Newly diagnosed TNC, help

Continuing the discussion from New TNBC:

Hi
Just been told tumour stage 1 grade 2 tnc. Only just starting to get my head around how bad tnc is. Lymph node clear, awaiting CT and MRI desperately hoping nothing else is found. Waiting for first appt with oncologist to talk about chemo plan. Dont know what to expect from chemo other than will take 5-6 mo nths, so overwhelmed

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Hey @hucky345

Its natural to be overwhelmed and youve done some digging on tnbc which i never did. Sometimes ignorance is bliss, be careful what you google.

I was diagnosed in 2021 with tnbc grade 3 early stage and went with what the doctor said. I never googled the type of cancer just googled how to help myself holistically as i knew someone who reversed terminal cancer.

My doctor said chemo is better first for tnbc as it can shrink the tumour which is better for surgery. I Had 4xEC then 12 Paclitaxel March to August. Then double mastectomy as i am BRCA2 positive. The tumour had gone completely when surgery happened. I put that down to my supplements, healthy diet and holistic healing i was doing along with the chemo.

To help calm you, spend your time investigating things to help you as you are. dont look at the what ifs of the future. They may never occur. Take control of what you put into and on your body. Take control of your mindset and make it positive. Do all the things that are good for you and make you smile.

If something comes along negative turn it into a positive or steer clear.

You have a mission to get rid of cancer
When you achieve that your next mission is to remain cancer free

To do it take one step at a time
Yes you will freak out, break down and be scared but own it and do your damndest to win

You can do it and we’re here for you when you need us

:two_hearts:

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Thanks Ahbc21 for your words. Trying to focus on next step otherwise becomes overwhelming

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Hucky :heart:sorry you find yourself here, any breast cancer diagnosis can be :flushed: I was tnbc in 2017, take it a day at a time, a treatment at a time, everything will be tailored specially to you :heart: treatments can change during treatment they will watch your bloods closely :heart: do think about joining the threads when your treatment plan is in place, everyone helps get each other through and this can be your safe space :heart: do ask away and do look at everything breast cancer now can help support you with as much or as little as you need :heart: there are no right or wrongs everyone just tries tge best they can and when there are wobbles or tears we’re all here and we will listen and care :heart::two_hearts::two_hearts::sparkles::sparkles:Shi xx

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I have a friend who was diagnosed with TNC early stage, that was 23 years ago, she’s doing well no recurrence, Mammogram every year, and that’s it.
Hope rings eternal!
All the best,
Trish

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Wow theres hope. Thanks Flan

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I also have TNBC and have scared myself witless googling. Most information on the web is out of date and based on figures from years ago. Things have moved on hugely in recent years and there are many treatment options available now, including immunotherapy and follow on oral chemotherapy. Breast Cancer Now ran a really informative session last week hosted by Professor Schmid who is the expert in TNBC treatment. He was very positive about treatment options and outlined survival statistics which are much higher now than just a few years ago x

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Hi @hucky345

It’s a crazy time in limbo waiting for your treatment plan. I was Stage 2, Grade 3 TNBC in Feb. Had 3mths of Placlitaxol/Carboplatin & Pembrolizumab (Immunotherapy drug), 3mths of Epirubicin/Cyclophosphamide & Pembro. Then lumpectomy with lymph node biopsies. The chemo reduced my tumour enough that I was able to have a smaller surgery which spared my nipple. No evidence of invasive disease in pathology results - phew!

I start 5 days of radiotherapy tomorrow and a further 6mths of immunotherapy from January.

This pretty much follows the suggested pathway in Prof. Schmid’s webinar talk, if you like to know the science it’s worth a watch.

You’ll find so many helpful hints and tips on the chemotherapy groups. The one thing I don’t see mentioned often is using cold/iced gloves & socks during the Placlitaxol infusions to help prevent peripheral neuropathy. I was desperate to avoid this horrible side-effect, so invested in the SuzziPad items, and took the frozen icepack sections with me in a coolbag to the hospital. Wearing them for an hour each week was pretty hard (thin socks and gloves underneath to protect from extreme cold), but so worth it, as I’ve had no neuropathy except on my face, which is apparently quite unusual.

Wishing you the very best with all your treatment. This is a great charity for support. You can also ask to be put in touch with “Someone like me” and have calls to share your experiences with someone who has been through it. I’ve found that incredibly helpful.

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I also have neuropathy on my face and nowhere else - I’ve really struggled to find out any information about it as it seems to be a strange side effect. It started during chemo for me and has recently flared up again following radiotherapy x

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Hi @ivy-cat

Gosh, that’s totally rubbish for you. There’s nothing good about this treatment - definitely no “treat”. :frowning_with_open_mouth: You make me feel better, though, knowing I’m not the only one to have had neuropathy in my face. They treated me like I was almost making it up! I haven’t had it for a while, but I start radiotherapy tomorrow for the week, so I’ll know not to be surprised if it comes back.

Thanks for your message - I really appreciate it. Xx

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Hucky :heart: do also ring the nurses on here and try the someone like me option too :heart: day by day and step at a time, it’s a lot to process but as you can see from all our responses above, doable you do it your way however you need to do it, there are no right or wrongs :heart:keep reaching out on here as much or as little as you need :heart::two_hearts::two_hearts::sparkles::sparkles:Shi xx

Hi @hucky345

So sorry you find yourself here but it does help to have people who understand what you’re going through.

I was diagnosed with TNBC in April 2023, my biopsy results were unclear at first so I had a lumpectomy before I found out it was triple negative. I had 3 x EC and 3 x Docetaxel/Carboplatin, all three weekly. I then had a double mastectomy due to ATM gene. That was the end of my treatment.

I’m doing well and now have a full head of curly hair!

If you need information, ask on here or look at MacMillian website, try not to google.

Look after yourself, listen to your body, rest when you need to, sleep is good so nap if you can.

Good luck and take care

Niki x

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