New diagnosis

Hi there,

I have just finished 5 months of chemo for triple negative - yes lots to take in. I’m very happy to answer any questions if thats helpful.

You can do this!

Jan x

Hi Mollyfcr, really sorry to hear you have breast cancer but well done for finding this site, you will read about/ hear fomr some some amazing women.  You do not say what your treatment plan is so I only wish you all the best, hopefully before you know it you will be one of the women supporting others on this site.  We tread where thousands have trod before.  Love from Ann

Have triple negative  and start  weekly chemo and immunotherapy for 12 weeks then another 12 weeks of 3 week cylcles before op . Feeling very overwhelmed 

Ho thanks  for answering  .Did you have weekly then  3 weekly ? And

immunotherapy or a different version ?  Hiw ill did you feel please.. I

Hi there,

I has 3 cycles of EC (every three weeks), and then 9 weeks of Paclitaxel with carboplatin every three weeks. I didn’t have immunotherapy as I didn’t fit the criteria for this. I also had genetic testing.

i didn’t feel ill through any of my treatment. I did have waves of tiredness - really have to drink loads of water to flush the toxins out. I had one throat ulcer with EC. I also felt a bit spaced out at times with EC.

I used the cold cap and kept my hair - doesn't work for everyone but it did for me. I didn’t lose appetite or have altered taste change. I continued to walk my dog for an hour or so every day as well as part time work. I rested when i needed - and I really did need to sometimes. I built in small treats for myself -  a massage here and there, lunch it with a friend etc etc.

I thought of the chemo as an army of soldiers fighting hard and winning. I reframed chemo in my head as being my friend rather than my enemy which I think helped me to feel less angry with the relentlessness of it.

I have op arranged for August 10th. I’m not saying it’s all a walk in the park  -  it isn’t. But it has been doable. 

I feel the most important thing is to not allow cancer and its impact to take control of your mind as it will then consume you completely. I held on to the mantra of  ‘ I have thoughts, but I am not my thoughts’. It helped to reframe it all and remember that ‘I have cancer, but I am not cancer - I am so much more than cancer’ As indeed are you.

Jan x

Hi there, so sorry you have also been diagnosed with cancer. Yes to life and cancer active are very hopeful websites to look at. All about what we can do to help ourselves respond better to treatment. Some great stories on there too