SNB and Tomaoxifen TNBC question

waytooanxiousmommy

I was diagnosed with what seems to be TNBC. 10% ER+ and everything else is negative and I am currently having Taxol + AC chemo and then I will have either mastectomy or lumpectomy plus radiation depending on results from genetic testing. I have some questions

1. I was told that I would have a sentinel node biopsy when I have surgery and I know this increases my risk of lymphdema. I am wondering why I would have this because would my treatment change if I was found to have positive nodes? They look negative via imaging. I am already having radiation and chemo so what would I gain from knowing that I am node positive?

2. My cancer is 10% ER+ and my doctor mentioned Tamoxifen. I know it has bad side affects and I am wondering if it works for my cancer which is only 10% ER+. I would love to be able to take something to downgrade my risk of re occurrence but only if it will be affective for my cancer

TraceyLou

Hi there - I now this post is from Dec but i'm pretty new to the group. I can tell you that I am TN also but my one tumor had 5% ER+ and they just started me on tamoxifen while I wait on radiation. I agreed to take it if it gives me any chance at all to get rid of any cancer. I had neaduvant chemo and it did not work for me, which was crushing. so I had mastectomy to get the tumor out and I also ended up with 4 positive nodes. I had no positive nodes before but i think for me, b/c chemo didn't work, it gave the cancer a chance to move. it's an awful roller coaster.

I hope you are doing well now and making great progress!

waytooanxiousmommy

I am so sorry chemo didn't work as well for you. I too am having neoadvujant chemo and the not knowing how well it will work is anxiety producing. My oncologist is also suggesting Tamoxifen after chemo

TraceyLou

hi - how's the chemo going? you dealing ok with the side effects? I think the one thing I learned is to push more for ultrasounds to see the progress. The tamoxifen hasn't been so bad so far...it's been a week though.. lol I did go to an MD Anderson doctor yesterday just to reaffirm that they agree with my path forward and he mentioned taking Tamoxifen too. I would hope there's some benefit since doctors seem to be recommending it more.

I am a mommy too so I know how hard it is to keep smiling and how amazingly perspective kids are. hang in there

lots of positive thoughts and hugs!

waytooanxiousmommy

Chemo is okay. The hair loss is getting old but grateful that otherwise I am feeling pretty good. From ultrasound looks like my lump is 50% smaller but of course we won't really know anything until surgery.

Did you travel to MD Anderson? Yes the kids thing. My 15 year old son is having an episode of depression coinciding with my diagnosis. Fortunately we were able to get him the help and he seems better already. The emotions with cancer and chemo are so hard

VL22

HI waytoo - just reading through thread and wanted to say I’m sorry to hear about your son’s depression but so glad you got him the help he needs and he’s getting better. I have 2 teen boys - really great kids but their emotions can be a puzzle! The worst about this disease, for me, is how it affects them.

Good luck to you and your family.

waytooanxiousmommy

VL22 Yes the most painful thing about having cancer for me is seeing my kids being affected by it. My son has always been sensitive so the depression makes sense. I am so glad to see him coming back to life! On the positive side soldiering through cancer is an important life lesson we can model to our kids about how to get through difficult situations.

Hear you on the teenagers. My son tries to explain some of the teenage things like snapchat and song lyrics to me and I don't really get it!