I had primary breast cancer in 2013 treated with a lumpectomy and radiotherapy. I found a lump in my armpit Nov 2021. I was examined at the breast clinic and had a mammogram, they said I was OK, but July 2022, my arm started to swell, I went to gp and was referred to a different breast clinic. and they did a ultrasound and biopsy straight away, I was diagnosed quickly,
I have been given 18 months to two years. I have triple negative breast cancer in my spine, lung, lymph gland in my armpit and on my chest, my cancer is inoperable, I am currently on paciltaxil every week for palliative outcome.
I am having a tough time trying to stay strong. I am so mad at everything and everyone.
I have made a complaint to the unit that missed the cancer, I know it won’t help me but I trying not to let it happen to someone else sorry for the rant
You’re in the right place to rant, everybody here is empathetic and too many have similar stories to tell. You have to be your own advocate these days and do a lot of your own research. Reading other posts on here will help point you in the right direction. Ask your oncologist what further chemotherapy options there are? Since May 21 I’ve been on 3 different drugs with varying success. No doctor should give a time limit on your life based only on a diagnosis. We’re all different with different lifestyles, our genes are different, I could go on. There have been occasions when I thought death was nigh and my quality of life isn’t brilliant but I’m still here with my family and friends. Currently I don’t feel I’m dying! There are many things you can do to help yourself they won’t cure cancer but can help your body help itself. There are decent books and websites out there but beware of modern “snake oil” peddlers selling miracles.
When you write to make your complaint to the first hospital keep a copy (you’ll build up quite a dossier, I did) Also send a copy to your MP, ask him what our politicians are doing to save our failing NHS. They need to know from patients just how poor the service has become.
Your right to be angry, I think it’s everyone’s normal first reaction but anger is stress and not good for you/us. Take what practical ways you can to relieve it and then take some time out to relax in which ever way floats your boat and takes your busy brain away from stressful thinking.
Probably could have said all that in 5 sentences but I hope it helps a little. You’re not alone.
Good to hear from you although sorry you find yourself here.
My primary was late 2019 and secondary diagnosis summer 2022, so I didn’t have much time after the initial treatment ended (which was in lockdown too). My secondary is 4 inoperable tumours in lymph nodes and muscle across my chest, including mediastinal lymph node next to aorta.
I found the time around my secondary diagnosis the hardest and was thinking a lot about death and how much time I might have, but over the last 5 months my focus has changed and I feel in a better place, focusing on how much living I can do.
I have just completed 11 rounds of weekly paclitaxel and carboplatin. I found it hard going, but it significantly shrank all 4 tumours so was worth it. Hopefully it will work as well for you.
I am also on pembroluzimab, no idea yet if that will work but my oncologist felt it was worth a try. May be worth you asking about your eligibility for that too?
A belated welcome to our exclusive little forum! Wha I wanted to pass on was some wisdom from one of our professors who specialises in MTNBC: we should no longer be regarding this as a terminal condition with a time limit on what we have left. We need to consider it as a condition to be managed, albeit for now by chemo. There is a lot of promising research going on and new drugs appearing so things can change for the good, as well as for the worse.
As Helen said, no one should have given you a prognosis like that. It leaves no room for the extraordinary, for innovation, for hope even. It puts you into a negative and fearful mindset that won’t help at all. Yes, there was, maybe still is, a short expectation for us TNers but there are always exceptions. Helen has definitely proved that, as have I, living well past prognosis and still on my first line treatment, perplexing the MDT - but who cares about that!
Just focus on living as well as you can and don’t worry about how much time the statistics say you have left. Sod them!
Hi breastie
I’m good thank you . I’ve had a few ups and downs but getting there.
I started chemo about four weeks ago but I’ve had to have a break due to having a chest infection.
I’m trying to be a bit more positive, I have a lovely doctor at the christie where I’m being treated.
My family are coping with the diagnoses. That’s all I can ask for.
How are you hope you are well .xx
