Calling all TNs

I too have heard a lot about how sugar feeds cancer. While this is true - all food feeds cancer as all foods feed any cell in our body. It's not viable to cut out all sugar in our diets - we need it to stay healthy. But we don't need the refined processed sugar that seems to be everywhere.

Common sense and sugar in moderation is the key - whether that sugar is in fruits or foods that we eat.

Don't start panicking about sugar in your diet. If you start doing that you will need to think about how much fat is in your diet, how much caffeine - it will go on and on, and doesn't benefit anything.

Oh, Debra - that is such great news! CONGRATULATIONS!!

Thank you for posting on here - it's so inspiring and encouraging to those of us who have just started down this road.

Congratulations, Debra. I hope you've had a pleasant day contemplating how far you've come.

Interesting article, AgathaNYC. I think it’s good to stay abreast of areas of research. Our particular type of bc sure could use a couple break throughs.

Aterry, the video about revised staging was interesting although, like many with TNBC, I'll likely end up as a worse stage than under the 7th edition. Has anyone found a chart where one can calculate the revised stage as has been available under the old TNM format? I understand the genomic aspect isn't applicable to us with hormone receptor negative status; however, I couldn't figure out specifically how the receptor status and tumor grade affect the final staging figure. I started wading through some online research, but became discouraged by sites requiring log-ins or subscriptions or only providing abstracts that don't allow me to "plug in" my specifics. Thanks!

Lyn

https://cancerstaging.org/CSE/Physician/Documents/AJCC_PPT -Breast Webinar 11-8-17.pdf

Just go to the 30 page presentation, no need to enter email address. The charts to calculate stage are at the end of the presentation. I can't remember how I got to the entire chapter-ugh-but I know it was frustrating. The Breast Chapter is 97 pages.

Yup, it changed me from 1A to 1B, I'll confirm with my docs at my next appt. TN is to blame. It doesn't really change anything, just a number. Being here is what matters! I'm sorry I don't have the exact site, just know I had to read 90+ pages before I got to this chart, above. Seems most Stage 1As drop to 1B if you're TN. I'm not sure about the other stages, but we all knew from dx that TN has a bad rep. It bummed me out for a day or two, then I decided to flip it the bird

Hugs to All

Arlene.

https/cancerstaging.us10.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=e4fcf2de02afbcaa9a2820fea&id=08450ea96e

Dear BC Sisters,

Happy to report my 4th year cancerversary from DX! Yay!! So grateful for good health, good doctors, good family & friends.

Be well all of you, and don't stress too much about food. As long as you eat a fairly healthy diet (less meat, lots of fruits & veggies), a little sugar is good for the soul. I myself would not consider it a full day unless I ended it with some vanilla or chocolate Breyers hormone free whole fat ice cream-:)!

Studies have actually proven that exercise is definitely a bc preventative against initial DX or recurrence. Ladies, embrace the gym or the treadmill in your basement, or go for a walk. It was a lifeline for me before DX, during every day of treatment, and every day since.

XOXOX

Paula

YAYYYY Debra and MomMom ! That's terrific!

Looking forward to reading more posts like yours!!

I had to laugh at flipping the bird to the new staging too. If I’m reading it correctly, it’s not good news for me.

Hi Meow,

I have weird looking bumps along my incision line that both my MO and my SO say it is simply the way my skin "healed" - they said there is a distinct way the skin looks when it is cancerous....and mine did not look like that. Additionally, one of my NPs said that the changes are SO LOW for it to be CA that all combined- nothing to worry about. My thoughts are its simply the way your skin is healing from the onslaught of tugging, pulling, suturing, etc.

I know its hard not to worry and I was worried, too, but it is most likely scar tissue "righting" itself. I was told to put Vit E on my scar and moisturize to help it settle down.

Janet

Cort, I agree. Get the best doctors that you can. I live in a small city, and while the oncologist here consults with the big city doctors, I knew that some things he told me were incorrect. So I drove to the big city for my treatments. No regrets. Even for daily radiation. Best wishes for you.

VLH, I'd also like to see a chart. I'll be at my treatment center tomorrow for a mammogram and I'll ask. I also suspect that my staging will be worse under 8 than 7. I don't think that would have affected my treatment plan though.

WHAT CHART??? CAN’T FIND IT. PLEASE POST AGAIN.

New to this section:

Diagnosed 12/22: IDC, High Grade, 1.3 cm, right breast.

So far auxiliary nodes appear clear on MRI. 2nd spot in same breast getting core biopsy tomorrow. Awaiting Genetics testing results. Met with surgeon and Oncologist on 1/4. Confirmed 1/4 that I am Triple Negative so must have chemo. Currently, option still stands to get a Lumpectomy and chemo and Radiation.

Oncologist Advised could do Neoadjuvant chemo with A, C & T drugs. Advantage to pre-op is that we can tell if chemo shrunk tumor and is working. Disadvantage is the A drug comes with additional health risks to the heart and possible additional cancer of leukemia. If lymph nodes are still clear at time of surgery, would not have needed the A drug. If do chemo after surgery, then for sure C & T and only A if in lymph.

For those who have been treated or in midst.....what are the treatment options you had/chose with TNBC? Pre surgery, post? A drug? Other options? I'm feeling very overwhelmed with trying to figure out the right path to take.

VL22 - THank you for the reply. I noticed that your ER/PR changed from May to June. Did they re-test the Hormone receptors when they removed the tumor and it was different?