Positive discussion about TN

Congratulations Brie!  I see that you get TAC every three weeks.  Me too.  I had TX #2 1 week ago.  I had fatigue days 2 through 5 this time.  Energy level is better now.  I was a bit surprised because TX # 1,  I only felt tired on day 5. 

I am so happy for your good news.  Really helps all of us TNs when someone gets good results.

Stay strong everyone.  We can do this.

Navy

We will all be there!  I just wish I could meet everyone and have a great big group hug!!!

We become so close in this journey, it is truly blessed.

Gentle hugs, Shirlann

Well, honey, that is what makes cancer so scary.  They really can't "guarantee" anything, but around 80% of us do well, and that is a pretty good statistic.

After a few years and even months, it stops being in your every waking moment, and you begin to think of breast cancer less and less.

Just gotta hang in there.  Hugs, Shirlann

CarolinaChick-How awesome that you'll be representing! 

Brie-congrats on the "positive" response to chemo!

NavyMom, Brie-I'm on TAC, too, but tx on hold waiting for wound to heal. My SEs (fatigue, aching) seemed to be somewhat cumulative. But off chemo for these past several weeks. Be encouraged, that I've continued to feel better & Better each day....so I am more than hopeful that when it really ends, I'll eventually be able to get back to "normal".....(after rads, that is!)

Shirlann, I know you're right...can't wait to get beyond treatment!

Welcome Connie!  Sorry that you have to be here but glad that you found us!  I know exactly what you mean by the information about TN being so negative.  I, too feel that way at times.  And sometimes have my own "pity party"  It's OK to be angry or to cry.  We all do at some point.  But then you just have to pick yourself up and remind yourself that you can do this and you will!  I will have TX # 3 on Tuesday.  On the whole have tolerated SEs fairly well.  Best advise I can give you is get yourself prepared, acccept help when offered, keep good records of everything.  I started a diary of sorts starting with day #1 being the day of my first chemo.  I tracked how I felt and what was happening to my body.  When Tx #2 came around I looked back and at least had an idea of what to expect. And I have written something everyday since.  It gave me the feeling of at least having something active to do for myself.    Also use this site as a guide to answer questions. There are so many wonderful women here.  You will find someone that has already experienced what you are going through and they will help you and support you.

Hi everyone!  I loved reading all of your posts, as I am also trying hard to be very positive all the time.  I really believe it helps in the long run.  I was just diagnosed with TNBC Stage IIIa, with a 4cm tumer, grade 2 in my right breast and a 2.8 anxilla node positive for cancer. PET Scan negative for anywhere else. My oncologist was very focused on how to cure my cancer, only when I got home and looked up TNBC did I get spooked. Scheduled to begin chemo next week, then surgery to remove at least one breast and my lymph nodes, poss more chemo  and then radiation treatment.  Although I only have one aunt on my dad's side who had breast cancer, doc feels it may be genetic. BRAC test has already gone out, I guess that may change my surgery recommendations, this is all very new to me. But there are things to do and no sense in moping around feeling sorry for myself all the time. What good will that do me? I felt inspired by your very positive attitudes and feel confident that I can be cancer free in 5! Thanks!

I'm so glad I found you!  I just found out yesterday that my cancer was TN after a lumpectomy and SNB on 9/17. I met my oncologist yesterday and she is recommending 4 courses of Cytoxan and Taxotere followed by 6 weeks of radiation. I looked at a chemo thread for my combination and the discussions started out okay, but then descended into members swapping horror stories about SEs.  It is so refreshing to find people willing to talk positively about what we're facing.  Not sugar-coating, but honest without focusing on the worst-case scenario.  I actually went to bed last night feeling optimistic about my chances, thanks to you wonderful ladies.  I'm still afraid, but I am finally feeling like I can do this.

