scared

deeteeone · August 2012

Hi.I had a lumpectomy on July 31st.My 2 sentinel nodes were clear.My report says,stage 1,grade 2..i am triple negative.I found out the other day I have to do chemo.Since I dont even take a tylenol,no meds for any existing problems,I am having a hard time trying to accept putting poisin in my body.Although my doctors have all said I am very lucky to catch this so early,and that this is the best way to prevent recurance,I am still depressed.Then,I read up on the recurrance rate.People tell me it is diff with each individual,and I understand this,but all I do is think,,,(if it comes back in a year,2 years,will it be worse?)I am glad i found this site.thank you all

wrsmith2x · August 2012

I was like you in that I didn't want to poison my whole body for 1 little tumor in 1 breast. But I did it and the only reason I did do chemo was so that I could say that I had done absolutely everything I could to prevent it from coming back. Unfortunately in my case it came back anyway. But you are right all women are different and as someone on here once told me your odds of BC coming back are either 100% or 0%....it will or it won't. We can look at those statistics but really in the end they mean nothing.

I pray you make a decision that makes you comfortable and that the beast never darkens your door again. Namaste'.

deeteeone · August 2012

I would also like to add,,,I see that a lot of women here have same as I do,except mine is grade 2.I guess in the end,there isnt much diff in treatment between grade 2 and 3

deeteeone · August 2012

thank you for input.I am sorry for your recurrance.speedy recovery

Moderators · August 2012

Hi Deeteeone,

Knowledge is power -- you may find the section on the main Breastcancer.org site about Triple Negative Breast Cancer helpful when considering your treatment options.

Hope this helps!

--The Mods

camillegal · August 2012

Of course read what the mods are suggesting hoping it will help u. They always do.

U have to know everyone is scared this is not a decision u make lightly and u'r the one that has to make it as all of us did. But please read what the ods gave u, don't google this--tere is to many confusing things on there. First aske u'rself how do u feel about your oncologist---complete trust or don't know...U could look his/er name up and see what the background is--I've done that. But first how do u feel about this Dr. Someone u know recommend or u'r p. See to me that sll makes a difference. If u do decide to do chemo--it's not fun, but it's not awful--it's just a treatment that most women go thru. U can't get a guarantee for any decision because no one knows that's the beast of cancer. U can have it once and never returns aain. With or without chemo no one can say. But whstever u decide do it with confidence and u'll always feel like u made the right decision.So feel deep and do what u truly feel is right for u.

I'm truly sorry u have to go thru this it's very difficult and I wish u well. Good Luck and let us know.

nsmith36 · August 2012

Deeteeone: Hi, so sorry you have to go thru this but there is hope. I am about to reach my 5 year survival anniversary with TN breast cancer. I was 46when diagnosed and shocked to say the least. I had three drugs Adriamycin, Taxotere and Cytoxen administered every three weeks for 6 sessions followed by 30 radiation treatments. It was difficult at times but its amazing the strength you get when you are fighting for your life. My tumor was 3cm no node involvement and they never told me the grade of my tumor but know they did say it was aggressive. I was petrified to put that poison in my body also and the first day of Chemo wanted to run out. However, they gave me some adavan in my port that made it MUCH easier. Its amazing what the human body can withstand. I mostly just slept alot. Best of Luck!

Luah · August 2012

It's understandable to be scared. But chemo is completely doable - and it's not like you see in the movies anymore!

No one can predict the future... whether it will recur or not. Most TNs don't recur. All you can do is give it your best shot at beating it. TN doesn't respond to any hormonal therapies, so chemo is really the only systemic treatment we have.

deeteeone · August 2012

thank you all for your kind words.The nurse told me they usually use a port,but since I am only having 4 treatments,she said they will try the first one without one.Is that okay>?And,,after my 4th treatment,is there a possibility they will do more>he said it is safe to start the chemo within a month of surgery,i will do my 1st one august 31st.I have read up on the cold caps,but who can afford them.lol..I guess I should feel blessed my cancer was stage 1,grade 2..BTW,,everything I have read up on,,it seems to me that my grade falls into IDC..hormone.I have not seen many women here with a grade 2.I suppose a grade score makes no difference as far as outcome.And the ones that have it recur,why does it seems to be more agressive?have a blessed day everyone......................Jean

camillegal · August 2012

Jean---I'm glad everything is all set for u---Now if u are getting 4 treatments, I (personally) would'nt care if I had a port. U'll se how it is. Many women I knew in chemo did not have ports but their treatments were limited to a couple of months and they said it was OK for them getting the chemo.

And please Jean just focus on now not recurrance-it certainly doesn't have to happen. Take care of YOUR SELF. and certainly tell us what's going on and how u feel WE'RE HERE

christina1961 · August 2012

Deeteeone,

There is a really active triple negative thread on here called "Calling all TNS" - if you would like, come on over and introduce yourself. There are many suppportive women on that thread who have been through chemo recently and some of us who went through it a while back. I was originally diagnosed triple negative but after surgery they found low levels of ER receptors. The prognosis for Stage 1 with treatment is good. Grade 2 is better than grade 3, also. Most triple negative is grade 3. None of us are a statistic, though!

