Oh wow @wren8 - well done, slowly but surely ticking them off keep going, youāre getting there
So sorry youāve had sepsis and been in hospital, thatās tough but I hope youāre back on track now.
Iāve had 2 cycles of EC so far, 1 more to go then Iāll switch to the Docetaxal(?) with Carboplatin for another 3. I donāt think I qualify for Pembro but have asked about it.
Iām okay - been struggling with the psychological impact and my mental health on top of physical side effects of treatment.
What does the rest of treatment look like for you - have you passed the half way mark yet?
So crazy isnāt it what our bodies can just be growing in there without us knowing! Sorry to hear about your TNBC diagnosis but glad they found it on the routine mammogram.
I know I am a bit delayed on the replies but I hope your treatments are still going well after the first EC sounded like you were ok. Seems like a lot of people suffer with EC but some are ok. Have you started with the Pembro and how is going for you? I was a little worried about more serious side effects from it but seem to have managed ok with my 3 cycles so far. I hope you are doing ok.
I am finding the weekly treatments to be difficult now. Was admitted this week with high temp and was in for 2 nights with IV antibiotics. Bit scary and theyāre not sure if it was infection or what and not sure I want to have another treatment this week while still being on antibiotics. I am trying to tick off the treatments and take it a week at a time but it seems never ending and feeling pretty rubbish and vulnerable.
I have my family visiting from overseas this week and really looking forward to seeing them so hopefully we can have some nice time together and I feel ok.
Hello wren8. I am so glad you replied to me! I feel we have a lot in common, being a similar age and at a similar stage of TNBC. I am pleased to say I have completed 3 treatment cycles (one with Pembro) and have had minimal side effects so far. My mouth ulcer is annoying but I can cope with it and the nurses have sorted the constipation with medication. I think your cycles are more frequent than mine which are only every 3 weeks. After my 4th I have another mammogram and ultrasound which hopefully will show that something is happening and the tumour is shrinking (Please, please please). Have you had any feedback so far? Iām so sorry you have been is hospital and are still feeling a bit rubbish. I hope your family look after you and spoil you and make you feel 100% better. Sounds like you need some much needed support. Take care and I look forward to hearing from you soon xx
How is everyone doing? Iāve been just trying to get on with treatments one week at a time but it is becoming a hard slog now. I have completed my 12x weekly pax/carbo and had my first EC last week which means just over halfway now @kayb26. Where are you at now? How have you ladies done with it all? EC has wiped me out much more but the paclitaxel was also getting difficult at the end of the 12. I feel as though I am walking through jelly this week so am just trying to rest and take it easy.
Had a check in with the surgeon and he couldnāt feel the lump upon examination so taking that as a huge win for now. Booked in for an MRI next week I guess to confirm that and plan for surgery and see how it responding. The letter I have says the lump is non palpable from his exam and he said I could be heading for complete response which would be an amazing outcome. Trying to keep positive and remind myself that the feeling like crap from the chemo is doing itās job to get rid of the cancer but hope the scan doesnāt show anything unexpected. Have you had your follow up mammogram and ultrasound @jane60x? Hope you got some feedback and are doing ok.
So good to hear from you and that youāve completed the pax / Carbo cycles!!! Well done!! What an achievement!! And heading for a potential complete response is absolutely amazing!!! This has made me so happy and I actually cried happy tears when I read your post !!!
Iām feeling very emotional right now as day 6 following my 3rd and last EC!!
Iāve struggled this cycle I think itās the cumulative effect combined with the heat!!! Like you Iām resting much more on the sofa and am just about to start watching s2 of the Dallas cowboys cheerleader show on Netflix - I really loved S1 and trash tv in general that I donāt need to think about
I have 3 more cycles to go, 3 x docetaxal and carbo for me next and so am feeling some trepidation as not sure how Iāll handle it whereas I know where I am with EC
I had to have a PICC line fitted after my 2nd cycle due to passing out and then struggling with my veins it was better last time through the PICC but I hate having it in.
I got married @wren8!! 2 weeks ago!! Small civil ceremony with just the kids after 35 years of procrastinating!!! nothing like cancer to give you a kick up the bum eh!?!
