Newbie Triple Negative

Welcome Nat!  I'm sorry you are joining us.  

I was also scared of chemo.  Ask your oncologist about chemo training.  It helped me a great deal.  Also, I can tell you that it is very doable.  I never even had to take the anti-nausea medications!  

Please feel free to PM me if you'd like.

Take care,

Lorrie 

Hi Jane  I live in Glendora nearby city to Rancho, I also discoverd I had triple Negative on March twenty first, I discoverd on October 30 I had a tumor, real scared mother and maternal grandmother had breast cancer.  On November twenty third had lumpectomy, in January had bilateral mastectomy my choice. In late February had Onco DX which revealed on March twenty first had Triple. Glad I had this test my first pathology report indicated estrogen + although weak.  One Onco I went to suggested harmone blocker which now I know that would have never worked. I will be starting chemo on April 3.  So we will be taking the same journey together, I will keep u in my thoughts and think of you and that we are walking together in spirit.  Everything is going to be alright!

Hi Jen

Just read your post - maybe today was your second round of chemo so you might be feeling pretty bad? Hope you are doing OK. Chemo is not pleasant at all but you'll get through it, time just trots along and one day soon it will be behind you. I know it is different for every person and can't imagine how you feel personally but just keep on keeping on.

Had my last dressing change today after the breast recon surgery so basically I can put the 9 months of diagnosis, treatment and surgery behind me now and get back to the new normal me. It won't be long before you can say the same too - hang in there - the stronger you think, the stronger you'll feel.

A big long distance hug from South Africa :-)

Hello dear Newbies...February marked 5 years since diagnosis for me!  Keep checking in and getting all the support you need.  This site really saved me during all the trauma and fear during treatment.  It was my lifeline.

I am happy, fit and enjoying life in a way I never thought possible. 

Sending all my love, prayers and good wishes as you continue on this journey.

-Holly

Hi just saw this thread!  I am Triple Negative, Stage 1 , grade 3.  I had a lumpectomy end of January and started Chemo in march.  I am doing T/C x6 followed by radiation.  I seem to be tolerating chemo fairly well with minimal side effects.  I have been working through out treatment.  It  isn't much fun, but as others have said it is doable!  I like the March 2012 chemo thread, lots of supportive women there and also several TNC threads which are fairly active.!

 Good luck and keep checking in! 

I am newly diagnosed TN. I am having a double mastectomy on May 10. They say I'll need chemo and rads. I notice in this forum many of you had chemo prior to mastectomy or surgery. This option wasn't presented to me. What is the advantage of doing it that way. Though I am so anxious for the BMX because they suspect the lump they removed is probably not the only cancer lurking in my breast. I'm so confused and anxious. 

Sally 

Allow me to add, some large cancer hospitals have their own protocol as far as chemo.  I know MDA in Houston does neoadjuvant therapy (chemo before surgery) on all TNs with a mass that's 2 cms or larger.  They feel the benefits of monitoring chemo gives some an advantage in some cases.  I know it did in my case.  I'm grateful I did so well after my bilateral mastectomy. Mine was not vascular invasive but like all TN, quite aggressive.  It grew from stage Ia to stage IIa while waiting to get into MDA for a consult. This was after not being able to find qualified oncology surgeons in my city. (I was diagnosed in July '11 yet didn't start treatment until October.  Talk about a scary time.  Once treatment starts, that all changes and you are then in fight mode.)  Otherwise I was convinced and programmed for surgery first.  It took me while to understand the concept of neoadjuvant therapy, while now it makes perfect sense and I'm thrilled it happened this way.

Jane- Wishing you much luck with your chemo regimen. I know the worst of it for me was feeling tired.. but it was very doable. We're all scared of the unknown, though many are pleasantly surprised at how doable it really is. There are so many different anti-nausea meds that shouldn't be an issue at all.  I've been prone to mouth sores all my life, yet never developed even one while on chemo.  You'll get through it a day at a time.  Before you know it, this too will be in your rear view mirror. We're all different.  For me on a pretty tough chemo I was able to work without much disruption in my regular routine.

