Triple Negative Breast Cancer

2nu2tnbc
2nu2tnbc Member Posts: 69 Member

On 5/18 I was diagnosed with TNBC, all negatives. I am 49yrs. old & African American.  I consider myself a woman of strong faith, but this diagnosis knocked me off my FEET! I was horrified.  I still get weary, but am depending strongly on prayer and my faith in God!! It would be very nice to hear from other survivors out there. My life has gone from extremely healthy(I thought), to extremely critical!!! I started first chemo session this past Monday of AC, 4 rounds & then Taxol, 4 rounds, then surgery, & radiation. Started chemo 1st, due to size of tumor, 5cm plus!!! I am thankful for any advice or encouragement you may have. 

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Comments

  • cati0314
    cati0314 Member Posts: 203
    edited June 2016 #2
    TNBC

    Hi!  I too had chemo first with a 5+cm IDC.  I then had bilateral as I was BRCA1+.  No lymph nodes affected. Next was radiation.  My original onc advised that I was ER-, PR+, HER2-.  My PR+ was very low but they put me on AI for 5 yrs.  My new onc and a breast specialist has advised that I was actually TNBC with such a low PR count.  So, 6 yrs later  I am here and praying every day that there is no recurrence in my future.  Hang in there!  There are many, many survivors out there!

  • 2nu2tnbc
    2nu2tnbc Member Posts: 69 Member
    cati0314 said:

    TNBC

    Hi!  I too had chemo first with a 5+cm IDC.  I then had bilateral as I was BRCA1+.  No lymph nodes affected. Next was radiation.  My original onc advised that I was ER-, PR+, HER2-.  My PR+ was very low but they put me on AI for 5 yrs.  My new onc and a breast specialist has advised that I was actually TNBC with such a low PR count.  So, 6 yrs later  I am here and praying every day that there is no recurrence in my future.  Hang in there!  There are many, many survivors out there!

    Thank you.  I tested negative

    Thank you.  I tested negative for  brca.  I'm kind of confused about my biopsy vs PET scan.  Biopsy showed negative lympnode involvement, but PET showed lump involvement & possibly some bone metastatic.  I'm praying that the biopsy is more accurate than the PET scan.

     

  • jessiesmom1
    jessiesmom1 Member Posts: 915 Member
    2nu2tnbc said:

    Thank you.  I tested negative

    Thank you.  I tested negative for  brca.  I'm kind of confused about my biopsy vs PET scan.  Biopsy showed negative lympnode involvement, but PET showed lump involvement & possibly some bone metastatic.  I'm praying that the biopsy is more accurate than the PET scan.

     

    TNBC Experience

    I was diagnosed with TNBC Stage IIa  Grade 3 in 2010 when I was 52 years old. There is no history of cancer of any kind in my family. I had a right mastectomy followed by 4 rounds of A/C and 12 rounds of Taxotere. 22 lymph nodes were removed and 2 of the 22 were cancerous. No radiation. I have been in complete remission since then. I have also had  2 reconstruction surgeries on my right breast and a lift/reduction on my left (non-cancerous) breast. 

    Most importantly I am still here. I won't lie and say this was easy physically or mentally/emotionally. Some of it was beyond awful. There were days when I said to myself that  I just can't do this anymore. With the support of my family and a couple of wonderful friends I perservered and have come out on the other side. Once you have a cancer diagnosis you get an education very quickly on a subject you never expected to have to learn about. You learn a whole new vocabulary. 

    As this journey progresses please come to this Board often. Any emotion, side effect, or complication you may have has likely been experienced by someone here who can offer you their wisdom. I wish you the best of luck. You CAN do this.

    IRENE

  • 2nu2tnbc
    2nu2tnbc Member Posts: 69 Member

    TNBC Experience

    I was diagnosed with TNBC Stage IIa  Grade 3 in 2010 when I was 52 years old. There is no history of cancer of any kind in my family. I had a right mastectomy followed by 4 rounds of A/C and 12 rounds of Taxotere. 22 lymph nodes were removed and 2 of the 22 were cancerous. No radiation. I have been in complete remission since then. I have also had  2 reconstruction surgeries on my right breast and a lift/reduction on my left (non-cancerous) breast. 

    Most importantly I am still here. I won't lie and say this was easy physically or mentally/emotionally. Some of it was beyond awful. There were days when I said to myself that  I just can't do this anymore. With the support of my family and a couple of wonderful friends I perservered and have come out on the other side. Once you have a cancer diagnosis you get an education very quickly on a subject you never expected to have to learn about. You learn a whole new vocabulary. 

    As this journey progresses please come to this Board often. Any emotion, side effect, or complication you may have has likely been experienced by someone here who can offer you their wisdom. I wish you the best of luck. You CAN do this.

    IRENE

    Thank You. It's good to here

    Thank You. It's good to hear from survivors!!! Seeking all of the positive reinforcement I can get!!!