Congrats on your wedding! How lovely that you did that and I bet it was a nice distraction from all of this. I am also considering a small ceremony with my partner. I agree cancer gives you that kick doesnāt it to do all those things and makes you realise what is really important.
Great work on getting through EC. Itās completely floored me after the weekly pax/carbo which now seems like a walk in the park. Really not sure how I am going to do another 3 rounds. Lots of ladies on here that have done it though and I am trying to take their strength but it is bloody hard. I wish I could see the end but it is a hard slog. So much admiration for the ladies on treatment for longer courses. I really have no idea how they do it.
Sorry to hear about the trouble with your veins. I have a port which has been ok generally with some issues accessing it. I am sure itās been better than my veins. Hope it continues to be better for you with the picc. Not sure any solution is great really but better than passing out I guess. Itās so hard.
Love the trash TV recommendation. I feel like I have binged a lot of crappy tv this year. Watching Glastonbury at the moment and enjoying the music! Wishing a weekend with minimal side effects for all of us
Thank you I highly recommend getting hitched, we had a lovely day with just our kids and their partners! Really happy we finally did it and it was a really nice distraction. We did a civil partnership because marriage is not for us. It was really easy and stress free as well.
You will get there with EC, look how far youāve come already!!! weāve got this we can and will do it. Iām worrying that docetaxal and carbo is going to affect me badly as feel like Iāve been relatively lucky so far (knock on wood )
It was easier with PICC but I definitely cannot wait to get rid of it.
Iām so excited for Glastonbury ā¦. Watch it every year and Iāve been listening to the build up on 6 music ā¦. Cannot wait to see if the Beeb show Kneecap!!! Who have been moved to the main stage no less because of the crowd!!!
Hi Wren8. Itās good to hear from you again. I too am just over halfway though my 8 cycles but I had the EC every 3 weeks first and now on Paclitaxel every week and carbo every 2 weeks plus immunotherapy at 6 weekly intervals. I had the results of my ultrasound scan and itās good news!! The tumour is now 16mm (down from 60mm) and the lymph nodes are clear. I was on cloud 9 last week. Today I came back down to earth with a bit of a bump having discussed the results with my consultant. Heās booking me in for surgery after Iām finish the chemo, which will involve a lumpectomy, biopsies and removal of the 2 lymph nodes that were infected, just to be on the safe side. I get that. But, he did warn me that there may be residual cancer cells around the margins of the tumour so more surgery may be required. So, itās great progress but not as straightforward as I was hoping.
Iām sorry the ābeetroot juiceā is taking its toll on you but you have come so far and done so well, itās all going to be worth it!
Please keep in touch and let me know how the MRI goes x
Hi ladies, recently diagnosed at 34 with tnbc, stage 2 have been told no lymph node involvement from U/S and CT.
Iām struggling, due to start treatment next week, I thought I was doing quite well emotionally after the shock had subsided a little but this last week has been hard.
I just wanted to post to say reading all of your stories has helped, Iām sorry youāre all going through this but it makes me feel not so alone in all this.
I have a little boy and a great partner and family and friends but I still feel quite lonely at the moment.
Apologies itās been a while to reply. You must be well into your pax/carbo/immuno by now. Hope it is treating you ok and your side effects are manageable and you are feeling well. I felt much better on that part than the EC. Beetroot juice sound fairly nice but I canāt say Iām having a good time
Great to hear about your tumour shrinking so much! I get what you mean about the surgery though being more than you thought. Always something to bring us back down to reality! Itās tough but I just keep thinking all of this is to make sure itās all gone gone for good.
My MRI went ok. Have only had a letter from surgeon (no face to face yet) but it says consistent with a complete response which I am taking as a great result. Just crawling through these last weeks of chemo though and will have to have lumpectomy as planned for any residuals similar to you. Hopefully all our pathology comes back clean after surgeries and no trace left!
Had my second last EC treatment this week just before my birthday. Not the best birthday present but feels good to tick one more off. Trying to stay positive and planning adventures for my 40th next year but that currently feels a long way off. Our time will come to be out and about again and travelling and eating all the nice things and living our lives fully!
