Diagnosed with TNBC - IDBC Grade 3 (3.4cm mass) Stage 2

BonnieML

I was diagnosed with IDBC Grade 3 - mass 3.4 cm - TN - my case went to the Tumor Board who recommend 4 AC then 4 Taxol chemo treatments every 14 days prior to surgery. I am not sure I want to put those TOXIC chemicals in my body. I am 64 and was a healthy person with only asthma prior to this. Everything is moving warp speed. Diagnosed on 3/8, had CT scan on 3/9 (has not spread outside of my right breast), had appt with Oncologist on 3/12, had appt with cancer care navigator on 3/15, had appt with Surgeon on 3/16 in the morning, had appt with nurse 101 chemo training on 3/16 in the afternoon, have appt at hospital on 3/19 in the morning to put port-a-cath in, have appt at hospital in the afternoon for echo-cardiogram, have appt to get MRI on 3/21 and scheduled to start chemo treatment with Red Devil on 3/28. I am terrified of getting that TOXIC chemo with all the side effects and I am not sure if I can do it.

Moderators

Hi BonnieML. It's a very personal decision that will take alot of consideration and conversation with your healthcare team to figure out the the best solution for you.

Some of the information you posted may be best put into your profile, so you don't have to retype it. Click in the upper right hand corner, on "profile", if you think that could be helpful.

Hang in there, we're all here for you!

BonnieML

I do not see where the profile is

Lindaura1

Hello there,

This diagnosis is terrifying and quite a shock, when you have been a healthy and fit woman up til now.

Triple Negative means you will be a little harder to treat, because they cannot use targeted hormone therapy to attack your cancer. They have to use the good old fashioned Chemotherapy, most likely Carboplatin and Taxotere.

The good news is that most of us on this site have all been through this and endured a similar regimen and we all survived!

The difficult side effects were beatable because every ache meant a cancer cell was being destroyed. Every strand of hair we lost was a sign that the chemo had blasted through our entire body, killing cancer cells in its path.

The other good news is that your Oncology team is taking this very seriously and that's why they are rushing you into treatment. Your cancer is very aggressive and there is not a moment to be lost to keep it from spreading.

Please arm yourself with knowledge. Don't let statistics scare you. Breast Cancer treatment has come a long way and it looks like yours has been caught early.

Don't be afraid of the toxic chemicals, because they are more toxic to the cancer than they are to you - and they will save your life.

Good luck with your treatment and please keep us posted on your progress.

Sincerely,

Laura

BonnieML

Has anyone on this site declined chemo treatment and found an alternative treatment?

VL22

There is no alternative treatment. It’s surgery, chemo and radiation in some combination. Maybe no radiation

Moderators

BonnieML, there is a forum here for people who opt out of conventional treatment and opt for alternative medicine (https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/121).

Also one for complementary treatment (so treatments that are used WITH standard treatment.) https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/79

Hope2018

Hi VL22,

I just noticed something on your diagnosis info.  In May you had positive hormone receptors and in June you were triple negative.  Am I reading that right?