Post for my wife Wendy
I am starting this post for my wife Wendy, whom I hope will finish it and get on this message board for support and help. She was diagnosed April 5th 2011 with trip. neg. and was stage 3 I believe because it was in the axillary nodes. She had adjuvant chemo at first and lasted 7 out of 8 sessions until she got too sick. She then had a double mast. even though they only wanted to take her left breast,and affected nodes. The left was a modified radical, and right was simple mastectomy. She then had 25 doses of radiation ending last mid December.
On Monday April 16th,, she had a CT scan (at her previous request), and yesterday she got then results, that is has spread to her sternum and other nodes in the chest. They say it is incurable and inoperative and that she has two choices: 1) to have a trial on 'Foretinib' , an oral drug in early stage testing or 2) Chemo with Carboplatin and Gemcitabine. Either of these are just to slow progression and are not cures. She would like to know if anyone has been in the same situation with triple neg br ca, and what treatments you have been through. We also are interested in alternative treatments, possibly Mexico or???
Thanks,Wendy and Andy
Comments
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I was dx with TNBC in 2008 at Stage IV which means the cancer had already spread to my liver and lungs. Everyone treatment is different cause it really depends on how one's body reacts, I had the chemo Abraxane, then Adriamycin, then surgery double mastecomy, radiaiton, then another round of Abraxane. I had my last Chemo in 2010 and have been NED *No evidence of Disease), I get scans every 3 months,
Once it spread its not cureable but treatable, many people live for decades, I am currenlty 4 years out from the date of my dx. I am also BRAC 1 positive.
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Thank-you so much for your post Hydeskate and for your encouraging words. My wife will love to read this as it gives hope for some precious time and hopefully a lot of time. Andy
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Andy altho as was said everyoe is different, my sister is stage IV since 2008 getting treatment now once a month---I've been since 2007 and doin ok---So just keep on keeping ootions open and u sound like a wonderful husband and that;s a huge help for u'r wife. Good Luck
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Thank you Camillegal. It is now two days since we heard the news and it is starting to sink in. I think we realize that we must keep all options open and hope for the best.
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Dear andydentre,
I am a big proponent of alternative therapies, but not so sure as a stand alone treatment for advanced stages. They simply are not strong enough. But you can make chemo and certain therapies work better, even possibly change the game, by incorporating the best evidence based information regarding supplements, diet and lifestyle choices. For example, it has been shown that therapeutic doses of vitamin D and curcumin, even other specific supplements, can make chemo work more efficiently, or even overcome resistance. Some supplements are a no-no in combination with specific chemo drugs.
You don't have to start at point zero---the work and analysis has already been done by a very brilliant researcher named Constantine. I have shown his treatise to several of my doctors, they supported my choice to incorporate the recommendations, and beyond that, they were impressed with the CAM as it stood. Constantine is not a doctor, but he knows his turf, and he is very careful about his recommendations which must meet a high standard for inclusion in his CAM.
You can read more about this and what is workable from a evidence based standpoint. No folk medicine, no anecdotal testimonials, just real data and good analysis. Look at the following link, sorry I can't make it hot:
http://www.nosurrenderbreastcancersurvivorforum.org/post/UPDATED-EDGECAM!-AUGUST-2011-5424968?trail=20#1
This CAM is a good place to start. There are other resources to investigate as well. Just remember, you need good data, not testimonials, to determine what is truly effective.
If you can, print it out and show it to your wife's oncologist. They can give you feedback on what they see, approve of it, disapprove, stay mute or, they may even be grateful.
All my best,
Bliss
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