Anyone who has not had chemo with Triple Negative?

Malady

I would really like to hear from anyone who decided to not have chemo after being diagnosed as triple negative.     I read a lot of doom and gloom for us women who decided for various reasons to not have chemo and hopefully I will hear something positive. 

FloridaLady

Hi Malady,

Others will be by in a few...that has not done chemo. My question is....did you get a 2nd opinion on your pathology report?  It is very rare a true triple neg is a Grade 1.  99.9% are Grade 3 so you see how rare this is. You just want to be sure you are making the right choice with all the info.

Best wishes on making your decision.

Flalady

Malady

My Pathology Report says Grade II/III - moderately differentiated.    After that report tests were done to see what the hormone status was and I went to an  Oncologist who said I was Triple Negative but did not give me any change in the Grade.    Would these results make the Grade change?

OneBadBoob

Hi Malady--

I myself am having my slides re-read because of a probable error in the grading--

But I believe if your pathology report says Grade II/III, it means that you are Grade 2 out of a possible of 3 grades. 

Someone please correct me if I am wrong.

Shirlann

Hi, I did not have chemo, but remember, when I was diagnosed 10 years ago, TriNeg was just being investigated, and I was Stage IV, or Grade IV, yikes, anyway, my little cancer was aggressive, as most TriNegs are.

I don't know if I just got lucky or what.  But it seems to me that you should at least look at the studies of this treatment vs not doing the chemo.  The first shot at this beast is the best one, if you met out, you are done for, no second chance.

Gentle hugs, Shirlann

FloridaLady

Yes... your grade should have went up.  Did they do a FISH test to double check your Her2 status?  These are important questions to help you make decisions.  Please follow up to make sure you do have the correct info.  This will make you feel more comfortable with your decision.

Flalady

ravdeb

I agree with all that has been said. Chemo is the treatment for triple neg and generally triple neg is aggressive BUT...

How old are you? Research shows that most triple negs who are over 50 do NOT have the basal-type triple neg which is said to be the most aggressive. Also...have you had genetic counseling and testing? BRACA (the gene mutation) is common with triple neg and can make it more aggressive.

 I suggest a second opinion before turning down chemo. And I suggest you retest your hormone status and have the FSH test for Her2 as was suggested...Just a thought...

Be well..

Malady

I am 67 now and turned down chemo one year ago.    I am told it is too late to have chemo now so have no choice but to live with my decision.   I just finished talking to a nurse from Oncology and she said that they did find out I was more like a Grade 3.    Anyway like I say it is too late to do anything now but to keep my fingers crossed.

FloridaLady

Malady

Please see the alternative area to see what a lot of ladies are doing in hope of keeping the beast from coming back. There are things you can do that will help.

Flalady

Shirlann

Bless you, RavDeb, bless you,  hugs, Shirlann

Malady

Shirlann:

I read that you did not have chemo (I realize that was 10 years ago when it was not as readily offered as today) but this sure gives me some hope and support.   I feel so good to hear of someone else with the same experience.    I have quite often become very upset after reading about horror stories of what surely lay in store for me for not having chemo.