Just diagnosed with TNBC....Update

24

Comments

  • Gabe N Abby Mom
    Gabe N Abby Mom Member Posts: 2,413
    Welcome, but as others have
    Welcome, but as others have said, I truly am sorry you had to find us. In my case, the cancer is TNI(inflammatory)BC. So my treatment plan has been a little different. But with the support of everyone here I'll soon be done with the treatments. I honestly think I would be crazy, and would have driven my family crazy, if I hadn't been able to come here. I guess what I'm saying is that you've found a great place to be.

    Hugs,

    Linda
  • Angie2U
    Angie2U Member Posts: 2,991
    carkris said:

    Janelle welcome to this
    Janelle welcome to this site. You will find there are many triple negative women here. I am sure they will post. You seem to have a great attitude. ask any questions, someone usually has an answer. The people here are a lovely and kind sisterhood.

    Welcome Janelle to the club
    Welcome Janelle to the club no one wants to join. Here you will find lots of support, love and encouragement!

    Wishing you the best of luck!
  • jnl
    jnl Member Posts: 3,869 Member

    I started my chemo last
    I started my chemo last Wednesday....I'm really excited to meet someone on the same schedule! I hear that the side effects hit more so later, but I hope not! I would like to keep in touch, if you don't mind....

    I'm really excited about all the "Welcome"s....I need all of you! :0)

    Donating your hair to locks
    Donating your hair to locks of love is such a kind and generous gift! Welcoming you to the site and sending you good luck with your chemo!


    Hugs, Leeza
  • weazer
    weazer Member Posts: 440

    Welcome, but as others have
    Welcome, but as others have said, I truly am sorry you had to find us. In my case, the cancer is TNI(inflammatory)BC. So my treatment plan has been a little different. But with the support of everyone here I'll soon be done with the treatments. I honestly think I would be crazy, and would have driven my family crazy, if I hadn't been able to come here. I guess what I'm saying is that you've found a great place to be.

    Hugs,

    Linda

    Welcome
    Hello, I only wish I would of known about this board when I was going through treatment.
    But I must say I love all the people on this board, Very kind and helpful.
    I too was Dx TN Infaltrating and in situ Bc, I'm two years out sense my Dx.
    Lots of Hugs and well wishes coming your way!
    Karie
  • jessiesmom1
    jessiesmom1 Member Posts: 915 Member
    TNBC also
    Welcome Janelle,

    I was diagnosed with tnbc shortly before my 52nd birthday. I had a complete axillary dissection where 22 lymph nodes were removed. 2 were positive. I then had a right mastectomy followed by 16 rounds of chemo - 4 A/C and 12 Taxotere. No radiation. My last chemo was in 8/2010. While the chemo was VERY difficult I made it through and am dancing with NED.

    My daughter is a college freshman at a school 3 hours from our home. I was able to be there when she moved into her dorm in Sept. although I wasn't much help. I even climbed the flight of stairs in her 2 story dorm that has no elevator. Of course, she is on the 2nd floor. 6 weeks later I attended Parents Weekend and climbed the stairs in the football stadium. My hair prior to chemo looked just like your wig. Pretty much the same color and style. Now it is very wavy and a salt & pepper color. It is so strange.

    You can do this. The Pink Sisters will be here for you.
  • 24242
    24242 Member Posts: 1,398

    TNBC also
    Welcome Janelle,

    I was diagnosed with tnbc shortly before my 52nd birthday. I had a complete axillary dissection where 22 lymph nodes were removed. 2 were positive. I then had a right mastectomy followed by 16 rounds of chemo - 4 A/C and 12 Taxotere. No radiation. My last chemo was in 8/2010. While the chemo was VERY difficult I made it through and am dancing with NED.

    My daughter is a college freshman at a school 3 hours from our home. I was able to be there when she moved into her dorm in Sept. although I wasn't much help. I even climbed the flight of stairs in her 2 story dorm that has no elevator. Of course, she is on the 2nd floor. 6 weeks later I attended Parents Weekend and climbed the stairs in the football stadium. My hair prior to chemo looked just like your wig. Pretty much the same color and style. Now it is very wavy and a salt & pepper color. It is so strange.

