Calling all TNs

Congrats, Meadow!!

I will be two years out on August 21...

Thank you thank you all for the support! 

interesting read
http://medicineatmichigan.org/magazine/2014/summer/inside-scope/lab

thanks for the link simple and so happy to know it was fat necrosis.

the link mentions that TNBC and Bladder cancer are biologically similar.. and both have bad prognosis. 

Stupid..just saw the video link you sent across. The doc mentions a figure like 12 million people get diagnosed every year with cancer and 8 million die!! is it true..!!!

For those who are having trouble with Taxol, my Onc treated me with weekly Abraxane instead of Taxol because it is supposedly easier on the body. It's in the same family as Taxol. It may be worth mentioning to your Onc. I was supposed to have DD Taxol, but I got C Diff after my last A/C treatment which was horrible. I got it from taking Bactrim, so my Onc decided to do the Abraxane instead of Taxol. At first he was going to try weekly Taxol but then decided on the Abraxane. I ended up having a C Diff relapse even though he switched, BUT the side effects from Abraxane were very minor. I was just tired mostly, but that could've been from the toll my body took from the C Diff. 

I'm not sure if you can switch from Taxol to Abaxane, just thought I'd mention it. Hang in there!

Radical I know how you feel taking Taxol.  I had an allergic reaction on the very first two minutes of it.  With the help of Diazepam they finally managed to get it in to me but oh the problems.  Terrible lumps and bumps on my hands and lower arms that itched all day and all night and nothing took the itch away. Along with that I had three numb fingers on that hand (breast cancer side) that I just could not type with and still can't.  Horrible feelings in my toes which felt like someone was sticking a pin in me all the time and watery eyes and no taste and smell which still hasn't come back and my left eye waters all the time. As bad as AC was at least I knew I would feel better after four days and had just over two weeks of feeling better.  I just could not take Taxol ever again.  I only managed 7 out of the 12 infusions.  So never again.  Hope you feel better soon and manage to get on top of it.           

totally agree that  Taxol is terrible  - hated every minute of it! It is a nasty drug - I had my dosage reduced significantly because of the horrible side effects!  Good luck!

Hello all,         

I just want to clarify for others who will be starting Taxol soon...... not everyone has the experience that the recent posters have had.  I had 12 Taxol treatments (once a week for 12 wks) with NO side effects to speak of!  The most difficult part was trying to line up rides to treatment, since they give you Benadryl along with the Taxol, and I didn't want to risk driving home drowsy.  The compressed/shorter regimen (higher dose every 2 wks for 4 weeks) is associated with more allergy-related reactions, musculoskeletal pain and neuropathy, according to various articles that you can Google, vs the weekly lower dose for 12 wks. (One article that you can google is titled "Strong Case for Weekly Taxol in Breast Cancer").   

Dr. Susan Love's most recent news letter had a really interesting article about what they are discovering about the mutations in breast cancer cells....it's particularly important what is going on in TNBC cells.  I thought I would pass along the article.

Breast Cancer Cell Mutations

Any ladies that had lumpectomies and then chemo and rads care to elaborate on if the affected breast is still tender and if so, how far out from rads are you?

I will be one year out on Oct 4 and the affected breast is still very tender!

Simplelife,

I like to be aware of new research, favorable or not. Thanks for sending. 

I'm a little concerned because I had a partial response to chemo. It shrank 77 percent and went from a ki67 of 70 to 17. But if the slower growing, better-supported cells metastacize (not just the fast-growing ones), then I am not as well off as I thought. 

Love to hear that news Simple!!!

Thanks to you all!

Nettie:

I am 5 1/2  years out and my lumpectomy breast is still very sensitive.  I had a large 7 inch batwing lumpectomy that went from middle of one side of breast up and around the nipple and thru the middle of other side of breast to sternum.  My BS said it would most probably always be tender and sensitive.  I hate their breast exams as they actually hurt and I won't even mention the dang mammos.  They left 24 of those little clips in my breast, and although the BS and the onc claim that wouldn't cause the sensitivity, I oftentimes think they are nuts if they don't think that could factor into it!  While my nodule was only 1.2 cms, it was located 5 cms directly below the nipple, hence the reason for this "artistic" lumpectomy my surgeon did.  Wishing you the best.

Mags, so happy for you!