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 ! 

[@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)

[@yorkiegal]‍ Thank you. Yes I'm very lucky to have her, she loves wounds too so good job lol it makes me laugh how different we are :laugh:. 

struggling with rib pain at the minute. Not sure what that's all about but I'll ask my BC nurse when I speak to her next. 

how are you doing? What's new? I read you've got an appointment 2nd march. I'll be thinking of you then. 

@Supergirl12 I'm sorry to hear of your relatives diagnosis. I think back to when my uncle got his cancer diagnosis and I think I had a harder time getting to grips with that then I have with my own diagnosis. I know it's very hard to feel like you can't help. But just by being there to listen to concerns or rants or just to talk about something other than cancer is a huge help! 

your more than welcome on here lovely. We've all been touched by cancer in some way or another and it's just about sticking together. So anything we can do or questions we can answer ask away xx

[@Phili1]‍, Hi, Phili, Sorry to hear about your rib pain, not had that as such, could it be the compression bra? I can only explain that for me it felt like I had an iron bra on crushing me at first, now four weeks on that feeling has completely disappeared even though I’m in the same bra (x 2). You might automatically think ‘rib pain’ as the bra, if tight, could feel like it’s impacting on your ribs. Not much doing here at the moment, the visits to see my wonderful breast care nurse (and surgeon when he’s around) are now just once a week. Looking forward to next tuesday the 2nd (and not looking forward to it at the same time if you get my drift!). I want to know my exact treatment path, i’ve had the ‘supposed path’ from the first biopsy stage, but as we all know in this ever changing scenario, that has possibly been revised after the breast removal and final cancer size result.

So, it’s friday, and hubby and I have an uninterrupted four days together, it looks to be dry here in sunny (not!) Lancashire, lots of walks, fresh air, a bit of garden work (right hand only), but probably me just orchestrating hubby! My mood has lifted, I feel positively positive, lets see what tuesday brings.............. a big hug to you Phili and ALL other lovelies out there going through similar things. X

[@yorkiegal]‍  Hope you enjoyed your weekend, what a cracker it turned out to be! Everything feels better with the sun shining :cool:

I Don't think it's my bra, to be honest it feels bruised and I wonder if there was just a lot of pressure in that area during surgery. Hopefully it will start to ease. I'll bring it up when I get my results if it's still there. No date yet though. 

​​​​​Will be thinking of you tomorrow! Look after yourself and let us know how you get on when you are able. 

hugs to all

Phili xx

[@Phili1]‍ , There may well have been some pressure I guess, definitely worth a mention at your next appointment if it lingers on. Fingers crossed for some results to come in speedily for you, that was the worst part for me, waiting, waiting, waiting. Covid has definitely had a huge impact on the path labs - no one’s fault.........still here and standing, all the tens of thousands that have lost their lives to it aren’t, I tried to think of that during my impatience, and it helped a wee bit - not my strong point!

Glad you enjoyed the weekend, it was marvellous to get out in the garden in the sun doing a bit, albeit one handed, I would have de-weeded and dug all the borders over in a normal february - hey ho.

Very many thanks for your good wishes for today, I will let you know, probably tomorrow as it’s quite a late appointment this afternoon, then family to ring etc, I’m so pleased I kept this to a small circle of friends, it would seem like a bit of a chore if I hadn’t. I just ring immediate family and my bestie on days like this, and one round robin email for the friends. Easy peasy. 

A big hug to you too Phili, and everyone else too. Lyn. XX

[@Phili1]‍ , There may well have been some pressure I guess, definitely worth a mention at your next appointment if it lingers on. Fingers crossed for some results to come in speedily for you, that was the worst part for me, waiting, waiting, waiting. Covid has definitely had a huge impact on the path labs - no one’s fault.........still here and standing, all the tens of thousands that have lost their lives to it aren’t, I tried to think of that during my impatience, and it helped a wee bit - not my strong point!

Glad you enjoyed the weekend, it was marvellous to get out in the garden in the sun doing a bit, albeit one handed, I would have de-weeded and dug all the borders over in a normal february - hey ho.

