Scared and needing support

Hi @ccardenas112 ,

Glad to hear your port placement went well.

We are here with you! I had Stage 3 triple negative in 2020 after my son was born, and did that regimen - 8 A/C and 12 Taxol, then surgery. My genetic testing came back negative so they only took the one breast to spare my body more trauma from the pregnancy/cancer since I still had radiation to go. (I found the lump in the third trimester, but it took awhile to get an ultrasound since they thought it might be milk duct stuff.)

All the advice here is great. I would add to be sure and take all your medicine for constipation, and get lots of fluids and good food. I got behind on that and it was excruciating.

Hugs!!!

Thank you! I’ll start looking for some things to keep me busy:) I’m working on a book and love to read and do puzzles. And nap😆

Hi dear,
I am in the same boat as you. I am pretty much alone in this and scared as well. I am trying to be prepared to lose my hair most likely in the second phase of chemo. I have a nice wig picked out in the event that I need it. I am taking it one day at a time. I know it will be difficult. I am 66 almost 67 and don't have the same reserve that I used to. But I do think taking it one day at a time is a key factor in keeping sanity. I also am Catholic so I pray and that is very helpful to me. God Bless all of us that are struggling with cancer.

@jshaeffergirl
I went through breast cancer 8 years ago. I'm fine now except I have neuropathy in my feet and hands from one of the drugs. Please if you start experiencing tingling and hands and feet let your oncologist know so they can stop the drug that is causing it. Keep on them until they do.
Also, if I went through this again (Please God No) I think I would try the cold cap. My hair isn't like it was before.
I'll pray for you and all who are going through any type of cancer.
God Bless You All,
Mary Ann

@crissma
Thank you for the information. I have to wear cold socks and gloves for chemo because one of the drugs causes neuropathy. Then the cold cap for my hair. Can they actually stop the drug? I am going to try cold cap but know that during my second phase of chemo it might not work as one of the drugs is very hard on the body. This is when hair typically falls out. I am glad that you are fine now except for the neuropathy.

I was diagnosed on 1/2/2025 with Invasive Lobular Cancer with lymph node involvement. I am 60 years old. I live alone but do have a support network. I to did the 20 weeks of chemo. In my opinion I sailed through pretty easily. My worst side effects were lack of sleep, confusion (chemo brain), lack of appetite. I spoke honestly with my care team about my side effects and they were great in prescribing sleep aids (trazadone, Delta 9 gummies, pot). I have had a single mastectomy and then a corrective surgery to remove the dead skin and expanders as my body did not like. I was scared, still am as I am not through this journey yet (start radiation in November). I read legislation for a living so was not interested in reading books - I loaded up on streaming services and watched shows. I napped when I got tired. I tried to eat protein, drink lots of water and did moderate exercise. I took the attitude of "why not me", "one day at a time", focused on my blessings and just went with it. I didn't concentrate on the full treatment process but just the treatment at hand. I pray that you will find strength, peace and grace. It is a long road but every day is a gift!! Blessings to you!

I was diagnosed on 1/2/2025 with Invasive Lobular Cancer with lymph node involvement. I am 60 years old. I live alone but do have a support network. I to did the 20 weeks of chemo. In my opinion I sailed through pretty easily. My worst side effects were lack of sleep, confusion (chemo brain), lack of appetite. I spoke honestly with my care team about my side effects and they were great in prescribing sleep aids (trazadone, Delta 9 gummies, pot). I have had a single mastectomy and then a corrective surgery to remove the dead skin and expanders as my body did not like. I was scared, still am as I am not through this journey yet (start radiation in November). I read legislation for a living so was not interested in reading books - I loaded up on streaming services and watched shows. I napped when I got tired. I tried to eat protein, drink lots of water and did moderate exercise. I took the attitude of "why not me", "one day at a time", focused on my blessings and just went with it. I did lose my hair - I had my hairdresser shave it off at week two. I had a few wigs - two hats with hair, a halo and a full wig for when meeting with customers. I didn't concentrate on the full treatment process but just the treatment at hand. I pray that you will find strength, peace and grace. It is a long road but every day is a gift!! Blessings to you!

I read your comments and wanted to say how nicely you put everything. I think staying with the treatment at hand is good advice. I am starting chemo for triple negative breast cancer on Friday so I am scared. Good to hear that you made it through your treatment. God bless you.

@jshaeffergirl - I too had treatment for triple negative but I'm also BRCA2+. I researched and prepped for each treatment as it arose, so I could be prepared for possible side effects. I had chemo followed by bilateral then radiation lastly followed by Lynparza. I finished all my treatment beginning of 2025. I feel as if I was one of the fortunate ones - I breezed thru all treatments.

@bpknitter53
Thanks for your reply. I am BRCA negative but they are treating it as triple negative even though I am low estrogen positive so I'll do an adjuvant therapy after surgery which includes an immune therapy and hormone therapy as well. May I ask what you mean by you researched and prepped for each treatment. I am a Neonatal nurse so I do a certain amount of research but I want to hear what you did exactly. How did you prepare? I've been told that cold capping may help so I'm going to do that. I also have been told that I need cold socks and gloves to reduce the chance of neuropathy as the drug taxol can cause peripheral damage so I'm bringing those in a cooler. Any suggestions for preparing?