Triple Negative Breast Cancer

[Peta_Kaye]

Hi. My name is Peta, I'm a mum of two young kids ( 3 and 6 ) and I was diagnosed on Thursday with triple negative Breast cancer. I'm 36 years old. *waves* hi! is there anyone out there in the same ( or similar ) boat? I would really appreciate any advice, support or whatever.

[Allicat]

Hi Peta! *waves back* I'm not really in the same boat as you but will offer what support I can. I was diagnosed with breast cancer (not triple neg) 2 years ago when I was 33. I am single with no children. Major treatment is finished, I've just got some drugs to take for another 3 years. I think I was in shock the first couple of weeks after being diagnosed with cancer. I was thinking for the first time just the other day that maybe being in shock was actually a good thing to help deal with the overwhelming-ness of it all. I had 4 months of chemo and 4 surgeries including a right-side mastectomy. It was both terrifying and surprisingly manageable. Each new step was scary but then once it happened I could deal with it. There is a lot of support available. Both on websites and in person. The only times I cried for the first six months were when I was talking to kind people at various support services. I felt like I was a regular person who happened to get cancer and that I was being lumped in with "cancer patients" who weren't regular people because they were just "cancer patients". But then I realised that basically all the "cancer patients" felt that way - all of them were just regular people who happened to get cancer. I hope things are going ok for you. Do you know what treatment you are going to have?

[Dee_Jones]

Hi Peta, Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I'm not in exactly the same situation but i was diagnosed last year at 31 (triple negative with no family history and negative gene testing) whilst 31 weeks pregnant. I also attend a young womens breast cancer support group with women who are in similar situations to you. I guess everyones experience is different I know to start with i went into project management mode trying to sort my way through appointments, information and decision making. I was lucky and have a very supportive husband and family who have been with me every step of the way. It is such a scary time and one thing i realised early on was that it was a journey rather than something that will be cured over night. Having a newborn was helpful as it gave me something else to focus on at times (when the whole cancer thing can be overwhelming) but also challenging as i wasn't able to always take the time out for myself that i think would have benefited me during treatment and recovery. I hope you have a medical team you are happy and feel confident with and have been put in touch with a breast care nurse - they are truly invaluable. I have also found seeing a psychologist really helpful, i managed to get in with one who specialises in cancer patients, is there anything you want specific advice on? Happy to ask my support group what their advice is. Happy to help in anyway i can, hang in there.