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danalyn
danalyn Member Posts: 3
edited June 2014 in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

I am 34 and had a b/l mastectomy for IDC, triple neg in april this year. I was going through the egg retrieval process prior to starting chemo but my eggs didn't mature. They were trying to start the process over again and i got pregnant. Now i have the worse decision to make in my life. I am supposed to start chemo next week but obviously that is on hold. I was told they can do chemo during the 2nd trimester and deliver it safely but then that puts me at a higher risk of recurrence because i have to wait until 4.5 months from surgery. I have great support from family and friends but would like to talk to someone who has had breast cancer or in a similar situation.

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  • MI_Runner
    MI_Runner Member Posts: 46
    edited May 2009

    Oh my gosh - what a decision to have to make.  I've been dreading this as my period was almost a month late, but finally showed up this morning. I really have no idea what I would do in your situation and therefore no advice, but I wanted to offer you hugs and support...

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  • Iza
    Iza Member Posts: 117
    edited May 2009

    Danalyn, I feel for you!

    All I can say is, waiting 4.5 months to start chemo does not sound like an awfully long time to me. 

    You must be feeling terrible because you would like to do everything right to give you and your baby the best chance. But there is no "book-perfect" solution in you case, so you will have to settle for a very good second: do the best you can, which seems to me delaying chemo until the second trimester. 

    There are women on these boards who have been in very similar shoes, I hope they see your message and give you their insight.

    Hugs and hope,

    Iza

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  • sftfemme65
    sftfemme65 Member Posts: 790
    edited May 2009

    Danalyn,

    Did you have positive nodes?  What stage are you.  I would think this also would be important factor in the decision.

    Teresa

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  • danalyn
    danalyn Member Posts: 3
    edited May 2009

    I was stage 1, grade 3 with neg nodes. I was lucky enough to catch it early.

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

    danalyn,

    So sorry you have this going on in your life.  You may want to post over on the chemo thread.  We've had a few ladies who did chemo while pregnant.  A local doctor was pregnant with twins while in treatment and everyone is doing wonderful.  For once being triple neg may be to your benefit because you pregnancy is driven my hormones and your cancer is not.  I would get a second opinion for sure. Can they do a lumpectomy now... and more surgery later?  or do a seed radiation inplant and only treat locally for now?

    I hope someone can come along and give you more advice who also had to go through this.

    Flalady

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  • pocogirl
    pocogirl Member Posts: 6
    edited May 2009

    danalyn,

    Hello, I would first off like to congratuate you on your pregnancy.  I know it seems like it is hardly a time of celebration since you were given such a brutal choice, But I wanted to congratulate you nontheless.  First off, I am new to the forum as well, but I had the same DX as yourself so it is considered an early catch, and that does make a difference. As for delaying chemo, I had to delay my chemo for nearly four months after surgery due to a tear, and infection in one of my expanders that took a long time to heal.  They did not want to start preventative chemo until there was no infection.

    When I asked my Onc. point blank if this delay was going to increase my chances of recurrence he told me "No."  Four months, VS four and a half months or so hardly seem so vastly different, so you may want to ask for a second opinion. Keep in mind, chemo is most effective when it is actually killing cancer cells, and the reason they can delay preventitive chemo is because there is 'no cancer' at this time, and want to kill it as it comes up in it's various stages (IF, in fact it ever does.)  I hope this helps a little bit!

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  • Roya
    Roya Member Posts: 346
    edited May 2009

    I do personally know 2 women who were diagnosed soon after discovering their pregancies and went on to do chemo while pregnant.

    Both now have healthy children and both are glad that they are around to take care of them. Their docs told them that the chemo molecules do not affect the embryo negatively. Something about the size of the molecular structure of the chemo meds preventing them from entering the uterine flow. Both took A/C and T. I will be glad to go back and ask them to provide me with the info.

    I hope this helps you feel better about whatever decision you make.

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  • guitarGrl
    guitarGrl Member Posts: 697
    edited May 2009

    I don't remember the details, but there was someone in San Diego who started chemo while she was pregnant. She was able to do some chemo then, and they waited till after to do the real poisonous stuff.

    Unfortunately, she can't respond because she died last year leaving a beautiful healthy girl. But her cancer wasn't discovered till Stage IV, so her prognosis was no way as good as yours.

    Good luck on your decisions - we are here for you no matter which ones you make. 

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  • TNhusband
    TNhusband Member Posts: 24
    edited May 2009

    I'm sorry to hear of your situation.  My wife had chemo (dose dense AC/T) during the second trimester (diagnosed at 19 weeks pregnant).  Our daughter was 3 months premature (I'm told it's doubtful the chemo caused this, but we'll never know), but is doing great now and almost 9 months old.  The placenta protected her amazingly well from 3 rounds of AC chemo. We didn't start the Taxol until after delivery since its effects were unknown.  I have done a lot of reading on chemo during pregnancy.  It is more risky during the 1st trimester but it is possible and has been done.  Since you are so early stage and already had surgery you have that going for you.  I would get a second opinion and also consult Dr. Cardonick (referenced on pregnantwithcancer.org).  She can work with your oncologist - just leave a message on the phone number on their website.

    http://www.pregnantwithcancer.org/registries.php

    I remember how hopeless we felt at the time, but we stayed positive and did things that were under our control to make the best of the situation.  Our daughter survived both chemo and extreme prematurity (just over 2 pounds at birth) and is thriving now.

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  • halcyon215
    halcyon215 Member Posts: 2
    edited May 2009

    Danalyn,

     Congrats on your blessed bundle. Our diagnosis is simlar and I have postponed my chemo, for other reasons. After talking with my medical oncologist he was ok with it and informed me that there is research that shows chemo is effective even after 6 months. I pray that everything works out for you.

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