Hi, I don't even know where to begin, I'm sorry to hear about your diagnosis this year was the hardest year of my life; it was meant to be special and exciting but it turned out to be a nightmare.

At the start of the lockdown in March I found out I was pregnant with my second child everything was great I was over the moon my partner and my daughter were so excited, then a few months down the line I felt a lump on my right breast.

I booked an appointment done some test and got diagnosed with TNBC in July whilst 5 months pregnant at 30. I didn't enjoy the end of my pregnancy at all 

I started chemo 3 weeks later, at first I was scared because I didn't know if the treatment would harm the baby, but the doctor's assured me that my baby would be safe. I think because my hormones were all over the place I used to cry non stop... I thank God every day for my partner he's been my rock through out this horror movie.

I started chemo in August I would have treatment every 3 weeks but unfortunately my tumor was not shrinking. The my treatment was changed in October, I had to go in every week for 3 weeks and then stop a month before I was induced.

I was induced on the 11th of November 2020 and my princess was born on the 14th of November she was born 2 weeks early. 

For that moment I forgot I had breast cancer I  went home the same day because I had a natural birth and the doctors gave me the all clear.

On the 19th of November I had a mastectomy I'm still coming to terms with it, all I could say to myself was im doing it for my children. They took some lymph nodes to check the staging.

The surgery went well, my lymph nodes were clear and my ct scan was clear aswell. I due to start treatment again in a week.
 

We will beat this beast and it will never come back again. 

Hi, [@Angelbless]‍ 

Thanks for sharing your story.

How awful this year has been for you, and it must have all been so much harder with all of the lockdowns and uncertainties surrounding that. But congratulations on the birth of your daughter, I am glad she was able to be the light at the end of the tunnel for you.

How did you find chemo? Is that what you will be starting again next week? 

I just want to get going now lol.

yes, absolutely we will ! 

[@Sue49]‍ , Hi again. Thanks for getting back. What type is it if you don’t mind me asking? We’re all different with different treatment paths as you will know. Having a C cup sounds very agreeable after a H cup, you will know exactly what I’m talking about with bells on! I used to love running up until an ankle injury almost 20 years ago, but sports bras back then were worse than useless, and the pain and discomfort I got from doing something I loved was not enjoyable. I’m thinking - when the other is reduced to match, assuming all goes well..........pretty bras from anywhere, wearing a tailored suit or dress without my boobs walking in a room first, wearing something tailored ‘well’, I was a size 10/12 in my youth, I’min my 50’s now and  a 16, so my back size has gone up, but a jacket never fitted me right, always pulling at the front. I can’t help but see the positives, and hopefully will do for as long as I’m around. Good luck with everything, and do get back through your treatment, I’d love to hear what you ‘chose’ surgery wise. All the best, Lyn. X

Hiya

All I have been told is that it is now grade 3 invasive ductal cancer.  It was originally grade 2 as they thought it was about 3cmbut after surgery it was actually 4.5cm.   I have been told that dcis is in the margins bit the invasive cancer has been removed.

Chemo has never been ruled out and part of me is expecting that I might need some but radiotherapy has been mentioned tight from the word go along with hormone tablets. 

I think I'm more or less set on trying the reduction first unless advised differently from the medical team.  The nurses have said there is no right or wrong answer.  I've just turned 50 so hadn't started having mammograms.  Just felt a lump and then noticed a dimple. I knew it wasn't right. 

I will let you know how I get on.  I also am very positive with everything you have to be

Sue xx

[@Sue49]‍ Hi Sue, I think you should go for whatever you yourself feel the most comfortable with, only you can decide that. If the reduction is fine to go ahead with as far as your surgeon is concerned, rather than the mastectomy that’s brilliant news for you. By the type I meant the oestrogen or progesterone negative or positive as in mine being Her2-positive, they’re all different, I didn’t know which type has hormone tablets as treatment, I’m a bit green about anything other than Her2-pos.  I wish you all the best going forward and do let us know. You take care, Lyn.X

Hi, recently found this forum, I am triple positive with 5cm lump and positive lymph nodes. I am to have chemo first, then mastectomy, then radiation therapy. I am to have herceptin. Can anyone tell me how this is administered?? I read it is IV, do you attend clinic for it?.

