Calling all TNs

ALHusband

Carolina I'm sorry you have to be here but you're in a great group. The most important thing to remember is that TNBC is NOT the horrible terrible lethal BC that you'll think it is if you read everything on the internet. Yes, it is harder to treat than other types of BC...but it IS treatable and responds very well to chemo regimens, etc. These ladies here are a great source of information, a great group to just vent to, no topic is off limits, and they will provide love and support from now until 30 years from now when YOU are in this forum supporting others who are where you are now. There IS a light at the end of the tunnel.

greenae

hi CarolinaAmy

Ditto!

BCO has helped me thru dx, testing chemo and 2 surgeries...IMMENSELY!

You can do this, and we are all here for support, venting, crying and laughing...and some good ole bitchin' too!

When I was diagnosed in January, I was clueless and terrified. I have been thru mx, chemo and reconstruction and am now planning my vacay to North Carolina. I am saying this because in January I could not picture being "normal," again. Well, not sure if I ever was. Lol.

Please enjoy your vacation and know that everyone is here for you. When you have time, check out the different threads. And when tou want to forget about this stuff for a while, know you can always jump back on, and someone will be here for you. I know you didn't sign up for this "trip," but we will try to make it easier. Everyone has cheered me on and made this so doable.

Love, arlene

JAN69

Amy, I'm joining in on the welcome. And I'm glad you found us so early in your journey. I was diagnosed with triple negative 4 1/2 years ago, had a MX, chemo, rads, and have done just fine. You will find your strength to face the treatments heading your way. I feel for you with your little one and the adoption situation. That's tough. Check in here often and someone will come to help. We understand. Jan

Murphy43

Hi all,

I seem to be following CarolinaAmy around these sites as I find them.

I was also just diagnosed with triple negative cancer. The worst part of all of this has been the waiting and not knowing what to do. Then I find out that they did not get all of the cancer in the lumpectomy. Had I known it was triple negative before surgery I would have had a mastectomy. Oh, filled with regrets now. I am 43 and my youngest is going into grade 3. This all seems surreal. Reading all of the literature on triple negative I thought I was done for. I began imagining mets running through my body. I had lost hope. Then I came across this site and read all of your marvellous stories of Hope and courage. I saw how all of you support each other through this. I am not going to lie to you all. Being so new, it is hard for me to feel hope and courage right now.

Isee an oncologist for the first time on Tuesday. I am scared, but ready to start teatment.

simplelife4real

Hi Murphy and Amy. I'm sorry for your recent diagnosis, but I'm glad you both found this thread. It will be very useful over the next few months (and years). I think the first few months are the hardest emotionally. It does get better.

slv58

Welcome Amy and Murphy, I'm happy you found this thread- the women and men here are so supportive and full of good information. You can vent here because we all understand, sometimes those closest to us don't quite get it. 

Your both at a difficult stage right now, once you get a treatment plan you will feel better and find your strength. Right now you both have been told that your facing a fight against an enemy but you havnt been given any details of 'your army' and feel helpless. Once your given a plan, you will feel empowered- we all go through this. TN usually responds really well to chemo. 

Come here often and don't  be afraid to ask. We are here to support each other.

Lisaj514

haven't posted recently but ...oh my what a beautiful group of women (and men)! I am so proud of us! Jumping right in to help. That's what we do. Hang with this group girls. We/they will help you through. You'll get so much info here. Just ask away. Some are so eloquent in their writing and spot on. I tend to lurk lately but sending my strength to lift you up. Your stories resonated with me, bringing me back to my dx in oct 2013 and treatment. I found reading and educating myself helped me feel a sense of control and helped me to know what to ask and be somewhat familiar with the terms. It is an ongoing process. Hang in there and remember to do something physical everyday and learn to breath. We will hold you up whenever you need.

JAN69

Welcoming you Murphy. I think you'll find lots of support as you face the dragon. We hold hands, give hugs, and help in whatever way we can to help you. Best wishes. Jan

StefLove

hi ladies I'm usually a lurker and have popped in to say hi just a few times but always come here for a little emotional boost.

Welcome to the ladies that just joined, it's a great gang here!

I'm not sure if anyone has asked since have been in this group but is there anyone that decided to just have a lumpectomy instead of a mastectomy? My MO seems to think either is a viable option and it's really only up to me. I wish she would lean more one way so I'm more comfortable with my decision but she's not.

I had a lumpectomy originally before we knew what we were dealing with. We thought it was just DCIS. I will need another lumpectomy after chemo is over because I didn't have great margins and the surgeon left the metal biopsy marker in there. Don't even get me started on that whole debacle. Obviously having a diff surgeon for the next one. I just don't know if I want to deal with recovery of a mastectomy, expanders, more surgery after radiation, etc. At least if I can have the same results with a lumpectomy. all thoughts and first hand stories welcome! :

Luvmydobies

Amy and Murphy we are all so sorry you have been diagnosed with this, but welcome you to our group! We will be here to help you and love on you! Don't trust Dr. Google and stick with us. I'm lifting both of you up along with everyone else on here in prayer. Just hang in there! XOXOXO!!

relocatedtarheel

Amy and Murphy. I too welcome you to the club you never wanted to join! It sucks and it is hard and sometimes horrible...but then one day you wake up and it all seems so long ago that you felt bad. You will get through this and you will see a time when this all a distant memory.

Peabrain

Amy & Murphy and other early stage triple negs - there is a lot of good info in the rest of the breast once.org site. This link also helped me put everything into perspective: http://www.healthline.com/health/triple-negative-b...

Stef - you may want to also post in the thread regarding lumpectomies to get more opinions. I went with a full BMX but I am BRCA1 positive so there were other factors.

anotherNYCGirl

Welcome Amy and Murphy, - hugs to you and to everyone else here this August 1st!

