any good news?

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babybluewish85
babybluewish85 Member Posts: 2
edited June 2014 in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
any good news?
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  • babybluewish85
    babybluewish85 Member Posts: 2
    edited September 2011

    I was wondering if anyone had or has my type of breast cancer that can give me some good news. I am stage IIa, 3.5cm, no nodes and no mets. I really just want to be around for my daughter and my husband. i am currently doing TAC every 3 weeks. I'll have 6 doses altogether. I am also taking the nulasta shot the day after my chemo. I have already done one of each. I am opting to do a double mastectomy, even though the cancer is in the right breast. Does this help? I just feel lost. I am not a huge fan of my oncologist, but as long as she knows what she's doing then I'm ok. Any suggestions?

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  • Titan
    Titan Member Posts: 2,956
    edited September 2011

    Baby...there are quite a few people on here that have been around for awhile..realize though..that not everyone with TNC is on here (and I'm talking people still alive)..my co-worker is/was tn and she is 8 years out..I am working on 3 years out...pretty much the same stats as you only my tumor was 1.8 cm...I had 8 chemos...4xac, 4xTaxol...I also had the neulasta shot (ugh..I hated that)...hope you do better then I did)...

    Of course you are concerned...we all are...but seriously...what can you do except take all the treatments....try to exercise if you can..and do what you can....

    It does get easier the further out you are...somewhat....I use to freak out about mets (maybe still do occasionally)..but that is the freaking gift of cancer...

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  • lrr4993
    lrr4993 Member Posts: 937
    edited September 2011

    Not sure what you consider to be good news, but I will try:

    You are node negative - that is great.

    You are doing an aggressive chemo - also great.

    Although it may not seem like it from reading here or elsewhere, the majority (60+ %) of TN women with your stats go on to lead cancer free lives. 

    Although TN is typically aggressive and lacks targeted therapies, it has some positives too:

    * You body chemistry is not driving the cancer.

    * It does not tend to recur locally; so, assuming it has not spread, you are likely done with it once you have surgery.

      * Distant recurrance tends to occur quickly - within a few years.  Once you get about 5 years out, you chance of recurrance is lower than other breast cancers.

    Re: the double mastectomy - that is a tough one.  There is a school of thought that such measures are warranted because of the aggressiveness of it.  Personally, I opted for a lumpectomy.  Since TN tends not to recur locally, I saw no reason for such a significant surgery.  I will say, however, that I probably would have more peace of mind with the dmx.  I obsess over lumps now.  

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  • Thepeddlerswife
    Thepeddlerswife Member Posts: 69
    edited September 2011

    Thank you for posting the positives. My daughter was just diagnosed with IDC, grade 3 and is triple negative. Don't know the stage or lymph involvement yet. They did a US of the lymph nodes and didn't say much. Meeting with the Oncologist on Friday. The surgeon said that she felt that it was up to my daughter to do chemo or surgery first. Do they typically leave it up to the pt? She is only 30 and has 2 young sons. Husband has chosen the army over his family so since they are stationed in CO where she has no family I am here for the long haul.

    Thanks for the input. It is appreciated!

    Kim

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  • Titan
    Titan Member Posts: 2,956
    edited September 2011

    I had a lumpectomy...and I feel just fine with that..however, you need to do what you think is best for you (as I did)....yes..I do have to have a mammo every year and yes it freaks me out..however; it your cancer is going to recur..it is best to to be in the breast..and not else where...

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  • lrr4993
    lrr4993 Member Posts: 937
    edited September 2011

    Kim - I cannot speak to the typical protocol, but my onco left the decision on pre or post surgery chemo up to me.  My impression was that she felt pre surgery chemo was advantageous. However, she is the lead investigator on a major study of preadjuvant chemo in TNBC treatment, so I am sure she has some bias.  There are some benefits to doing chemo first, the main one being the ability to judge chemo sensitivity and adjust your regimen if it is not working.  The very significant downside, at least to me, is the risk of spread while on chemo.  This was particularly concerning to me because of the very aggressive nature of my tumor.  I just wanted that thing out of me.

