New diagnosis of Triple Negative Breast Cancer

Hi Sherrill and a very warm welcome to the online community

I don't have the experience you're after but I noticed that your post hadn't had any replies yet. Replying to you will 'bump' your post back to the top of the discussion list where it'll be more easily be spotted by someone with the experience you need.

Wishing you all the best

x

Hello, my mother just been diagnosed with the same cancer TNBC and the treatment they offered her is chemo first then mastectomy surgery and radiology. 

They said this is what we recommend as we prefer surgery first but them chemo may not work. 

How many cm is your lump and what grade is it? My mum is grade 3 and it's 3cm plus it has gone to her armpit aswell.

Hi Taz

Sounds similar to me. Its so worrying. I have just returned from the breast clinic where they strongly advise chemo before surgery to mop up any  marauding cancer  cells . not identified. If the chemo isn't so effective then they try another mix. If little progress then surgery but in my cancer centre something usually has an effect then surgery. Instinctively, I too want the lump out and gone but am seeing the Oncologist in just over a week and will be guided by him . I will ask which has better outcomes but know he will say chemo followed by surgery. The Oestrogen + cancers, in some cases, are also being treated with Oestrogen suppressant before surgery so maybe this is the way forward

Hi Sherrill,

On 15th June (which was my 70th birthday) I had an appointment to see an Oncologist who confirmed I had TNBC. My Breast Cancer consultant had already outlined my treatment - chemotherapy followed by surgery & radiotherapy. 

Chemotherapy 1st to hopefully shrink my 2cm & 32mm tumours, also my biopsy showed cancer cells in some armpit lymph nodes.

1. I had my 1st Chemo session last Friday, 9th July & will have a further 3 sessions at 3-weekly intervals, after a few weeks I will have a lumpectomy & lymph nodes removed

This course of treatment was deemed by both of my consultants to be my best option.

Different consultants have different ways of treating patients with Breast Cancer but always do their very best to achieve a good outcome.

Wishing you well on this rollercoaster of a journey.

Stay safe, be kind to yourself & make great care.

Jen x

Hi Sherrill, I was diagnosed diagnosed early May exactly the same as you. I’m due my 3rd chemo next week. It’s not pleasant but no where near as bad as I thought. The nurse specialists and oncology team are wonderful and nothing is too much trouble. Take their advice and follow your body. Don’t read too much on the internet as most of us don’t have that many side effects from the chemo. The tiredness is the worst for me. 
keep in touch Lebs 

Hi Jen

Thank you. I am seeing the Oncologist week after next but they have booked me a chemo bed . They told me I have to finish the whole of the chemo before surgery. I suppose Oncologists have different strategies. Things are moving but seems slow

Hi Lebs

That's reassuring. I am becoming reconciled to the whole thing and just want to start even though it might be unpleasant. The thought of nausea has been worrying me but fatigue seems to be a main side effect.

Sherrill

Hi Sherrill, like you I thought progress was slow, following my initial appointment, waiting for CT &  MRI Scans was the worst waiting time. Once The Breast Cancer Clinic had all my test & scan results, they transferred my case to Ontology Dept very quickly, just a 3 day wait. The oncologist has been very good getting me started on Chemo as quickly as possible, despite having additional tests to check my suitability to go on The ROSCO Trial. I now have a schedule for my next 2 sessions - 2nd & 23rd August. It's surprising how quickly the time passes - I'm now day 9 after my 1st session, but feels like only yesterday I had treatment.

Stay safe, be kind to yourself & take great care. 

Jen x

Hi Jen

How are you doing with the chemo. Mine starts on 11th August but really nervous about MRI results tomorrow. All my best to you SherrillX 

Hi There so I have recently had my first chemo session and due session 2 next week. I too have TNBC and it seems the best outcome is to have the chemo first. I must say it wasn’t as bad as I was expecting at all.  The actual treatment session was fine and although I have been extremely tired abs nauseous I have still managed. I think the beginning is really difficult with all the scans and appointments but it’s settles down once that’s done. Have you any more news on when your treatment is starting? Xx