Hi there,
I was diagnosed with triple negative invasive ductal grade 3 breast cancer yesterday. I'm 45 with no known family history of breast/ovarian cancer, although my mum died of cervical cancer 9 years ago.
I have to start with chemo as the tumour is 4cm. I have my first oncology appointment tomorrow, so think the chemo will be starting soon. After chemo, they'll assess my surgery options.
My husband is being an absolute legend about it all. We don't have kids to worry about. I am feeling overwhelmed by everything, it feels almost like it's all happening to someone else if that makes sense? I'm attempting to be positive (I'm the person who remains calm in a crisis) but I guess I'm worried it will all hit me like a bus soon.
Any advice, experiences or just positive words will be very welcome.
Hi Spooky1
Welcome to the forum, I'm Daisy53 one of the Community Champions on this forum. I'm sorry to hear that you were diagnosed with grade 3 triple negative breast cancer. What you are feeling is perfectly normal as getting a cancer diagnosis can be traumatic.
I was diagnosed with grade 3 triple negative just over six years ago during the height of Covid. After having chemo first, then surgery followed by radiotherapy I made a full recovery. I had a small local recurrence three years later and had surgery to remove it. Since then I've been cancer free.
While I won't say chemo is easy it is doable and your medical team will do everything in their power to make sure that you come out of the other side of this. You will be given medication to overcome any side effects you may have. Make sure you drink plenty of liquids which will help to counteract any side effects. Make sure to wash out your mouth after every meal with salted water to help prevent mouth sores. I did that after every meal while I was having chemo and it helped.
Wishing you the best of luck with chemo and hopefully you won't have too many side effects.
Best wishes
Daisy53
