Hello, Had TNBC I was diagnosed seven months ago. I really don’t know where to start. I just finished my last chemo treatment March 11, 2025. I had two bad reaction. The first one was bad. The second one was mild. march 31 I will see my doctor, I’m not sure what he’s going to say what I need to do after this . I lost all my hair pretty much everywhere. I have a little bit of eyebrows left and little eyelashes. I’m supposed to start back working May 1, 2025. I started walking two days ago. I was so out of breath and my legs hurt. It was hard but it’s getting better. My worry is the reoccurrence that might come back because I am triple negative I lost both my breast. They caught my cancer at the first stage wasn’t too big. They said I didn’t spread they removed five lymph nodes under my left side which I still have a knot. I did not have cancer in my right breast but I chose to have it removed anyway to avoid further complications. I have prosthetic breast now while waiting on reconstruction surgery in June. My fre flap surgery failed in November, so I woke up with no breast. But I woke up after a 13 hour procedure. Four months later I just finished my chemo. I’m still not sure what to expect. I have nightmares not as much as before I do feel better, yet I feel different, I just don’t know what it is, I feel lost it’s been 7 months since I’ve worked. I have to stay strong for my adult children and grandchildren, and my Mom. This is my first time speaking out, like I said I feel lost. Even though I’m in the same place. I don’t like crying because I’m supposed to be the strong one. By the way I only had to do 4 sessions of chemo and no radiation just in case anyone was wondering. Lost and lost without words. So they said I made it through
Hi, welcome to the forum. I am so sorry for all that you are going through, it sounds incredibly tough.
You talk about staying strong, but I think you need to make sure others are stepping up to care for you. Do you have access to any support services? After my diagnosis I spent all my energy in being totally positive and upbeat for my friends and family and when I went in to my local Maggies Centre just to see what it was all about I cried for the first time because I felt I could.
I can’t offer much other advice but just wanted to send you a virtual hug x
Hello, I do have access to support services but I haven’t tried to contact them yet. I will soon I’m sure. My family is here for me physically but mentally I keep everything bottled up, I’m not ready to let them know how I feel because I’m not sure myself. I’m in a relationship he was there for every appointment I had. Even with my bald head and no breast he still insists on being in my life and giving me support. I just feel like I’m missing something my Mom hasn’t been very nice to him and he is very kind to me. She feels like I don’t need him and that she can be there for me like he is. He just handles stress a lot better than she does. It’s just to much going on I probably will reach out to a support group real soon, thank you for the advice.
Hi @kat2koo,
Wow, it sounds like you have been through a lot in such a short space of time. I’m sure it has felt like you’ve been caught up in a whirlwind. I’m so sorry to hear what you’re going through.
Firstly, you’ve done a really brave thing in speaking out. And you’ve come to the right place - the forum is an extremely supportive and friendly place. There are so many posts that you can even use the search function to find people who have gone through similar experiences. One of our threads is solely dedicated to those with a triple negative diagnosis so you might find it useful to read through the posts there Latest Diagnosed with breast cancer/Triple negative and inflammatory breast cancer topics - Breast Cancer Now forum
Fear of recurrence is a totally normal and natural response to what you’ve been through. You can read some info on our website here about life after treatment Life after treatment | Breast Cancer Now
I would also really strongly recommend checking out our Moving Forward courses. They happen online and in person, and they are designed exactly for people in your position, who have finished active treatment and are unsure where to go from here Moving Forward | Breast Cancer Now
Please know that our nurses are always on hand to answer any questions you have, or just to help you talk things through if you’re having a bad day. You can reach them on our free helpline 0808 800 6000 Mon - Friday 9 - 4 and Sat 9 - 1.
You can also ask them any questions you have over on the Ask our Nurses section of the forum.
Sending all the love, I really do hope you find the forum and these resources helpful.
Alice
Hi @kat2koo
I’m so sorry to hear everything you’ve been through, treatment plans are so different for all of us but we all get it!
I was diagnosed with TNBC in July 2023. I’ll be honest, I’m still recovering. I expected to recover quickly and be back to “normal”, but I’m starting to learn that this will take time and maybe we should be easier on ourselves Please tell your team if you are still struggling, and please reach out to your GP too.
If you would like to speak to someone, I used the Someone Like Me service through Breast Cancer Now and it really helped speaking to someone who was a few years past their diagnosis for that reassurance.
I know it’s easier said than done, but take it easy, we’ve all got you
@kat2koo
Hi, I’m 2 years post treatment now and although my family n friends were very supportive, it feels amazing to speak to women who’ve been through it. Please make sure u get in contact with a support group-I’m sure it will help u a lot. It just feels better to pour your heart out to strangers rather than people who know u well. I attended my local “Moving Forward” course and have made 4 lovely new friends. We chat openly about our experiences and it helps a lot.
Take care xxx