Recent diagnosis of triple negative breasr cancer, IDC grade 3

Hello Rachel, I am so sorry to hear that you've been diagnosed with breast cancer! There is no easy way to accept such a diagnosis, but I have to say that all the lovely ladies here have gone through that terrible initial shock when everything seems hopeless, but it is not! Far from that! There's a kind of stigma about cancer, but cancer treatment is so advanced nowadays that even people with metastatic cancer live for many years and even decades with proper management of their condition! The first few days are the hardest, but things will become easier little by little over the next few weeks. The best thing you could do is to stay positive and do not let yourself think of the worst case scenarios because they don't happen that often. We have here some of the best oncologists in the world and you will be in very capable hands. You must fight and I am sure you will! Stay in touch if it helps, you can get all sort of advice here and from your breast cancer nurse. It's not easy but you will pull through! Lots of love!

Lana xx 

Hi Rachel,

sorry to hear this, I am on the same journey so I know exactly what you are going through, I will support you in any way I can, I was in your place at the end of April , same diagnoses I am nearly half way through my chemo and I’m having my half way scan tomorrow to see how the chemotherapy is responding. 
reach out to all the help that is available, your breast care team are great for information and support I don’t know what I’d have done with out them , speak to your gp about ways they can help you, I had sleeping tablets in the beginning and again I don’t know how I’d have gotten through those early days with out them 

please Don’t hesitate to ask me any question you need answering. 
take good care of yourself xxxx 

Hey Rachel,

Im here sending you a strong story of hope. I was diagnosed with TNBC on 23rd December 2022 - it was devastating news to get just before Christmas with impending bank holidays that would mean delay in test results and consultations. I can honestly say that first period of diagnosis is the worst ever. I am usually a very measured and calm person but my body and brain went into complete flight/fight/fright. I cried so much. I googled stuff and confirmed to myself my life was over.

It isn’t!

Somehow I managed to find my way back to the things that were soothing for me, very simple things - the smile of my son for example, a walk in nature, and look to these things for strength that it would be ok. I sacked off google for TNBC as its all outdated anyway and stuck to trusted websites and my team. Once I knew more about the facts and the treatment plan things settled for me that bit more. I told people in my own time and also was clear about what I needed from people, and perhaps more importantly what I didn’t need (for example I didn’t want people to look at me with that pained face and say ‘I’m sorry’) . It just made me feel worse I soon realised, so I took ownership and told people that before they had the chance to get it out! It may be harsh perhaps - but it’ your time to state your needs in this. Your friends and family will want to do the best by you but it’s exhausting dealing with everyone else’s feelings - I found it so anyway.

Fast forward 8 months. I have completed all my chemo which I started with - I had 3 cycles of EC and then 9 weeks of Paclitaxel with 3 weekly carboplatin. I mostly had an ok time on chemo - no massive side effects. Everyone is different but for me it was doable. I used the cold cap and retained my hair. Not everyone does (50%) , but I was lucky. If I had lost it then I think I would have been ok with it, small price to pay in the scheme of things.

I had genetic testing and was discovered to have a faulty gene mutation (PALB2), so this meant a very high chance of recurrence - after much deliberation I chose to have a mastectomy as a risk reduction option which I had last Thursday - I had an immediate implant reconstruction. When this is healed I will have the other side done - again as a risk reduction strategy. So far so good. I will get sentinel node biopsy results in 3 weeks which will determine if further treatment is necessary - I’m hoping not of course, but if it is, I will deal with it when I get there. A few tips:

• One step at a time - you don’t have to tackle the whole staircase!
• Stay away from Google
• Fill what time you can with things that nourish and soothe you - without guilt 
• Spend time outside in nature away from phone
• Eat lovely nutrient rich food
• Be clear with people about your needs
• Be especially kind to yourself
• Take rest when you need it - fatigue with chemo is definitely ‘a thing’!
• Engage with positive self talk
• Trust your team to do the best by you
• Se yourself as a Warrior who can come through this
• Hop on here when you need

This is what to do - one step at a time Rachel. Before you know it you will be at the top of the stair case. It may feel like one step up and one step back at times - my PALB2 realisation took me down a few stairs and I had to work out how to climb again - but I did.

You will too,

Janx

Hi, sorry you are going through this, it is never easy. I am 45, I have one son but he is 19 so can take care of himself, I was diagnosed on 22nd June with Grade 3 invasive ductual cancer, oestrogen positive and her2 positive, my treatment plan is chemo, surgery then radiotherapy, chemo that I am on is ec-t, have had 2 cycles of ec and due my 3rd next week, then will have 3 docetaxel every 3 week with phesgo injections which will be 18 cycles. The side effects I have had nausea and being tired mainly, some bouts of dizziness if I have talked too far. However last week did come done with a viral infection as well. I am doing the cold cap but have lost hair but only really thinned as mine is long and thick but does help with regrowth. Everyone is different. Just listen to your body and rest of you need too, I have been going to work on reduced hours on my good week but I do feel shattered by time I finish.

Like others have said stay away from Google as outdated info, u will find lots of support on here.

Good luck with everything x