Have to admit that am feeling a bit in the dumps at the moment as I am currently having an issue with my port which they arenāt sure whether it is an infection or some delayed extravasation. Looks a mess and am on antibiotics so needed a ultrasound guided cannula this time which was new to me. He said my veins are deep and could only find one! Am glad my port has only given up on me for these last few treatments
6 months is a long stretch for treatment and I am glad to be nearing the end- it will happen! We are strong and I know we can do it. Lovely to have this forum and feel the support of you ladies who understand.
Hi @catie4. Sorry you have to be here but glad you have found us. You are not alone here but I can understand the loneliness you are feeling compared to what was your normal life and the bomb that has been thrown into it.
This is a supportive forum with many of us at various points though our treatments. A new diagnosis is so so tough and things may be overwhelming for you at the moment. My best advice nearly 7 months in is to just take it a day at a time and not get too overwhelmed by the entirety of it all. I certainly did and the worry didnāt help at all. Easy to say but hard to do I guess! You CAN do whatever is needed to get through this. Take time to process and do what you need to do to take a break from it or wallow when needed and enjoy some lighter moments in the day when you can with your family or friends. Ask here on the forum or contact the nurses on here (or maybe also you have been given the Macmillan nurses numbers as I did?) for any questions or issues you might have.
A lot of info will be thrown at you at the start but just try and write down any questions or ask again about anything you want to know. Trust your team but also lean on them or the breast care nurses when needed and chase them if you feel something has been missed or doesnāt feel right.
My heart goes out to you and I send my best wishes I have lots of hope after attending one of the seminars hosted by BCN about TNBC treatment recently by Peter Schmid. Treatments have come a long way in recent years and we have great lives to lead yet!
Yes, I have 6 weeks to go. Iām counting the days.
Iām pretty good with paclitaxel on its own but carboplatin upsets me a little. That is such great news about your tumour! You canāt ask for more than that Iām so pleased for you!!
Sorry about your port. Iām not sure what that isā¦ā¦ my veins are misbehaving so I had a PICC line inserted this week. Itās a catheter in my upper arm which will stay in place until my treatment is over. It was inserted under local anaesthetic using ultrasound and X-rays. It doesnāt bother me, I just have to keep it covered.
I do get more tired now, and a bit breathless walking up the stairs. Apparently Iām borderline anaemic so I may have to take something to help. Iām eating red meat and spinach etc but not sure if thatās making a huge difference.
I totally agree that we can (hopefully) look forward to next year and living a more normal life.
I understand there are 6 weeks between finishing chemo and surgery so Iāve booked a few days away in Somerset at the beginning of October, just to have something to look forward to, but I have taken out insurance in case I may have to cancelā¦.
I hope they sort out your cannula.
Take care and good luck with the last treatment.
We can do this!! x
6 weeks to go is amazing! So close now. It does get so tiring and the anaemia probably isnāt helping. Sorry to hear that the carboplatin isnāt making you feel well. I wonder that about the iron rich foods, canāt help to eat healthy to try and boost your levels but the chemo probably knocks the cells out completely so not sure how much it helps like you say. Hopefully the levels get back to normal for you soon and you feel better. I was borderline for a while but did recover by my next session.
My port is similar to a picc line but is in the upper chest instead of the arm. Itās looking much better now but not sure itās much use to me anymore. Held up for nearly 6 months though. Nurses said some people have them for years. I only have one chemo left anyway so happy to go with cannula again for that.
Booking some time away sounds great to have something to look forward to at the end. Somerset sounds amazing. I am planning to do something similar maybe go to the lake district but just going to try and book something last minute due to the chaotic nature of appointments!
I am also counting the days. Hope they pass quickly for us!
This is my first post. I was diagnosed on Aug. 3 with triple negative, grade 3, 1.7cm. tumor. I so badly wanted the plan to include surgery immediately to just get it out. I still am not clear the reason, but the plan is 12 weeks Taxol, followed by everyother week AC for 4 treatments, then surgery, then radiation. I had my second chemo infusion this past monday, Taxol. If anyone clearly understands why chemo first and surgery second is the best plan, Iām seeking answers.
Can someone please share how you have turned your fear and stress into positive thinking and hope? It seems that everyday I am so sad. I desperately an seeking a way to be hopeful, optimistic and have a positive attitude. My drs have said it is so important to recovery. Maybe itās still the newness of it all.
