Triple negative breast cancer

I was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer on 14 Feb 2019 at age 35. I have an 8cm tumour in my right breast with lymph node & internal mammary gland involvement.  I also have 2 x 1.9cm tumours in my left breast - a separate cancer but also triple negative. So I'm lucky enough to get 2 separate cancers at the same time! I am also BRCA2+.

I've just finished chemo & am scheduled to have a double mastectomy with immediate DIEP reconstruction next month. 

My surgeon is super lovely and I totally trust her, however... I feel like she (& my oncologist) are so bloody positive the whole time. Now, I appreciate that this is a good thing at times, but they just keep saying that everything will be ok & refuse to discuss anything negative. 

Not that I want there to be negative things to hear! It's just that I appreciate that I have quite a lot of cancer going on (not to mention 2 separate ones!) and they just keep discussing the next steps. But I don't even know if a double mastectomy & radiotherapy will solve the issues! 

I know they can't predict the future, but how can I get them to be more open & honest with me???

  • Hi Ld2019, 

    Welcome to the forum although I'm really sorry to read about the news that has led you here. 

    From your post it's clear that you have a lot going on and it's understandable that you want to know more. I think that lots of our ladies here who've been diagnosed with breast cancer will understand that. 

    I wanted to connect you to another currently active post called triple negative breast cancer as it may be helpful for you to connect with [@mumof3angels]‍ and [@SueBea]‍ both of whom have had the same diagnosis. 

    You might also like to add an post to this this thread where lots of our breast cancer ladies post. I'm sure that some of them will have felt like you and be able to share their thoughts and experiences. 

    If you feel at any point you'd like to chat with one of our team of nurses about your concerns and questions then please do give them a call. They're available Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm on 0808 800 4040. 

    Best wishes, 
    Jenn
    Cancer Chat moderator

  • Thank you for your reply. I’ll look up those accounts. Thanks again x

  • Hello there,  I wish that my daughters oncologist had been more honest  when she was diagnosed with grade 3 TNBC in March last year, she had chemo and every side effect going,  followed by mastectomy in September, radiotherapy was delayed and each time we went she looked so ill and tired, dr's fobbed us off saying it was due to chemo, offered her 'respite care'  she went to the hospice on a Tuesday, test results showed it has spread to her lungs, bones and liver, they said maybe two weeks, she died the next day in my arms... i so wish I had asked more question about the negative side, if we knew at the beginning that she would not last a year and all the pain and suffering she went through, physically and mentally, I would rather have  had 6 great months with her. I miss her her so much. 

     

    I wish you well with your journey, don't be afraid to ask x

  • Oh my goodness. This is awful. I’m so sorry that you had to go through that. Sending you lots of love xx

  • Hi, I can see this post is now a few years old. I have just had a similar diagnosis and if you are still active on the forum I'd love to hear your experience if you would be happy to share. I hope you found support, care and compassion at every turn and that your team were right to only be positive. Being newly diagnosed I'm looking for anyone in the same storm, knowing we might well be in different boats and at different stages of the journey. I'm awaiting genetic results but currently grade 3 stage 3 TNBC, lymph involvement, multifocal 6cm and 3 cm right breast. Chemo due to start any time now. All the feelings.