New and scared

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Hi,

I am at the beginning of my Chemo Journey, I found a lump at the beginning of February in my left breast. I have a history of cysts and thought maybe it was a complex filled cyst as I had recently been put on HRT, I’m my mind I thought maybe that had messed with usual hormonal breast changes.

I am so glad I went to the Doctors straight away and did not wait, I saw a nurse practitioner the next morning, 2 weeks later I was in the breast clinic who took a biopsy the same day, this was all very scary but I didn’t feel anything other than anxiety, 10 days later I was told I have grade 3 triple negative breast cancer. After MRI and Ct scans a few days later I saw my Oncologist (can’t believe these titles are coming from me, I never go to Drs if I can help it) and she says stage 1-2, grade 3, with the MRI and CT scans looking good. My plan is 3 x EC Chemo, on 21 day cycle, more scans, ( can’t remember if I have more EC after). A different Chemo by weekly injection for 12 weeks, with a hope of shrinking the tumor for breast conserving lumpectomy. Probably Radiotherapy to boot!

This is all so scary, I am 48 but hate anything medical, I am taking it one day at a time and dealing with each section of treatment in its own right rather than looking too far ahead. The bigger picture is a cure and cancer free life. I am trying to remain positive.

First Chemo went fine, a few niggles, little tired but ok but as my work is customer contact related I’ve taken time off work as Covid is doing the rounds with staff. I’m hoping to be able to work remotely on the paperwork side of things to keep in the loop and keep my sanity. My husband is forces and we do not live near family, my children have left home live at the other end of the country and have there own jobs to keep. It sucks!

That’s me for now, hoping to turn this all around and beat this little sucker and start living again.

Daisy53 over 3 years ago

Hi Harrigoose

Welcome to the forum and sorry to hear that you were diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer.

It's good that you are taking things one day at a time and that you are trying to remain positive. I was diagnosed with grade 3 triple negative breast cancer in early September 2020 and after having chemo, surgery and radiotherapy I am now cancer free.

Best of luck with the rest of your chemo.

Best wishes.

Daisy53

Harrigoose over 3 years ago in reply to Daisy53

Thank you Daisy53,

It is so good to hear you are Cancer free and from this end of the Journey fills me with hope for a successful outcome.

Sandrad over 3 years ago in reply to Harrigoose

Hi Harrigoose and Daisy53

like you Harrigoose, I had same diagnosis, and am going for my 2nd of 3 cycles of chemo this Friday. After the 3rd cycle, I have 12 weekly chemo sessions, followed by surgery and then 3 weeks of radiotherapy. did yours spread to your lymph nodes?

it’s great to hear stories like Daisy53, and it gives us hope that we hopefully will be cancer free after all our treatment.

take care

sandra

Harrigoose over 3 years ago in reply to Sandrad

Good evening Sandra,

The Oncologist does not think the Lymph nodes are involved, although she said they will prob remove one.

As with you this is all very new, I’m trying not to Google too much and there are so many different journeys out there and we are all different in our ability to deal with this physically and emotionally.

I am 1 week post first session, all good so far, a few small issues but the vein in my arm is my main concern. It’s still sore which I’m told can be normal given the chemicals. Just hope the chemicals are doing the business with the tumor.

We will do this.

X

Sandrad over 3 years ago in reply to Harrigoose

Hi Harrygoose, like you I was advised not to Google and may have only looked once or twice. It’s so much better asking questions and looking at other peoples experiences on this site.

I know I have 2 cancerous nodes to come out at the same time as my lumpectomy, so will prepare myself for that nearer the time, which should be beginning of September.

my veins didn’t look good to start with, so I had a PICC put in and it’s marvellous. I was apprehensive about it before it went in, but I don’t feel a thing during chemo, and bloods can be taken through it May be worth asking about it!

my first session I was a little nauseous for 3 days but taking all the pills meant I could continue normally, with just a little nap sometime during the day. I also had little appetite for 3 days . Day 4 onwards I have increased appetite and back to my normal self.

it was so reassuring to hear the oncologist say that the tumour had reduced in size after just one chemo session . Little comments like that make you feel so much better, and ready to go back for s3cond session.

take care

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