As I have written many times before, - these boards are the BEST! This strong, supportive, understanding and well versed group, that is here 24/7, has made this last year and a half do-able for me!

Teka

I was busy with Family during July while taking a time out from the threads.

Sylvia,

Kathyrnn, excellent results on PET SCAN?
*Oldies and Newbies*

sylviaexmouthuk

Hello Teka

I was looking through Calling all TNS and recognised your name. I was so touched when I saw the card you had posted for me. Thank you so very much.

How are you doing these days? Please let me know.

Fond thoughts.

Sylvia xxxx

shorfi

Simple...congrats on your 2 years. Hoped you remembered and thanks for helping me along the way 🎊🎉🎈💥

sylviaexmouthuk

Hello Amy,

I was so glad to know that you had taken my advice and looked at and joined TNs. You will get amazing support on this extensive thread. Thank you for leaving the message on the other thread. I was glad to see that Murphy had also decided to join you here.

I think it is a good idea for the two TN threads that have been ongoing for some time now to support each other and exchange information.

I still think you American ladies get a lot more information forthcoming than is still standard in the UK. I have just recently watched a programme about virotherapy on the television here. It is described as a new and promising way of treating cancer. Do you have any information about it?

Sending very best wishes from the UK to all of you newly diagnosed women. You can get through this.

Fond thoughts.

Sylvia xxxx

little-k

StefLove,

I had lumpectomy rather than mastectomy. I discussed it with the surgeon and she explained to me that without the BRCA mutation, ten year survival is the same with lx and mx. I did some other research and found the same information. We did additional testing to look at addition lumps/cysts in both my breasts, found that only the one lump was cancerous, and the surgeon felt it was fine to proceed with the lx. I sometimes worry about the decision but not too often.

Teka

Sylvia,

I'm feeling OK and trying to get outdoors as much as possible during the Summer and Fall. We've a long frigid Winter in the North Country.

Cocker_Spaniel

Amy and Murphy I am adding my welcome to you both but feel so sorry for the reason you have come to find us. AL Husband is right triple negative is not all doom and gloom as painted on the internet and you will find the courage and strength to get through this nightmare. I am 3½ years out and yes it is a long and bumpy road but you will get there. Once that plan is in place you will find that somehow things fall into place and believe it or not the time will go by quickly. As for a lumpectomy or a mastectomy it is your surgeons and your own decision on what would be the best treatment for you. Take your time to make that decision so that you are fully informed but I don't believe one is better than the other and there are no statistics to indicate otherwise. We will all be here for you through thick and thin and remember you are only a click away but remember you will be fine and you will be able to cope through all of this. Sending big hugs. xoox

StefLove

Thank you peabrain, little k and cocker spaniel! I don't have any genetic mutations, we checked for every single one of them, 22 or 32 or so. So I def feel more comfortable going the lumpectomy route. If any of them had come back positive then my decision would have bee much different. I still will have a few more heart to hearts with my MO about all of this though!

sylviaexmouthuk

Hello Teka

I am glad to know all is well with you. I do understand that you are getting out into the countryside to get as much benefit before those cold chilling winters. I remember how long those winters could be from my time in Ontario and Quebec. It was so wonderful to have the spring thaw and watch nature come alive so quickly.

Take care.

Fond thoughts.

Sylvia xxxx

Cocker_Spaniel

I am having terrible computer problems. So I think this little baby needs to see a computer doctor. Cost will be an arm and a leg for sure.

JAN69

So sorry Cocker. I think I'd go crazy (ier) if my computer got sick. Hope you find a solution that's not too costly.

Cocker_Spaniel

Jan the darn thing is driving me crazy already. I think I have a virus and something is wrong with the fan at the back. It's a wireless one so it's not going to be cheap that's for sure and then they will probably take a couple of days to fix it and I will be like my best friend has gone away.

cassylou

Hi ladies, it's been a while since I posted here but I'm hoping that maybe one of you can maybe help me out. I finished Ac chemo and I'm now on Taxol and Carbo neo adjuvant chemo. 3 of 12 due this week. I've noticed that my breast is swelling on the breast cancer side. I can tell mainly because it is spilling out of my bra on that side. I'm hoping it's the chemo kicking arse! Has anyone else experienced this after chemo? Google seems to have a million answers for everything but I can't find anything on breast swelling on neo-adjuvant chemo. Thank you, every one of you. I don't post often but it is great to know that you are all by my side x

6feetover

cassylou: Hey, there! I don't mean to be nosy, alarmist, or rude, but I think you should contact your onco doc immediately, just to be on the safe side. i think s/he is the best resource for a question of this nature...

mama26

I just purchased a book from Amazon for my Kindle called

Surviving Triple Negative Breast Cancer

I recommend this to all of you TNBC ladies

shorfi

Mamma26...I have that book and it is an excellent and very encouraging read. I even had it autographed by the author herself!!

WNYMom

Hi All!

I tend to lurk on the boards and don't post much.

I am 42 and was dx September '14 after a lumpectomy and SN biopsy. DX= IDC,TN, Stage 1, Grade 3, 0/7 nodes. I have completed chemo and rad as of April '15.

My mom passed away at the end of January '15 from metastatic TN BC of the liver. Her original DX was in '10 and her mets DX in '13. Oddly enough ... genetic testing came back negative (for what they can test for now) yet we both had/have TN BC.

I get so overwhelmed and caught up in the "what if's ...". I watched my poor mom struggle fighting this stupid disease and die from it. I can't help but wonder if the same will happen to me. It's a struggle each day to stay positive and "live in the moment".

Thanks for listening and thank you for your truly inspiring stories!