TRIPLE POSITIVE GROUP

Suladog

mini,

Ha! I got even stricter and went vegan and guess what??? Cancer again , so I just ate some ice cream.so shoot me. I still eat mainly vegetarian though at my Drs request I do eat a tiny piece of fish or meat once a day, literally maybe 2 ozs they insisted I do this during chemo, and so I'm still doing that. Of course I still eat meat for traditional holiday dinners , Christmas, T-Day, and Easter. I have some pretty screwed up mutations going on due to exposure to radiation as a baby ( long story) I test negative so far on all genetic links so I think it never ever mattered what the hell I ate. A chocolate chip cookie sounds pretty good right now. ; )

Gretagirl

Hello to everyone. I am hanging in had Herceptin yesterday and due for third chemo on Wednesday. Today is apparently not happy stomach day ugh!

Has anyone else had a hysterectomy but still ER PR positive? I am 100 ER and 50 PR positive. Is this coming from the adrenals?

SpecialK

Greta - the percentage of ER positivity is the number of receptors on 100 of your breast cells, which is independent of the amount of estrogen circulating in the body. Estrogen fuels those receptors - but how much you have, and where it comes from, is a separate thing from receptor percentages. I had a total hysterectomy/oopherectomy nine years prior to diagnosis with breast cancer and was 96% ER+. Yes, adrenals produce androgens which the enzyme aromatase converts into estrogen. That is why post-meno women still need hormonal therapy for ER+ disease.

KateB79

Left-field question for the board of honesty: my NP recommended vitamin E oil for vaginal dryness (as in, during the day, regular activity dryness--for intimate situations, I'm going with water-based lubricant or coconut oil). Anyone had results with this, good or bad?

Every mucous membrane in my body took the hit from the first round--I'm using vaseline in my nose, Systane eye drops, Biotene, and hard-core lotion. . . . I'm told to expect the same for future rounds, on all fronts with the exception of cumulative fatigue, and that the fact that I had "minimal" SEs was a good sign for things to come. I'm going with that, because the alternative really sucks.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

Suladog

Kate,

I was diagnosed with high grade Triple negative bc in 1990 in my 30's. The chemo dried everything up, since I was trip neg my MO send a prescription for me to a compounding pharmacy for a type of lube safe for me to use. However......it was just was easy to just buy KYjelly which has worked big time for us for the last 25 yrs, and even now with Trip Pos bc, and arimidex..there are no problems still using the KY

Gretagirl

SpecialK thank you for the information!!! My MO keeps telling me tamoxifen and finish herceptin after chemo. Also says mastectomy isn't necessary. He also said I am not in menopause. He said hysterectomy has no bearing on that. I am just trying to make the decision of mastectomy or not. Before this HER2 dx there was no question it was supposed to just be lumpectomy and radiation with tamoxifen. Now aim just not sure.

moni731

Hi all, I am seeking some advice. I was dx'd triple +, llB, 1/2 nodes (no ALND). It took awhile to get over everything even though I never did finish chemo or herceptin. Life went along and have been well for about one year (long story). Anyway, I recently landed a new job with more than 2.5 x my current salary. I start the new position in 5 weeks. Life is looking up!

Now the problem. I found a lump in the opposite breast, but did not pay much attention to it for a few months. But last week I had to lean over the washer and really felt it! re-examined the area and it is much larger. Sent a message to my MO to see if it could wait until next month's appt. She said no and sent me for an US this week. Of course it requires a biopsy as she said it is a concerning nodule. I did not tell my new employer about breast cancer (I'm almost 5 years out) and want it behind me. They want to do the biopsy right away. I have to go for a pre-employment physical at the end of Sept. I am not saying anything to them, and I don't want the bruising to be there. of course it could be benign (birads 5) I want to wait until after I start the new job, but I think I will be pushed sooner. What do you guys think? It has been there longer than that, so I'm thinking it will be fine to wait. With the first dx, I had the common just get it out. This time I'm much more relaxed and calm at this point. I really want this job. Thanks in advance

