This is my first post. I have been reading some of your posts and it has been a big help. I wish you all well with your treatments.
I was diagnosed yesterday with 2 triple negative breast cancers in my right breast. One 20mm and the other 10mm. Grade 3, no node involvement found on ultrasound. I had expecting the news to be bad from what was said at the ultrasound but the triple negative was a shock.
The treatment discussed is 4-6 months of chemotherapy, surgery, radiation and more chemotherapy. I am now waiting for oncology appt. I am scared of chemo but just want to get started as really worried that dr said it is classed as aggressive and it will spread.
I am not sleeping well, has anyone any tips?
A bit about me, I am 57 and have 4 children, 3 young adults and youngest in sixth form. 2 of them have extra needs and I support them which is one of my biggest concerns. I love books & nature.
Hi @booklover1 I am so so sorry that you are in this situation. Immediately after diagnosis is a scary time as so many questions occur with no quick resource to answers. I wanted to suggest that you also post this (if you havenât already) in the forum subcategory âTriple Negative and Inflammatory breast cancerâ which is under the main category of âDiagnosed with breast cancerâ. 70-80% of BC diagnoses are endocrine positive so going to the category which excludes those posts may help you focus on and understand about your own diagnosis a bit more? Of course we can all empathise with your situation whatever our histology so I am sure youâll get a lot of positive support from everyone. I was Er+ so have not been in your precise situation however I can reassure you that your MDT will have treated many women in your situation and therefore have the expertise to precisely craft a treatment plan for you. If you have any questions or doubts, please discuss them with your team as you have to sign a consent form for every stage of treatment and informed consent is best. I can also recommend having a talk with the Breast Cancer Now nurses on 0808 800 6000. You can discuss your diagnosis and/or your family situation. They donât hurry you and you will feel better for it. I wish you a great outcome.
a good book that helped me was Surviving Triple Negative Breast Cancer by Patricia Prijatel a 2 x tnbc survivor. Its not for everyone but it helped me Shi xx
There is a journalist called Rosamund Dean who had TNBC. She is in Instagram and her bookâ Reconstruction â is really informative, for BC in general. Good luck x
@klf - this is an excellent book and I would also recommend it. @booklover1 - I donât have tnbc but I am progesterone + only so on a similar treatment regime. I am nearing the end of my chemo now and although I was absolutely dreading it, I am glad that I have had it as I think itâs a really effective way of dealing with a fast growing tumour - mine was large (27mm) and has now almost disappeared! You might want to join the monthly chemo starters for July. Itâs really helpful being able to talk to other people also going through chemo and share your experiences.
Wishing you loads of luck, Emma
I am sorry you have been diagnosed with TNBC. I have TNBC too. I donât have the most optimistic story for you to connect to as my TNBC is stage 4, but I am currently in remission after immunotherapy and microwave ablation of liver mets. 2 and a half years in I am still here, am well, and have hope. The point being there are treatments around for TNBC and new treatments being developed.
Thank you so much for your reply & advice. I will post in the tnbc/ inflammatory topic too. Thanks for the reassurance about treatment. I think I am still a bit in shock and will feel better when I know more about treatment. Thank you again for your kind words
Thanks Ivy cat I am sorry you have had to have chemo too but thanks for sharing how its gone. Thatâs so good how its worked so well shrinking the tumour. Will you have surgery next? Thanks for the tip about joining the chemo threadx
Thanks so much for replying to my post & sharing your story and your positivity. Its good to know the treatments are out there. I wish you well with your treatments xx
remember your treatment plan will be tailored specifically to you, there isnât a one size fits all. Also look to see if there are any trials you can go on and have these ready to discuss with your onc Shi xx
On face book there is a clised group specialising only in triple negative bc. It is full of lovely people in the same situation. Loads of advice and can ask any questions
Ask to join. Book A Survivors Guide to TNBC by Michele asolak- Edwards has been a godsend. Written so can be easily understood abd explains everything. Good for family to read as well, from Amazon. Good luck, ive just finished treatment.
@ivy-cat good luck with the next stage of your treatment
@Shi thank you for your lovely post. I am slowly learning there is no one treatment and we are all on a slightly different path
@jeannie thanks for the information about the facebook group and the book recommendation
I had my first meeting with the oncologist today. He reckons my treatment will rake about a year with chemo/immunitheeapy first starting weekly then 4 rounds of a different chemo every 3 weeks (4 cycles) then surgery around Christmas and then radiotherapy plus immunitherapy (possibly chemo too). It is hard to get my head around. I gave a few reses first including a CT scan which I am so scared about.
Hi @booklover sorry to read you are going through this crap. Im also triple negative and that really messed with my head especially after googling which i wish i hadnât. Im a lot calmer about it now. Was diagnosed in march had lumpectomy in may and sentinel node biopsy. Op was successful and it was when they told me the results i was told i was tn. So instead of just radio therapy ill be having chemotherapy starting on Friday. Stay strong you are not on your own. Sending love
Thank you @debi1 for replying so sorry you have been through this too. It does help to hear from women further along their treatment. I wish you all the best with the chemo. I only hope I will become calmer in time.
I have a petscan and ultrasound Monday then chemo might start the next week. I am still not quite believing its happening, I am very scared for Monday but am trying not to think about it too much.
a good book that helped me was Surviving Triple Negative Breast Cancer by Patricia Prijatel 
you are not on your own. Sending love 