Calling all TNs

thank you. Is proton radiation the one that is a little longer each session, but you go half the amount of days? I'm asking about that too.

Hi everyone,

I have not done very much posting etc. But now that I am done with chemo and awaiting surgery, I am feeling all the anxiety flowing in. I was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma category 3, TNBC, early stage 2, no lymph node involvement. I went through 4 AC treatments every other week, and 12 taxols every week. My first anxiety is getting through this week and next week, as I have a CT scan of my chest, abdomen, and pelvis scheduled for July 9th, and I can’t help but be nervous/scared! My second anxiety comes with everything I eat and drink and put on my skin! Does anyone have any advice on blogs they follow or places like websites etc. that helped transform your diet and products you use? Could you share your thoughts on doing this? Am I overthinking things? Is just eating healthier and working out enough? Or do I need to worry about the wine I like to drink, or the other indulgences I like? Every time I eat or drink something not so healthy, I end up upset with myself, worried, and anxious about if I’m going to cause my risk of it returning to be higher. I’m only 36 with 3 little ones (2, 6, and 8), and as I sit around NOT combating cancer with chemo, I can’t help but constantly be in my head!

Thanks in advance!

I’m actually not quite sure why I’m getting all 3 of those scans, as my oncologist and i only discussed a chest ct to check my lungs because I had a tiny 3mm nodule on my first ct back before I started chemo. She said this was likely nothing, that most adults in Ohio have these nodules because of our area and weather, but she wanted to check it just to be absolutely safe. So I assume she was just doing all 3 since I have to go in anyways but I’m planning to call her tomorrow and ask why she scheduled all 3 without even telling me.

I agree with you that staying fit and eating healthier is key! My problem is in my head though, I’m doing all those things actively, but the second I decide to indulge, I start beating myself up about it the next day. I’m having trouble mentally in my head finding the balance between the 2. We just got back from vacation, so of course I drank a little and ate like crap, and now I can’t help but worry in my head even though since being home, I went right back to veggies and fruits. I was hoping to find some good bloggers who touch on exactly what foods ate let in fighting/keeping away cancer, and my resources out there to help ease my mind.

Thanks for the reply!! And happy to hear you’ll be done next week!! Yay for you!!!! It was an amazing day for me!!

Spalermo111- Please do not beat yourself up, you are trying your best in a very stressful situation. Before I was DX, I worked out, yoga, hiked, had healthy diet. Just keep trying, but don't over think. As far as the scans, they are tools the MO needs, I had Ct chest, abdomen, and pelvic area. Also had a bone scan. I know it is nerve racking, I had a MRI today, but they need to see how well the chemo worked or not worked. When I was in the MRI, I just relaxed and repeated, NED. Use a positive mantra to calm your nerves.

As far as diet, main thing is to stay away from sugar, eat a balanced diet. Sounds like you are doing this. Don't get yourself too worked up, stress and anxiety are bad for your body. I know it is hard. Hang in there.

no worries at all! I get distracted too! Haha! thank you! These are great suggestions, and I'll definitely look into them. I appreciate your help!

Easymac, I know this is a hard decision but really, I think you should be fine going both ways. I would recommend to just make a decision and stick with it. I know easier said than done but don't overthink it too much, either way will be fine.

My diagnosis was very similar to yours. You did not say what breast size you have. I have/had very small breasts (<A cup) and I decided for mastectomy. Also, not having rads was important to me. I am unilateral flat now and have zero regrets. Recovery from unilateral MX with small breasts is very easy. The skin is a bit sensitive for some extended time (around 5 months maybe), but honestly, I was back to do everything on my horse farm with lots of physical activity within 6 weeks. I have no more mammograms to deal with in that cancer breast, a huge plus too for me. And only the first two weeks after surgery I really tried to not lift anything. I think I was lucky though and if you have large breasts both the surgery is maybe more involved and being unilateral flat is maybe not such a good idea. If you choose mastectomy, you have to know how you feel about reconstruction. I for once absolutely did NOT want any form of reconstruction. I wanted one simple surgery and being done and out of cancer land. My breast surgeon made a esthetic flat closer that looks amazing. I honestly don't mind looking at my half flat chest at all. I am 51 and you are much younger, so that is another fact to consider.

All the best!

NatureYogi, my drains were in for 9 days. They were supposed to be in for 12, or until they leaked less than a certain amount of fluid (I forgot the actual amount), but after 9 days the output was so low that they took them out. I never had a bruise. Those 9 days were not fun, mainly due to the drains. After that everything went uphill real quickly.

