Stage 3 triple negative breast cancer

Let's try and stay positive and I hope your chemo doesn't make you feeling to under the weather.

Pet x

Hi 

I am also being treated in Exeter. I have been diagnosed with stage 3 triple negative BC, I had my op on the 12 Oct but have a further complication of a benign tumour on the adrenal gland which was discovered on the CT scan for the BC.  This causes a raised BP and therefore needs to be removed before chemo.  I saw the oncologist yesterday and I'm now waiting for an app to see the surgeon re removing the tumour.  I am 69 and this BC diagnosis is the second that I've had and is known as a second primary as it hasn't metastasized  from the previous BC I had five years ago.  I am pondering the pros and cons of chemotherapy given my age and the Covid situation in relation to contracting it whilst the immune system is compromised.  Any thoughts? 

I hope your surgery went well.  I've had excellent treatment at Exeter.  I can't speak too highly of all the staff.  

Anjon

Hi,

This is all new to me, I had my op on 19th and going back to see the Consultant on the 2nd. I don't know when the chemo will start yet, I'm hoping they will tell me more when I go next week. I have no doubts about having chemo, I'm going to take all they offer, I'm 68 so only a year younger than you. I live alone so I'm finding it this Lockdown hard. I facetime my family and my daughter is taking care of my shopping etc. I just want to get on with things and hope all will be well at the end. 69 really isn't old these days, maybe give it a bit more thought before you decide

Wishing you well xx

Thats good news.  I hope you are as lucky as I was the chemo killed all the cancer.  It could not be found to the touch after my second session of chemo.  I did have a lumpectomy and the biopsy came back no cancer found.   I had radiotheropy after that and have started on my road back to full titness.  I have started riding my horse again and have managed to build up to 50 minutes running although slower than before the chemo.   I will take some time to build back my muscles but everything is going quite well.  

Hi donnygal

Thank you for your message, this is very encouraging to read. I am now at week 6 of my chemo and my lump has almost disappeared, I have a meeting with my oncologist next week and he has booked me an ultrasound so he can assess what is happening. The plan is for me to finish complete this 12 weeks and then have a further 9 weeks chemo on a different drug, followed by a lumpectomy.

It is great to see you are on the road back to full fitness, good luck with your running. I am managing walks at the moment and plan to build my running back up after I finish treatment.

Best wishes

Wishing you all the best.  I restarted my running a month after my lumpectomy after the breast care nurse okayed it.  I started with the couch to 5k  to get me built back up.  I then increased it by 5 minutes a week until I got to my current position.  I have just had my 62nd birthday and was also fit before I was diagnosed.  The key for me was to drink lots of water especially after chemo rest when I had to and keep the walking up even if you can only manage a little bit.

Hi there

just wondering how you got on with your appointment on the 2nd?  Do you have a treatment plan now?  

I have just had my third Paclitaxel treatment and so far so good,  Apart from a runny nose and a few random aches and pains I am doing well, and talking to other ladies when I have treatment it seems that Paclitaxel is relatively well tolerated.

I hope you are ok and feeling more in control if you know what the plan is for treatment.  Let me know how you get on?

Kerry x

I'm starting my chemo on Thursday, it looks like I'm having a different chemo to you, not that understand much about it. I'm having the FEC-T type. How are you getting on, well I hope.

Pet xx

Hello 

I am also starting my treatment at Exeter on FEC-T on Thursday.  I'm feeling 'mellow' about it and would like to get it over and done with asap.  I have to keep telling myself that this treatment is keeping me safe.  This too will pass.

Ann

Hello Anjon and ExeterDevon

Good luck with starting your chemo on Thursday, I hope you get on okay. I am currently having weekly chemo with paclitaxel and carboplatin but will move on to FEC towards the end of January. 

Best wishes