Calling all TNs

NavyMom

Has anyone noticed that this wonderful thread is coming to 1000 pages?? Has anyone heard from our starter "Titan"?

I've been here since Page #2. So much has happened since then....Wishing all of you love and happiness and most importantly LIFE.

Meadow

Navymom. I had noticed! And no, not heard from Titan. Wow! page 2! Amazing!

Meadow

oh wow! 1000 pages!

LifeAloft

I've been doing some reading tonight about Metformin possibly helping us triple negs, interesting stuff.  I was diagnosed insulin resistant a few years ago but stopped taking Metformin. Has anyone talked to their docs about this?

NavyMom

LifeAloft: Back in 2012(I think) I asked my MO for metformin because I saw the research info too. She said NO. She didn't want to manage meds not related to my treatment plan and wanted to see more research results. But I still wanted it. So I went to see my PCP. He said YES and wrote the script for 850 twice a day (the actual study dose). But he wanted me to get a baseline Hgb A1C...it was 6.5. So I am considered Diabetic. Good Luck in your quest.

Happy 1000 pages to all the wonderful women and men who have visited here for information, comfort and support. Whether you were on the giving end or the receiving end, you are an important part of this great thread.

Cathytoo

LifeAloft....I was diagnosed TN in November '15 and immediately began researching. Of course, Metformin came up as very important to prevent a recurrence. My primary doctor immediately said OK and wrote a Rx. But when I chose a MO, he said absolutely not because it could create problems with monitoring a healthy blood sugar. Right now I'm in the middle of Chemo and then I will be doing RADS. When all this is done I'm going to investigate further, along with taking turmeric (also recommended for TN's.) My feeling is whatever can help, I want.

avmom

Lifealoft, I have been taking the study dose of Metformin since about a month after diagnosis with TNBC. My PCP prescribes it, because I expect to be taking it indefinitely, but I had the full blessing of my MO, who knew one of the researchers involved. I am not diabetic, but was diagnosed with PCOS many years ago, which usually includes some insulin resistance. I've been taking 850mg twice a day for over a year, and do not have any significant side effects.

LifeAloft

Thank you for the info ladies! I plan on asking my MO when I see her next. I was on it before with no issues, I figure it can't hurt, and if it will even possibly help...why not?!?!  

Thanks again!

LifeAloft

Well, just left my MOs office.... We are doing an ultrasound sometime after my final AC on Monday. If it doesn't show improvement we may go straight to surgery instead of moving on to Taxol/Carbo. Not sure how I feel about that. I didn't think to ask if we would finish chemo after surgery. This is such a roller coaster. 

BanR

happy 1000 pages everyone! Thanks navy mom for reminding!

Life aloft , metformin not recommended by my oncologist too. Benefits, if any, not yet fully established but long term risks associated will be high

Al, and everyone else. Sorry to hear about the stories of your furry friends. The only reason is what stops me from having one. The attachment level with them is too high but their lifespan is too short. A dogs love for its master is the most selfless kind of love!

Allydp

Wow, 1000 pages! And Navymom, page 2 member is awesome!

LifeAloft - there's a member here named InspiredbyDolce who has done tons of research of Metformin. I'll PM her and ask her to send you the studies she has. I'm so sorry you might be heading into surgery early. My heart and prayers go out to you right now. Sending you big hugs. xo

Peabrain

Finished my radiation today. Tomorrow the ovaries come out and that's that. Can't wait to start healing!

Big hugs to Cocker and everyone here, whatever step you are at.

JAN69

Hi all, 1000 pages!

When we TNBC had the Metformin discussion in 2012, my PCP was very willing to prescribe it for me. He said it is an old, time-proven drug and wouldn't harm and possibly help. My only trouble with it is explaining why I take it since I'm not diabetic. Various doctors over the years have all but told me I'm crazy, that I must be diabetic. I truly love my PCP.

Meadow

Hugs to you Peabrain, we are so in your pocket for tomorrow. Praying for surgery to go smoothly for you.

Happy for you Jan, so glad it has been a positive in your treatment.

Allydp

Big hugs to you Peabrain. The oophorectomy isn't all that bad. I was pretty beaten down by then from chemo and surgery so I just took it very easy for a good 8 weeks before really getting back into my full-on daily routine. Can't wait for you to be done! Please let us know it goes when you can. Sending you prayers. PS: good riddance rads!

LifeALoft - I reached out to InspiredbyDolce. I hope she contacts you regarding the Metformin studies.

Cocker - hope you're hanging in there. Continued prayers to you. xoxo

Hi to everyone else! We've had such a mild winter here in Michigan, but have suddenly been hammered with over 2 feet of snow in the last week. I think the groundhog lied to us!

LifeAloft

Thank you Alicia!

And I agree about this darn snow! 

LRM216

Teka:

Hi to you too! So glad to be able to touch base with you and knowing you are well and happy makes it even better. Things are good here - was 7 years last month. Go for my yearly with onc on March 14th and then my yearly mammo in April. It's the mammo that makes me nervous every year, as that's how they found my cancer originally. Don't think I will ever learn how to relax and breathe easy for these tests - guess none of us ever do - no matter how long we are out. But on a cheerier note - hope you survived the cold winter and that spring and sunshine are right around the corner for you.

