New-IDC with Triple Negative
I recently got diagnosed with IDC with triple negative. Trying to wrap my head around all this. Waiting for genetics results too. I have less than 2 cm lump in my right breast. I am doing a lumpectomy early Nov. What is the triple negative? I understand it means the tumor does not grow from estrogen, but what are the other negatives? I am told I should do chemo and radiation. i am scared about the chemo .. less face it I am in shock and scared. What are the side effects Of chemo? I am going to be 58 in December and have 2 young children. Does anyone have this IDC with triple negative that can share your experienc?
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Triple neg
I was dx in Nov 2020 w/ IDC triple neg. I am 37 with a couple of teens and a younger child. Mine was 4.5 cm. I did chemo first then double mastectomy with expanders, no radiation, then implants. I was positive for the BRCA 2 gene. So ill have my tubes and ovaries removed in a few weeks. I'm new to the discussion board but ill help with any questions as best as I can.
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I'm sorry to hear about your
I'm sorry to hear about your situation JH8833. I was not triple neg. You are not alone! Thanks for reaching out and asking questions. I hope more people respond who are going through or have gone through your situation. I recommend checking out cancerconnect website and also going to breastcancercourse.org (The Breast Cancer School) and breastcancer.org
More people respond on the cancerconnect website. I can relate to being shocked and scared with the diagnosis that you have. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
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I have triple negative also. It means estrogen negative, progesterone negetive, and HER2 negative. HER2 is a protein on the cell that stimulates cell growth. If it is elevated it makes the cancer more aggressive. Ask your oncologist for a copy of The Breast Cancer Treatment Handbook, by Judy C. Kneece, RN,OCN. It will tell you just about everything you need to know about breast cancer. I've found it very helpful. Prayers!
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Hello JH8833,
Some time has past since you posted in October 2021 so not sure if you are still reading this blog...
My profile is very similar to yours. I am 62 and was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer (left breast) in late January this year. Incidence was also less than 2cm (approx 1.7). I have gone through chemo and am now needing to decide if I do a lumpectomy or full breast removal - choice is mine. Chemo reduced the size to 12mm as shown on a recent MRI. I'm concerned about having sufficient margins for a lumpectomy as I have small breasts. I've read on the blog than several women have had to do more interventions if margins don't turn out clear. I also need to do radiation with a lumpectomy. If I do full breast removal and my sentinel nodes are clear, I don't need radiation.
I was originally looking for the least invasive intervention but now it feels like full breast removal might be the better route.
Did you choose lumpectomy and radiation? How was your experience?
Thanks!
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Hello Sunny5,
Thanks for your reply. I haven't had surgery yet but am leaning towards full breast removal. I was told by the radiology oncologist (not sure if I have that term correct) that the statistical chances of recurrence of cancer in the breast were as follows:
Full breast removal - 1 to 2% (no need for radiation if sentinel nodes are clear)
Lumpectomy with radiation - 7%
Lumpectomy without radiation - 20%
I am concerned about a few things with lumpectomy.
- Possibility of having to do more than one cut if they find the margins aren't clear on first surgery. My breasts are small and the incidence of cancer is quite close to the nipple so not ideal.
Mandatory requirement of radiation. Seems like more impact on system and they also do an xray each visit for set up in addition to the radiation. Concerned about heart and lung impacts, impact to bone density etc
Less unaltered skin to work with (especially if there are two cuts and radiation impacts) if I should choose to go for reconstructive surgery in the future.
Any thoughts?
How was your treatment and recovery?
Best wishes,
Ann
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Of course, you have to make your own decision. I'm sure the position of your cancer and the size of your breasts have a bearing on what you choose. You just have to weigh the possible outcomes and what you feel most comfortable with. I've had seven out of 19 radiation treatments and am doing very well. When they did my lumpectomy most of it was gone from the chemo, but there was a very small bit of the cancer left and they removed that, and the radiation is to take care of any microscopic cells that might be left that they couldn't see that might start growing. As of now I'm cancer free. They talked about pills afterwards, to reduce the chance of it returning. I've decided not to take them. They can cause side effects, because they are a type of chemo. I'm 75 years old, so I am going to take my chances. Prayers for your complete recovery! Keep us posted.
