Triple positive BC grade 3

Diagnosed with breast cancer Recently diagnosed with breast cancer
1

Hi,
I’m new to the site and wanted to say hi to all the other members of the club no one wants to be in.

I’ve been diagnosed with Grade 3 triple positive breast cancer and quite honestly not dealing well.
I found the lump on the 12th Jan very randomly and promptly went into free fall, long story short. Mammogram, ultra sound, biopsy ( as soon as that needle came out I knew.) Waiting not so patiently then to be given the news that although it’s tiny ( not as small as I’d like it) 1.5cm but cancer ( free fall moment again) booked in for MRI, never actually got those results until I had to have my marina coil removed ( I have endometriosis as well, being female sucks) that he told me there’s was nothing of concern, well apart from that small tumor, so it’s not in lymph nodes or anywhere else in my breast ( wahooo) got my appointment to discuss surgery( 6/02/25)went, was told chemo first as it’s Hert2 positive ( freefall part 3) got my oncology appointment through today and I’m off there in a week. Has anyone else had chemo first, usual questions, how long before you start, how long does it go on for, how did it affect you? Im also having radio and endocrine treatment? Anyone else?? I have zero clue what to expect and more to the point why is it taking so long!!! I know oncology have only just received my referral but I’ve been living with this for 7 weeks (48 days longer than I’ve wanted it in my system) I’m going through the usual, what if it spreads while I’m waiting, I know the docs know what they are doing but I hate not knowing, not being in control. Also I’m having the chemical menopause due to my endometriosis which is possibly like endocrine treatment as it’s blocking hormones ( but I could be talking out my bum) any advice or suggestions would be great. I started this journey thinking ohhhh it’s small that’s great just get it out give me a couple of blasts of whatever and I’ll be back to normal in a few weeks ( which is what happened with my vulval cancer, the cancer cells would have fitted on a pinheaded apparently) so I was lulled in to a false sense of security as now I’m absolutely terrified. This is a lot more serious than I originally was lead to think and I’m still not sure that I’m grasping how serious it is, I’ve obviously looked at survival rates/reoccurrence statistics and can’t work out either. Sorry to ramble but I’ve got to get it out, I’m a carer for my 83 year mum so she’s not getting most of what I’m saying also holding down a full time job ( they are being brilliant) 2 puppies ( I must be mad) a new (7month old) relationship which now I’m stressing that he’s only staying because I have cancer. I know that’s there people out there that’s are far worse off than me and in many ways I’m so very lucky and I’m truly trying to find positives but I wasn’t prepared for this and have no clue what do do.

Love and best wishes

Jobieejo

3 Likes
2

Hello , I’m so sorry you’re here. Like you say a club non of us want to be in ! But I’m glad you’ve found the forum because there’s lots of useful info on here but take your time with it as it can become a bit overwhelming. I’m sorry I can’t really answer any of your questions as I’m still in the waiting stages myself… diagnosed but not sure what’s happening next. I just wanted to say that I hear you, the unknown, the waiting, the questions, the uncertainty and unfairness of it all is really sh!t. Hopefully someone will be along soon who can answer your questions. There’s so many knowledgeable folks on here and lots of stories of hope. Keep putting one foot in front of the other and we’ll get through this.
Take care of yourself :hugs:

1 Like
3

Hi, I’m sorry to chat to you under these Sh!!y circumstances. Thank you for the reply sometimes it’s just soothing to know that I’m not alone, so far I’ve found this site to be really helpful.
I wish you good luck.
:crossed_fingers:t2:

1 Like
4

Hi @jobieejo

Welcome to the exclusive club we would rather not be members of!

My story is similar to yours. Mine was picked up on a routine mammogram mid October last year. I was called in for second stage breast screening. Had a 3D mammogram and USS followed by biopsies the following week. Called in to discuss results and was informed in November it was breast cancer. Initially I was told I was likely to just need breast conserving surgery but around 25% would have to go. Managed to get my Mirena coil removed the same day and stop HRT. Thankfully no menopausal symptoms since stopping. Informed that I’d need to wait for two weeks before having the MRI as the hormones affect the imaging.

Week after diagnosis called to see surgeon who informed me I was triple positive and as such I’d need chemo and targeted therapy and most likely mastectomy. Timing of treatment/surgery depended on MRI result. If it was 20mm or more chemo etc first then surgery. Otherwise surgery then chemo etc

MRI revealed it was more extensive so breast conserving surgery not an option. Would nee. chemo and targeted therapy. Unfortunately for me it also flagged up something in other breast so went to another hospital for biopsies under MRI guidance. Unbelievably that showed DCIS in both biopsied areas. As I have breast cancer in both breasts I was . referred for genetic testing - thankfully no genetic cause found. Just unlucky or I’d like to think very lucky that radiologists acted on what looked like subtle changes and the team kept on investigating.

The hardest part for me was telling my children, the unknown and the ever changing plan as I got more results. The wait and thoroughness is necessary so they have all the information to make the right decisions for my care.

I started my treatment mid January. Some 8 weeks after diagnosis. So far have had 2 cycles of 6. The 3rd due this Friday. I’ll have surgery in the summer. Likely to opt for a double mastectomy. Then I’ll need 12 more cycles of targeted therapy, though this might change if any residual cancer found in my breasts/lymph nodes.

I was and am not afraid of what is to come. It was a relief to have a plan and start treatment. It’s something I just need to get through as many have before me and are doing alongside me. I’m accepting and just embracing it all. I’ll be having zolendronic acid infusions and the hormone blockers too to reduce risk if recurrence. I’ll take what’s offered as I want to make old bones!

I continued to work whilst being investigated. I’ve been off since I started treatment. Many people carry on working as they have no option or have jobs that may allow them to work flexibly and perhaps from home. Not an option in my job. Fortunate to get sick pay.

I no longer have caring responsibilities so thankfully don’t have that additional responsibility to juggle anymore, had I, I don’t know how I’d have managed. I guess I’d have to have prioritised myself and would have had to have spoken to my parents about finding external support. They would have understood. They would have been devastated to know that I have breast cancer.

Once you start treatment join the monthly chemotherapy thread. As our treatment is long haul, I’d suggest you also take a look at the HER2 thread that’s been going for over a year. It’s invaluable. It was a 4.5 hour read when I found it but it was reassuring to read stories of marvellous women sharing their experiences and completing the treatment. It is positive and instilled in me hope.

It is all doable. We are stronger and more resilient than we think we are. X

3 Likes