Hugs,

Linda

LRM216

Teka:

Hi to you too! So glad to be able to touch base with you and knowing you are well and happy makes it even better. Things are good here - was 7 years last month. Go for my yearly with onc on March 14th and then my yearly mammo in April. It's the mammo that makes me nervous every year, as that's how they found my cancer originally. Don't think I will ever learn how to relax and breathe easy for these tests - guess none of us ever do - no matter how long we are out. But on a cheerier note - hope you survived the cold winter and that spring and sunshine are right around the corner for you.

Hugs,

Linda

LRM216

Sorry to all - I posted twice to Teka. Guess I'm a little rusty, lol!

TulipsAndDaffodils

Stef: on the eyelashes--I finished chemo in mid-October and they grew back beautifully (with some extra help from Latisse!). Now they're falling out again. Luckily, I was prepared for this, as I read about this phenomenon in advance. Apparently, it is common for them to fall out every 4 months for a while. My understanding is that all of our eyelashes have about a 4 month life span. So we regularly lose eyelashes, but usually just 1 or 2 every day or 2. They are normally on staggered schedules, so we don't notice. But after chemo, they are all reset onto the same schedule, so they all fall out at the same time. It takes a few cycles for them to get staggered again. SO frustrating!!!! But at least it's good to know it's normal and that they come back!

LoveMyVizsla

To those who have used Latisse, have your irises darkened like the warnings say? I was tempted to try it, but I don't want brown eyes.

I signed up for that triple negative online seminar tomorrow, but I will be on the way home from getting my third AC, hopefully. Somebody give us a synopsis, please!

Praline

Lovemyvizsla _ I signed up for that online seminar too but I lost the info. Where is it...URL ???? Not sure if I can be home either Maybe a rerun? or save it somewhere?

WannaCruize

Here's the info from my email reminder:

Thank you for registering to view LBBC's program, in partnership with the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation, Triple-Negative Breast Cancer 360: Waiting for the Future, via free live web streaming! On Thursday, you can tune in, hear from our experts and join the conversation with your questions and comments. You can watch the live Web stream on your computer, tablet or smartphone. All you need is an internet connection and a comfortable, quiet space to participate in this program. Click here to Watch the Program via Live Web Streaming We encourage you to tune into the live stream 10-15 minutes before the session is scheduled to begin so you don't miss anything and can troubleshoot any technical pieces. Instructions will be provided during the live stream on how to submit your questions during the Q&A session at the end of the program. The program start time for each of the time zones are as follows: 6:00 p.m. ET, 5:00 p.m. CT, 4:00 p.m. MT and 3:00 p.m. PT. Thanks for your interest to view this Web stream! We look forward to having you with us! P.S. If you know other women who could benefit from this program, please forward this message and let them know it's not too late to register. Visit lbbc.org for more information.

LoveMyVizsla

Today is our day: Triple Negative Breast Cancer Awareness Day. I guess they did a piece on Good Morning America this morning about it.

On my way to my cancer center, hoping my white counts rebounded.

Cathytoo

LoveMyVizsla...I watched the GMA segment. Angelina Jolie's surgeon was on and gave the usual doom and gloom TN speech about very high incidents of recurrence and very poor prognosis. Not one word that 80% of women NEVER have a recurrence. She did talk about a new study and blood test that can predict WHEN a recurrence will occur. Supposedly, this will enable doctors to "cute" you before the recurrence. Personally, I don't think I would want to know. I was surprised that she was so negative about survival, especially with a "cured" Robin Roberts sitting there.

LoveMyVizsla

Sounds like a disappointing segment.

My labs came back good (for me), so going ahead with my third AC as soon as a room opens up.

Allydp

I used Latisse with no issues, but I only used it 3 x week. My lashes came in quickly and stayed put. I know some people lose them multiple times post chemo. Since I was only using it so often, the one bottle lasted forever. I didn't continue when it ran out. I saw it as a one time thing to help them come in faster and healthier

LoveMyVizsla

Ally, did it change the color of your eyes

greenae

LMV

Hi! I also used Latisse, and I have blue eyes. Do not use the brushes that come with it. Get a good thin eyeliner brush and just carefullly brush across upper lash line, only. Don't let it drip in your eyes. I have been using Latisse on and off since August, as my lashes have thinned a few times, on and off, since growing back. I even used on my brows. And my eyes are still blue! There was one small study of 40 people, and none of them had a problem,either. Go for it! Just be careful and clean the brush after each use. Happy New Lashes!

Hugs

Arlene

SA8PG

Hi Stef

My eyelashes fell out 3 times and are now finally gaining length and seem to be staying put. I switched to organic mascara so that when I go to remove the eye makeup my eye lashes aren't falling out with just cleaning them. I honestly attributed my eye lashes continuing to fall out because of all the surgeries but now I am seeing that it's probably just a chemo thing. A friend of mine ordered Bella Lashes off of Amazon prime to help with her regrowth and loved it. Let us know if you end up trying Latisse.

Cocker, I was so sad to read your post. The unconditional love of our pets is so priceless. I pray you will receive the comfort you need as you grieve. We are here for you as you have seen from all the posts. Again I am so sorry.

Hugs

G