    Good luck to you and your daughter.  That is so young to have BC.  How lucky for her that you are able to help.  My mom stayed with me from biopsy through diagnosis and surgery.  Then came back for a week with each chemo.  She went to every doctor appt up to rads, when I finally released her from her servitude . . .:).   Although I probably would have been fine on my own (I had a very easy time with chemo), I am very glad she was around to help. 

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  • bak94
    bak94 Member Posts: 1,846
    edited September 2011

    I had a 3.5 cm triple neg. 2 nodes positive (micro) treated with lumpectomy chemo rads, that order. Now I have a new primary in my opposite breast. I was happy with lumpectomy, but now kinda wish I had a bmx back then. Did genetic testing this time and I am brca 1 positive. Have you done genetic testing to help with your decisions? Not trying to scare anyone, it is just good to look at all of your options. BRCA positive tend to have higher rates of new primaries. My original lumpectomy is just fine right now, but I am going to have bmx when finished with chemo.

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  • lrr4993
    lrr4993 Member Posts: 937
    edited September 2011

    bak94 makes an excellent point that I had completely forgotten about.  My surgeon recommended genetic testing and the only mention of a possible mx was if that came back positive.  It was negative, so I stayed with the lumpectomy.  That is a big consideration because of the increased risk of new primarys if you are positive.

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  • KSteve
    KSteve Member Posts: 486
    edited September 2011

    Kim (thepeddlerswife) - I don't know the size of your daughter's tumor, but mine was quite large (see my stats below).  I did chemo first.  All doctors on the area tumor board agreed that was the correct approach for me.  I was able to feel the tumor shrinking during chemo.  It was totally gone by the time I had my bilateral mastectomy.  By the way, I am in CO too!  I live in Arvada (suburb west of Denver),  I'd be glad to be her CO partner if she has any questions she wants to ask along the way.  Just let me know!

    Take care and I wish your daughter much luck as she begins her journey!

    Kathy

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  • mccrimmon324
    mccrimmon324 Member Posts: 1,076
    edited September 2011

    Baby,

    We are similiar in our stats and treatment.  My tumor was 3.3mm, no nodes, no mets.  I'm currently having my 5th of 6 TAC treamtments.  It will be over before you know it!  I wish I could give you good news but I'm still new to this however the ladies on this site are very encouriging.  I will give you some advice, if your not happy with your onco look into another if possible.  I wasn't crazy with my first one but had a 2nd opinion and I love him.  Wish he could be my primary.

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  • Morgan513
    Morgan513 Member Posts: 664
    edited September 2011

    I'm just about 3.5 years out!  When I was first diagnosed, I freaked about TN survivors but was able to connect with a 10 year survivor.  She did 4xAC and then was supposed to do T but refused it.  

    Be strong and take it one day at a time!  You'll get through and be looking back on this soon!

    Lorrie 

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  • Thepeddlerswife
    Thepeddlerswife Member Posts: 69
    edited September 2011

    Kathy, they removed about 2 cm and did not get clear margins. We were just told at the second opinion that there are 2 more tumors. Why they didn't tell us that at the first surgeons I'll never know. We are in Colorado Springs! I can't wait to tell her that there is a friend here in CO for her! I have started a blog for her and as soon as she gives me the o.k. I will post the address. She says I'll be doing the posting but she has to approve it first. Daughters...gotta love em!

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  • mitymuffin
    mitymuffin Member Posts: 337
    edited September 2011

    Babyblue, I chose a lumpectomy because the doctors (Sloan Kettering) told me it was just as effective as a masectomy and recovery time is quicker, and I wanted to stay active. There are some studies that show exercise is helpful in preventing reoccurences.   Later I did have genetic testing, which was negative. If the genetic testing has come back positive I might have gone on to have a masectomy. 

    By the way, my statistics are slightly worse than yours, and I was given an 80% cure rate (and I'm sticking with it!) Smile

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  • netty46
    netty46 Member Posts: 296
    edited April 2013

    Tn do recur in breast. It did to me and several others on this site.

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  • minxie
    minxie Member Posts: 484
    edited April 2013

    I had a local recurrence, right under skin, 3.5 years after a lumpectomy, 6 months chemo, and then BMX. Unfortunateley it can happen.

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