Triple negative breast cancer

I am sorry you have been diagnosed with breast cancer but you have found an excellent forum to talk about how you feel and to get information.

I have triple negative and was only able to have one chemo treatment and then had it stopped due to complications. I am going to assume that it is gone. Although there are many days I worry I have seen many stories of women who survived a long time with triple negative. I think you need to find a new doctor. He sounds like a fool to make a prediction that he is unable to follow up with facts. He is an idiot in my opinion. You need to feel hopeful and not worry too much about eating just the right food. It is very important to just get healthy in general. Hang in there.

Tammy,

Sorry you find yourself here.  I am also TN,  there are quite a few of us here.  I agree with the other ladies,  I think your doctor was out of line with his remarks!  Go get a second opinion.  Not that it will change diagnosis, but you will get more information.  I have talked to women with TN that were diagnosed as long as fifteen years ago!  I have only been dealing with this since February of this year, but I refuse to give up without a fight.  There is also another website that is strictly for TNBC.  It is the triple negative breast cancer foundation.  They have so much good information on there and MANY long term survivors!

You will receive lots of support from the ladies here.  Hang in there.  lilyrose

Tammy- so sorry you had to join us.  I'm triple neg, too.  You'll also get good info and lots of support at TNBCfoundation.org

There's such a broad range of experiences here that you'll get support, encouragement, and many tips on coping with this beast. Sending hugs and good thoughts.

Mary

First of all, I want to say that I am sorry you have to join our group, but you will find great support and resources here.  Second, that has to be the worst doctor I have ever heard and would say you should find someone else as your primary oncologist.  There is NO way he can make that determination based on finding another lump. There is no expiration date on the bottom of your feet.   I also question why your lymphnodes were not removed after finding cancer in them.  I have been diagnosed triple negative and have been NED (no evidence of disease) for 5 years!  There is absolutely hope!!!  If you have any questions I will do my best to help. 

Hi Tammy.  Sounds like your team is a bit dysfunctional.  So you somehow need to slow things down for yourself.  Take a moment and write out all your questions and concerns.  Meet with your surgeon and ask him why he did not remove those nodes!  But you really cannot take the proper course of action until you get the PET scan results.  Let's not put the cart before the proverbial horse.  Take a deep breath.  I know its scarey.  I hate waiting for results!  But you will get through and even if it has spread (which there is also a chance it hasn't) there are many ladies in Stage IV mets that have been here for 5 plus years (even 10) and are still fighting.  There are new trials all the time.  So please do not throw in the towel.  I am definitely going to pray that your results are clear!!

emt1020, welcome and I'm sorry you have reason to be here. I hope your treatment goes very smoothly and does everything it's intended to do. 

I do want to address something that many of us feel very strongly about here on breastcancer.org (BCO). Many women (and men) come to BCO looking for answers and support during some of the scariest and darkest times they've experienced, so many of us like to address things that people may find months or years down the road when the thread is no longer active. You stated: "Being positive is one of the biggest treatment for killing this cancer!" Most, if not all, of us understand that being positive and not dwelling on the situation makes us feel better; however, it is not a treatment for cancer. We can only hope that we are one of the fortunate ones who respond to therapy. Our Stage IV forums are filled with members who are positive and who would be hurt at the implication that they are facing death from this disease because they were not positive enough. Positivity may help one cope, but will not heal them. Most cancer patients--especially breast cancer--are told to stay positive, and there are a great number of us who feel that this places unrealistic expectations during times of tremendous stress. It's important to feel what we need to feel, even if those feelings are negative. Certainly, it is not healthy for someone to focus too much on the negative, but a great deal of us want people to understand our positions that positivity is not always possible and we are not hurting ourselves by experiencing the natural fear and loss that comes with this diagnosis. 

I do not mean my post to offend you in any way. This topic is very personal and sensitive to many here. I also want to make sure future readers who may find this thread understand that if they are scared and haven't been staying positive, they haven't hurt their chances at a full recovery. I also don't want anyone finding this thread to blame themselves for their diagnosis and feeling that it was their fault because of their mindset.