Thanks and sorry for the hijack 

[@Anniemc2]‍ Hi Annie, please don’t apologise for the hijack, all are very welcome. Sorry to hear of your diagnosis. You are having chemo first to shrink the tumour. If you’ve read the thread I am 3 weeks post mastectomy (with reconstruction on the day), my treatment path is - surgery first, small tumours (or first thought to be), then chemo, then 1 year Herceptin, then radiotherapy after everything else including surgery is finished. Herceptin can be given via IV or a via a subcutaneous injection to alternate thighs, I don’t really know why the decision is made on the administration of Herceptin or what determines it. My first onco appointment is the 2nd march when I will find out more, but that is definitely a question on my list. If IV i’m sure it would be given at the same place as chemo, unsure about the injection. If someone else doesn’t add to the link with more info for you given on their experience I will get back to you as soon as after my appointment. All the very best, Lyn. X 

Thanks for the reply, it was also mentioned to me that it could be IV or subcutaneous. How are you feeling after mastectomy? Is recovery longer with reconstruction?? I am starting chemo on March 3rd, my oncologist said the first four treatments are the worst and then it gets better after that as the drugs are changed, I'm getting pertusamab at the start. 

[@Anniemc2]‍ Hi, I’m nor sure if it’s longer with recon, I only really experienced real pain when the nerve blocker they insert during surgery wore off on about day five. I was given strong painkillers for ten days, they killed the pain almost immediately. By the tail end of week two I was fine. The drains coming out made a difference to things, it was very ‘freeing’. I had heard someone mention that Herceptin was a bit tough and Pertuzumab is similar. The very best of luck for march 3rd, I do hope you get a smooth ride, please do let me know how you get on, if you feel up to it. I will get my exact treatment path on march 2nd. Look after yourself, Lyn. x

Hi all. 

Nice to see some new posters here. If you know what I mean! Hope everyone is doing well. 

My surgery went well and I seem to be recovering ok. Took a few days away from it all as I was feeling a little squeamish after surgery but it was just me being whimpy :laugh: I bled a bit after but thankfully my sister is a community nurse and came to change my dressings a couple of times. Now they are off and I'm trying not to look at my frankenboob too much lol. 

It will be two or three weeks until I get my results so fingers crossed all is good news. My oncoplasty said the lump had grown from diagnosis to surgery but I haven't had any specific details yet. I knew it had so that wasn't a great surprise. 

At the minute I'm just doing my exercises, trying not to think too far ahead and letting myself heal. 

hugs all round 

XX

[@Phili1]‍ . Hi Phili, You were on my mind thursday, I thought you’d be back when you were a few days on. I didn’t want to message you, and give you a chore getting back to me. SO pleased everything went well, you sound in really good spirits, how fab having sis on hand - marvellous! that’s so great for you. Mine had really grown too, to be expected I guess. The results took 3 weeks to come back with all the added pressure of covid on the path lab. Fingers crossed for good news for you love. Chill out, treat yourself kindly, enjoy eating what makes you happy, and a huge hug back to you. All the best, Lyn. X

Hi everyone.  Hope nobody minds me gatecrashing.  One of my relatives has just been diagnosed with Stage 2 IDC.  She has had a CT Scan which we are awaiting results for.  She's quite a close relative, so I'm in bits with her waiting for the results.  I'm sorry to read that so many of you are going through this.  We've been here before with my relative too, stage 3 triple neg. mastectomy followed by chemo.  This time it's different so different treatment.  

Sorry for gatecrashing, but you all seem lovely and I hope I'll be able to help with moral support (even though I'm not experiencing it myself)

Hi everyone.  Hope nobody minds me gatecrashing.  One of my relatives has just been diagnosed with Stage 2 IDC.  She has had a CT Scan which we are awaiting results for.  She's quite a close relative, so I'm in bits with her waiting for the results.  I'm sorry to read that so many of you are going through this.  We've been here before with my relative too, stage 3 triple neg. mastectomy followed by chemo.  This time it's different so different treatment.  

Sorry for gatecrashing, but you all seem lovely and I hope I'll be able to help with moral support (even though I'm not experiencing it myself)