s only natural, and we all deal with things differently. I think I all ready new something was wrong before they even told me so it wasn’t really a surprise, we had our holiday booked which was a week after I was diagnosed, at that point they have all of my receptor results back so I didn’t know I was triple negative when we went away. My MRI was booked in for when I got back but I panicked on holiday because my breast started to look different/worse (more puckering). I was convinced the MRI would show it was worse than they thought, but then I worried for nothing as it only showed what was first diagnosed nothing more.

I suppose what I’m trying to say is try not to think the worst until you actually know, I worried for nothing.

I didn’t use the cold cap, I hate being cold and it also extends you time in treatment, it’s -4 degrees and I think you are in an hour before treatment and an hour after if you use it….I might be wrong but it wasn’t really for me, especially with no guarantee.

they did mention surgery to me aswell but I think it’s dependant on how well a job the chemo does. I’ve also had bloods done for the genetic testing.

the main thing is you have family support, and you have us on here who are also going/been through it to help.

mare you having a PICC line insert? 

xx

I felt the exact same. I was originally told it was a cyst because it was drainable but I knew deep down it wasn’t just that. I think the diagnosis of TN is just so scary as oppose to other BC’s but I may be wrong.

All I have/had was a lump which came on pretty quick- no change to my boob at all. I can feel more pain now than a few weeks ago but that’s all. So I keep hoping that because that’s all I’ve got I’m ok. 

Yes I also done the genetic testing on Friday. 

My famiky and friends have been great. My partner is in the army so works away a bit so I’ve really needed them. I’ve gone from loving my own company to hating being alone. 

No one mentioned a PICC line and I’m not sure what it even is. I literally to refused to google anything because I know I’ll end up down a rabbit hole. 

x

I know the feeling the TN worries me there may be more chance of reaccurance but I also think once we’re done (fingers crossed) we will be checked more regularly and as long as we keep an eye on our bodies for change we will be fine, I’m now just trying not to worry too much about the future but just to make sure I beat this now.

me and my husband are ex forces so I know how you feel it must be hard with him being away a lot. Good news is you still have your friends and family around, and it may be worse for him knowing he can’t be there for us as often as he likes, it’s an unfortunate side of serving.

I have my chemo weekly, and I have 2 different ones in one session, so rather than then use a cannulae every week (which can start to damage the vein) they insert a PICC line which you have in all the time and they just connect to it every week. It took some getting used to, and can’t wait to have a proper bath, but I definitely think it’s a better option if you are in weekly chemo. They didn’t really mention it to me either I just had an appointment letter sent through :/

that’s good you’ve stayed away from Google, I think I googled everything possible 10x over haha.

xx

Regarding PICC line I had put in 4 weeks ago, and it was not as bad as I was thinking it could be. 

It makes it easier to recieve chemo and have bloods taken. It was not too painful to have put in, just need to keep it covered to stay dry, they supplied a sleeve for shower.

Yeh… I have also seen people mentioned private care after words so they can request their own scans inbetween NHS. 

I do feel sorry for him. And he’s the typical man of pretending he’s fine and denying he’s not when I ask haha. 

My nurse is calling me on Tuesday so it’s something I will ask her. 

Thank you so much for replying. You’ve really helped reduce the current anxiety and fears. I will most definitely be keeping in contact with you. 

x

Let us all know how you get on lovely xx

"we will be checked more regularly"

Just so you don't get a nasty surprise, like we did, i think it's better to be made aware of the reality. Other than 1 yearly mammo, you get nothing post treatment. No matter how aggressive it was from stage 1-3.

My wife was grade 3 (very aggressive), stage 3. It was in her lymphs, and she was a boot up the backside away from being classed as terminal. She was classed as very high risk for reoccurrence for the first years, and not much better the 2nd years. With each passing year the chances become slimmer.

Anyway, she had a full response to the chemo, clear margins during her lumpectomy (was supposed to be a mastectomy, but to to her response, it was downgraded) and got around 25 doses of radiotherapy. We asked about post scans for the first 5 years because the stories we heard about cancer, these people were monitored closely. Not true with most cancers. No idea why it changed, but it has. Also, no idea if there's a science behind it, or if it's the usual NHS cost cutting exercise. Probably the latter, but it is what it is.

There's been a fair few folk on here that have been shocked by the lack of after surveillance they received. You're more or less left to your own "at home" checks.

You won't get told about this either, but it is very common to find new lumps and bumps after surgery and radiotherapy, so don't freak out if you find one or two, but do get them seen to regardless if they pop up. They're more than happy to tell you it's scar tissue, and will give you an ultrasound. I don't think they can give you another mammo until a year out, though.

To finish this off and to show not everything is doom and gloom, my wife is nearly 2 years out, and she's still fine. She's had one or two scares, but that's all they've been. It's her new normal.

Sorry about the bad grammar. I really need to start using glasses when typing.