Iām also interested in what kind and strenght of compression socks might combat neuropathy as my treatments progress.
Despite having so much support with husband, family and friends, I really feel so alone these days. I know I sound all over the place, Iām just really struggling right now.
Iād love to hear from anyone with a similar experience and how you have coped.
Kristy sorry you find yourself here, do join the September 2025 chemo thread, you will all help support each other through the magic carpet ride that chemo is take it a day at a time a treatment at a time remember your chemo and treatment plan is tailored specifically to you you might not feel in control at the moment, but you are even if your treatment plan changes along tge way, lots of us had treatment plan changed as we went through, remember your team have seen it all before treat yourself to something after each treatment, something that gives you joy it tries to take your joy, donāt let it, enjoy the sunrise the sunset the birds singing watching a tv programme that you enjoy, putting your music on and dancing like no oneās watching you are still amazing you others will pop on and welcome you here there is much kindness caring and understanding and everyone just gets it. Bcn has a lot of support as much or as little as you need it weāre here Shi xx
Hi @kristy1, sorry you find yourself here with us but we understand and are going through what you are and are here for you. I am also tnbc and have just completed 6 months of chemotherapy before my surgery which will be later this month. The chemo before surgery is usually to reduce the size of the tumour and means that surgery is less severe and you can have lumpectomy rather than mastectomy. It also makes sure any sneaky cells are mopped up that could be getting away. This means better recovery and my surgeon said that combined with radiotherapy actually has better outcomes. The chemotherapy is one of the primary treatments for tnbc as there are no hormonal receptors to target with this type of cancer. But as Shi has mentioned your treatment will be assessed by your team and tailored to you.
Early on I also thought it would be surgery and done but have learnt a lot about different bc types and treatments which I wish I never had to know! Not going to lie it is very hard and sad at times but try your best to also do some normal things and embrace the little things each day that just make you a little happy. It is ok to cry and have hard days but remember tomorrow is another day and the pain and sadness doesnāt last forever. A nice cup of tea or coffee, a hug or a visit from a friend , watching a sunset or listening to the birds in the garden are all small things that have made me smile this year. Try and find the small joys and donāt let the cancer take over every moment. There will be a lot of appointments and things to consider but make time for yourself and let people help you and be there for you. You arenāt alone and there are plenty of us here who are going through treatments and living the best they can through it and after.
As for compression socks I never needed them for chemo. I did have some numbness and tingling when on paclitaxel but it usually came and went and my treatment team always kept an eye on it. They said if I was dropping things and couldnāt use hands or was tripping it was something to worry about but mine never got too bad. Other treatment drugs may be different though. I know some on here have had treatments changed if it got too much. Make sure you report all side effects to your team. They shouldnāt let the side effects get too bad. There are the nurses on here too you can ask questions and the chemo starters group. Donāt be afraid to ask anyone. Better to be sure and safe. They are there to help you and answer questions. Donāt be afraid to bother people if something is worrying you just ask.
Good luck and I will be thinking of you and sending strength for the months to come in your treatment journey.
@Shi and @wren8 thank you both so much for your encouragement and Information.
@wren8 I hope that your cancer has shrunk over the past 6 months and that your surgery will go well.
Knowing that the plan is likely to change, I have to trust that my care team knows best. I am working hard at letting go of what I canāt control down the road and taking it day by day. Thanks again for the encouragement! We got this!!
treatments have changed a lot since I was tnbc 2017-2018 I had 3 fec then 2 docetaxol and 1 fec, the recent tnbcās will share with you any tips and tricks if you need any if you ask. Keep eye on your temperature and if you get burning wee but no temperature ring your team it could be a uti from chemo that will need antibiotics also keep eye out for thrush mouth as for fluconzole tablets donāt get fobbed off with the drops day at a time I thought of it like going into a chrysalis during chemo then when it was done coming back out like a butterfly you got this and the forum is your safe space to share as much or as little as you want to Shi xx
keep going, youāre getting there 
it was better last time through the PICC but I hate having it in.
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and your side effects are manageable and you are feeling well. I felt much better on that part than the EC. Beetroot juice sound fairly nice but I canāt say Iām having a good time 
Iām so pleased for you!! 
