Triple negative - newly diagnosed and looking for your experiences

@roxy66
I was diagnosed 33 years ago- 1992- at age 48- and had a mastectomy.
Obviously, treatment has changed over the years.
I had chemo for 6 months. I was able to get all treatments on time and full dose. They check your blood counts before.
They do give you drugs to counteract bad symptoms. Mine were mostly GI and worst the day after.
Try to talk to a dietitian- your appetite will change and you have many food aversions.
I did not lose all hair- it thinned out.
Get as much sleep as possible.
One of my mottos later on was : I went through chemo, I can do anything!

Hi @roxy66 ,

Right now, you’re standing at the starting point of a journey you never asked for , the moment when everything feels surreal, when you keep thinking, “What just happened?” You probably wish you could wake up and realize it was all a bad dream. I’ve been there, and I know how terrifying it feels. Hearing the word cancer shakes your entire world.

But please hold on to this truth: breast cancer, while frightening, has very good survival rates. You are not alone in this. In this group, you’ll meet extraordinary women, warriors filled with wisdom, compassion, and hope. Their stories will remind you, again and again, that healing is possible and that life after this can be beautiful.

If I could give you just one piece of advice, it would be this: don’t try to carry it all alone. Lean on your support network : your family, your friends, and the women here. Speak openly about what you feel. Cry if you need to. Let the emotions out; none of them make you weak. Your mental and emotional health are just as important as your treatment. And if you can, reach out to a therapist ( it was one of the best decisions I ever made for myself).

Cancer is not just a physical illness , it’s something that touches every layer of who you are. That’s why healing has to come from every direction: food, movement, emotional care, mental balance, and spiritual peace. Meditation, prayer, or simply quiet moments of gratitude can help you stay grounded in the present. Try not to let your mind wander too far into fear , come back to the facts you know today, and take things one step at a time.

With time, you’ll begin to see that even in this painful season, there are lessons, light, and unexpected strength. If you believe in God, ask Him to walk beside you and help you understand what this experience is here to teach you. You will come out of this stronger, wiser, and more alive than ever before.

Sending you all my love, courage, and prayers for this journey ahead.

I was diagnosed TNBC in early 2019 at age 66. Underwent chemo, lumpectomy and radiation which was completed at the end of that year.

I’ll let others chime in on the details, but I’m writing for two reasons. One, I’m still here at age 73, as are many other TNBC patients and two, please don’t read too much about this type. I’m a person who likes to know things so I was constantly reading. There are many advancements even since I was treated and everyone is different so please try to set the scary stuff aside and focus on putting one foot in front of the other.

Best wishes to you and all on this forum.