    You can do this. The Pink Sisters will be here for you.

    I at 36
    I didn't find out I was actually triple negative until 13 years later so found it interesting they could go back and test the cancer for it.
    I often respond to newbies since I had stage 3 with 11 out of 21 positive nodes and had seperate mastectomies along with chemo and radiation. I had a lump that grew in a week in arm pit aftering having a diagnosed fibrous cyst in right breast already. I wasn't surprised at the diagnosis and just resigned myself to everything they would have to do since my decision was to fight I would do all I could. There are so many of your sisters on here who have survived amazing things and HOPE can easily be found all we have to do is look for it...
    Tara
  • CypressCynthia
    CypressCynthia Member Posts: 4,014 Member
    I am so sorry that you are
    I am so sorry that you are going through this, but you have come to an excellent place to help you through it. The Kindred Spirits here will always be here for you.

    And it is just lovely that you donated your hair. BTW, I think you look wonderful--very pretty!

    I had Stage 3A (large tumor, 4 nodes), but my tumor was a little different as I was estrogen receptor positive. I had chemo, mastectomy, radiation and have been 24 years (Feb 1987). So don't give up--there are new treatments every day!
  • mimix3
    mimix3 Member Posts: 3
    Very similar situation
    One year ago I was @ the same place you are now. I'm older than you - but, hopefully that will give you even more optimism. I was diagnosed with Stage 3b, triple negative BC - with a very large mass in my right breast. I received 4 dose dense (every 2 weeks) of AC and then 12 weekly treatments of Taxol. All in all, they were doable - not fun, sometimes a little difficult - but doable. I had a bilateral mastectomy in August, 2010 where it was determined that the mass was still 10+ cm. I had approximately 7 weeks of radiation to the right chest wall, underarm area and subclavical lymph nodes. I finished all treatments around the first of December. I told my 3 little granddaughters that when they came to my house for Thanksgiving, I would have some hair of my own. Actually, I uncovered by head, stopped wearing my wig, etc. prior to Halloween. I was still pretty fatigued and burned from radiation @ Thanksgiving. By Christmas, I almost felt like my old self again.

    My stamina has now returned returned. I feel good. I have very few (minor) lingering problems from the chemo. I don't look @ statistics and I don't listen to negative people. I would be very glad to answer any questions/concerns you might have. I am just so thankful to be where I now am.
  • camul
    camul Member Posts: 2,537
    Welcome
    Welcome, I have only been on this site for about 3 months, but the pink sisters have been such a support and wealth of information.

    Prayers are with you as you begin your journey.
    Carol
  • Findingout
    Findingout Member Posts: 132
    Hi Janelle,
    Welcome... if

    Hi Janelle,

    Welcome... if you have to go thru BC, we are sorry, but this is the place to come for support. I've been here 2 months (diagnosed Dec., 2010, unilateral mastec in Jan, started chemo last week) and never once have I posted a worry, concern, question, or vented, and not received lots of supportive responses. It's been, by far, the most helpful thing for me on this journey and I'd have been lost many a time without all my sisters on this site.

    You sound very upbeat and positive and I think that's key. Sometimes though we have to experience the truth of ALL our feelings. For me I've found the dark ones do pass as long as I honor them; then I move on. I'm positive too and I don't know you, but just writing what comes to mind.

    Your hair (wig!!) looks really cute. My hair hasn't started to come out yet but I'm sure it's soon and I'm getting ready for it!!!

