Stage 3 triple negative breast cancer

Hi there

i was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer at the end of September. I had surgery (lumpectomy) on the 7th October and will start chemo on the 19th November.  That will be over a period of 20 weeks followed by radiotherapy.  It seems to be a definite that chemo is given for triple negative cancers. 

it is confusing and scary.  I asked the same question (I’m 59) but my breast care nurse said that it is becoming more common in older women and that they are seeing it more and more. 

Hope the surgery goes well - ask lots of questions - the breast cancer nurses are amazing.

I declined chemo. My husband was killed by docetaxl causing pulmonary fibrosis. He died 2018. I also saw how chemo affected him before this fatal reaction. I just had radio and don’t want zoledronic acid. Maybe if he had been alive to care for me I might have decided differently. I may be lucky and not get it recur.I am 71. I felt quite prepared to die in the operation but on waking up alive had a moment of being glad to survive it. 

Thank you for your reply, much appreciated especially as you on the same path with me. Keep me updated on how your getting on and if you like we can follow each others experience xx

Wishing you luck for what ever you decide what steps you take next xx

I am very wary of reading too much on the forums as there is a lot of frightening information out there, but I suspect they tend to be women who need support as opposed to the ladies who are coping ok and have reasonably ok experiences.  Yes, definitely keep in touch, it sounds as if we are on a similar treatment path.  I'm going on Thursday this week to the chemo ward to be shown around and told what to expect etc.  I'll keep you updated, and let me know also how you are getting on?

I had some really dark days early on, but actually am feeling reasonably positive and ready to take it all on now.  I hope that you are coping ok?  Do you have support at home?  You will have your lumpectomy on the day that I have my first treatment, so  I'll be thinking of you!  

Kerry

I wasn't going to go on this site for the reason you said. I'm glad now as it seems your on the same wavelength as me. I will think of you on the 19th. I think I'll feel little better about after I've had my opp and the treatment starts.

Pet

I forgot, I go for my pre opp on Thursday then the opp on the following Thursday. Xx

You will feel much better after the surgery - although it’s a weird feeling knowing that it’s gone, but you’ve still got the treatment journey ahead! Sounds like Thursday is going to be our day!! Take care x

Hi

I was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer at the start of October and am being treated initially with weekly chemotherapy, which I started on 29th October.

I also find it very confusing and scary, I'm 58 with no history of breast cancer in my family and up until this diagnosis was blessed with excellent health.

It seems like we all have different treatment plans and experiences. I am trying to take each day as it comes and focus on getting rid of this unwanted invader.

Hope the surgery goes well for you

Best wishes

Hi Kerry

I hope your visit to the chemo ward goes well this week. I'm now two weeks into my chemo and was terrified before it started. I've found the nurses on the chemo ward are absolutely wonderful and do everything they can to keep me calm and comfortable.

I've had some side effects since the treatment started, I'm on paclitaxel and carboplatin, but so far am managing to cope. I hate all the drugs I have to take but know that they are keeping me comfortable.

Best wisehs