Triple Negative Breast Cancer and Chemotherapy

Ladies, just wanted to say how much I appreciate the comraderie and support on this forum.  I think we trip negs have to be a super strong bunch and I'm so glad to have "met" you. 

Time for beddie-bye now - did 10/12 taxol today and the benedryl, as usual, has wiped me out. Sweet dreams everyone. 

I wish we could hear from Janice!  Shout out to Janice!

Nice post farfaith!  

I'm 9 days post mast and one drain still in. Reading all the posts and sharing all the concerns. This is my 2nd time, same breast, lumpectomy first time. Sure helps to hear encouragement while recovering and facing who know what in the future. I don't know if I will be offered chemo this time around, hope not. Try to enjoy this beautiful day.

Hi Ladies,

I was diagnosed with TNBC  , grade 2, stage Ia, N0.  I had my lumpechtomy on the 15 of June and have my Onc. appt. aug 03.  From what I can read out of my Pathology report is that they recommend Polychemotherapy FEC/DOC , Taxan. After that 6 weeks Rads 5x per week.

What can I expect from such a Chemo treatment ?  Also worried that 7 weeks may be too long before starting Chemo after the Operation.

I'm so glad there are these different websites for us..I would feel so alone without them.

In Germany ( thats where I live ) there arent many website forums concerning BC.

God bless all of you and thanks for being here !!  

crs319:  I was doing chemo november thru to march 1 along with you and sugar.  We all made it through.  I am so happy that you found someone special during all of this.  I am still amazed by the new friends I have found on this journey and how some people just fade into the background.  Congratulations on making it through.

sugar:  You dyed your hair dark!!  I almost didn't recognize you.  My hair is almost as long as yours but I did the opposite--I bleached it white.

monisch:  I am not familiar with two of the drugs you are taking.  Ask lots of questions and find out if any of these drugs affect your heart.  I have a very dear friend in England who now has permanent heart damage from a drug that they do there that is banned here.  As far as waiting for the chemo and how soon they start it seems to vary dr to dr, state to state, country to country.  Are you on any kind of natural supplements to assist in your recovery?  Any diet changes?  My first dr (whom I fired) had me wait almost two months before having chemo prior to having surgery and I would have been done now if he hadn't made me wait.  You may have to allow your body to recover before starting chemo as surgery is very difficult and healing can take time.  Best of luck and join us on Calling All TN's!

MBJ - yes, I've colored my hair twice now.  I figured now is the time to try different shades since it's so short. I actually had it colored to match one of my wigs!

Sherri 

How many year survivor are you? what was your follow-up?

Janice- I was told the same by my GYN, local MO, surgeon,, etc. etc.  Led to believe just a little surgery then a 98% chance of long term survival.  I'm a very positive person, but also a realist.  I despise not getting the full truth about this disease.  In fact, all information about TN had to be found by me from my path report.  Always insist on a copy of every test; pathology, scans, blood work, etc.  I've done this since my 20's.  I feel lucky that I don't have young kids, mine are grown, I have granddaughters and am older than many TN women.  I was dx'ed in July of this year- a few months after my 56th birthday.  We're all in this together Janice.  My MO at MD Anderson said there are some great things for TNs on the horizon!

I am trying to learn more about this forum, still learning.  Sorry about that.   I do have a question, I just had a breast removed with reconstruction (also had 4 nodes out of 13 removed that had cancer traces), so I will be set up with 6 weeks of radiation.  My question is this, what do you do to follow your cancer once all this treatment is complete? I just sent blood to test for Brca1 (SP) and Brca2 at this point I am not sure what I will do if it comes back positive.  BTW, I was dx in May with TN BC, went through chemo from May to September (AC and T).  Had surgery on 10/21 and am recovering from surgery now.  Will start radiation soon.  Has anyone heard of Metformin for clinical trails for the prevention of cancer cells coming back?

So Babs37, what are your SE?  How long will you be in the trial?  What else can you tell me about it?  I have read some about it and am trying to determine if I want to go this route.  Thank you for any additional information you can share with me. 

I am triple neg, no nodes. I had a mascectomy on Dec 16th. Don't have appt with oncologist until 8th  Feb. Assume I will be starting chemo the  following week. Feeling anxious about the wait.

Just wanted to post a hello.  Titan, I remember you from when I was undergoing chemo! Hope you are doing well.

 I am two plus years out now from surgery and doing well.  Married in October, blissfully happy and still dread the three month check ups.  Have occasional aches and pains and always think ...uh oh...but so far so good.    The further I get away from it, the less I think about going on line so I don't think anyone should take it negatively that there a not a lot of long term surivors on this thread. I think the busier and happier we get, the further it gets from our minds. (Except at checkups....)  Just want to encourage all of you going through it.  It gets so much better and it truly has made me a stronger, happier person and much more appreciative of every beautiful day. Love and hugs to all of you in the middle of treatment and high fives to those of us who squeaked through it..... 

I keep reading about survival rates and my MO & BS both talk about survival rates - especially lumpectomy vs mastecomy. What are the recurrance rates of TN - especially with lumpectomy?