Very many thanks for your good wishes for today, I will let you know, probably tomorrow as it’s quite a late appointment this afternoon, then family to ring etc, I’m so pleased I kept this to a small circle of friends, it would seem like a bit of a chore if I hadn’t. I just ring immediate family and my bestie on days like this, and one round robin email for the friends. Easy peasy. 

A big hug to you too Phili, and everyone else too. Lyn. XX

@Phili1, Hi, Got the treatment path yesterday. 6 cycles (18 weeks) of TCH which is Docetaxol and Carboplatin via IV, and Herceptin via injection, continued by 18 cycles (54 weeks) of Herceptin via injection, followed by 3 years biphosphonates via IV every 6 months. Waiting for date for MUGA scan, will probably get a call over next day or two, then chemo to start immediately after within the next week. Will let you know how I get on. Lyn. X

[@yorkiegal]‍ Hi!

Wow that’s a whole lot of drugs. You just don’t realise until you have to do it, how many different things are involved do you! But it’s good that they are doing as much as possible  to stop it coming back. A lot to take in, but nice to have a plan I bet!

How are you feeling after your appointment?

I had some good news yesterday. My margins are clear and so are my lymph nodes. Yay. My cancer had grown 4mm in six weeks! Scary, but I’m so relieved my lymph’s are clear. Still no HR2 yet, but they are giving me chemo anyway so that’s the next step. 

Im expecting to hear from the oncology team this week to get me set up with all the initial jazz. 

My frankenboob is healing nicely, and my rib feels better. I’ve got slight cording under my armpit but it’s not too much of an issue at the minute, so fingers crossed it stays that way. 

Hugs xx

[@Phili1]‍ , Hi, How am I feeling after the appointment.............. kind of resigned to it all, just wanting to get on with it really. I got the MUGA appointment call just now, that’s on friday, so should be all systems go next week at some point. I’m thrilled your lymph nodes are clear, and your margins that’s WONDERFUL news, that must be a weight off. You had a real result with only a 4mm growth in six weeks, one of my tumours tripled in size to 18mm and the other which was a ‘multi nodal mass’ had grown from 10mm to 25mm in around 5 weeks. (It may sound like it, but I’m not playing top trumps here - lol!). The oncologist mentioned that it looked to be in the process of moving on. I am so pleased I went with the mastectomy, and that the surgery was super fast.

I guess your oncologist will need the definite type via your actual removed biopsy from the path lab before your specific chemo package can be put together. So Phili, you’re healing nicely, ribs feeling better, hopefully slight cording with remain exactly that - or reduce, things are looking good gal. Well chuffed for you.

will keep in touch re chemo experience as soon as. Take care, Lyn. XX

Glad to hear your margins are clear Phil. Lyn, hope you're doing OK after yesterday's treatment path. 

I started chemo yesterday. AC chemo. Aka the red devil lol. I'm doing well so far, weak and tired, slight nausea but it passes quickly. I took my neutilus injection today to increase my white blood cell count, a bit of facial flush but OK otherwise. 

I have three AC chemo more to do every two weeks, then taxotere weekly and trastuzumab and herceptin three weekly I think. 

Take your side effects tablets nó matter what, I think that's what helping me, the tiredness is the worst but you cope, I have a one year old and four year old so I have no choice ha, my surgery won't be until August all going well so I will be looking for tips and tricks. I had the MUGA scan on Monday, it was fine, only about an hour and half, they take blood, mix it with radiation, then injection back in, scan itself takes about 20 mins x

