I JUST FOUND OUT I'M TRIPLE NEGATIVE - I'M REALLY DOWN

Hope:

My mom was 73 at diagnosis -- ILC/TN. She did the treatment and is doing fine 10 years later. There are lots of stories like hers out there.

{hugs}

Hope I'm no youngster and I recently completed chemo. It was very doable. I had great emotional support and I watched my nutrition very carefully which made a huge difference. I'm triple negative but I don't feel hopeless about it. Triple negative responds well to chemotherapy. Hugs to you.

Dear you remind me of the emotions I've had few months back when informed of the dx of TNBC. Totally understand. Totally shocked. But trust me, you can get through this. Chemo kills it, so many of us here proves it. Those undergoing neoadjuvant chemo see the tumor shrink. And it's bearable.

My prayer is with you.

Hariry

Hope,

Chemo is totally bearable. My 85 year old aunt just went through chemo (for a different type of cancer) and she said it was totally fine! In many cases, chemo completely kills the tumor. For those cases that it doesn't, immunotherapy is an exciting new field where there are possibilities. It's normal to feel down, but try to focus on the positive things you can do to help yourself beat this. If you need to ask your doctor for some anti anxiety medication, do it. It really helps. Let us know if you have any questions/need help. We are here for you.

Rebekah

Hi Hope,

I turned 60 in Sept of 2017 then found out I was TN in late Nov 2017. It is so do able. Don't get me wrong it is hard. We are all fighting our upward battles. But let me give you a piece of advice that has gotten me through my troubles. My Aunt in 1998 was dying of cancer of the adrenaline glands. I chose to go see her before she passed away. (lived states away) She was in such great sprits and spunky what a woman. I asked her how she could be so happy and spunky. She told me that you live your life to live everyday, not that you live your life dying everyday. I have been living my life just as she told me. It has gotten me through my rough times. I pray you do well Hope. You can fight the fight.

Hope,

Everyone has a different start point and experience with chemo. I'd suggest that you don't let anyone else's experience scare you or let you get overly excited. I've heard of some women who have walked three miles a day all the way through chemo while others didn't exercise at all. Many women maintain full time jobs (even if they occasionally fall asleep at their desk!) I think you have a really great head start to already be walking and doing leg presses at age 70! Keep it up as best as you can!

While at the gym, grocery store, or any public place, avoid touching your face after you've touched other surfaces. Keep some hand sanitizer to use as soon as you get in your car and then wash your hands the minute you get home. If necessary you can wear a mask. Tell anyone who is sick to stay away and make all of your visitors wash their hands when they come over. Luckily we're getting out of flu and cold season but it doesn't hurt to be cautious.

Ladies, Thanks for sharing. I had my first round of chemo last week and I have had several side effects. Reading thru some of these posts have helped give me some good insight.

Hope, iv dexa stands for intravenous dexamethasone. Pre meds before chemo infusion I received during every taxol. Some MO prefers to give oral dexa one day before and during treatment. Mine opted iv. I agree coz taking them before sleep will make the night somewhat restless.

Tishas, I'm sorry you found yourself here. It must be a couple of difficult weeks. Hope that you recover well from the last chemo. Let us know what are the SE? We share tips on overcoming them,here 😉