This Sucks!

sweetjam - You wrote "I was convinced I had e+ or p+..." Does that mean that your pathology came back showing ER- and PR-? I think that neoadjuvant chemo is more often recommended with TNC and neoadjuvant Tykerb was recently approved for neoadjuvant treatment of Her 2+ BC. You questions about the healing cascade and immune system are great questions to ask the MO on Tuesday. If you're not entirely comfortable with your treatment plan, don't hesitate to get a 2nd opinion.

Welcome sweetjam, although I am sorry you have a need to be here. Getting diagnosed is such a blow, and I think the fear and uncertainty while waiting for test results, and waiting for a definitive treatment plan, is worse than any treatment itself. Sounds like you have a lot going for you - small tumor, and otherwise good health.

Definitely don't hold back when asking your doctors to not only explain what treatment they recommend, but why they recommend it. And don't hesitate to get a couple of different opinions, if you are still uncertain. I got two opinions before I decided to have radiation, and while I ended up going with the first radiation oncologist, I was very grateful for my consult with the second radiation oncologist, because she explained things a little differently, and it helped me understand. Even if you are wary of chemo, I'm glad you are going to meet with the oncologist and learn a bit more about it. If it is any reassurance, I finished chemo a year and a half ago... I have had no lasting effects from it. But of course, long term side effects do happen for some.

 You are correct in your concerns about healing during and after chemo, and this is why your doctors will probably have you wait a bit in between chemo and surgery, to make sure you do heal well. I also agree that if you are planning on a mastectomy, then shrinking your tumor is not as big of a concern as it would be if you were having a lumpectomy. But the chemo may be helpful if cancer cells have passed outside of the breast. I imagine your doctor may possibly want to test your lymph nodes for evidence of this, but even if that comes back negative, it is not a 100% guarantee that the cancer cells have not spread.

You feel like you have no choices... cancer is sort of a series of one crappy choice after another IMO. Chemo or no chemo? Radiation or no radiation? Lumpectomy or mastectomy? Unilateral or bilateral mastectomy? What kind of reconstruction? Hormone therapy? Survival rates versus side effects... it's a bit of a maze. There is so much good information on this website, and hopeful the information here, plus good information from your physicians, will help you navigate it all.

Best of luck to you!

agreed with sara above. 

i didn't think a MX will take long to recover....i am 3 weeks after uni-MX and i don't feel that great. i am tired easily bc my job is demanding. the stress from work made me feel so tired. i can imagine a BMX will do to your body. reconstruction is not an easy path...i've read a few ppl on the forum and it's a long journey

the way i went thru it was the BS examed my breasts and got a feel of how big the lump was. she didn't suggest chemo before the surgery. so you really have to ask your BS why you need chemo first...was the lump that big? there's no rush to have the surgery now, you should do more research and ask more questions before going under the knife. 

i wish you the best....

Hi Sweetjam,

I'm sorry that you have to go through all this.  Like you I was very healthy and exercised regularly.  I couldn't wrap my brain around the "why me?" and was very angry.  I was 32 when diagnosed with no cancer in my family history.  I realize now that you can only do so much to minimize the risks, and that bc doesn't discriminate.  However, I firmly believe that because I was healthy to begin with I was able to beat it, and survive.  I continue to eat well, and exercise and have now been in remission for almost 5 years. 

My recommendation is to have a second pair of ears in the room when you meet with your oncologist (if possible).  They might have questions you haven't even thought about.  I wrote mine all down before meeting with mine.  

Sweetjam - ask for your treatment benefit statistics first and read the info on this site about how to understand them as they can be confusing - for instance a 50% benefit does not mean 50% clear it means 50% of your risk of recurrence which could only be 30% so in effect you are taling about a 15% risk, if you see what i mean?  

Also you can refuse chemo - I did and I do not regret it. But everyone´s situation is different and although its scary you do have time to make decisions rather than rushing in then regretting it

How are you, Sweetjams?, your profile has you MIA for a few days?

Sweetjam, I am making it my mission to help other women dx with bc because I don't want to see anyone else become a member of the stage IV club!  I have a girlfriend who was triple negative, she got 3 opinions from onc's & only one suggested that she do chemo. He basically told her if she was his wife that's what he would have her do!  That was over 10yrs ago and she has been living & loving life ever since!  (Ask your onc but I believe that chemo is the only adjuvant therapy available to a triple negative, I am not certain why they would suggest doing neo-adjuvant chemo if the tumor is in fact small, get a second opinion for that one because I think it would be better to do the chemo after the surgery to get the run away cells). Best of luck!

Jpsara, Hang in there, I only wish I was in your shoes! I know many women with bmx's and most do not share the info with anyone that they do not have to, you may want to consider doing the same. It will give you time to adjust to your situation mentally and once you realize how much life you will be living you will be so glad that you are around to live it! 

Praying for a cure.....no one should have to deal with this!

The other ladies are correct though in stating that with neo-adjuvant chemo you will know if it is working or not, but definitely do the adjuvant chemo regardless!

Hi sweetjam,

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis, but you will receive excellent advice from some wonderful women on this site. An excellent site to check out is the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation @  www.tnbcfoundation.org. In addition, Breastcancer.org has their own Triple Negative group dealing with this particular diagnosis.

I too received a triple negative diagnosis , stage IV, and did chemo from September 2012 to June 2013. My oncologist put me on a weekly infusion of Taxotere and I rested on the 4th week. I also received four infusions of Adriamycin., which I referred to as the "red cocktail".  My last PET scan shows NED!

Good luck with your upcoming appointments and tests. No matter what course of action you take, understand that you will get through this!

I had my replacement surgery in late December.  Trust me, you will feel MUCH better after the tissue expanders are out.  I always felt I had a steel cage on my chest....not anymore!!  I, too, have some numbness, more on my cancer side than the other.  I think it may have to do with the amount of tissue they took during the mastectomies.  All in all, I feel great and my PS did a wonderful job.  I love my new girls!!  My only regret is that I have lost some upper body strength while I recoup.  I should be given the go ahead to start working out with small weights to tighten up my flabby arms and strengthen my core. 

Good luck!