[@Anniemc2]‍ Hi Annie, Thanks for checking in, I’m fine after finding out the treatment, I’m pleased to hear your nausea passed quickly. I will definitely take the side effects stuff as prescribed!  My chemo is TCH - Docetaxel + Carboplatin three weekly for 18 weeks (6 cycles) with Herceptin via subcutaneous injection also three weekly for 18 weeks (6 cycles) but continuing on for a further 18 cycles (54 weeks) then IV biphosphonate for three years to help with bone density. Thanks for the tips for the MUGA scan I’m having it tomorrow. Waiting for phone call for 1st chemo, which should start next week - EEK. The oncologist did say that the fatigue will build up greatly over the 6 cycles, and I need to be prepared for that. I came away from hospital with a box of steroids to take for 3 days - the day before, day of, and day after chemo, told to take the 1st dose AFTER breakfast but not to take the second dose after 2pm or I won’t sleep at all, i’m an insomniac anyway. Any tips I can give you I will absolutely, just ask. I wish you well, and keep my fingers crossed your side effects are minimal and very manageable. Will let you know how I get on with the 1st chemo. Take care Annie. Lyn. X

[@yorkiegal]‍ Bloody hell ! You definitely win lol that’s one hell of a growth rate. Thank goodness they got that nasty beep out! 

Hope your scan goes well tomorrow. I won’t lie, I had to look that one up. Learning so much on this journey! 

@Anniemac2 hope your doing well. I’ll definitely remember the tips for my chemo. Look after yourself.

here to chat ladies 

Phili xx

[@yorkiegal]‍  [@Anniemc2]‍  How are you both feeling? 

Lyn hope your first treatment went as well as can be hoped. I've heard from my BC nurse today and my HR2 came back as positive. So I'm not really sure what that means other than the herceptin along side the chemo but I've got my oncology appointment on Monday so I'm sure I'll find out more then. Also have an appointment on Friday with physio to sort out this bloody cording! 

Hope everyone is well 

Phili xx

[@Phili1]‍  [@Anniemc2]‍ , Hi Ladies, Had first chemo yesterday, everything went well, no adverse reactions. I cold capped - that was fine, a bit cold but definitely no brain freeze. I had the Herceptin injection to the stomach first, then the cold cap was put on, 30 mins to get down to temperature then hooked up to docetaxel for an hour, 30 minutes for the cold cap to cool down & taken off  then given carboplatin over 1 hour - no cool cap for that as it doesn’t cause hair loss.  All in all it wasn’t scary at all. I’m waiting for the really unpleasant side effects to kick in, prob day 3 to 4 so I’m told with the Docetaxel. The steroids are a nightmare, I have suffered with insomnia for 20 plus years anyway, but ZERO sleep, I was up all night on Monday, and up from 2am today - didn’t go to bed until midnight. Thankfully last day of taking them today until next chemo sesh.

Sorry to hear the cording is a problem Phili, I hope you can get it sorted with some physio, it must be a right pain. Let us know how you get on with the Onc on monday. From reading the feedback on cancer chat the Herceptin is a breeze compared to chemo.

Glad to hear you’ve only had mild nausea Annie, I took one anti sickness at 5pm yesterday as my stomach was in the turn a bit, will take them today, ferling a bit iffy now - could be lack of sleep! Taking my Pegfilgrastim injection today for the white cell count too.

Keep on keeping on ladies, thinking of you both. Lyn.X

Hi phili and lyn, glad you are not too bad lyn after first session, day three and four were a bit worse for me but it was mainly just fatigue and a bit of diarheaa, all manageable, by day 6 I was really starting to feel better and by day 8 I was back to normal. I had some nausea but I just ate through it and that worked for me! 

My hair is starting to fall out, bought myself a very expensive real hair wig today and it's fab so I'm happy with that. I don't start herceptin until another 7 weeks so let me know how you tolerate that. 

Phili, both myself and lyn are her2 also, so you will probably be on a similar regime as lyn, I hope physio sorts you out, what is cording? 

Mind yourselves ladies xx

[@Anniemc2]‍ [@Phili1]‍ , Hi Annie, Feeling a bit pants today, to be expected I guess, nauseous, awful metallic taste in the mouth, making everything taste rank, and strange striking lower leg pains. Good for you with the wig, so pleased you’re happy with it, I bet that gave you a boost. I can’t differentiate which side effects are which, the metallic taste is obvs carboplatin, not a clue which drugs the other effects are coming from, I will know when I’m on Herceptin on its own in several months time, but that will be after you have started on it, so not overly helpful. Glad you were able to motor through the nausea. Take care, Lyn. XX