anyone starting on similar journey ?

thank you jan, xx

Treatment is extensive and aggressive , options on how they treat tnbc have multiplied over the years. This will give you a better chance of survival 

I had /have tnbc with all the negative indicators grade 3 stage 3 in lymph nodes on auxilia and chest. It didn’t respond to chemo and so I had surgery and radiotherapy so far I have defied the odds and remain clear 2 yrs on , I have no side effects of all the treatments and live a normal active live with one advantage over normal People I value life so much more now and saviour it and I know whO my real friends are

Hi lovey, I've been diagnosed just today. I'm 36 and TNBC grade 3 stage 2, and utterly shaken to say the least. Its been a grueller of a day and I've found myself lost in the realms of Google, down a rabbit hole of unwanted information and fear.....I just wanted to say that having the sense to stop,and come to Macmillan has quite honestly just spun my head to some hope again. Your reply here, is exactly what I needed right now!so thankyou so much. I'm here for the good and the bad, but the positive, friendly and genuine energy I felt reading this has honestly saved my soul for the night. I wish you every luck and hope that I get to the same upbeat frame of mind that you're in xxx

Hi I’m new to diagnosis and initially I like so many others struggled to process it all. It seems no sooner are we diagnosed that the treatments starts (which we are so very fortunate for tbh) and little time to digest all this additional information and making choices,  with an already anxious worried mind. Inability to sleep thrown into the bucket mix just for good measure. Nearly a month on and one procedure out of the way now awaiting the biopsy results to see if it’s spread before my planned double mastectomy end of this month. I have TNBC in left breast where I felt a lump initially sending me on this journey but also found to have a sneaky oestrogen positive in the right breast picked up by mammogram fortunately. I googled like crazy sending me deeper into despair until I came into this site where I received much more positive info and needed support. Anxieties have lessened and a calm acceptance of what’s to come lays in its place. I do get the odd Wobblies but mostly I’m pretty accepting leading me to plan ahead to get me through this. I meditate, prep for hair loss, sleeping arrangements for after procedures, ways to maximise my independence around the home ( I’m an OT) during recovery periods and list is endless but being in control is important as I felt I was getting washed away with it all. With support and a great oncology team you’ll get through this honestly, we all will! Massive hug to you.and please send updates of your journey as this helps everyone on their future journeys too xxc

Hi 

I also have TNBC had lumpectomy in April , lymph’s clear but they found another cancer on the edge of the wide excision so more surgery will be needed after chemo . Started chemo June 3 xEc and 3x Docetaxel  had 2 so far and it’s not as bad as I thought it would be . I just feel a bit tired and brain fog for the first week then back to normal for the next 2 I get out with friends ladies who lunch !! . I put my make up on everyday it helps me feel normal have a walk with the dog in the evenings .

Good luck with your journey and lots of love to all xx

Hi Bonny Boo, so pleased your able to get on with your life so quickly. I’m hoping I will be able to do the same.. fingers crossed. You seemed to cope with the chemo really well. Can I ask did you lose your hair with the chemo? If not did you wear the cold cap? 

Hi 

I did t cold cap as it adds time onto the day , my hair started to thin then come out on about day 12 of first EC I asked my husband to shave it off I thought I would be upset but I wasn’t as I took control. It’s so much easier I wear a little bamboo beanie I bed as scalp feels sore at times .I drink plenty of fluids before and after chemo as other ladies have said . The worst side effect for me is this feeling of being hungover brain fog !! And a bit like morning sickness that passes . Hope you get in ok .There are some amazing ladies on this site who have given great advice and support xx

You’ve been so informative and such a support. You appear strong and resilient and like me prefer to maintain control and make choices where we can. I am so determined to get through this and get well again. I’m planning for everything where I can do I’m fully prepared for what comes my way.. I plan for the worst and pray for the best lol. I really wish you a speedy recovery following your surgery. Do you have a date yet? 

Good glad to hear you’re strong and positive , they said after October !! I have had the genetic tests so waiting for the results !!im hoping that it will be a little surgery as I have already had the main lump removed and 3 lymph nodes which were clear . Just a buggar that they found a very early new cancer on the edge !! I’m hoping it will all be done and dusted by Xmas .

let me know how you get on take care xx

Hi there,

There will always be good days and less good days whilst negotiating this stormy sea - there will always be a wave to ride, times when you are treading water at the deep end, times when you are paddling on the warmth of the shallow. So much to learn, all done best by taking it slow.

I have now finished 5 months of chemo and am to have surgery on August 10th - the next stage. I am currently getting my mind and body ready for it all in Devon (live in Leeds) - taking a few weeks on my own to let it all sink in as well as let go of all thoughts and feelings that don’t perhaps serve me the best. I’m eating really healthily and taking dips in that freezing sea (which strangely doesn’t feel quite so freezing after braving 5 months of the ice cap for hours on end!!)

We are all shaken at the beginning - it would be kind of strange not to be. Our balance is thrown out by this devastating news and anxiety of all that it may mean. We have to find a way to let the emotions settle by doing the things we know can settle us - the brain goes crazy with distressing thoughts and the body shuts down so that we can’t eat and feel nauseous. It is actually a normal stress reaction. I was like this for a month before I found some peace - you are wise to reach out here early for support - well done for that! Throughout my treatment I have found the following things have kept my body and mind calm:

• Some time outside every day in a green space - not on the phone, or thinking dark thoughts, but noticing what is around me
• Cuddling my dog
• Staying away from Google
• Meeting with friends for lovely coffee and cancer free chat
• Treats of lovely moisturising creams
• Planned breaks away for a night in between treatments
• Going to a festival (although I didn’t camp so does it still count?)
• Yoga and breathing techniques that soothe stress and anxiety
• Listening to music
• Making a conscious decision not to sweat the small things anymore

I have a different appreciation of life now - every moment in fact. I wouldn’t have chosen this path, but I’m damn sure I can take everything i can learn from it to grow as a person and share with others if I have to walk it - and it seems I do.

We walk this path together in many ways on this forum - we are all warriors and so are you.

Jan x