received the rest of my pathology report...help!

From what I understand of tumors (which admittedly is very little, in the scheme of things), it was very likely "there" (in your body), but not of a detectible size until it ultimately was detected.

My tumor was an IDC, grade 3 tumor, about 1.5cm in size. 

It did not show up on my mammogram a year ago, so I asked my doctor if that meant that it just grew in the last year. 

He told me that was not likely, even though a grade 3 is a more aggressive growth tumor, it was likely growing over the last 5 to 8 years. In other words, the cells were there, just not of any substantial "mass" to be detected either by the mammogram or the manual palpatations. 

Even so, I still can't decipher a good portion of my pathology report (from the biopsy). I'm currently waiting for the pathology report from my lumpectomy (which was last Thursday), which, I've been told, is supposed to be ready by tomorrow. 

I will ask about that growth thing. It really has me concerned, as well.

Angie...

Im not tiple negative, Im actually triple positive, but here is a link to a website strictly for TN woman!

You should get lots of info and support there as well!

http://www.tnbcfoundation.org/

Hi Angie,

I too am trip neg.  Getting those words trip neg can be scary especially when you are already reeling from the word cancer.   

They do say triple negs do respond well to chemo.so the oncs tend to be more aggressive with that  ...which did make it easier to endure  knowing that it would help. Also I read the chance of recurrence's get lower as you get past the 4-5 year mark. There are also new drugs out there that are targeting the triple negs, so that is promising.   I am coming up on 2 yrs since dx and doing great.... so don't lose hope, take one day at a time.These boards are a great source of info and comfort. 

Angie,

the beginning is the worse part! Unfortunatly, they wont know your exact stage untill you have the tumor removed and your lymph nodes checked. Best to have surgery ASAP, or maybe do chemo first. One good thing about chemo first, is you and you team of docs will know that the chemo is working. They usually do chemo first for larger tumors, but if the waiting times for surgery are long....chemo first is the way to go.

Try to stay off the net. I know easier said than done. Maybe make an appt to see your GP and ask for some anxiety meds to help you right now. A lot of us woman have asked for some help. Ativan is great...takes the edge off things and can help with sleeping.

hugs coming your way...I was 30 when I was diagnosed...my daughter was 22 months. Im 32 now and my daughter is 4 starting kindergarden in September.

delete

I don't share your diagnosis, but I did share your anxiety when I got my biopsy results and started reading about all the dreadful things that could happen.  Once my spouse and I met with the surgeon I felt much better because now we had a plan of action.  However, in retrospect I wish I had met earlier (that is, as soon as my biopsy was scheduled instead of just before surgery) with my gyno to talk about this as he is well-informed and very caring.  Please take care of yourself, but it's normal to freak out at times!!

Angi,

I am triple neg too.  I had 4 DD AC every two weeks and then I was supposed to have 4 DD Taxol every two weeks, but after the first I had to switch to Taxotere for the remaining three doses as I developed neuropathy immediately upon the first Taxol, so onc switched me to Taxotere every three weeks.  I then had 33 rads (last 5 were "boosts").  Just completed rads in early December.  Best of luck to you - it's not something I would wish on anyone, but you will get through it all, just as we all did.

Hugs,

Linda

My husband was my rock thoughout my journey with breast cancer.  We are so much closer now and I no longer feel so scared and alone.

I was reeling when I got my triple negative diagnosis.  I already knew what it was, but was SO not expecting that (I didn't fit the usual profile). I felt completely overwhelmed and so fearful I'd die of it --soon! I still feel that way sometimes, but now that I'm in treatment, my outlook is much more positive overall. And many more women beat trip neg cancer than not.... 

 I will disagree with the others about the Internet though.  Providing you search through reputable sources, you will find lots of good information on triple negative cancer, and I have on two occasions drawn articles to my onc's attention and we have come to treatment decisions together. I guess it depends on the person - but I feel more in control the more knowledge I have.  And while I like and respect my onc, she is a clinician first, not a researcher. There are also many trials involving trip negs as it is a hot area of research, so be sure to ask or research on the Internet if you're interested.

I did 4 rounds of AC and I am now to start 12 weekly taxol treatments. PM me if you want some research links.  Try and take a deep breath and know you will be okay...