Stage 3c - triple negative

Also not triple neg, but high node count also and wanted to say hello. So sorry you're here, but this is a great group of women and its a good place to come to get the support you need. Hugs from the Stateside sisters!

Dear shereejoy,

I am not triple negative, but given that you have a lot of nodes and are triple negative, I would push for a more aggressive chemo. Have your doctor explain why you are not eligible for double dose-dense chemo, which is known to work better than the one you are currently about to get if the node count is high. You are so young (as am I by the way) and since you are triple negative chemo is your only weapon, so make sure you give it the hardest shot you can get. Double dose-dense chemo  (means every two weeks and higher dosage of meds) may be hard on your body, but you are young and you can bear it. Ask for a second opinion, too, if possible, because you only have once to do things right.

All the best and hugs AgentMo

Hi sheerejoy,

 I too got 3 FEC and 3 taxotere. I was staged 3c and my onc thought this regimen was among the most agressive, if not the most agressive. Dose dense is a bit different but not necessarily more agressive than the regimen you are on (according to my onc).

Best of luck and hope you're feeling better soon!

Jackie

Just wanted to welcome you, I'm not triple - but several on here are and I believe there is a triple - forum you might find helpful.  I was 34 at dx and have 2 small kids (2/4), I also did taxotere (that was a rough one) so I know what you're going through.  Had 2 tumors, did BMX in Jan. finished rads in April.  Rads will be so much easier than what you're going through right now.  Take it one day at a time....you're reaching the top of that big mountain, come here often, we understand.

Hi Shereejoy,

Welcome to the stage 3 group.  We are many and we are mighty....mighty supportive of each other.   I'm not TN nor have young children but I have done a difficult chemo regiment and am sending you positive energy as I write.  Having cancer is the bad part of being here; on the flipside, it's a gift to be able to meet women walking the same journey from all over the world!  I'm glad you found us.   Molly 

Also not TN, but wanted to chime in with another welcome.  I was 39 with a 4 year old when I was diagnosed.  It's only been a little over a year and a half, and he barely remembers it all now.  I'm sorry to hear you've been feeling so sick with the chemo.  As someone else said, be liberal with the anti-nausea meds.  The usual line up, which my onc said should completely wipe out any nausea, didn't work for me so we added some more!

Hi there! I am not only stage IIIc but also TN. This weekend it is 2 years since I fould the lump that started all this. Hang in there and feel free to ask any questions.

Hi Hon,

Glad you found us!  Although I am not triple- the rest of our dx is very similar.  I had multifocal disease as well with the largest tumor being 6.5cm.  13/15 positive nodes.  They threw everything at me.  Dose dense A/C every 2 weeks/4 cycles, then the same schedule w/Taxol.  Then had 30 sessions of radiation.  On Tamoxifen now.

I wish I could say I've TOTALLY cleaned up my diet, but I must admit I still like my sweets.  I know sugar is bad, so I eliminated it from my coffee, tea, etc, try to eat low sugar cereals, but then I do indulge in ice cream or candy at night on ocassion.  I am also buying organic milk now, as well as other organic items if I can afford them.  There's a list they call "the dirty dozen" that if you can get organic you should try to.  Mostly b/c they come in direct contact w/pesticides, etc.  Like blueberries, lettuce, etc.  Google it and you'll get the whole list.  I also have pretty much given up drinking, but had already began that before my dx.

While your in chemo though, my docs told me to eat whatever I felt like I could handle.  Some woman have a tough time eating through it.  I had moments of nausea but my worst side effect was severe mouth sores that even though I was hungry I couldn't eat or drink much at all.

Keep checking with us and let us know how you are doing!

(((Hugs)))

Sharon

Sheree,

 I have triple negative, metaplastic breast cancer.  I had a mastectomy, chemo, and radiation.  I had surgery in September of '10 and my last radiation treatment was in March.  This is a scary disease but I'm managing pretty well right now. I really haven't changed my diet, but I think I need to after reading all the posts from others.  I will start an exercise program this month as well.