  • linpsu
    linpsu Member Posts: 747
    TNBC

    I also had chemo first with an 8 cm TNBC tumor.  Shrank to .5 cm, then had surgery, 18 nodes removed (1 positive), then radiation.  That was 6 years ago!  I'm doing well, and thankful to be here for my grandkids!  There are a number of us TNBC ladies here; come anytime for questions and hopefully we can help you.

    Hugs,

    Linda

  • 2nu2tnbc
    2nu2tnbc Member Posts: 69 Member
    How do you get through the

    How do you get through the fatigue?  Do you fight through it or just give in and rest?  I guess the chemo is the most difficult part of treatment because right now I feel as if I'm only existing......no control whatsoever.  But, this too Shall Pass!!

  • evian85
    evian85 Member Posts: 2 Member
    2nu2tnbc said:

    How do you get through the

    How do you get through the fatigue?  Do you fight through it or just give in and rest?  I guess the chemo is the most difficult part of treatment because right now I feel as if I'm only existing......no control whatsoever.  But, this too Shall Pass!!

    I know EXACTLY how you feel.

    I know EXACTLY how you feel.  I was diagnosed June of 2012, went throught chemo, a double mastectomy and radiation.  During my chemo I decided not to fight, this is not a cold or the flu.  I got the rest my body needed.  And yes...it will pass and someday you will be giving advice just like me!  :)   

  • Swiss72144
    Swiss72144 Member Posts: 1
    I was just diagnosed with

    I was just diagnosed with Triple negative stage 2A breast cancet, I have had a double mastectomy 2 lymph nodes removed from each side, both were negative, I am starting chemo shortly, but I am afraid of the side effects and permanent damage it may cause, I am 45, any words of hope or inspiration? Bless us all that are going through this!

  • jessiesmom1
    jessiesmom1 Member Posts: 915 Member

    I was just diagnosed with

    I was just diagnosed with Triple negative stage 2A breast cancet, I have had a double mastectomy 2 lymph nodes removed from each side, both were negative, I am starting chemo shortly, but I am afraid of the side effects and permanent damage it may cause, I am 45, any words of hope or inspiration? Bless us all that are going through this!

    6 Years Later

    This upcoming August 2016 will mark 6 years from the date of my last chemo treatment. I have been in complete remission since that time. I have seen my daughter graduate from both high school and college. I've seen my son graduate from college, too. My husband and I have celebrated 6 more wedding anniversaries. All of these have been blessings that I did not expect when I was diagnosed with TNBC. This should show you that a diagnosis of TNBC is not necessarily a death sentence and you can come out on the other side. How is that for hope and inspiration?

    As to side effects and permanent damage, that is another story. Since there are so many different chemo cocktails it would be helpful to know what drugs you are going to be given. It would enable the participants of this discussion board (myself included) to determine if our experience has any relevance to yours. Which drugs? How many rounds of those drugs? Spaced how far apart? 

    I'm sure many of us who had TNBC would love to help make your journey easier. I look forward to hearing from you.

    IRENE

  • twnkltoz
    twnkltoz Member Posts: 169 Member
    edited July 2016 #11
    You can do it!

    I'm so sorry about your diagnosis, but I've been there and got through it, and you will, too. I was also TN, with an 8.5" tumor. I had the same chemo regimen you did, then unilateral mastectomy, then 6 weeks of radiation. I had a complete response to the chemo--there was no cancer left when they did my surgery. TN is highly reactive to chemo, so while it's aggressive and scary, it's also easy to kill. I just finished radiation in March. Recovery will take time, but at least I'm alive! I won't lie...treatment is awful. It was a hard nine months. But keep the faith, keep coming here for support, and you will get through it. 

  • 2nu2tnbc
    2nu2tnbc Member Posts: 69 Member
    twnkltoz said:

    You can do it!

    I'm so sorry about your diagnosis, but I've been there and got through it, and you will, too. I was also TN, with an 8.5" tumor. I had the same chemo regimen you did, then unilateral mastectomy, then 6 weeks of radiation. I had a complete response to the chemo--there was no cancer left when they did my surgery. TN is highly reactive to chemo, so while it's aggressive and scary, it's also easy to kill. I just finished radiation in March. Recovery will take time, but at least I'm alive! I won't lie...treatment is awful. It was a hard nine months. But keep the faith, keep coming here for support, and you will get through it. 

    Thank you.  I needed the

    Thank you.  I needed the encouragement and hope. 

  • 2nu2tnbc
    2nu2tnbc Member Posts: 69 Member
    edited July 2016 #13
    Each Treatment

    Did each AC treatment cause more fatigue than the previous one?.  I felt more fatigue after my 2nd treatment and am assuming it will continue when I go for the third treatment next week. Thank you 

  • jessiesmom1
    jessiesmom1 Member Posts: 915 Member
    FATIGUE

    In my experience the fatigue was indeed cumulative. It got successively more pronounced with each round of chemo. Here is an example of how I remember it: Take off pajamas. Shower while seated. Put pajamas back on. Go back to bed. Too tired to do anything else. That stage of things thankfully didn't last very long. I had 4 rounds of A/C and 12 rounds of Taxotere. Good luck. Every day brings something new. Come back and let us know how you are doing. You are not alone.