Again, welcome, and I hope you have an easy time of treatment. I wish you weren't in the position to need BCO because of a diagnosis, but since you are, I'm glad you found the site. 

Best wishes.

Hi Tammy.  Another believer in Jesus Christ here!  I also can attest to the peace and hope He has given me throughout battling two cancers.  I could not have made it without Him.  You are in my prayers as we both continue to fight this horrible disease.

Anita

Thanks, Luah. I truly do not want to offend anyone. 

Thanks for the support and I hope you're doing great!

Best wishes.

Tammy,  I was also diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer in January 2014 at age 66. My heart goes out to you, but it sounds like you are considering all of the right things.  Second opinions, and with university affiliated docs are always an option when in the least amount of doubt.  Even with my Stage 1 diagnosis, I still sought a second opinion just to make sure I was on the right track.  There is an excellent organization, the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation, with a good forum too.  It's obviously dedicated to women with this aggressive, but very treatable, kind of breast cancer.  I encourage you to check that out. 

Best of luck to you!

Tammy - I would also like to add my voice to all the others that suggested getting a second opinion. Your doctor sounds like he may have a few issues and you need all the support you can get. Now that you are armed with the PET results that confirm that you have 2 additional nodes behind the breast bone but no other involvement, you should be able to take all that info to someone else. 

Have you thought about getting a BRCA test.  I tested positive last year and underwent all of the prophylactic procedures. I needed to know because it may have implications for my children. I also ask because they seem to be having some success using Carboplatin or platinum based therapies on BRCA and triple negative cancers. I do not know what chemo they gave you initially but I would check out what they say about other therapies. 

I also had some depression issues when I was first diagnosed (who can be blamed!). I had a 5 and 7 year old and felt like I had been hit by a Mack truck. I went for counselling and we discussed the whole positivity versus negativity thing. According to my counsellor (physiologist) there is no concrete proof that being negative "harms" you but she said it probably makes life a bit easier on you and the people around you.  She explained it as being more of a quality of life issue. I thought a lot about it over time (remember I am almost 3 years out) and eventually I chose  to try and be as positive as possible. I certainly did not feel that way coming out of the gate.  I agree with you lintrollerderby (really like that name!). Take care Tammy and try and have a happy Mother's Day.  

Hi TammyJB: Wishing you well with the radiation! Did your MO consider other chemo drugs beyond what you were previously given? If I missed this info in the trail of posts, apologies. It's just that many women on these boards have done gemzar, carboplatin and/or other combos as secondary chemo treatments. 

Hi Tammy,I am so sorry this is happening to you. My prayers are with you!

I see that you got a second opinion when you were first diagnosed. I assume you meant last year,if so I strongly suggest you get another opinion now,things have changed. Wishing you the best,in my prayers.

Tammy, You are in my prayers.  May The Lord grant you strength as you go through this journey.  I agree with the others, get another opinion.

Wishing you well,  hugs,  lilyrose

Tammy, so sorry you find yourself in this place!  But unless I missed something, you never stated what chemo they gave you and how many?  And I'm still confused as to why your surgeon did not remove the lymph nodes.  I know this is all water under the bridge and I certainly don't want to add to your frustrations, but it may help some others in the future if you are willing to post this! Please don't feel pressured to do this as I know there are many of us who choose not to post about treatments as they do not want to be reminded!  I don't have answers to a lot as I chose not to ask or get copies of test and so forth, I figured if it was something I needed to know the Doctor would tell me!  However, I did have my original dx reports simply because I had to take them with me for my second and yes third opinions!!  But since then, I have not seen one report and really don't care too!

Fear and panic attacks, as many have said are completely normal!  Please keep us posted!  I too am a Christian and that is where my hope stands!

Where are you located, I noticed you said you went to the Cleveland Clinic and that it was an hour drive!

You will certainly be in my prayers!