TRIPLE POSITIVE GROUP

oh no Elaine I still have my eyebrows it's been 10 days post chemo hoping they stick around! I have my entire family going up to traverse city in celebration of my end of chemo next weekend I can't wait it's going to include wine tasting shopping and relaxing on the beach! I think I've deserved it

Iago, thanks very much for the advice & link! BTW, I love your user name.

Geewhiz, thanks for the encouragement to look more into diving. I feel I can handle everything as long as there's some return to normal down the line, and for me that means getting into a wetsuit and hanging out with sharks.

Susan, I appreciate your post & am glad to get to know all of you, even if the circumstances suck. Your diagnosis looks almost identical to mine, except I am IIIc with the lymph node issue. Like you, I very much want to stay on the right side of dirt. BTW, your story about the rude doctor makes me fume. Yikes!

Jumbled, sorry to hear about your arm. That sounds very painful. (((hugs)))

Wow. I am new to this site and was referred over to this thread. I am triple positive and am on day 12 of my first tchp cycle. (Still trying to learn all the codes...). I knew her2 was aggressive, but I didn't realize the recurrance risk was high. I am "lucky" so far in that my tumor is 2.1 cm and no node involvement. But reading through here has me nervous. I am 34 with two young boys. I NEED many more years.

Okay, no freaking out. Has being her2+ made you make different decisions? My BS is still recommending a lumpectomy, and without a genetic marker she does not feel a mastectomy in my case is warranted. Have any of you chosen a mastectomy JUST because of the triple positive diagnosis? What about ovary removal? Again, I am 34, and I was told it was a reasonable question, but never got any sort of guidance. Surprisingly I feel much more attached to my boobs (that can be reconstructed) than my ovaries (those evil traitors!) so I am way okay with a hysterectomy. And if you ladies think ovary removal is a good idea, who do I discuss that with? BS? MO? GYN?

What do I need to do now to lower my risk of recurrance? Help me educate myself...

Tomboy, you're awesome!! I have to say I feel the same way when I see someone just like me. Even better, you're three years ahead of me--in the sense that you're clearly still here and kicking...how are you doing? I've heard that two years out without recurrence is a great thing for those who are triple positive. (Incidentally, not to rub it in or anything, but my tumor was far bigger than yours...nyah nyah nyah.) Did you undergo neoadjuvant therapy? I didn't...but if they'd known how big my tumor was, I'd have had neoadjuvant treatment, and it's likely I'd have had fewer affected nodes. I often wonder if the posters here with only a few positive nodes all had neoadjuvant chemo to shrink the cancer.

Hi Musogirl! Good to see you over here. My MX decision was easy considering the aggressive nature and size of my tumor (though it was supposed to have been only 2 cm....it ended up being 5.5 cm.). I requested the BMX, but my surgeon didn't take much convincing. I prefer to live flat and didn't want to have to wear a foob in order to maintain balance & avoid back issues. Ask a ton of questions of your medical staff; if they agree to it, ask to record them. My DH brought along a digital recorder to all of our consultations, and I later (roughly) transcribed them in order to review the conversation on my own time with a clear(er) mind. When you do make a decision, try to learn to come to terms with it no matter what happens. It's easier said then done, but I like how my MO puts it: throw the football or don't throw it. And then move forward.

Re: ovaries, I believe your doctors will first want to see if chemo treatment will put you into menopause before deciding to do an oophorectomy. I'm hoping my chemo will cause and sustain menopause (I turn 46 in October and, based on family history, would be about 6 years out from menopause). If that doesn't happen, I'll have an oophorectomy. My MO was the one to talk about the ooph. with me.

hi triple+ ladies!!!!

Just popping in, i read the last few pages. Welcome to all the newbies. This place saved me during treatment. And a big TY to all the old timers like Lago and SpecialK who are so invaluable to those newly diagnosed. I kind move around between threads because I know this one is well taken care of

Im not on here nearly as much as I used to be but think of you all very often

To all the newbies, im 4 years out this month and yes its a new normal. Life does get back to normal but changed in a way that is different for everyone. Back to work, kids, home stresses but in all of that I remain forever grateful that I have everyday annoyances- im here to have them! BC will never be something you forget but with time it does get pushed farther away from your thoughts

Have a great day

KateB79,

Yes, I know that dark place.... Trying to be strong and positive can be a heavy load to carry. Sometimes, it's OK just to set it down and allow yourself to grieve for the "old you" and your "old life."