I had my port removed and a consult with a radiology oncologist this last trip to MDA.  The RO was adamant that I didn't need radiation.. which surprised me.  I know MDA was one of the first to push radiation even with BMX and no positive nodes for Triple Negs.  Perhaps it's because I had 6 rounds of FEC in lieu of the missed Taxol treatments which failed in my case.  FEC can be tough on the heart and in very very rare cases cause leukemia down the road.  I have a family history of both BC & later-life leukemia.  Maybe it's because I achieved a pCR.  However, my medical oncologist assumed I would have it, as she said "I'll want to see you after radiation."  I may go for more opinions- however the RO was very convincing against it, in my case.

Wishing us ALL the BEST!

I didn't have chemo first because I had a lumpectomy to get the tumor out and they had no idea what kind it was till they took it out.  I think everyone was a bit surprised that it was TN and not the hormone kind.  I was surprised myself!  I am doing 6 rounds of T/C then radiation.

Hope everyone has a great evening with minimal SE! 

LuvBngGma,

I guess I am right behind you. My chemo will start in mid June. I'm a nervous wreck. I'm also having a bone scan next week and a cat scan for abdomen for (hopefully) unrelated condition. I sure could use the support too. So afraid of the side effects. Waiting for my path report since my bilateral mastectomy last week. (no reconstruction for me)  So I have no idea what the new report will reveal. I'll find out on Monday.  I'm a mess today. Just a mess.

Sally 

Sally:  Be sure to ask for a copy of your report.  I did and it was so helpful to go through it when I was of sound mind and look up anything that I didn't understand.  It's also just good to have copies of things I think. 

As for the chemo.  I had dose dense AC/T and had a lot of nausea and vomitting with my first round.  Please ask for Emend before you even start chemo.  I was not given this initially and someone told me to ask and it made ALL the difference in the world.  I had no nausea after that.  Gravol is also your next best friend.  I ate lots of watermelon as it helps with nausea and it has sugar.  Everyone is different and so you never know how you'll do.  The fatigue and exhaustion was the worst part for me all the way through and I had a blood transfusion mid way through because my red cells were so low.  That was a life saver for me and really helped to make it through the last 4 rounds (I had 8 rounds every 2 weeks).  

If you're taking a needle for your white cells take Claritan an hour before your shot and for 3 days after.  This will help with the bone pain from the needle.  Warm baths also helped me with epson salts.  

Chemo is no picnic but it's manageable and the first round seemed to be the worst for me.  Keep a journal each day of your symptoms so you can tell your MO and also see the pattern of which days you feel off and which are your good days.  PM me if you need anything.  We're all here to help you through.  You WILL get through this even when it feels like some days you won't.  

Victoria:  I am also triple negative and mine was 3.4cms and level 3.  There is a great TNS thread on this website that you should join.  The ladies are amazing and really supportive.  LOTS of success stories.  Just remember that the more aggressive your cancer, the better it will respond to chemo.  I was 33 years old when I was diagnosed (just turned 34 years) married for 7 years with a 3 year old and 20 mos old.  It's scary I know, but you will be okay.  It's all very overwhelming right now but one day at a time.  We're all here for you xoxo

Victoria, This website is wonderful, (especially the TNS threads) and will help you get through this. Its normal to have your emotions all over the place, especially when you first find out. I think not knowing what to expect was the hardest for me. I felt like I could not handle any of it. But once I knew what I had, what exactly it meant, how we were going to fight it, and a general idea as to what to expect from chemo as far as the side effects, I was fine. I'm about to have my 3rd round of chemo in 2 days. I have not had that bad of a time with it. My side effects have been pretty mild considering. I really believe drinking lots of water before, during and for several days after chemo makes a world of difference. I also think that trying to stay as positive and upbeat as you can makes the most difference. I KNOW its so hard to do when you feel bad, but I swear it has helped me get through this without going insane! God bless you and all of us going through this. I pray that they will find a cure soon so that no one else has to go through this!