Calling all TNs

I agree with Farfalle. I think the best thing to try to do is live a healthy and happy life.

Get your heart rate up every date by doing a little exercise. Drink little or no alcohol, eat a healthy rainbow diet with little or no meat and stay at a healthy weight. Enjoy the things you enjoy: family, friends, beauty, hobbies. That’s it.

As time goes on it gets easier. I was obsessed about my stats in early days. Now I try to live well, go straight to the doctor if I don’t feel well or have unexplained symptoms and have an annual mammogram. I try to notice and appreciate the small joys in life and enjoy the life I have for however long I will have it. Dealing with negative thoughts - I usually try to do something about them - work out whether there is anything I can do to improve things and maybe discuss them with sympathetic listeners and then ideally let the bad thoughts go. This sounds simple but it is not, it takes practice.

Reading this it sounds a bit like a sermon. I hope I’m not being preachy, I suppose I just want to say that having cancer is difficult and we all deal with things in different ways. Sharing here and seeing how other people handle thingscan help I hope.

urdrago I hope things went well for you re scans!

I am feeling good at 11 mos PFC...

Hi Janice. I am so sorry that you had to even come to this site!! BUT before I go on you need to know there is so much hope!!! My wife and best friend since we were teenagers was diagnosed with TNBC in late April. Did 4 AC’s and the 12 Taxols. After AC #3 her tumor could really not be felt any longer. We finished the 12 Taxols in October. Did the DMX 2 1/2 weeks ago. The pathology showed that there was a cPR and no sign of cancer. No nodal involvement. Praise our God!! My wife is BRCA2 so she will have her ovaries and Fallopian tubes out in February. There are many many more just like her. And many others who maybe didn’t have quite the cPR but with radiation they are or will be cancer free as well!! I know 2 young women close by who had a new born and one with a 2 yr old. They are 5 and 9 yrs out with TNBC!!! As you will be also. My Nat has a tremendous attitude, just like you, walked every day. Had one troublesome issue, whipped it and the cancer as well!!! You are 1/2 way done with AC!! On your way. One day at a time. You have got this. Trust your team. Ask questions and getter done. The internet sucks and scares the heck out of us but treatments have come a long way. May God bless you and yours!!

Jay

When I was first diagnosed with TNBC and scared, I came across this site. I’ve not contributed much but have been a follower. Since I found and still find that all the MANY survivor stories lift me up, I post this message to share that I was diagnosed over five years ago!! Mastectomy, chemo and radiation were my treatments. Life is mostly back to “normal” now. Lots of energy, lots of hair and gratitude. Hang in there and may God bless you.
denise

Hey - just passed my 1 year biopsaversary. I've got a slew of appointments and tests coming up in the next 2 weeks. Still have my tissue expanders in, which are uncomfortable, but my PS won't do the exchange until I've been done with Rads for at least 6 months.

Other than that, I need a haircut (!), have started working out again, and have managed to lose weight, but on purpose this time.

Haven't been on lately, but wanted to pop in to say the emotional healing process can be slow, but it does happen.

I have a much more relaxed attitude about work and life than I used to. Generally I don't get worked up about the small stuff, and generally, it's all small stuff.

Enjoy the upcoming holiday. Hug your friends and / or family!

Hello to all my triple negative sisters.

I've reached 5 years this month from DX. What a milestone. I can't believe it myself.

To all who are in treatment or just finished or just starting: IT GETS BETTER. I had the kitchen sink plus some, and it was horrible during the times of infusion and rads totally put me in another place with the blistering and dead skin. Thank god for the threads. It really got me through.

Keep up the fight or whatever you want to call it. Now I fight with a little more confidence, but the first ache or pain I always am looking or worrying about recurrence.

An ancient quote has really helped me: So never be anxious about the next day, for the next day will have it's own anxieties. Each day has enough of its own troubles.

Congratulations Valstim52 on 5 years clear!!! You are an inspiration to those of us still doing treatment. Thank you for showing us that the treatment does work. Wishing you continued good health!!

Valstim52 - love it!! Living your best life! It’s wonderful when people take the time to share great news and spread hope.

Congrats to all of you and thank you for continuing to give us hope

Yes that was me anotherNYCG. How time flies. During treatment it was like a very slow train with lots of bumps. Hooray to all of us for staying aboard, and I so appreciated all who checked in. It gave me so much hope. Here is for more hope in this club we were dragged in to join.

I remember all of us that were pulling for each other during those days in 2015 and 2016. Now we are barrelling into 2020

Val

Wow, so many new names. That's a two sided coin because there are certainly groups with a happier focus. I haven't been on in AGES! My wife is on a steady march toward 7 years since diagnosis. All you new people. NEVER GIVE UP. My wife was right where you are almost 7 years ago! Since then she's been doing great! We now have an unbelievable 2 1/2 year old grandson and she just started a new job! I remember how terrified we were when she was diagnosed...and look at her now! Hang in there!

Mncteach, no wonder you are worried... never fun to hear the word "mass"... what does she want you to do? Mammogram or US?

mncteach

I know exactly how you feel. I have had three lumps found after recon and fat grafting. First time we checked with MRI and US, second and third time with US. All 3 times radiologist did fine needle aspiration. All three masses were fat necrosis! By the third time, I wasnt worried much. It is very common after fat grafting, but our docs are vigilant, so they have to be certain. (Thank goodness!) Maybe ask your radiology place and doc to get u in ASAP so you can have peace of mind. If your doc feels its fat necrosis, I am betting it is!

( The FNA is painless and they can tell then and there that its fat necrosis, cause the lump shrinks and oily liquid will be in the syringe. They checked it while I was still in the exam room-and we all high fived. I am hoping the Same for you!

Sending Hugs!

Arlene.

ALHusband, thank you for checking back in. It was the perfect timing. I also post for my wife and have gotten a lot out of these sites. My wife is TN, BRCA 2 positive as well. We finished chemo in October, DMX in November and now we are squeezing out hair and eyelashes Your message was inspiring and hopeful. Thank you!! Her pathology report came back with no signs of cancer, no signs of the original tumor and no node involvement, PRAISE GOD! We will have her ovaries and fallopian tubes removed in February due to BRCA 2. Thank you again and we plan on following in your footsteps! We are a tad ahead of you in the grandchildren department, as we have 6 grandkids and they will all be here for Christmas!! What a blessing.

Jay

kber, congrats on the clean bill of health. Must be a relief to get that far, and I wish you many more happy anniversaries!