Triple Negative Breast cancer

Options
renia46
renia46 Member Posts: 5
edited June 2014 in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

l got Triple Negative Breast cancer 2 yrs ago. it was stage 3, very large. it hadnt gone past the breast that l had fully removed l decided not to have chemeo, or any other treatment. has anyone else done this

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • TifJ
    TifJ Member Posts: 1,568
    edited October 2011

    Hi Renia! I too am triple negative. Come on over to the "Calling all TNS" thread. There are many wonderful ladies that have gone through or are currently going through treatment for TN. I think we have all taken chemo though. If you want to find someone that didn't, you might make a new post titled "TN and no chemo" and see if anyone responds. May I ask why you chose not to do chemo?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • renia46
    renia46 Member Posts: 5
    edited October 2011

    l didnt do chemo because l was too scared, its been 2 years now. and l must say, lm not sure if it was right or wrong, my doctors were very upset that l wouldnt do it. l havent seen my doctors in 8 mths. l cant say l feel well. but lm too scared to find out from now

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • TifJ
    TifJ Member Posts: 1,568
    edited October 2011

    I understand the fear. I was sooo scared. I did 4 treatments of Taxotere and Cytoxin. It sucked, but was't horrible ( like its portrayed in movies). The worst was losing my hair. I am now almost 10 months out from my last chemo and have a very full head of hair.

    From what I understand, once you get past the 3 year mark with TN, your chances of recurrence go down dramatically. However, cancer follows no rules.

    I chose to do chemo because I have young children (6 and 9) and I wanted to do everything I could to insure I will be here for them in the years to come, but even chemo can't guarantee that. It sucks that cancer causes us to be stressed and worrisome for the rest of our lives.

    Best wishes to you.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • TifJ
    TifJ Member Posts: 1,568
    edited October 2011

    I just reread your post- you haven't seen your dr. in 8 months? I would at least go have a check up- get bloodwork done. I go every 3 months for an exam and bloodwork.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • epgnyc
    epgnyc Member Posts: 101
    edited October 2011

    Hi, Renia.  I too was Triple Negative....not once but two separate times.  The first was in 2002 and then again earlier this year.  Both time I did chemo -- 8 rounds of CMF the first time and DD AC+T (4 treatments of each) the 2nd time.  But you should check out a posting by Ettasmom who first posted on 10/14/11 -- it's entitled "Chemo Or Not?"  Like you she decided not to have chemo and is happy with her decision so you might want to read what she has to say.

    You'll find that most of us TNBC ladies here have done chemo, if only because we're not able to take advantage of the protective treatment of hormonal drugs.  But how to treat one's cancer is always a very personal decision.  I would, however, strongly urge you to get followed up by your doctor at least once every 6 months.  Best of luck to you.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Happiness123
    Happiness123 Member Posts: 1
    edited October 2011
    Renia, you are going against standard procedure. You are operating from fear.  Steve Jobs did too and look what happened. http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2011/oct/21/steve-jobs-cancer-surgery-regret?newsfeed=true    Chemo does not rot away your bones. Whoever told you that was wrong.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • tibet
    tibet Member Posts: 545
    edited October 2011

    Happyiness 123

    Saw you were dx in 2004 but stage IIIA with DCIS? I thought DCIS is always stage 0 as it is none invasive. Could it be a typo? What was your treatment? Thanks for sharing. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • suzieq2
    suzieq2 Member Posts: 1
    edited October 2011

    I have opted out of chemo but because of a complication....I had a ruptured colon the day after my first round, due to steriod or chemo there seems to be debate on which was the culprit.  I do not share that to scare you from seeking chemo treatment, what happened to me is very rare, but if I had not had the complication I would have proceeded with chemo.  The docs want me to continue  but my intuition and "gut" pardon the pun....say no. Another rupture is as life threatening to me as the cancer.  So either way you have to follow your instincts on that choice.  But I would strongly encourage you to keep close to your docs with regular check ups and at least pursue alternative treatments and diet to keep it at bay.  This TNC really is scary, and especially frightening if you haven't taken the standard treatment, but there are no guarantees either way.....it is all percentages and I prefer to look at the % that do survive rather than the % that don't.  Where the mind goes the body will follow.....good wishes to all my new "girlfriends."

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories