Calling all TNs

Hi Ladies,

 I am 32 and new to this site! Newly diagnosed with TNBC (7 wks ago), Stage III with lymph node occurance (don't know how many nodes). Have my third treatment on Friday, I think I am getting AC dose now and after my 4th bout will be heading for surgery, then 12 wks of Taxols & 6 wks Radiotherapy. More testing to be done but cannot at the moment because at the time of diagnosis I was 20 wks pregnant with my first baby, am now 27 wks. Thank God I can receive treatment while pregnant and so far our little gift from God is doing really well. We might be looking at an early delivery around 37 wk mark but baby will be pretty much fully developed by then. It is such a rollercoaster! What I find difficult is what is normal aches and pains and what isn't. I am getting AC doses every 3 wks and find that my breast is quite tender in the second week after treatment. Did anybody else find this? Immediately after treatment my ribs/muscles under said breast can be sore, just find I have sleepless nights over the aches & pains. Any advice on this is welcome. Thank you all so much for such positive stories, they are just golden.

 Much love x 

Does anyone use DIM - estrogen metabolism formula?  I couldn't take it anymore, the lethargy, the hair thinning, the hot flashes, the moods.  I am so very scared though but I am taking this, two pills a day starting last Sunday.  My Onc. had told me that even though TN is not fueled by hormones directly, they still think that hormones play a big part in TN.  I just want to balance my hormones. I know I have very low level of blood ER.  It says on the pill box "promotes healthy estrogen metabolism".  The endocronologist told me he can't do anything for me, he doesn't advise any hormones or anything.  Well, Dim is not a hormone.  I think it is more like it supports the activity of enzymes that improve estrogen metabolism.

I am having pains in my uterus where I am having difficulty walking with these pills.  I have never had this in my life.  I never even knew where exactly our uterus is located, I mean not being able to pinpoint with my finger. Now I know.  I am wondering if I should stop taking this.

Do you guys think it is dangerous for me to try this.  I am very scared, but I have got to do something about wanting to feel better.  I read somewhere that it just lets the good estrogen stay and the bad ones are eliminated.  Doesn't the bad estrogen (xenoestrogen) cause breast cancer?

Any knoweldge about DIM or your experience with it, would be very appreciated.  Thanks.

Desertmama- great story!



Hope everyone in treatment is having a "good" day.



I'm off to New England for the week.

JAN69-So where exactly did you find that huge zucchini?

mumtobe-Congrats on your pregnancy! Sorry you have to go through this crap during such a joyous time in your life.

Inmate-Ugh, sorry you have been not feeling well. It always amazes me how much you do!

Painting-I absolutely love your work! Remember I am the one that asked you about  a tattoo, but I am chicken, so maybe I should have a chicken tattoo! I also love chickens, I have 17 and 2 roos!

Lovelyface-I don't even know what DIM is! My doc also thinks that hormones have a roe in triple neg. cancer. So sorry you are not feeling well.

So my insurance denied my pet scan! Says there are other tests available. My doc is gonna be mad! Just got my tumor marker test ressults, higher again at 31. So they have been 57, 61, 38, 27, 29, 24 now 31. Doc said  should not worry. The 24 number was while I was on aromasin, but I quit taking it because it made me miserable. Now he put me on tamoxifen, maybe that will make the numbers go down also without side effects. I just don't know how worth it is to take these drugs with only 3 % er pos. Oh the worrying does not stop does it. Oh, had to cancel my bone scan because insurance is also dragging their feet on approving that! What is up with my insurance co? They used to approve everything no problem.

bak94 - I am so mad to hear that your petscan was denied.  How can they deny such an important scan for BC patients?

I just wanted to tell you that whenever I had a breast or thyroid biopsy, my tumor marker, especially CA.27-29 went up, however, never went up higher than 34.  It always remained within the normal range, but did jump a lot within the range. So I am sure all these different types of drugs and scans can affect the tumor markers. Except for3, all your numbers are within the normal range.  0 to 34.9 is within the normal range.

You are 3% positive for ER, I was 5% positive with PR.  My body absolutely could not tolerate aridimex which I took for 2 months.  Initially it was great, I looked great and even lost some weight, but later, it almost disabled me.  I wish you all the best on tamox.  My Onco. said he would twist my arm if he had to, to make me take the stuff, but I could not handle it.

Desertmama.........my sister and I like to ask occassionally if it is a you, me or off kind of day.  You get the picture.  Say it loud and say it like you mean it...of course I agree about saying it on here for safety's sake.

mtd1980....welcome.  come on in and join the fun!  You will find lots of support with big doses of laughter here.

Lovely....I've never heard of that before.  I will be interested to hear what the other ladies have to say.

Fern.....yup, you're on a roll now.  We expect a pic of this gorgeous new head of hair of yours.

Karen.....have fun.  Are you staying in a cabin or risking the tent?

Yeah Jan....spill on the zuchini

Bak.....get the chicken tattoo!  It's perfect.  side story: I worked at a store, third quarter of 2009, filling in for the owner who was having her first baby, Gus.  The store was filled with wonderful locally made jewelry and I fell in love with this one ring, a giant sterling silver chicken.  The price tag was such that I just drooled on it daily and apparently went on about it to my husband.  My wonderful husband went behind my back and got that ring for me.  The best part is that I did not know until our anniversary, July 2nd of the following year.  Our 10th, to be exact.  That day also happened to be my first day of chemo.  I wear that chicken every time I go to chemo.  We call it my super chicken.  I love my husband so much for the support and thoughtful things he does for me.  I am one lucky woman!  Oh, and what is up with your insurance?  I wish they would just leave the doctoring to the doctors.

Luv......argh!  That bites!  Which chemos have you done so far?

Ladies, ladies, ladies.....you make me cry with such kind words.  Today especially, I appreciate them even more.  Every one of us on this board is the heart and soul.  We are a village and as a village we will be strong!

Have a wonderful night.  Off to take an ativan.  This girl had too much coffee today.

Love to you all! 

I'm curious about low ER %'s. I'm 1% ER+, which I'm told doesn't change my TN status, but my MO said she wouldn't consider Tamoxifen, and I've also been okayed to go back on birth control if my period comes back, and to use an estrogen cream in the meantime (hoping to get back to a better love life with the BF). Any thoughts from those of you on Tamoxifen or with otherwise low ER #s?

Bak....I would love to go with you.  I know a few pretty good artists in town.  Let me know when you are ready.

hehehehehehehe

OMG.....this can't be happening!  I jumped on to check on Minxie.

I rarely post but feel a close kinship with everyone and check in daily to see how everyone is doing. For BAK94 (and others), you can ALWAYS appeal any decision made by your insurance company, by sending a well-written letter.  I have had success with this, and highly recommend it.  Good luck.  Carol

This is wrenching. Deepest condolences to Beccad's family and friends. 

Rachel- I am 3% ER +. My MO does not have me on Tamoxifen. He feels that it will do nothing to actually help me and that the side effects outweigh the benefits for a low positivity. He does not prescribe it until you are 5% +. It does worry me sometimes that I am not getting it.

Hello all. Wanted to let you all know that I think I need to take a break from these boards for awhile. As much as I love the support and love that we all get I have been in a real funk lately and the passing of three sisters in the last 2 weeks is really getting to me. My worst fear is what seems to keep happening here!!....Hopefully I will find the strength to come back at some point but right now I am going to take a step back. Going for last AC treatment tomorrow then 12 taxol. Ready for treatment to be over! I wish all of you well in treatment, just starting or finishing. Maybe I'll be back some day to check in but I need a mental break :-(