Calling all TNs

LydiaT:  Your post was an answer to my prayers.  I had prayed that someone would come and echo what I had said, and that hopefully that someone would be a survivor out a few years with one heck of a positive story.  You, my dear, made my day.  Thank you.

And C O N G R A T S   ON    5   Y E A R S    O U T!!!! 

hey I'm 3+ years!  sometimes I forget that. 

Lydia - that's so much for posting. Your timing was great as we really needed to hear this and congratulations on five years!!!

Lydia. My god, your post brought comfort and hope to me and to,  I am sure,  a lot of the ladies on this  Board.  My tumour is also Grde 3, 3.5cm and just lately I have felt myself getting more and more depressed wondering what the future may hold or if there really is a future for me.  Five years out yet given only months,  this is the best news ever.  Just reinforces to me that nobody can say when your time is up only, Him.  I am so glad you posted this is the best I have felt in weeks.  May you have many many more years to come and may good health, good luck and happiness go with you always.    You are a beutiful lady that have given me so much peace and comfort. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.  Annie xxooxx   

Thanks Lydia...this is the kind of news that keeps us thinking positive. Every ache or pain makes me think "its back". Now I will first think it is age. TNBC is not the death sentence that some doctors profess it to be. Thinking positive  and reducing stress is utmost in preventing recurrence. Congrats on your 5 years and thanks for posting....we all needed you today.

Hello i am new to this thread,i have spent the last 18 months on the threads i related to at the time. But now that im kinda of at a good place, i thought why haven't i ever asked or researched my estrogen negative dx. I looked through my pathology reports and cannot find any info on being triple negative or even any hormone info. I am feeling realy ignorant right now about all of this,but i think i better get on top of it!! Can you be estrogen neg but positve with the other 2? i was not given any prevenative neds so i am assuming im triple neg. i left a messege with my oncology and breast surgeon.Any info you can give i would appreiciate thanks

Remember these questions are about your lifestyle PRE CANCER DX-At least 5 years previous. JUST COPY AND PASTE ONTO BLOG REPLY.  MAYBE THE RESULTS WILL BE INTERESTING ENOUGH FOR RESEARCHERS TO FIND OUT WHY THERE IS SUCH A THING AS TRIPLE NEGATIVE.

1)   Age of DX - 33

2)   How was tumor discovered? self exam

3)   Alcohol Consumption per week and type of alcohol - 1 to 2 beer/glass of wine per week

4)   Smoking Consumption per day and type of tobacco - never smoked or used tobacco

5)   Child Bearing and at what age - no children

6)   Did you nurse your baby - N/A

7)   Stress levels either from family or work - moderate stress at work, loss of a close family member year prior to diagnosis

8)   Exercise- Hours per day and type - brisk walk 3 x weekly

9)   Any other cancers dx'd before BC - no

10)   Rx drugs taken and what kind and for how long? Lexapro 5 years

11)   Diet - normal, occasional fast food

NO FAMILY HISTORY, BRCA NEGATIVE

Ok so I live in Houston where the world famous MDA is, but I am not going there.  On another board they were shocked that since I lived in Houston I didn't automatically go there.  I guess I just was ready to get going, get treated and move on.  I like my oncologist and his treatment seems pretty standard to what everyone else is getting.  I am stage 1 so I didn't feel the need to go through all it takes to get into MDA.  My thoughts were if I was more advanced or needed further treatment later on (NOT!) I would check into them.

Now I am wondering if I should have gotten a second opinion?  DId most of you guys get a second opinion?  My oncologist did his fellowship at MDA, which I thought was pretty good.

 I'm probably just freaking out since I start on Thursday and just need to stay off the internet! 

1)   Age of DX -   Age 52

2)   How was tumor discovered? IE: Self exam  - Doctor exam - Mammogram -Other  Self Exam

3)   Alcohol Consumption per week and type of alcohol - Have Never consumed alcohol

4)   Smoking Consumption per day and type of tobacco i.e. cigs, marijuana, chew - Never Smoked

5)   Child Bearing and at what age  - Age 23

6)   Did you nurse your baby - Yes for 3 Years

7)   Stress levels either from family or work - High, Moderate, Low or combination at different times -  Highly Stressed with a family situation a few months before diagnosis. I felt there was no way to solve the problem and it was a feeling of utter helplessness, very deep in my heart.

8)   Exercise- Hours per day and type - Cardio, low impact, Yoga, Other - Always exercised one form or another - walking at the time of diagnosis.

9)   Any other cancers dx'd before BC-skin melanomas or precancerous lesions - NO

10)   Rx drugs taken and what kind and for how long? - Never taken any RX. At diagnosis, I was taking Glucosomine 2000 mg. Schiffs Brand, 4000 mg. a day for knee joint pain.  This is the drug which gave me eye twitches and pain in the breasts, which I realized after the diagnosis.  When I stopped the drug, the pain went away, so I know 100% this high dosage Glucosomine had something to do with bringing about my BC.  I wrote to the Tumor Board about this, but my doctor told me that this drug helped me bring BC to my attention.  I don't agree.  If you research on this drug, you will find that 2000 mg. Glucosomine contains high levels of soy protein/soy lecithin, lecithin which has a direct effect on cells.  Ever since my phone call to Schiffs, I find that now they don't have as much lecithin in their Glucosomine.  I still keep my receipt for the bottle of Glucosomine which I had purchased from Walmart.  Ever since this experience, I have stopped taking ALL supplements, except Vitamin D.

11)   Diet - Normal, Healthy (Organic), Vegan or Fast Food  - East Indian diet which is basically vegetarian, contains lots of lentils, rice, beans, potatoes, chicken

Any other comments regarding your lifestyle BEFORE DX would be appreciated...lets see if there are any common denominators. - Approx. 4 - 5 years prior to DX, I started using Progesterone Cream, Emerita, Pro-gest 44 Single-Use Packets from Health Food Store.  I read Dr. Lee's book re "What Doctor's don't tell you about Pre-Menopause" and believed him about his stand on progesterone.  Although expensive, I used this cream on my skin twice a day.  My symptoms of pre-menopause were hair falling and frequent urinations. My lab showed that there was high level of progesterone in my blood, but my Gyne. ignored it, although her own young sister had died from breast cancer.  I was naive, but she could have stopped me from using it. In fact she sold progesterone cream in her doctor's office.  I think I should not have used this cream at all.  I had no idea how dangerous it is to use any hormones, even if they are herbal and derived from natural plants.

Heidi:

If I were closer, I'd be on my way over with a martini for you.  Ugh - not a pleasant day and so sorry about the rooster - I can't even imagine.

I agree, I'm confused too as to what we should do regarding donations to the estate, Joseph's education fund, or still pursue the bench.  I will naturally go with the flow, but with the indidual funds already set up (or so they seem to be), might that be the easiest way to go.  I am open to whatever you all decide.

Since your beat tonight, and rightfully so, rest up tonight and take care of YOU.

Linda  

Lynda - thank you for the ray of sunshine - we sure needed it!

Kim - I'm sure your doctor is just fine. They follow a protocol. It's only when that doesn't work, that they have to become creative. And that's not going to be a problem for you! Keep us posted.

Heidi, I'm leaning toward contributing to LJ's benevolent fund/son's education, since I remember she was worried about expenses.

Mary's music:   http://www.maryjahn.com/#!__listen

Lovelyface,

It's easy on my eyes! I like larger print these days.