SDCA76

Moni.731 I'm sorry to hear your dilemma. I think the right thing to do is get your diagnosis promptly. If it is not cancer you can relax. If it is cancer you could save your life and make informed choices. Good luck.

lago

moni731 what kind of work physical requires you to show them your boobs? Also they can't fire you for having medical condition. I mean you can do your job. Just cause you had a biopsy doesn't mean it's cancer. And we all know that just cause it's cancer doesn't mean your life ends.

moni731

Thanks for the opinions. I was trying to remember what a work physical required, as it is a medical position. I remember wearing a gown last time. With the last biopsy, I bruised a lot up to my neck and down arm that would show. I am afraid to say the "C" word, as the last time I was terminated from my position and had to threaten suit (hire lawyer) in violation of ADA regulations to regain my job. Just do not want anything to trip this up. You would think the medical world would understand better, but it is the opposite, at least where I work (give them a reason, you're gone). Not the employees, but the organization. I will think of this for awhile.

BlownOffCourse

Moni - is there any way you could reschedule the physical to the beginning of next week, then do the biopsy after? Just a thought.

moni731

BlownOffCourse_ unfortunately not. All of the pre-employment stuff is done the week before we start. With the last dx, it was 5 weeks between the mammo and the biopsy so I'm thinking this is not so long. Even if this is positive, I am having no further tx as my MO said 'you almost died last time, I am not going there again'. So maybe surgery only if this is positive. Kind of thinking I was out of the woods at this time.

twiggyOR

Hi all. I'm finally home after my visit to OHSU in Portland. I had appointments with a surgeon and MO along with CT and PET scans, labs, and an echo. Whew! The plan is for 6 treatments of THCP followed by surgery to cleanup the lumpectomy margins then radiation and continued herceptin for a year. I'm having trouble finding anywhere closer to get treatment that will be covered by insurance so I think I'm going to be making the long drive to Portland. At least I have a place to stay up there with my brother. Port surgery is hopefully this coming Friday. I'm waiting to hear the CT and PET scan results so I'm still a bundle of nerves and having extreme difficulty sleeping. Keeping fingers crossed for good news on that.

lago

twiggyOR some insurances will let you do Herceptin at home. Once you are doing Herceptin only look into that. I didn't do it because I only live 3 miles from treatment center but I know a gal who did.

twiggyOR

Thanks Lago. Do you mean she did the herceptin at a local doctor?

lago

Nope. A nurse came to her home and administered it

lago

I have posted other places but…

August 31, 2015

5 years NED means
5 years Cancer Free
Today I celebrate life for me!

linky

debiann

Yayyyyyy Lago!!!!!

Tomboy

lago, AWESOME! Here's to many more, & keep up the good work!

Bluefrog76

Lago! For someone like me starting on their journey, you are such an inspiration. I hope you are doing something fantastic to celebrate. (I will be enjoying a small glass of moscato in your honor.)

geewhiz

LAGO!!!!!!!!!!!!! Woohooo!!!

Cheesequake

Awesome lago!! So happy for you. Thanks for being such an inspiration for all the rest of us! L'chaim!!

Mommato3

Lago, I'm so excited for you. You were one of the first ones to calm my fears when I was first diagnosed. For that, I'm extremely grateful. You're such an inspiration. Go celebrate!!

Suladog

Lago congrats to you!!!

lago

Thanks everyone. I'm just cleaning house and making chicken soup. Will play the lottery again too. And maybe have a glass of wine. But will celebrate next weekend. Just been so busy.

SpecialK

Lago - awesome! So happy for you!

ElaineTherese

Congrats, Lago! This is awesome news!

Stephmoen

congrats lago! Can't wait till I hit the 5 year mark

SDCA76

Celecbrate, lago!

rozem

Congrats Lago!!!! And Thank you for being here and supporting all of us !!!