Breastcancer.org Blog: You CAN Survive Triple-Negative

Hello and thank you. Yes I was trying to reply to a specific post. I see that didn't happen... I hope I did it right this time

I am new to the forum. I was diagnosed in november of 2016 with IDC, stage 2, grade 3, 2/13 nodes triple negative. Had lumpectomy and 13 lymph nodes removed in December. Dr. Found IDCS in left breast. Suggested mastectomy.

Started chemo in February: AC-4 cycles, Taxol-12 weeks

After chemo decided to have bilateral surgery with reconstruction in July.

Did radiation 5weeks daily finished in November...

Now here I am awaiting my implant surgery May 1st to find that the cancer has returned in my lymph node... I'm at a loss I don't know what to do, think, or how to feel.. has anyone else had the same experience?

The surgeon doesn't sound hopeful because of the grade. The size based on screening is 1.2 cm i'm awaiting a consult with surgeon to discuss treatment plan.

momkidsgrandkids38 - I would suggest you post on the recurrence threads. https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/106

I think you'll get more replies and input there.

hugs

Just checking in. Still NED after 9 years! For those of you diagnosed triple negative, you can have a long life after diagnosis.

Hello everyone,

I finished myself radiation treatments on April 2nd. I rung the bell and cried. This has truly been an unimaginable journey. I blistered from the radiation treatments and had to stop for two weeks but i made through all 33 treatments. My faith in God continues to sustain me as I try to find some normality in my life. I gained 32 pounds from steroids and just not having enough energy to exercise after teaching 7-8 grade students. My nails. Show signs of clearing up and i feel great. Now I go to the gym and walk for at least an hour and do resistance training twice a week. Sometimes I feel like running but I'm not going to push myself. I have my next visit with my OC, in May along with my mammogram port flush, visit with Radiation Dr and BC doctor. Waiting to exhale until then, living life with a grateful heart.

Sweetybert

Congrats to you Scoobydoo on 9 years with ned! I am 6 1/2 years and hoping for many more. Just a quick note of hope for those going through this. I highly recommend the book Radical Remission by Kelly Turner. It will fill you with hope and give you many options for optimal results. Best of luck to all of you and stay strong and positive, attitude is huge!

Hi urdrago,

I've completed my AC in Feb, I must say that 3 months were awful. Now I'm undergoing weekly taxol, just did #9 yesterday. This is much much easier. I've been taking vit B+ lipoic acid, I didn't ice my extremities, neuropathy sat in after#7, gradually but tolerable. Taste buds were dead few days right after chemo. I'll post a list shared by another forum friend., recommended while on taxol. If you can presevere for AC, trust me, taxol is manageable.

My tumor was 1.5cm hence the BS did a lumpectomy before starting chemotherapy. I guess they will wait for 3-4weeks after you complete the chemo before doing the surgery. Of course we've heard different scenarios, different stories. If lumpectomy is the surgery basically you need to take 2 weeks off, and nothing much to buy/stock.

Warm wishes,

Hariry

My MO only suggested the complex B vitamin and the drink enough water.

My team is very anti supplements. Also never saw anyone icing during my 5 months of chemo.

Funny how every place is different. I will say that I had no neuropathy during or after Taxol, but I had horrible muscle and bone pain for week after I finished.

I was so nauseous on AC , but I ate through it - my MO said I was the first person he ever met who ate to feel better! On Taxol I had no nausea and had no food phobias like I did on AC - certain things just made my stomach turn. Taste went back to normal.

I will say that for me Taxol made me put on weight. I lost 6 pounds on AC and gained it right back on Taxol. After 12 weeks I had an extra 5 pounds and for a couple months I couldn’t get rid of an ounce. It was discouraging. Then it slowly started coming off.

Good luck!!

I am triple negative....regarding lymph nodes: I had no lymph node involvement , or vascular invasion as well as clear margins with my breast cancer. Supposedly it was all removed with surgery. I am now doing 4 rounds of AC, and 4 rounds of taxol, which dramatically decreases the reoccurrence rate. My question is this: can breast cancer spread without being in the lymph nodes or vascular system?? I didn't think so? I was on another breast cancer site earlier talking with someone who said she has bones Mets front her breast cancer But she had Clear lymph nodes. She said it traveled through her blood. Now im really scared and I wasfeeling really good about my prognosis. My Dr didn't feel i needed a body scan with my diagnosis. I had To beg my Dr for chest ct scan which was clear. Any info or advice Iswelcome!!

My wife just started her 1st of 12 Taxol sessions this week and they used the ICE mittens and booties on her hands and feet. It is supposed to help reduce/limit the chances of developing Neuropathy.

Her Doctor has also suggested she take B6 and L-Glutamine during Taxol.

hello ladies. i was diagnosed with tnbc in febuary 2018. i have completed my first roud of chemo, which was hard for me, and i have started my weekly chemo for 12 weeks well im on week 6 of 12. i actually gained weight with chemo (20lbs) my friends said my diagnosis must be wrong because i eat like a woman expecting twins, i wish i was lol.. i dont have a lot of the side effects i see women complaining about from chemo. when i get the metalic taste in my mouth i suck on a jolly rancher and it goes away sometimes i brush my teeth. what i experience is a massive headache that comes on at different times of the day. i do appreciate reading how cancer can be beat and the positive words that we share with eachother on here. lets keep our heads up a continue to be supportive of each other hugs kisses and prayers

Hi There!

...just checking in, too!

Been a REALLY long time since I've logged into this community, and

I'm still "dancing with NED" 8yrs + 5 months after my dx of stage1 BRCA1 TNBC, back in 2010.

Sooooo...I'm very happy to report that It's most definitely SURVIVABLE!

BTW...if you haven't already, I suggest reading "Surviving Triple-Negative Breast Cancer", by Patricia Prijatel

{{Huggs}} to all

janinev, thanks for your post and I checked out your website. I really liked it and all the info you put together. Well done, thank you for doing that for us Braca 1 carriers. We do have a very different situation than others and hope more will be brought out. I'm hoping my kids do not carry it, my mother and four of her 7 sisters were carriers too. My mother is still around but have lost 3 sisters. I heard on the Today Show last year there is a vaccine that is very promising and is currently under trial. I believe for teens, etc.

You should post on the Braca forums here, it's hard to find people with our genetic history.