So scared, just diagnosed with tn, need hope

Naturegirl, the good news is that they have found it, and that means that now they can do something about it. There are plenty of folks with 3cm tumors and much larger (though mine was smaller) on these boards. You will make it through. 

On another discussion, we counted the ways that we are lucky -- e.g. that the cancer has been spotted, that we live where health care is available, that we have to resources to get care, that we are among the 40% in the world with Internet to access support online, that care for Triple Negative has vastly improved in the last few years. 

Since you are triple negative, odds are that you will have surgery, chemo and radiation. I had surgery in October and four chemo infusions, with the last on 12/31. I will have radiation in February. Chemo is the roughest part. I've had radiation before and never missed a day of work. I can't say I would choose this path, but it has not been horrendous. 

Please continue to come to these boards for inspiration and support. It is important, though, not to get caught up in every side effect someone mentions. You won' t get them all!

Ellen

Hi Ladies,

This is my 2nd diagnosis with breast cancer, diagnosed Jan 9/14.  First in 2005 at age 41...so over 8 years since first diagnosis.  This SUCKS big time!

My receptors the first time were er+,pr+, her2-.  I had a whopping 4 cm tumour with 3 positive lymph nodes.  My treatment I had is in my signature by safesaver" in_rurl="http://i.txtsrving.info/click?v=Q0E6NDI0MjA6MTg3ODpiZWxvdzpjMTVhMzY1ZWM0NTFlNmNlYjJkNDQ5N2MxNzVmZDc3MDp6LTE0OTktMjg3NjA5OmNvbW11bml0eS5icmVhc3RjYW5jZXIub3JnOjU3ODM4Ojc5ODE2NmVhN2RlNzllNTZjNTkyNTdhNjZmZjE5NzNlOmQ5ODQ3YWM2ZmMzYTQ3OTc5MWQ2MDZlZGYyM2UwN2Rk" id="_GPLITA_1" href="#">below.

This is being called a new primary (receptors changed) but is located in the same breast as the first cancer was.

Due to by safesaver" in_rurl="http://i.txtsrving.info/click?v=Q0E6NTQzMjU6MzMxODpoaWdoIHJpc2s6ZmNjMGUzYzhhOTVjZjhhY2JiYWQ2N2EwOGE0NjczMGU6ei0xNDk5LTI4NzYwOTpjb21tdW5pdHkuYnJlYXN0Y2FuY2VyLm9yZzoxMTE0Mzk6YTA5YzU4ODc2MmQzNjRlZjYyN2QyNjZhN2NjYWQ0NTU6ZGY1NThmZjM4ODAzNGY4OWI1YmYzNjZiZjEwNDQ3Yjg" id="_GPLITA_0" href="#">high risk family history (2 other sisters diagnosed with disease in past 3 years), I had a prophyalatic masectomy with immediate reconstruction (DIEP) on Dec 16/13.  The pathlogy taken from the surgery discovered my little sucker of invasive cancer that is 1 cm.

I am still awaiting an appointment with my old oncologist as I was released from his care back to my GP after my 5 year mark.  My surgery for prophy and reconstruction was done at a different hospital in a different city.  The surgical oncologist who did my surgery is forwarding all the reports to my oncologist.  Hoping to hear back from the cancer clinic and get this show on the road!

Can I say how much it sucks to be back at this again and having to do chemo a 2nd time?

Michele

naturegirl, I was in your position exactly a year ago-jan 21 is when i found out i was tn and remember well how you feel. Everyone here is right, you are in the hardest stage, knowing you have bc but no treatment plan. Once you meet with your specialists and get a tx plan, you can start to feel better knowing what "ammunition" your team has given you to fight. I found this very empowering and decided that chemo was going to be my friend. I also remember going through a good month prior to this, waking up several times a night-usually crying in my sleep and in a fear I've never felt before. This will pass when you realize that you can and will do this! None of this is horrendous.  One year later I'm feeling much better. I had my one year check up and did great. I have lost most of the SE I got from tx and have learned a lot about myself. I was given a great gift from my cancer journey. I learned to live each day looking for the best that day has to offer. To be grateful for all the gifts each day offers. To appreciate the little things I use to take for granted. I learned who I can truly lean on for support when needed and have dropped those who are either not there or who are shaded with negativity. I no longer live for tomorrow. I learned just how strong I am and that I am beautiful without hair! 

If there are specific fears you have that I can help with, please let me know. Take a deep breath, stay away from Dr. Google (most info is dated and unrealistically negative) lean on someone who you trust, come here often-great bunch of women who truly understand, and do something nice for yourself! 

