Calling all TNs

Congrats to Cccmc2 & Moth!! Now you will have time for fun things instead of dr appts!

As for supplements, my onc suggested vit D.

My MO recommends Vit. D also. About the deep breathing...my PT recommends it, as it helps pump the lymph fluid around.

Congrats to finishing treatment!

cccmc2 - when I finished chemo it was actually worse than going through chemo for me. It took about 12 weeks for me to not have really worrisome muscle pains. I am a very fit person, so it wasn’t like I had health issues that should make my recovery more difficult.

I didn’t have your exact issue, but I had severe back and shoulder pain - I had a complete breakdown in the onc’s office I was so fearful it was mets. I felt so horrible and was really questioning my decisions.

I know it is hard, but it can take time. For myself, I found that stress exasperated everything exercise made me feel better.

Hugs.

cccmc2,

It actually took me some time for all the aches and pains to recede. During treatment, I was very lethargic so I didn’t move around much. After I finished neoadjuvant chemo, I felt a lot of aches as I became more active. I pushed thru with exercise and starting life again and it’s much better. Of course, you’ve always got to follow your gut. I hope things proceed smoothly for you!

congrats to all finishing treatment. Remember, chemo is cumulative, so it can take awhile to leave your system completely.

I'm just about 3 years from dx. There are so many days I no longer think of Cancer first. Though I have some serious lingering side effects, caused by treatment, overall I am able to live and move forward. Not at the pace before dx. I think that has been the most difficult. Knowing that I won't be as I was before. It's impossible, because this forced relationship to breast cancer, will never be severed.

I was also wondering about things we could do post chemo to stay active in thin fight. I’m honestly feeling a little lost since treatment ended. Didn’t qualify for scans so I’m constantly thinking what if...

I think everybody is left with physical and emotional scars from the whole process. Some really impact every day life more than others. It seems like after we go through all the treatment, there should be a bonus at the end- not more stress!

As to next steps, I have two thoughts. You can always look into clinical trials, if you feel so disposed. Depending on your final results, there is a lot of focus in preventing recurrence. Also there are programs like LiveStrong & After Breast Cancer (ABC) that are geared toward helping you get on track with a healthy lifestyle and often include support from other bc survivors. I’m doing ABC at the Y right now and we have workouts with specially trained staff, a nutrition class and a support group. I was a little iffy on the support part but I’m enjoying all aspects of the program.

However you proceed, I hope you find a path that works for you!

I saw mitymiffins post and thought I'd chime in with some positive vibes...

Like her, I haven't been on here in a while and don't recognize many of the new names. I was diagnosed in Feb 2014. At my 4 year visit last Feb 2018, I was switched to yearly visits instead of every 6 months because I had passed the dangerous first 4 years (for us 3xneg girls) without recurrence.

It is amazing how in 2014 everyone thought TNBC was a death sentence...but not anymore! Cancer outcomes change fast!

question: why is that some women get the 4 DD taxol treatments and others get the 12 taxol treatments? Just curious.

Happy you are doing so well, Radical! Thanks for sharing ...these affirmations are very encouraging!

Vickki

I asked my doctor about 4 DD Taxol versus 12 weekly Taxol. I think it is Dr preference, because I had 1 doctor recommend DD, and the other 12 weekly. The doctor that recommended the 12 weekly said it reduces the side effects, and studies show it is just as effective as DD. Also, for those of us that got Carboplatin at the same time- they either give this weekly or every three weeks with Taxol- if you get the DD they do not mix it with anything else.

I hate That there’s no scans after treatment it definitely scares me. My oncologist said that the 12 tax is weekly is easier on the body and just the same as the DD. Today was supposed to be my first tax or treatment and they canceled it because I have a bad sinus infection so I was nervous about skipping the week and they told me it’s nothing to worry about.

I'm on a different regimen, Taxotere and Carboplatin x 6, every 21 days. I am so happy to hear from you ladies 3, 4, and 5 years out. Very encouraging.

My annual MO office visit was okay!

Yay, Teka!

Lyn