Newbie diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer - Chemo next week, worried for children

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Hi, My name is Louise I am 44 and new to the group. On the 30th December 2024 I was told I had breast cancer, January 2025 they said it was TNBC it has not spread to my lymph nodes and my pet scan was clear.

I am due to star Chemotherapy next week not sure how I feel lost a think. I have 2 boys and am scared for them seeing me poorly and not the person I am any advice would be grateful sending love Heart️ 

  • Hi  

    I was diagnosed with TNBC in April 2022 and had chemotherapy after having a lumpectomy. Do you know which chemotherapy you'll be having? I had 3 cycles of epirubicin and cyclophospamide or EC for short to start with and, fortunately, got off fairly lightly with main side effects being hair loss and a sore vein. For the first 10 days I felt just a bit under the weather and slightly tired but for the rest of the 3 weeks I felt completely fine. 

    Then I had 12 weeks of paclitaxel and didn't get any side effects at all.

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  • Hi latchbrook

    Thank you for your reply 

    The treatment plan I have been given is paclitaxel and carboplatin ever week for 12 weeks a long with immunotherapy and then EC ever 3 weeks ( I think I have got that the right way round ) this is before surgery.

    It has been hard to take in and process all the information I have been given. Heart️ 

  • Everyone's treatment plan is tailored to their own circumstances. I know that some of the other women I had chemotherapy with at the same time were having their chemo before surgery.

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  • Hi, I was diagnosed in sep with stage 3 TNBC and had gone to lymph nodes. I have had the same treatment plan as you are having and and just finishing my last weekly sessions then starting the every third week ones. Iv just been very tired and some other issues but they have resolved themselves and it’s all managable. I had a scan yesterday to see how it’s going and it’s shrunk so much! It’s made it all worthwhile.. treatment will carry on and I now feel I can do it all knowing it’s working. My three children have been great and we have been completely honest throughout and they are understanding. If I’m tired and in bed my son after school will come lay with me and watch something and just chat. They are so strong. I hope you have a good support network around you and remember it’s not forever, you are showing your kids what a warrior you are! Dont be afraid to ask for help when you need it. Take care

  • Hi, I am so glad the treatment is working! It helps Just hearing from someone that is going through the same thing, has given me that boost I needed thank you! I am so proud of my boy's how they have delt with my diagnosis. I do have a fantastic support network around me from family, friends and work colleagues.

    Thank you for your kind words sending love Heart️ 

  • Hi i was reading your post and hope you dont mind me asking how did you find telling your children?  Been told 3 weeks ago i have stage 3 invasive breast cancer which spread to my lymph modes.  Im awaiting results from my hormonal receptors and ct and mri. Havent told my 3 boys yet and dont know where to start.  Im worried about starting treatment and my children seeing me poorly and them worrying. Any advise would be greatlt recieved

  • I have 4 kids eldest 7 youngest 2 and every appt I had I'd keep them in the loop, I told them from the beginning so they've been ready for it too.. I start my chemo on Wednesday 12th and told them I'll be tired and my hair will fall out too.. kids are pretty understanding, more so than some adults lol.. we can't stop our children from worrying about us.. we can only reassure them. It'll help us in the fight against cancer, stay strong xx

  • Thank you, i told my eldest 2 children yesterday and they cried and can see their worried as i am.  We all on this rollercoaster now and tried to be as open and honest with them and provide them all the answers i can give atm.  I see my oncologist on the 21st to get all my results in and with my treatment plan.  Then can explain to them whats next steps.  Thank you for the advice and all the best for the 12th x

  • So sorry I didn’t see this. Sounds like you have told them now, I hope ot went well. I think the main thing is honesty, kids sense things otherwise.

    Also as I knew I was losing my hair we had a charity shave the brace beforehand and 8 of us shaved our heads, including my son for our local charity, we raised 5000 pounds so kinda made it more bareable. 
    some people cold cap but I was too much of a wimp to try it! Best of luck xx