Triple Neg and Chemo

Sueps,

I just posted on your other thread Just Diagnosed/Please Help........I too have been diagnosed triple negative.  I had my left breast removed with 2 lymph nodes.  Lymph nodes were "clear" according to the hospitals standards but were told they looked suspicious, whatever that means.

I started my chemo in Feb 2007 and completed it in June 2007.  They hit me pretty hard with the treatments.  I had 4 A/C and 4 Taxol.  I have been monitored with blood tests so far.  I go for my first PET scan in November.  From what I have been told, this monitors your body to see if there are any "hot spots", meaning cancer growing elsewhere in the body.  I will have those for the next 5 yrs, every 3 to 6 months.

Yes, my dog definately gets a ton of love in our house....LOL!!!!

I had to trust my doctors in what chemo drugs they were going to give to me.  I did as much research as I could and like you, I just was getting confused.  All I knew was that I didn't want the cancer to come back, so they were pretty aggressive with the drugs.  How sad, I had to celebrate my 35th birthday in the cancer ward and I was the youngest person in there.  But I could not have asked for a better group of doctors and nurses.  I was constantly asking questions and bugging them for more information.  I think that is what got me through.  Knowledge is definately power.  The more people you talk with the better understanding you will get to know what is right for you.

How I cope, is with laughter.  My friends and family were all devistated at the news of my cancer.  I was too.  Once I got over the shock of it, I was angry.  How dare this disease take over my body.  Then I just took the bull by the horns and decided to beat it.  It is truely amazing the power your mind can have over your body.  To stay positive, and have a support system is a great thing to have.

Hi sueps, I am in a similar situation. I have opted for chemo first so that I can see the cancer die! I want it to suffer like I have knowing it has invaded my body. It was a tough decision and knowing that chemo works will help my state of mind. I have only had one chemo treatment so far so I am hoping I will see something after the second session. That is when the docs say I should start seeing something. I will have a lumpectomy after chemo and before radiation. I guess when the lumpectomy is done if they can't get a clear margin then they will take the whole breast.

I try to laugh as much as possible. Here's a story for you, one of the chemo side effects is a sore throat, so I am out walking going to the pharmacy to find something to help until I can get the magic mouthwash made and I was feeling pretty crappy and run down, well wouldn't you know it a pidgeon pooped on my head. I was just so done that day. It is pretty funny to think about but that day it was just the straw that broke the camels back.

I have hope but get discouraged when I see the medical bills coming in and how much things cost. I try to show a happy face in public but at times at home I just sit and cry.

I feel your pain and frustration. I look forward to talking with people that are in the same situation as us.

Take care of yourself! Penny

LOL!!!!!!!!!!!   Penny, that pigeon was sent to you for you to chuckle about it later, MAYBE not at that moment but now you can chuckle.

Just like when my hair was starting to fall out, OF COURSE while I was shopping and I was just MORTIFIED!!!!!  I was crying while standing in line and this little boy was staring at me.  I realized I was probably scaring him, so I apologized to him and his mother.  He told me....."it's only hair, it'll grow back in a few weeks,  but I cry when I get my haircut too".....LOL!!!!!!!!!   all I could do was just sit there and laugh hysterically.   His mother I think was just as mortified as I was but not about my hair about what he was saying to me.  She could obviously see what I was going through.  At that moment, as simple as it was...that little boy was right.  Some twisted way it made me feel better about losing my hair.