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MI_Runner
MI_Runner Member Posts: 46
edited June 2014 in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Hi everyone,

I'm 28 years old, I found a lump in my right breast on 3/10 and went through all the tests and decisions with which you are all familiar.  The lump turned out to be IDC and the initial pathology report said it was ER-/PR -.  I swear, it took forever for that HER2 result to come back.  I had a bilateral mastectomy a week ago (5/11) without those results or my genetics results, because I was sure they wouldn't change my decision.  Today, I had my post-op appointment with my surgeon and sure enough, I'm triple negative (those dang gut feelings). My BRCA1/BRCA2 test was negative, so that's good.

I'm confident that I made the right decision by choosing to have the bilateral mastectomy, but don't really know what to expect now.  I hope you'll all let me join this board and I can learn from your experiences.

Thanks!

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  • Debonthelake
    Debonthelake Member Posts: 244
    edited May 2009

    Hi runner,

    I'm sorry to see such a young person join the sisterhood.  I just had a lumpectomy and surprisingly considering my family history I was also BRACA negative.  After you heal your next step will be chemo.  That varies a lot from doctor to doctor.  You may not need radiation.  Reconstrution will come into play at some point.  There are a lot of good resources on this site.  Best wishes for your health, recovery and long life.

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  • deb6563
    deb6563 Member Posts: 179
    edited May 2009

    Hi runner,

    I'm sorry that you have had to join the ranks of "The Triple Negative Sisterhood" but glad you found us when you need us.  Best wishes and keep us updated on your progress

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  • FloridaLady
    FloridaLady Member Posts: 2,155
    edited May 2009

    Welcome...and I'm also sorry you had to join are little club...and so young.  Please post any needs you have and will try and help you.

    Flalady

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  • PatriciaPrijatel
    PatriciaPrijatel Member Posts: 34
    edited May 2009

    Runner:

    Try to keep up a positive attitude.   Your tumor is small, so that offers hope.  As the others say, chemo should be next.  Nasty stuff, but it works for triple neg. And it wasn't as bad as I had expected (although, like childbirth, I probably forgot the bad parts).

    Eat well--a low-fat diet has been successful with triple neg. And exercise also helps.  

    For what it's worth, I am celebrating my third year cancer free--and the chance of recurrence goes significantly down at three years for this cancer.  So there is hope. 

    Take care. Let us know what we can do.

    Pat 

    http://hormonenegative.blogspot.com/ 

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  • suzan_survivor
    suzan_survivor Member Posts: 6
    edited May 2009

    I think you did the right thing to have the bilateral. We knew nothing about triple negative when I was diagnosed 19 years ago, only ER- and PR-. The oncologist says I am probably triple negative. I have done great and had no more trouble. If I have any more trouble, I will be having bilateral. If I had known then what I know now I would have had it then.

    Good luck!

    Suzan

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  • MI_Runner
    MI_Runner Member Posts: 46
    edited May 2009

    Thanks, everyone.  It's nice to hear that others think I made the right decision with surgery, though I haven't doubted it at all.

    Debonthelake - it's interesting that you were also BRCA negative - I've been getting the impression that most women who are triple negative are BRCA positive.  I haven't read too much about it yet, though.

    Pat - I'm doing my best to stay positive.  Most days are good.  I had a tough time this weekend when my mom left after being here for a week around surgery, but mostly I'm ok.  On Monday, my surgeon actually cleared me to run again so I started back with an easy run yesterday.  I've been walking gradually further each day since being discharged from the hospital, and took a 45 minute brisk walk with the dog today - I'll run again tomorrow.  As far as diet - I'm a vegetarian, and my diet is fairly low-fat as it is.  I am going to start paying even more attention to my dietary quality, though.  I'm so excited for farmer's market season! Congratulations on being so close to three years!

    Suzan -  19 years!

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  • PatriciaPrijatel
    PatriciaPrijatel Member Posts: 34
    edited May 2009

    Runner:

    Fabulous that you are cleared to run again.  That should help improve your state of mind a bit.  Still, this is a lot to go through, so it's normal to have bad days.  (I am basically stubborn and refuse to let this disease get the better of me, which may or may or not be a good thing.)  How lucky you are to have had your mother with you.

    And the BRCA gene is linked to most, but not all, cases of triple negative.  Docs think that cancer in general is as unique as our DNA so we all have a slightly different disease, even when we have the same characteristics.  I am weakly positive for PR, so some docs consider me triple negative and others don't.  About five percent of us have this weird combo, so we don't actually fit anywhere.

    Suzan, your 19 years are an inspiration!!!!!  Good for you. 

     

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  • nanabolini
    nanabolini Member Posts: 61
    edited June 2009

    Sorry you have to go through this at such a young age. Life is not fair. I know what you mean about the long time it takes for the Her2 report. Two months after my core biopsy I finally got it!!! and then only after calling the lab myself.

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  • Nanalinda
    Nanalinda Member Posts: 826
    edited June 2009

    Runner:  Welcome to the TNBC club, and I am very sorry you have to be here.  It really astonishes me how very young some of the women are on these boards.  Before I was diagnosed, I thought BC was something older women get.  When I had my first chemo, there was a 24 year old sitting across from me also getting chemo for BC.  I was shocked, and it was a real eye opener for me.  I was 49 at the time and thought I was young.  I want to wish you the best of luck with your treatments.  Chemo isn't too bad.  You will get through it.  You have a lot of support on these boards; don't ever hesitate to post if you have any questions or concerns.  Linda

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