Hi Sido and Carolina--I had the same treatment last year.  I found it to be very easy.  I had my infusions on Friday and then my Neulasta shot on Saturday afternoon.  My worst SEs came from Neulasta.  Those SEs were generally flu-like symptoms and night-sweats and only lasted one night.  By the next day, I was perking up.  My doctor had me take steroids the day before, the day of and the day after the treatment.  I could have lifted my house from its foundation!  Loved the roids!  I also went into treatment prepared.  I filled prescriptions for three different anti-nausea medications but I never needed them.  I slept like a rock.  I exercised by walking on my treadmill and resting when I needed to (which was rarely).  I drank three quarts of water a day (recommended by onco to flush out the cytoxan).   On my treatment days, I packed a lunch (yes, I brought my lunchbox to the chemo room) and ate lunch.  I drank coffee on treatment mornings (stopped for DunkinDonuts on the way).  My doctor freaked when he eventually found out as caffeine can make the chemo react.  Oops...  

Here are a few random bits of advice:

Brush your teeth with a "soft" toothbrush.  Run it under warm water to further soften the brushes so you don't cut your gums (keeps germs away).

Keep your fingernails trimmed and snip any hangnails immediately.

Wear gloves to do housework and gloves in the garden (I avoided gardening).

If you have a cat, put the box in the basement or a room where you aren't breathing it in all the time and have someone else clean it.

Exercise if you can and when you can.  You don't have to do much to see a big difference in how you feel.

Eat balanced meals.  You will need increased protein at this time to help heal.

For radiation, use the lotion the radiation onco gives you.  Use corn starch like powder to put a buffer between your clothes and skin.  It works great!  Also, if need be, use a t-shirt or a bralette with no binding straps.

I think I was more tired from radiation than chemo.  Again, I slept like a rock during radiation too!

Hmmm....I can't think of anything else right now.  When I do, I'll post again.

Lorrie 

Carolinachick and Morgan513:  Thank you so much!  You both are giving me so much more confidence.  I was wondering, when you figured out how you reacted to the chemo, were you able to tailor it to your work (i.e. changes days of the week you go in)?  I'm having my "chemo lesson" next week.  Are there any questions that you wished you had asked at the beginning?

I went on LOA from work during treatment and scheduled all of my treatments for Tuesdays.  I had Monday to grocery shop and get the house settled after the weekend before my tx.  I typically felt "bad" the 2nd and 3rd day after tx and then was feeling okay on the weekends to enjoy with my family. 

Take people up on whatever they offer to help with...dinner, cleaning, driving you places whatever it is let them do it.  Be careful with your energy.  I would feel great and go, go, go only to then be flat out the next day!  Try to walk every day outside even if you don't feel like it.  It clears your head and I found it helps with the fatigue. 

Be kind to yourself.  This time is all about healing!! 

Chrissie

ChrissieD-- A big hug and a thank you.  You motivated me to walk today!  Had my 3rd chemo tx yesterday(TAC) and was feeling down and a bit of nausea.  But after reading your post, I got up from this ole computer and got my walking shoes on and went for a brisk 30 minute walk.  Felt better when I got home.  So I wanted to say thank you.                                                          Wishing everyone a good day.

Navy

You are very welcome!!  I am glad it helped! 

When I talked to my oncologist, she suggested Friday because I teach on Monday and Tuesday nights, and Thursday afternoon.  Thursdays are easy because its a graduate seminar, so the students talk much more that I do, but Mon & Tues eves are full-on two and a half hour lectures.  I have people willing to cover a class here and there when I need it, but I'm starting to think that I will need to change the schedule so I have a better chance of making it to all my classes.  The first Monday after my first tx on 10/16 my students are taking their midterm followed by watching High Noon, so I can easily hand that class over to a grad student.

As for a wig...I'm currently on the fence.  I'm just not sure I want one, though Halloween wigs are looking like a fun option and I plan to shop for lots of scarves (since I can use them after this is all over).  I found a great resource on another thread for free silk headscarves available from Laurie Erickson (laurie@franceluxe.com).  She also is a big supporter of the TNBC foundation!

Thank you Carolinachick, ChrissieD, and Morgan513 for your wisdom and help in our fight.

Sido

I haven't been here in a while and should visit more often - the positive encouragement from everyone makes my day better.  THANK YOU!!!