    IRENE

  • twnkltoz
    twnkltoz Member Posts: 169 Member
    2nu2tnbc said:

    Each Treatment

    Did each AC treatment cause more fatigue than the previous one?.  I felt more fatigue after my 2nd treatment and am assuming it will continue when I go for the third treatment next week. Thank you 

    I would say yes. It got

    I would say yes. It got mildly better when I switched to Taxol, but not much. On the bright side, about two weeks after I finished chemo, I started to feel much better and improved very quickly. So, it will suck for a few months, but it will get better! 

  • 2nu2tnbc
    2nu2tnbc Member Posts: 69 Member
    edited July 2016 #16
    Taste

    I have noticed that my taste buds have changed even more after the 2nd treatment.  Will it ccontinue to get worse along with losing g appetite? I eat smaller portions, but everything is bland.....not gainiing any weight!! Also, did you have a lot of muscle loss and muscle fatigue while on chemo?

     

  • 2nu2tnbc
    2nu2tnbc Member Posts: 69 Member
    edited July 2016 #17
    Work

     Another question, How do you brave women  work while taking chemo? I'm off during the summer, but am wondering how I'm going to manage work & chemo with all of this fatigue!!! I

  • jessiesmom1
    jessiesmom1 Member Posts: 915 Member
    Taste During Chemo

    Once again, I can only tell you about my own experience during chemo. Not everyone will react the same. I completely lost the desire to eat and everything seemed to taste like paste. At first I could manage cantaloupe and matzo ball dumplings. Eventually that too disappeared. I ended up not eating AT ALL. Of course, my oncologist was less than pleased but said it was more important to remain hydrated than to eat. I really didn't want to even do that but realized how important it was so I did it. I ate fruit juice Popsicles. I also kept a thermos of water on my nightstand with markings on the side so I could keep track of how much I was drinking. If the doctor said 64 oz then I struggled and got it down. I never missed a round of chemo due to low blood counts and was only given additional fluids twice so I think I did OK. As a side benefit to all this, I lost 40 lbs. I called myself "the incredible shrinking woman." This was the only time it was an advantage to be overweight. 

    This was 6 years ago so I don't remember all the details anymore (yay) but I do recall being pretty weak. Even going up/down the 2 steps to get into or out of my house wasn't easy. It was safest to have someone hold my arm. I tried to walk down the block a bit each day. Distance was measured by how many houses I was able to pass. Sometimes it was only 2. Keep in mind what I said, " SIX YEARS AGO." 

    IRENE

  • 2nu2tnbc
    2nu2tnbc Member Posts: 69 Member

    Taste During Chemo

    Once again, I can only tell you about my own experience during chemo. Not everyone will react the same. I completely lost the desire to eat and everything seemed to taste like paste. At first I could manage cantaloupe and matzo ball dumplings. Eventually that too disappeared. I ended up not eating AT ALL. Of course, my oncologist was less than pleased but said it was more important to remain hydrated than to eat. I really didn't want to even do that but realized how important it was so I did it. I ate fruit juice Popsicles. I also kept a thermos of water on my nightstand with markings on the side so I could keep track of how much I was drinking. If the doctor said 64 oz then I struggled and got it down. I never missed a round of chemo due to low blood counts and was only given additional fluids twice so I think I did OK. As a side benefit to all this, I lost 40 lbs. I called myself "the incredible shrinking woman." This was the only time it was an advantage to be overweight. 

    This was 6 years ago so I don't remember all the details anymore (yay) but I do recall being pretty weak. Even going up/down the 2 steps to get into or out of my house wasn't easy. It was safest to have someone hold my arm. I tried to walk down the block a bit each day. Distance was measured by how many houses I was able to pass. Sometimes it was only 2. Keep in mind what I said, " SIX YEARS AGO." 

    IRENE

    weight loss

    Thanks for replying.  I was concerned about the weight loss since everybody seemed to gain while on chemo.

  • Puffin2014
    Puffin2014 Member Posts: 531 Member
    2nu2tnbc said:

    weight loss

    Thanks for replying.  I was concerned about the weight loss since everybody seemed to gain while on chemo.

    weakness

    I don't know how the gals do it that worked through chemo either, By my 3rd round I was using a cane even around the house, and had borrowed a walker for the 4th round cuz I was so shaky with the cane. Didn't need it though, onc decreased my chemo dose by 20% for last round. I wasn't driving by third round, couldn't trust my judgment or my reflexes. Whatever weight I gained was from the fluid retention from the steroids. I did try and get outside each day for a little walk, I'd hold onto Lew's arm with one hand and use my cane in the other - distance alo measured by # of houses I could go by and 2 was pretty much the max.

  • twnkltoz
    twnkltoz Member Posts: 169 Member
    I worked from home, giving up

    I worked from home, giving up more and more assignments each round. I didn't drive all through chemo.