    Hugs,
    LynD
  • pinkkari09
    pinkkari09 Member Posts: 877
    Welcome Janelle :)
    This is not the site we want to seek out, and yet it is an amazing place! My cancer is triple negative as well. It was stage 3c when I was diagnosed in August of 2009 (I was 37). I went through 4 A/C, 11 Taxol, bilateral mastectomy (all my left side lymph nodes removed and they were all positive for cancer), both ovaries, immediate reconstruction, 25 radiation treatments and more reconstruction. Many people on here put it into remission after this so don't be discouraged by my story but it has come back in my bones and I'm now stage 4. This is not the end of me though, I'm a fighter and will fight this one too. There are several woman on here that are stage 4 and many years out so it gives me hope. If you have any side effects from your chemo, come here, there's all kinds of support and ideas of what worked for others. You sound like an amazing soul and I'm so glad you joined our group of "Kindred Spirits" :)
    Miles of Love,
    ~Kari
  • janelle2011
    janelle2011 Member Posts: 21

    Welcome Janelle :)
    This is not the site we want to seek out, and yet it is an amazing place! My cancer is triple negative as well. It was stage 3c when I was diagnosed in August of 2009 (I was 37). I went through 4 A/C, 11 Taxol, bilateral mastectomy (all my left side lymph nodes removed and they were all positive for cancer), both ovaries, immediate reconstruction, 25 radiation treatments and more reconstruction. Many people on here put it into remission after this so don't be discouraged by my story but it has come back in my bones and I'm now stage 4. This is not the end of me though, I'm a fighter and will fight this one too. There are several woman on here that are stage 4 and many years out so it gives me hope. If you have any side effects from your chemo, come here, there's all kinds of support and ideas of what worked for others. You sound like an amazing soul and I'm so glad you joined our group of "Kindred Spirits" :)
    Miles of Love,
    ~Kari

    Thanks everyone for the
    Thanks everyone for the continued warm welcomes and support!

    I've been doing some research on TNBC and I really don't like what I keep finding! My Dr seems to think she'll be able to cure me, but then I read that it can reoccur within 6 mos.....

    So, when I signed back on here, it was nice to see the additional posts! I really feel that I'm going to be okay, but when you read the stats...it's scary.

    I really appreciate all of my new "Kinded Spirits"! :o)
  • janelle2011
    janelle2011 Member Posts: 21

    Hi Janelle,
    Welcome... if

    Hi Janelle,

    Welcome... if you have to go thru BC, we are sorry, but this is the place to come for support. I've been here 2 months (diagnosed Dec., 2010, unilateral mastec in Jan, started chemo last week) and never once have I posted a worry, concern, question, or vented, and not received lots of supportive responses. It's been, by far, the most helpful thing for me on this journey and I'd have been lost many a time without all my sisters on this site.

    You sound very upbeat and positive and I think that's key. Sometimes though we have to experience the truth of ALL our feelings. For me I've found the dark ones do pass as long as I honor them; then I move on. I'm positive too and I don't know you, but just writing what comes to mind.

    Your hair (wig!!) looks really cute. My hair hasn't started to come out yet but I'm sure it's soon and I'm getting ready for it!!!

    Hugs,
    LynD

    I know exactly what you mean
    I know exactly what you mean about "all our feelings" because I'm good 99% of the time, then that 1% thought comes...."we're going to beat this right?!?!"! I know it's normal, especially since I just found out last month. I've only done one treatment and am anxious to get a couple of more under my belt.

    Thanks for the the kudos on the wig! My co-workers were totally freaked out by my MAJOR change! Amazingly enough, no one realized it was a wig! :o)

    Has anyone use the free house cleaning service available to us? My daughter just sent me a link, but I haven't had a chance to check it out....

    Hugs Everyone!
  • susie09
    susie09 Member Posts: 2,930

    Thanks everyone for the
    Thanks everyone for the continued warm welcomes and support!

    I've been doing some research on TNBC and I really don't like what I keep finding! My Dr seems to think she'll be able to cure me, but then I read that it can reoccur within 6 mos.....

    So, when I signed back on here, it was nice to see the additional posts! I really feel that I'm going to be okay, but when you read the stats...it's scary.

