Breast Cancer Now Forum

Aw thanks Delly for the welcome too 😊 😊 😊   i did indeed have reconstruction. I had it at the same time as I was having the mastectomy. I had an implant and had a nipple sparing reconstruction. The surgeon did a great job in fairness and it has healed very well. The odd little itch every now and then but it eventually settles down.   The birthday is not until the end of next month, but I’ll put my order in now...glass of bubbles all the way please 😋 ! We’d need a few magnum sized bottles to share among all the lovely people on here.   Thanks again,   Cat xxx     ... View more

It’s interesting how there are different words used. When I was first dx June 2016, they approached the treatment plan with “curative intent”. Nobody from my medical team ever jumped up and down and said “yippee you’re cured” (now that would be a sight 😂 ) at the end, but I go on evidence and statistics.    Everybody’s cancer diagnosis and pathology results are different. No surprise there, as we are all different! My cancer was detected early (self examination) at Stage 1, aggressive at Grade 3 and triple negative so non hormone receptive. I had a complete pathological response to the chemo, and opted for a mastectomy after. They biopsied the removed breast and deemed it as a complete pathological response from this. Statistically my chance of reoccurrence stands at 2%. This is what my team calculate based on their calculations and research concurs with that figure too. My consultant has told me that after the 5 year mark, with my type of cancer, another diagnosis of cancer is classed as a new cancer and not a reoccurrence of the old one. After this period I would compare myself as the same as anybody else, unless I give myself reason not to like I start smoking, drinking excessively etc., which I certainly do not plan on doing!    So for me, I think it can be a very individual decision of what to label it. I quench the anxiety of reoccurrence with the stats, but I also appreciate life more, celebrate the small wins with the big ones, squeeze my kids tighter and exercise more and make better food choices. The word remission scares me. I don’t use it because I don’t like it, not because I disagree with it. I don’t use “cured” either as I’m not comfortable with that either (I’m sounding indecisive here). I say “I got the all clear in...” Covers a multitude of things for me.   wishing you all continued health and happiness xx ... View more

Thank you so much ☺️ For welcoming me. What a lovely place it is! ... View more

Hi emac    How are you doing? I was diagnosed with triple negative (stage 1 grade 3, clear nodes) back in June 2016. I had chemo first and then went on to have a mastectomy. I also have 2 children, although they were older than yours when I was going through treatment. They are now 8 and 10.    It it is a scary and anxious time, especially the waiting before treatment starts. I wish I knew about this forum when I was going through it all. Please stay away from Dr Google. There’s a lot of negative stuff out there, completely out of date and not to mention rubbish. I learnt the hard way. I told my breast care nurse and my oncologist my findings. They instead gave me the facts that were relevant to my pathology results.   you may find that there will be days that might be harder than others while going through treatment. That’s ok! Ask for help when you need it. You’ll still be mom but you need to put yourself first for the moment. Sending you a big hug.xx ... View more

First post ever on the forums...be gentle    i was diagnosed on the 1st June 2016 with Stage 1, Grade 3 Triple Negative BC. I had chemo (taxol, carboplatin and then a/c). I also had a mastectomy. I responded very well to treatment. When I got diagnosed I went looking for online support and also to look up “facts”. I didn’t know about good places like here and instead ended up getting terrible misinformation that absolutely scared me and made me believe it was the end for me. Luckily I went running to my breast care nurse and oncologist who put me straight.   it does seem that there are more bad outcome stories out there, especially in relation to the likes of triple negative BC. Dr Google can be a dangerous minefield, that’s for sure! As many of you have already said, a lot of the stuff out there is out of date and/or pseudoscience with no proper evidence based research to support its findings.   It’s promising to hear new breakthroughs in cancer treatments and for any of you that need a good story with triple negative BC, here you go and I know a few others that have had successful treatment outcomes with it also. I was 34 getting my biopsy and a few days later I turned 35 and got diagnosed. Not a great birthday. Next month I turn 37. My second birthday being cancer free. And while I do of course feel that fear everyday and some days are better than others, I’ll definitely be looking forward to many more birthday kisses and hugs from my two kids. It’s lovely to have found this forum and I wish you all continued good health.xxx ... View more