Was up with the larks and noticed you had no replies as yet so I just wanted to wish you well for your CT scan today. Sorry to see you joining us here with your unfolding scary scenario :-/
Quite a few TN patients have chemo prior to surgery so perhaps this is the main reason for your CT as they are carried out as standard before any chemo is offered (either before or after surgery) to check out your other organs have no hidden surprises like finding you have only one kidney, heart issues etc.
The treatment for TN is not much different to other breast cancers so you could join the Main Breast Group too as it has a lot wider age range and is a lot more active than this TN group (Most TN ladies are active in both groups)
The last 60'ish lady here was elle49 but has finished treatment and living the new normal but hasn't posted for around 4 months now. I have 'tagged' her anyway as she may well still browse the group.
i was diagnosed 4 years ago with TN in my right breast when I was 66 so I am 70 now. I had a mastectomy then 4 cycles of TC chemo then radiotherapy for 15 cycles. I coped with this not too badly but the first cycle of chemo was the worst. If there are any underlying health problems they will flare up and I had a UTI so was hospitalised for a week end on antibiotics on a drip. After that my GP was wonderful and gave me antibiotics before anything became a real problem and cream for my sore mouth.
My treatment lasted 6 months and it took another 6 months before my energy really came back along with my hair. I go to Zumba and have been on holiday within Europe and to Australia and New Zealand. I have 3 clear mammograms. All my lymph nodes on the tight side were removed but I did my arm exercises and have full movement in my arm. I think that I had a good recovery because I had underlying good health.
Get plenty of rest, drink plenty of water and take all the medication you are offered. You will think the treatment will never end snd you will not get better but you will. Good luck and best wishes.
Many, many thanks for your encouraging message. You seem to be fit and busy nowadays. Hopefully I will receive the scan results on Oct 3rd and until then I intend to keep busy with the help of friends and family. The consultant said that often chemo is given before surgery, with TN. All will be revealed- but I just want to get on with it! Thanks for your advice. I intend to accept whatever is offered. Good luck to you too, Elle.
Sorry to read about your diagnoses but you have come to the right place as you will find great understanding here where everyone is so brave and so positive despite what they are going through. It’s very frightening at first as I found when I was diagnosed in 2017 with TNBC at 70 years old. I am a widow and felt that when my husband passed in 2013 I had hit rock bottom but there was more to come. My tumor was 3cms in diameter so after going through all the tests and scans I had chemo first to try and shrink it. After my first 4 rounds of chemo which lasted three months the tumor had shrunk by 60% and by the end of the next three months it had disappeared. I then had a lumpectomy which didn’t leave good margins so I went to theatre again and this time the lab report was great “ the tumor had left the building” 15 sessions of radiotherapy followed and here I am! Back caring for grandchildren, seeing my friends and enjoying my family. it is not easy but if you take it step by step you get through even at 70! I finished my treatment in May 2018 so that makes me 16 months out!! I had my treatment here in Spain where I live and the support and affection I received in hospital were next to none. My family, who supported me with love and boundless energy, was fantastic. I am so proud of them. “Go for it lassie!” As my old Scottish dad would have said.
I do hope this will be of some help to you on your journey.
Many thanks Portia for your encouraging message. It really helped on Tuesday morning to hear from an older person. My heart goes out to these much younger ladies with children.
I think I have been in shock the last 3 weeks and underestimated the effect it would have on me. Pain from the biopsies- breast and underarm- has been severe but I now have a pain killer regime which is helping. I know that most women get over the biopsies quicker than I have done. CT has shown that the cancer hasn’t travelled beyond the lymph nodes. Insertion of marker, then an MRI and 4 months of chemo. Hopefully I’ll be on my way to recovery like you. Surgery followed by radiotherapy seems a long way off now. Day by day. And yes as your Dad used to say,” Go for it lassie”!
We have 12 grandchildren and want to see them grow up.
Keep the spirits up and take one day at a time. You can and will get through this. It will be difficult but when you come up for breath after each chemo think of your lovely grandchildren. I have seven so you are way ahead of me. You must be very proud of them.
Today I have just finished doing my weekly shop online. This afternoon I walk to school to pick up my grandson,it is a fair walk. Then walk back home with him then my two granddaughters are coming for a sleepover.
I am back to my old self and can still rock and roll to my old music. Must admit I look a bit daft but I don't go public!
Really appreciate this, Portia. You are certainly active now. I am hoping for some energy from somewhere. Some women say they will fight this but I don’t have this inclination yet. I’m a great believer in a day at a time. Perhaps today I’m emotionally drained after consultant appointment yesterday. Thanks for the encouragement.