I refrained from doing any arm exercises while drains were in. But started the day after. I did a lot of walking during the first 9 days. The gentle rocking of the arms during walking I think is good, but at least I was told not to move my arm too much as that could increase drain output. There is a lot of different advice out there on what exactly to do after surgery. Some people start arm exercises the day after surgery, but I followed my Dr. instructions not to do that and waited until the drains were out.

These were the exercises I did after the drains came out. I did one routine in the AM and one in the PM. Maybe you can try them once before your surgery that will help you know what your range of motion was before.

Stretching exercises:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPw2Me1jUCc

https://www.mskcc.org/videos/exercises-after-breast-surgery-without-reconstruction

Proton Rads are not what you described, that's 'dose dense' version of regular rads. Protons is a whole different machine.

I just had my 3 year Mammo an hour ago. As I am 3 years into this wait-for-results crap, I am much more proactive about things now! I asked tech: "how's it look?" and she said "the same as last year." Not an official read but I was very happy to hear that.

Regarding diet... I did change my diet quite a bit and have loosened up a little but mostly sticking to it. I basically eat "whole foods vegan" mostly veggies, nuts & legumes, very little processed anything, w/ a little bit of fish/dairy/eggs. Gave up alcohol. Don't miss it. Low on sugar. I do pilates 3x a week on zoom and hike once or twice. I feel great and I dropped about 20 lbs from pre cancer.

I had some former old lady aches and pains, that went away on this anti-inflammation anti cancer diet. So I feel better on it.

hey spalermo! I found some great things this week as I researched. Just found this...

https://www.youareherecommunity.com/

Which seems promising for health related topics.

But yesterday I listened to a bunch of podcasts that were helpful, and there are a ton more on health. If you search survivingbreastcancer.org for the podcast "breast cancer conversations". Such great content. Listened on triple negative, radiation ones so far.

Hello everyone,

I am not too sure if I am allowed to post here since I am just a caregiver - please forgive me if it is against the rules. My wife is battling TNBC at 23 years old. 3 cm tumor with 7 lymph nodes involved. She is completing her final round of AC tomorrow. I post sometimes on Reddit but I figured I would come here since it is more targeted to TNBC fighters. I really just wanted to vent. I am so scared. I have fought to keep her safe for the 5 years we have been together. My heart is crushed that I can't do anything to keep her safe right now. I worked so hard to give her everything she deserves and than her diagnosis 2 months ago was devastating. I just want her to not be afraid again. Hearing happy stories like the ones on this forum are a relief. So much has changed in the past 10 years for treatment alone. I read on a Facebook group about a 30 year TNBC survivor.

dkp1994

So sorry to hear about your wife's diagnosis, but as you said, so much has changed and so much more is known about how to treat BC. I too found that treatment following AC was more tolerable. I hope the same holds true for your wife. She is certainly blessed to have you! You are definitely in the right place for support. Praying for all the best.

dkp,

So sorry you are here, and that your wife is in this situation! You are welcome to be in this group.

The major 'silver lining' of TNBC is the longer you go after treatment, the less likely recurrence becomes. At 5 years out recurrence drops to nearly zero. That's unique among breast cancers.

Your wife is so young-- few people your own age confronting this kind of illness. There is a thread on this site called "young with breastcancer" -- ppl under 30 or so-- that might be one to check out for support too.

I'm not the only "large tumor, several nodes" TNBC person on this thread who got a great response to treatment! :-) so make sure your wife knows her cancer is beatable!!

Hi Chirodani,

Like you, I was 51 when I had my diagnosis of invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC). I can't tell you what those terms you're asking about mean in your situation, but your doctors certainly will! In the meantime, you can look up general definitions here on breastcancer.org. It has a TON of information to get you where you need to understand what the doctors are going to tell you about your particular diagnosis. You've got the right idea already: ASK QUESTIONS! Just be careful of where you're getting the answers. But the more you educate yourself, the fear of the unknown will lessen, and you'll make the best decisions for yourself, your family, and your future. And come back here for support!

hi Chirodani, I was dx-ed around the same age. Was so worried to tell my kids. They already knew something was wrong. Lots of docs visits they notice. They are smart & aware. It was hard to tell them, broke my heart, our kids all deserve a healthy mom. but much better now. They are very supportive. No asking 2x to take garbage out lol. Sweet angels will be there for you. You will feel much better once treatment plan is in place. You can do it!

So glad you are feeling better about the situation, especially with your family, Chirodani. Like you, I held off telling my parents and siblings until I had answers to the questions I knew they'd ask. Made me feel more in control, which we all have so little of... Best of luck with what's to come!