    I really appreciate all of my new "Kinded Spirits"! :o)

    Your pink sisters are always
    Your pink sisters are always here for you Janelle! Think positive!
  • dee1962
    dee1962 Member Posts: 99

    Welcome Janelle :)
    This is not the site we want to seek out, and yet it is an amazing place! My cancer is triple negative as well. It was stage 3c when I was diagnosed in August of 2009 (I was 37). I went through 4 A/C, 11 Taxol, bilateral mastectomy (all my left side lymph nodes removed and they were all positive for cancer), both ovaries, immediate reconstruction, 25 radiation treatments and more reconstruction. Many people on here put it into remission after this so don't be discouraged by my story but it has come back in my bones and I'm now stage 4. This is not the end of me though, I'm a fighter and will fight this one too. There are several woman on here that are stage 4 and many years out so it gives me hope. If you have any side effects from your chemo, come here, there's all kinds of support and ideas of what worked for others. You sound like an amazing soul and I'm so glad you joined our group of "Kindred Spirits" :)
    Miles of Love,
    ~Kari

    pinkkari09
    this is for Pinkkari09, I to am triple neg. stage 4 with mets to spine, i would just like to know if your onc. said your would have to be on treatment for life. The rest of my life is what i'm having a hard time dealing with....Dee1962
  • Megan M
    Megan M Member Posts: 3,000
    fauxma said:

    Welcome to the best site
    Welcome to the best site that you never wanted to have to come to. We are here for you whenever you need us. And it won't be long before you are reaching out and helping others cause that's how it is with us. My prayers are that your treatments cause as little discomfort as possible.
    Stef

    Let us be your support group
    Let us be your support group as we are real experts! LOL Praying for a successful surgery for you and with your treatments.


    Hugs, Megan
  • CypressCynthia
    CypressCynthia Member Posts: 4,014 Member

    Thanks everyone for the
    Thanks everyone for the continued warm welcomes and support!

    I've been doing some research on TNBC and I really don't like what I keep finding! My Dr seems to think she'll be able to cure me, but then I read that it can reoccur within 6 mos.....

    So, when I signed back on here, it was nice to see the additional posts! I really feel that I'm going to be okay, but when you read the stats...it's scary.

    I really appreciate all of my new "Kinded Spirits"! :o)

    When I was first diagnosed,
    When I was first diagnosed, back in 1987, I read that I had about a 25% chance of making it 5 years. I didn't like those odds, so I quit reading. I am still fighting, but I've gone 24 years, so keep fighting!
  • Kylez
    Kylez Member Posts: 3,761 Member

    Thank You
    Thank you for responding so quickly! I've been reading the post all afternoon and finally decided to write. I'm still new to this and go back and forth with the emotions of survival. I really believe that this isn't a death sentence, but it's so hard to believe that it isn't too.

    I don't really know what I need or want right now, but am glad I took the first step. I was really looking forward to any input someone was willing to share!

    Thanks again! :o)

    Very glad that you wrote on
    Very glad that you wrote on here Janelle and welcome! You can survive this and you will. Try to stay positive and just focus on your treatments.

    Good luck,

    Kylez
  • sparkle1
    sparkle1 Member Posts: 242
    Welcome. You've come to the
    Welcome. You've come to the right place for knowledge, love and support. This is a wonderful board where you can really be yourself and let your joys and fears be known. We have all been there in one way or another. I find sharing and learning will keep you positive and fighting. Again welcome.
    Sparkle
  • Alexis F
    Alexis F Member Posts: 3,598

    Another Welcome
    My dx at the end of July10 was TN Stage 2B Grade 3 and my treatment has been the same as yours will be. Had lymph nodes on right side removed and 7 of 15 were positive. I'm a little better than halfway through rads and will be finishing reconstruction after that's done. I've had few issues-some nueropathy in the feet from the second round of chemo and skin issues from rads, but nothing unmanageable.
    Oh-my hair is now about 3/4 inch long! I find that exciting!
    This is a great place to get info and support!

    I want to welcome you to the
    I want to welcome you to the site and to wish you good luck!


    Lex