Idc with triple negative

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Ohiostatemom
Ohiostatemom Member Posts: 2
edited December 2017 in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

I was diagnosed with invasive ductual carcinoma grade 3 Aug 7 surgery Aug 15 with mastectomy they took 4 lymph nodes


My path reports stated 3 cm lump, lymph nodes and margins negative, triple negative

My oncologist is recommending chemo since I can't do hormone therapy since I am triple negative

My question is- is she doing that more of as precaution since my lymph nodes and margins were negatives and has anybody declined chemo

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  • VL22
    VL22 Member Posts: 851
    edited August 2017

    Hi - sorry you have to be here. For a TN tumor that size, even with nonode involvement and clean margins, chemo is highly recommended. TN tends to be very aggressive and chemo works well against it. And as you said, without targeted therapy available, it is very important. I would not pass on the chemo if suggested by your MO.

    Chemo is obviously not fun, but you'll get through it. Go to the chemo thread on here and you'll get lots of support. Throw everything you can at it now.

    Best of luck!

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  • Sweetybert
    Sweetybert Member Posts: 14
    edited September 2017

    Hello Ohiostatemom

    I found a lump in my right breast in July 2017. I was on vacation and immediately made an appointment when I returned. August 9 had an mammogram and biopsy. Results August 15th, cancer! Was totally unglued. I am also teacher and school,had begun. My mind could not process anything. My husband was in another state working (still is). My family pulled together even though we had no clue what we were facing. My job has is so supportive until it blows my mind when I think about the support have. Lumpectomy August 21st recovery prep for chemo September 1st port implant September 9th.

    Acronyms, grade TBNC , ACT, so much to process. My team phenomenal! Husband on board, family ready to support, job cheering me on. Me, good days bad days, but my journey begins. Chemo starts tomorrow. I have drank so much water, watch my sugar intake and began to research what I eat. Yet I am scared, can't sleep and just overwhelmed. Where do I go from here. Can anyone or anything calm my fears about tomorrow.?

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  • 53nancy
    53nancy Member Posts: 497
    edited September 2017

    Hello, Ohiostatemom, VL22 and Sweetybert. I am SO glad I found this forum. I am sorry that you have such a difficult diagnosis and wish you the best for everything.

    Briefly, in April 207 I had an abnormal mammogram which led to a needle biopsy in Mid May and it came back as probably benign and suggested a second biopsy. In mid-July 2017, I had a lumpectomy and received my results in mid-August. and the diagnoses were High Grade Comedo Type DCIS and Grade 3 Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. On September 8th, my hormone status results finally came in as TNBC. So I am feeling so overwhelmed and hardly able to think. Tomorrow, I am having a Lymph Node biopsy and have been told that it may take weeks to get the results.

    The part of the breast (right) that was removed was 6.8 cm x 10.4 cm x 2.6 cm, with negative margins.There was "small firm white tumor" of 1.3 x 1.3 x 1.1 cm. There were two defects (whatever that means) - 0.1 x 0.9 cm and 5.7 cm x 4.8. I have only seen the surgeon in his office twice, for ten minutes or less both times, so I have no real concept of where I am. I have spent so much time on line trying to figure these things out and getting more confused. In addition, I am a diabetic, so am very concerned about sugar control, which is good right now.

    I wanted to wait until I had my Lymph Nodes Biopsy to share with friends, but felt the TNBC changed everything. I started calling people and when my voice ran out (smile), emailing and messaging. The outpouring of support has moved me constantly to tears. I am so thankful for the support system I have. If I can be a support to you, please let me know.

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  • VL22
    VL22 Member Posts: 851
    edited September 2017

    Sweetybert - good luck with chemo tomorrow. Definitely go to the chemo thread for your month and get a lot of great support, advice and a place to vent when you need to. Everyone's chemo experience is different and no one will say it is easy, but it is doable. Being TN is really scary, but it is definitely beatable. So glad you have a great support system and are going in positive

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  • 53nancy
    53nancy Member Posts: 497
    edited September 2017

    Sweetybert, wishing all the best tomorrow and that you heal quickly

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  • 53nancy
    53nancy Member Posts: 497
    edited September 2017

    Node surgery today went well. Pathology report will take a while but surgeon said beforehand he thought it would be clear, and the recovery room nurses said he only took one node. So, good news at this point and keeping fingers crossed. Next stepswill be chemo and radiation. How are all of you doing

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  • Sweetybert
    Sweetybert Member Posts: 14
    edited September 2017

    Thanks VL22 and 53nancy,

    My treatment went well after they calmed me down. The chemo room was full of upbeat people. They laughed more than anything else. I figured if they could do it I could too. My mood changed from teary eyed to laughter. My nurse walked me through the process stayed with me to make sure I was OK. I drank a lot of water still do. Ate small meals and just slept when I could. I have very little nausea or side effects at this time. Is it supposed to get worse?

    .

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  • VL22
    VL22 Member Posts: 851
    edited September 2017

    Hope all stays well for you Sweetybert. Nausea starting on day 3 was a real hassle for me with infusion #1. Infusion #3 really kicked my butt - I'm Day #8 and still feel nausea and fatigue. Everyone is different. I have one more AC to go - soooo looking forward to it being over

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  • Sweetybert
    Sweetybert Member Posts: 14
    edited September 2017

    Hello VL22 and 53nancy,


    Yeah fatigue kicking in. Meds still holding nausea down. But all is well. I cannot thank you all enough for your support. I think I am in the insomnia phase. I wake up from 2 am to 6 am ugh!

    Take care

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  • VL22
    VL22 Member Posts: 851
    edited September 2017

    Ask for ativan prescription for sleep. It also helps with nausea at night. Nausea was waking me up and Makonde me miserable. This worksreally well.

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  • CheriA
    CheriA Member Posts: 1
    edited November 2017

    This is my first post. My first two AC treatments went as well as can be expected. A little more nausea for #2. The third AC treatment kicked my butt, nausea and extreme fatigue. I am looking forward to the end. But I have a feeling that chemo treatments may be in my future for a while.

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  • Gwinnettgirl
    Gwinnettgirl Member Posts: 28
    edited December 2017

    I declined the chemo last time in 2010 but I was estrogen positive had double mastectomy reconstruction negative nodes . Although rare, it did come back in now is triple negative which dictates chemo. But they told me this is a new primary has nothing to do with the last cancer. Sighhhhhh

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  • 53nancy
    53nancy Member Posts: 497
    edited December 2017

    Gwinnettgirl, I am so sorry to hear this. I always thought when cancer returned that it was a secondary cancer, not another primary. As a TN myself, I know you won't be able to do hormone therapy. Is this one early stage? I did refuse chemo, and have only two radiation treatments left, but if it recurs, I will have to reconsider chemo and they told me if it's in the same breast, it will mean an mx. Sending a virtual hug.

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