I started a grateful journal after my aunt told me she had bc years ago and suggested I start one. It really helps to look for something to put in my journal each day. It's an app I have on my ipad and it's nice because it lets you post pics as well. There is also a thread on here very similar-100 days of gratitude. 

Keeping lots of positive thoughts for you and willing to hold your hand through all of this :-)

My good friend is almost six years out w triple neg.  She had four pos nodes.  Shes doing great now

So sorry you have to through this.  Just wanted to let you know that I am an 8 year TN survivor.  Let yourself go through all the feelings-crying, screaming-whatever they may be and then try to keep a positive outlook during your treatment and beyond, it really helped me...you can beat this. Hugs

Naturegirl - just had my 1 year anniversary. Just a couple of things I would strongly suggest to you

1.  BE POSITIVE

2.  Find a medical team you have faith in. If something doesn't feel right, move on until it does 

3.  Stay away from Dr Google and the internet and even this website if it scares you. It scared me bad, and I have just recently returned. 

4.  Everbody is different. We all have TNBC, but our bodies react to different treatments in different ways. 

5.  Once YOU make a decision about YOUR treatment, don't let someone else make you second guess your choice. You and your medical team know what is best for you.

Hang in there and know you are not alone. 

i learned very little from my "team".  No one mentioned triple negative to me but when i kept reading about it on this site i went back to my pathology report and saw what i had previously interpreted as a good sign (negative means good in medicine) that each of three receptors measured negative. 3 means triple. Uh oh. 

I disagree with the staying positive advice. That is a lot of pressure and i think our bodies interpret the inauthenticity when we don't express actual feelings like fear and sadness. You can have a positive outlook in general but staying positive is not possible in this situation in my opinion.

I do get hope from this forumand that is a positive.  Many many survivors.

I am five years out triple negative and doing great.  Read my stats below.  There is hope

I too have been recently diagnosed with tnbc in February! At first it seemed like forever to get started with moving forward with some type of treatment! You have many fears and feelings during this time period! Just remember..the Dr have to have all the specifics in order to know how to best treat you! This totally sucks waiting..knowing you have cancer inside you! It's hard to be patient! Look to friends and family for support! Know u are not alone...these forums are awesome support! My oncologist decided on chemo first for 4 treatments...then reevaluate and then will hopefully have double mastectomy! Not sure bout radiation at this point! I do feel much better since chemo has started. Makes me feel like I'm finally doing something! I can tell it's shrinking in size! That definitely keeps me positive!! I'm here if u need anything!! big hugs to you!

Triple negative with 10 positive lymph nodes.  More than six year out now.

Hi Naturegirl,

I well remember the fear.  The beginning, with all the tests and appointments and information thrown at you, is overwhelming.

My tumor was also very large, 4.9-5 cm.  My treatment was chemo, bilateral mx, then radiation also because of the size of the tumor.

Lean on your support systems.  Inform yourself.  And stay strong.

Hugs.

Hi Nature Girl,

I hope you're doing well. I'm not going to tell you to calm down,  heck I have trouble calming down and I'm not even the one with cancer,  but I'd suggest that you try not to get to hung up on triple negative thing.  I've done a ton of research,  and it really seems that long term outcomes for TNBC is similar to the other cancer types. TN is known to respond particularly well to chemotherapy,  and the upside of not having to take cancer medication for years and years is that you don't have to deal with the side effects. 

Finally, the scariest thing about TN, at least to me, the "high" risk of recurrence you've probably heard about, needs to be put in perspective,  at least that helps me. Overall recurrence rates are relatively low and most women will never experience a recurrence. TN has may have  higher risk of recurrence, but the odds are still very much in your favor.  Depending on who you ask,  anywhere between 15%-30% of all breast cancer patients will have a recurrence. It's a scary %, but remember it also means that 85%-70% of all women will never have to face this monster again! 

What I'm trying to say is that the triple negative status of your cancer doesn't really mean that much. Have hope!

Tiago - Wow!  I guess it is all in how you look at it but Triple Negative is a unique diagnosis!  To say it does not matter, is absolutely NOT true.  It matters in treatment pattern, chemo combinations, and the lack of available possible preventative treatment afterwards....while we do have some things available there are still less options to keep recurrence at bay.  I also disagree with your statistics.   

Naturegirl- when you do or if you check factual statistics just remember we are not numbers....do not let them scare you.  Remember that some can have easier times than others with chemo.   With Triple Negative, chemo was my NASTY friend but a tough friend to have as it did kill all the cancer cells in and around my lump!

Hang in there!  Let us know what your docs tell you!