ALL MY TRIPLE NEG SISTERS!

Hello Slonedeb,

You are not triple negative.  There is another site, BCMets.org that would reflect your situation more.  Triple Negative cancer means Estrogen negative, Progesterin Negative and Herceptin Negative.  You can take estrogen inhibitors which will prolong your life.  We can't. 

Wishing you the best....March  

Hi Slonedeb xxx

I often think of you...you are very courageous and very positive..you are an inspiration to me in your fight ...I hope I am and can be as positive as you ...there are many triple negatives with good lives even during treatment ...I have not had a day off of work during chemo and have to young boys to care for...I have made a decision to take the good from the bad... love to ALL my bc sisters...it is a pleasure to be here and LIVNGIN IN THE MOMENT with you all xxx 

Hi, I was just diagnosed and need some encouragement.  I am terrified.  Thanks.

___________________________________________________________________

Dx 9/24/2008, IDC, Stage ??????, Grade 3, 1 node positive on PET, ER-/PR-, HER2-

when i was first dx 12 yrs ago i had no idea what trip neg was  -  i was stage 1 and chemo was never discussed  things have changed so much for us and chemo is our best defense

i was dx stage 3b over 2 yrs ago and i went at it with all the treatment i could and I am happily dancing with NED!   I agree Gina that trip ned does sound like we want to be positive for something- 

all us trip neg sisters have to stick together  we are a tough group !!!!  love to you all

julia

lalala,

You doctor's has a good plan.  You are lucky to get Avastin with a early stage diagnoses.  You are also lucky they are moving fast.  So many takes weeks to get started on treatment.

Keep us up to date with your treatment and how you are doing.

Flalady

Pami,

I know you must be on a roller coaster right now.  Hang in there and in a few weeks things will settle down.  Let me reword that...you become more numb and don't have so much anixity for a while. As you move forward you will find the way through this dark time.  We all have as you can see, have found our own ways to move through bc. We have good days and bad days all through our journey.  Please understand that first...bc is a journey, it takes a while to get to the other side, but you will be a stronger and a changed person when you get there.  I feel your fear and wish I could hug you and let you know that you can do this. We will never know the why's...your focus how to have a life in the middle of your journey. And than have a big party later to celebrate this battle you won.

I wish I was home so I could send you the name of some good books I have that will education but not scare you anymore that we have to.   You can also look at different areas on this website that details about understanding your pathology reports, this will help you understand what treatments to expect.

My first question is did you have someone double check you pathology report.  Very few triple negs are Grade 2, we do have a few, but you have two nodes positive, and that could mean a little more aggressive tumor. (only two nodes is still good news)  Second is did they run a Fish test on your Her2 status to check this.  This is very important that they get this right. The most important thing is getting your pathology report right from the beginning.

Don't be surprised if things change a little over the next few days.  When other doctor's get involve it can cause more questions to pop up, and more discussion about the best way to move ahead. I have a feeling that the radiologist will want to do rads because of the lymph involvement.  You will also have to do chemo.  You don't need get into the whole chemo discussions just yet, but do read the threads that have been started about tips for getting through chemo so you can start shopping. I tell everyone with bc...information is power.  You don't have to learn this all upfront. You have time to research.  You are in control of your treatment.  If you want to stop or change you have the right.  Just keep moving toward recovery....

Biggest thing I can tell you right now is find someone who you can talk freely with about all your fears.  (and have a good hard cry!) You will be surprised like many of us who have people come out from everywhere, who want to help in some way.  Let them...they are just wanting to be apart of your journey.  If you need space let your love ones know. Just know this site and the wonderful girls are here for you. Please find some good positive books of survivors, there are many out there.  Try Amazon.com or half.com for listings. 

If I can be of any help, please feel free to contact me.

Praying that you have less fear and peaces as the weeks move on.

Flalady

Pami,

Hang in there this is the worst time. Once you get all your treatment in place and know what to expect it will get better. I was diagnosed in Dec 03 stage II IDC triple negative, did 6 months of chemo, and rads, and I will be 5 years out in Dec 08, I am still doing great. Just wanted to let you know there is hope!! I spent alot of time crying at the computer also, I know how you feel. This diagnoses throws you into a tail spin. I still struggle with wanting control, but I am trying to let go of that. This is a journey that will change your life, but you will get through it. There are some wonderful people on this board (Gina, Florida Lady, and many more who are very knowledgeble, and will offer reliable information. I know how lost and alone I felt when I was first diagnosed, this board gave me so much support. Keep coming back!! Gina also has a wonderful website for breast cancer support.

Hugs

Patty

I am new to this site. Just diagonosed with TN, Grade 3, 1 cm. I am completely depressed.

I need some help ! I am crying and cannot sleep for nights.... But I saw TN respond better to Chemo than the others. Is it true?

Pls help.

Newalex

GOOD NEWS!  I have had 1 chemo treatment of ACT and my one lymph node that was 4.1cm is down by 90%.  The chemo does work on us, ladies.

Hey majjers,

My diagnosis is the same as yours. 

And lalala ... wonderful news!

Blessings,

K

I did not do chemo prior the surgery. I cannot know how i respond to chemo. I am really worried about it.

I heard from doctor saying that TN has a 20% recurrence chance after the chemo, even. Is it true? I hate to see that but maybe sometimes chemo can kill 100% and no recurrence. Most of people 80% have no recurrence though. Right? So most of us will live.

Hi Pennylane

Did you do AC only or also followed by Taxol or Taxera? (Is Taxol and Taxera the same thing?)

When you doctor said you would have 87% to 90% NO Recurrence, after AC, that was a good number. Do you know a lot of TN survived many years? From this board, there are many sisters have recurrence. So does this mean, majority of TN would have recurrence ? I get a bit scared reading posts from other sisters who are having recurrences.

There is no "bad" or "good" cancer.  Ten years ago, at age of 34, I was diagnosed breast cancer Stage II, 4/16 node positive, Triple-Neg.  I chose mastectomy.   After completed rounds of chemo and radiation treatments, my oncologist told me to come back every six month for a follow-up.   "Nothing else? I heard some patients need a 5-years medicine after. " I asked.  "Not for you.  These medicines have very little benefit for you but more side effects."   Until then, I knew what tri-negative means -- less treatment choice, also less side effects of those additional treatment.  Good or not! 

What have I done to maintain my health?  Have healthy diet, more vegetable and fiber.  Work part-time instead of full-time, to reduce the stress.  Although the surgeries and treatments leave my arm lymphedema, one arm is twice the size as the other.  I still try to do my best, as normal living, and leave the problems to God.  I join some fun activities such as Yoga, handcraft, painting and ceramic.   Friends and relatives' encouraged also kept supporting me. 

The last visit last year, before left the office, my oncologist said: "I have seen you for ten years.  I don't want to see you any more..."  I was almost jumped up! 

Look at both sides of everything.  Sisters, be brave, be optimistic!

Dandelionou,

you are 10 yrs ned and that must feel great. what kind of chemo did you take? We need more people like you to come to this board and provide encouraging news to all of us newly diagnosed. Do you know many other TN that live many many yrs after the treatment?

How did you manage the first 3 years?