Re: constipation and diarrhea -- I remember that well! On the days I taught, I'd take my Imodium. On the days I worked at home, I'd go "Imodium-free" and have a "cleansing day." Best wishes!

yes I was in a very dark place Google is Very bad! I have been prescribed a low antidepressant effexor it has helped soooo much I have 2 young children and I needed to be strong for them I wouldn't be afraid to get help this is a very difficult process to go through

Good morning all! I wasn't on over the weekend and had to catch up. Wow! Welcome to all the new ladies and as I always say this is a wonderful site! I have learned and laughed and gained and sought advice and will continue to do so! We all have a journey and it helps sooooo much with the input here.

MMay I am good. Thanks. I had no real constipation this time BM overt he weekend. Last night I was dealing with some nausea took Zofran and Compazine at bedtime and did well. This. Owning I wake up and I have mild diarrhea! CRAZY!

KateB79 I can relate to finding that balance.

Musosgirl I would have done a mastectomy had I known before I did lumpectomy that I was. HEr2+. I had mammo, lump found, did removal as my biopsy, went back in did lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy. When surgeon sent me to set up radiation I found out then I was. HEr2+. Had MO appt scheduled for a week later. I was shocked. I am waiting for BRCA test results but am strongly leaning toward mastectomy when able after chemo without reconstruct. I am 52 years old. My MO looked at me the day I met him and said "you are curable if you do what I say". I try not to worry about reoccurring issues. The decision for mastectomy comes from not wanting to put my body through even more and I just don't want to have to deal breasts being toxic so to speak. I am not sure yet have a lot to study on about it but right now that's how I feel. Open to hear any suggestions advice in this area.

Does anyone else have nosebleeds? Mine started already. Lasts a few days I use Ocean and it usually goes away. They are not bad or alarming but annoying and brief!

Generally, nose bleeds occur due to irritation of the soft tissue, combined with lowered platelets (the clotting factor in your blood), both due to the chemo drugs themselves. I would recommend that in addition to the saline mist that you put some Aquaphor, or other similar moisturizing ointment, on a q-tip and put it up each nostril and pinch your nose to distribute it around. Keeping the inside of the nose moist seems to help but continuing nosebleeds are common. If you have one that won't stop notify your MO. You may also find that you have a runny nose - due to the drugs, particularly Herceptin, and that when you lose your nose hair the runny nose can be quite sudden! The runny nose can also be drying so continue with the Aquaphor and keep Kleenex handy!

greta - the depressed blood counts are linked more closely to the actual chemo drugs and the runny nose more to the Herceptin. Since both can irritate it is hard to suss out what is causing what during the time period when you are getting all of these drugs together! Many have continued with the runny nose after chemo proper has ended, so that seems more attributable to Herceptin. I started using Aquaphor on my feet and hands overnight, and at the corners and underneath my eyes for irritation caused by Taxo-tears, the involuntary tearing that happens - by the end of chemo I was using it all over my face - I should have bought stock!

I had nosebleeds during taxol for the first time in my life..my nose was also very dry, someone on the boards suggested getting AYR which was a great nose moisturizer (over the counter)

Kate I have noticed the mood swings from the meds not sure if it is any one specific (I know all this pushes us into menopause as well so that will be another mood deal) but I did notice, after my first TCH, that I started to feel less "dark" as the week went on and have felt better since. Hope it stays that way.

Thank you, JenPam, that's what I'd prefer to do if I can. It's worth a try!

I read somewhere that clindamycin works well on acne for the TCHP cocktail. I asked my oncologist about whether she'd prescribe it and she said to wait and see if I need it and if I do, she will! I don't have flawless skin to begin with...

Thanks y'all for all the help. I will try the Ayr and Auqauphor. I have e been having waves of nausea and diarrhea all day. Just feel icky.