I was diagnosed with stage 3 invasive breast cancer on Christmas Eve but I also found out I’m triple negative. Have had lumpectomy on 3rd March and removal of 7 lymph nodes and a, happy to say all tumour was removed and hadn’t spread. However saw oncologist yesterday and been told I need chemotherapy due to being triple negative and grade three. This is going to start at end of April. (I asked for it to be deferred because I have a wedding to go to). But I’m terrified. I have soo many adverse reactions to drugs and steroids I am,scared I’m going to be so sick. I have to have 6 cycles and I’m having the mixed chemo Ec first then dc. Both types look grim
can anyone help with what I should expect. How do I prepare myself to give myself the best chance of keeping well. What questions should I be asking the chemo nurses when I go an meet them in a couple of weeks time. How do I deal with losing my hair, and is it normal to be on a roller coaster of one minute ok and next minute bursting into tears for no reason at all. I also have an autistic son who I am trying to support along with his girlfriend and they are expecting a baby. They live with me but I don’t k is how to support them and deal with this as well.
any comments positive please would be great fully received. I know I’m lucky that my surgeon got rid of the cancer but somehow it doesn’t see, to make me feel any better
thank you
Nicky
Thank you so much I will have a look at it. I think having read all the bumf they give u at hospital they don’t really sell this chemo well do they. There are more side affects than I care to think
bout Good luck with your treatment too xx
Hi Niftyjuffy
Welcome to the forum and sorry to hear that you were diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer. I know that the thoughts of having chemo is scary with all the possible side effects but I found chemo doable. You will either be give anti-sickness meds to take home with you or a prescription for them. Do take them to give yourself the best chance of staying well and drink plenty of water. You will be given the number of the chemo ward where you are being treated so that if you find yourself feeling really unwell you can ring them and ask for advice. You will also be given an out of hours number to ring if need be.
Your medical team will do their best for you, they want you to get well so don't hesitate to contact them if you feel awful. They will either reduce the dose of chemo they are giving you or give you an alternative medication. And if they feel that the chemo is doing you more harm than good they will stop it, but it's quite rare that that happens.
I was diagnosed with grade 3 triple negative in early September 2020 and after having chemo, surgery and radiotherapy I am now cancer free.
Wishing you the best of luck with your treatment and if you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask them. There's a chemo thread on this forum which you can tap into to get help and advice from other ladies who have been through chemo or are going through chemo. The name of the thread is december 2021 - march 2022 breast cancer chemo and you will find it under the diagnosis and treatment section of this forum.
Best wishes
Daisy53
Hi Nicky, 
I did 4 rounds of EC and then 12 of paclitaxal followed by mastectomy and radiotherapy and I’m now having 3 weekly Herceptin and perjeta for a year. I found the anticipation and not knowing much worse than the actual treatments. The first EC I found tough but that was because I didn’t know what to expect, after that I was less concerned and had less anxiety as I knew ultimately I’d be ok abd my Drs and nurses would look after me. I was able to work through my treatment (reduced hours) this really helped me as I felt a bit more normal. I always took my meds, anti sickness and started as soon as my chemo finished, before I felt sick and this worked for me. I was extremely tired, had dodgy stomach, sore mouth, sometimes no appetite, strange taste, sore joints but it was completely doable. I would say remember that everyone is different and just because one person is ok doesn’t mean you have to be or should be, it’s your cancer, your body and you will manage this in the best way for you.
muse your care teams, they are experts in dealing with the disease. I got great advise from my oncologist and surgeon at the start “ we will deal with the disease, your job is to look after you” so I did. I slept when I needed to abd I started doing some meditation and mindfulness breathing exercises when I was on the middle of treatment as I struggled to sleep at night and this helped to calm me and remove the crazy thoughts tgat go through your kind.
Hair loss is tough but my hair is now coming back and I have 2 inches abd a shirt pixie cut, this is 3.5 months after chemo. I also dyed my hair some people say don’t but like I said it’s my body.
Use the forum there are so many great people on here who can give real experiences, I found it so very helpful to be able to talk with people who understand and not from the medical perspective but from going through it perspective.
Take it easy abd be kind to yourself, good luck with your chemo abd if you need anything you know tgat we are here for you 
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