When I went through treatment I was very active on the TNS thread and also the monthly chemo thread - in the chemotherapy section there is usually a thread for people starting each month. It was very helpful to me, but I felt most at home in the triple neg thread because of having triple negative. I'm glad you have the option of not having a port. Please keep us updated on everything. I also got the Ativan each time I had chemo.

yellowdoglady · August 2012

deeteeone, you can do this.

My litle tumor was angry enough to take out four lymph nodes. I sat down and cried when I heard the news, but then I got up and got angry myself. I did six rounds of chemo and 7 weeks of daily radiation. I did not take a port. That was my personal preference. I'm now three years and 9 months out and my last trip through the PET/CT tube last month showed no signs of the beast that threatened my life. Most of us do recover and go back to our lives.

Your job is to get the best treatment plan you can and to stick with it. Get it done. Put it behind you. Then get back to living asap. A tall order, I know. But one you can live with.

susiesue · August 2012

I was diagnosed triple negative 2 and 1/2 years ago. I have a mammogram every 6 months until I reach the 3 year period. If I can help or answer any questions please ask.

susiesue · August 2012

I should have added......after my lumpectormy and node removal, then had chemo AC and Taxol, Avastin with a port and then radiation.

Mountains1day · August 2012

About the port question.....I chose not to have one and I'm so glad I did not. Sometimes, I think it makes the chemo nurses job a lot easier though. Besides, I had "good" veins and did not risk another surgery and/or infection problems associated w/ports.

deeteeone · August 2012

had very bad day today,,Iguess the closer it gets to my first chemo treament,,the more I am nervous.I am more afraid of this beast taking my spirit away then anything else...

camillegal · August 2012

Deeteeone---Please it won't take u'r spirit, nothing can take u'r spirit unless u let it. So do not allow it to define u. It's not awful, it just has to be done and it will pass and u know what u did was meant to happen and did all u could.

Luah · August 2012

dee: I think you'll find that once you start treatment, and fight back against the cancer, your spirit will be strengthened. Chemo is very doable.... and being Stage 1 is a big plus. Don't hesitate to talk to your doc, though, if your anxiety is proving to be too much... that's not unusual and you can get help with that.

susiesue · August 2012

For most of us this situation is totally new....as you try to cope and understand more and more new info and events happen........the words and procedures-- biopsy, stage, triple negative, muga scan, bone scan, port, chemo, radiation are unending. I was still back at "what do you mean I have cancer", as doctors moved forward asking me to make decisions. But at the same time you want things to go faster......get the surgery over with, start and end chemo, are we done yet. Most things were much easier than I anticipated, the really hard things were few and far between. If asked, all of us would have different answers as to what was easy or hard to go through.

My first day of chemo, I was scared. You have plenty of time leading up to it to worry, so you do. For me, my first treatment was so much easier than I anticipated. The chemo staff, especially the nurses, were amazing. My advice for chemo, try not to stress......be prepared for ups and downs (everyone is different and each round of treatment, thought basically the same, can produce different reactions each time. My husband came to every treatment with me, and we now actually have good memories of spending time together.

sorry I was so long, hope this helps

deeteeone · August 2012

Thank you everyone for your uplifting thoughts,and information.Everyday is gettinga little bit easier(of course I still have my crying moments).This site has been a God send.I do not go into any other places and read up because it can confuse and scare you.One day,I hope and pray that the posts will be empty(no new members).Until then,,I will continue to come here for support. And maybe I will be able to help another person who is going to have to go through what we all have gone through. God Bless you all,and I will continue to stomp on that snakes head.

xxxxx · September 2012

Dee

It's only normal to cry. I still cry. I think why me right now. Then I get mad and say I am all cried out and then guess what? I cry again. I have the port but I also had 4 months of chemo every other week so I am very grateful for the port NOW that my treatments are over I WANT IT OUT!! But I know better, my guess is that I will have it for a while but better than having the cancer back. I pray a lot!! Now my plan is to stay positive and move on and if I have to cross that flippin' bridge again I will because I consider myself too young yet to exit this world. LoL

Let Go And Let God

Prayers Everyone

Karen

LynnME · September 2012

Kareybeth I had my port removed in Feb just before going back to work. My MO didn't even try to talk me out of it. I finished chemo at the end of Nov. one less reminder!!! I have enough reminders without seeing or feeling that!

xxxxx · September 2012

God Lynn

I could only hope and pray Cool I am reminded of it every day especially lately. Mine hasn't said word one about the port since I had it put in. Nadda!! He does always tell how great I am doing so......eeerrrrrr....Maybe!! We'll see October 3 once he has all my tests back.

Karen

InspiredbyDolce · September 2012

It's disappointing to hear that some Oncologists require the port to stay in, unless there are extenuating circumstances warranting that. I feel it's hard to get closure on this chapter and move forward with a port still inside; and moving forward is very important to achieving overall health and well-being for a patient. I would think Oncologists could achieve better treatment results by giving the patients a choice on having the port removed - and it might even elevate the person's ablity to handle all the emotions that come with having had BC. This is as much a psychological process as it is a medical process. Keeping a port in after treatment can increase worry for patients, almost like waiting for the other shoe to drop. My Oncologist did wait 3 weeks after final treatment to authorize the removal of it, but this was so that he could verify that my counts had returned to a stable level.

xxxxx · September 2012

Inspiredbydolce

Totally agreed & well said. I am not waiting for him to decide this time, once all my tests are back good I am DEMANDING he take it out!!

Prayers

Karen

scared

Comments

Categories