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Hello Sunny5,
Great to hear that you are doing so well! Congratulations on being cancer free! Out of general interest and comparison post chemo - did they do an MRI and report on the remaining size of your cancer tumor prior to surgery? Mine is 12 mm down for 14 on the original MRI at the start of treatment.
Didn't seem like a significant reduction but they said a reduction in tumor size is a good indication of impact at the microscopic level.
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No, I didn't have an MRI before surgery. They could feel that my tumor had shrunk significantly. It started out over 3 cm and before surgery it was 3 mm. So it had shrunk enough they could go ahead and take it out. They said if there had been nothing left after chemo I wouldn't have had to have radiation. So when he did surgery he got all the rest of it. Radiation is a precaution. I may have already said that. I did have an MRI before starting chemo. Congratulations on your tumor shrinkage! Praying it continues!
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I had Doxorubicin first than then switched to Taxol. I had seven treatments , one every other week. Started the end of December and finished April 5th. It was very effective, and I give God the credit. I had hundreds of prayers going up for me. Where are you in your treatment right now?
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I have recently been diagnosed IDC. Estrogen positive. I'm going for lumpectomy unless genetic test is positive.
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Hi, Anngie, I have now finished with surgery and radiation and am cancer free. Radiation was not hard at all. Each treatment is less than five minutes. I was so happy to ring that bell! My surgery was a success and they were able to remove the last of the tumor. What have you decided to do? continued prayers and well wishes!
Sunny
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Glad to hear you are cancer free and over radiation. I am still struggling with radiation side effects, I guess I wasn't one of the lucky ones. I have anxiety anyway so that probably doesn't help any.
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Hello Sunny an Truckincrazy1
Hello Sunny,
Great to hear your treatment was such a success! That's wonderful to hear. Congratulations! I decided on a full mastectomy and am now waiting for the analysis of my sentinal nodes to see if I will need radiation. I expect the results in about 2 to 3 weeks from now. It's now one week post surgery and I am feeling pretty good all things considered! Onward and upward! I'm enjoying the rest and feeling so much gratitude and love for all those who have and still are supporting me! Thanks for your prayers and well wishes too! I came across a good Rumi quote a few weeks back that you may like...."Gratitude is like wine for the soul. Go on, get drunk!"
And so I will...with heartful thanks to all!
Ann
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I didn't join this group until a few weeks ago. My cancer was found on a PET scan, Lymph nodes were clear. Breast Surgeon was confident that the cancer would be removed with lumpectomy, maybe chemo prior to surgery to shrink tumor, 22 weeks of chemo and 20 treatments of rads. I said no to chemo. They were not happy. One lymph node was removed since they did not show up hot on PET scan. Biopsy showed, margins clear, lymph nodes clear and tumor was in situ. (did not spread) I am still struggling with side effects of the radiation. Last treatment was July 12, 2022. I sometimes wish I had not done it. I'm tired of being tired. The only support I get is from here and therapists. I am just now learning to accept that my adult daughters just don't understand. I am cancer free, tired and alone. I am grateful for this site. Sometimes though I just want to go a day without thinking about cancer, I don't want to be called a survivor or Pink Sister. I did what I thought was best for me. Glad your recovery is going well.
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I am so sorry radiation did not go well for you. I pray that your side effects will soon subside. Everyone has to make their own decision. I understand your decision, since it was in situ. My daughter-in-law had the in situ and was cured by radiation and never had chemo. You are not alone! Even though we don't know each other personally, there are people on here that care. I want to pray for you and encourage you. Keep us posted on how you do! Sunny
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I didn't even realize it was in situ until after the radiation. I was re reading my biopsy report a few weeks ago. To be honest, its the constant being tired and no energy that is getting to me. Just get through the next 24 hours and small steps. It's ok, not to be ok.
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Yes, any of your feelings are valid! It will eventually pass, even though it seems like a long road right now. We were hit by a monster tornado in December, our house was very damaged, but not destroyed, thank God. A week later I was diagnosed. We didn't have heat, electricity, or water for weeks. Had to stay away from home. We were able to spend a few days with my son at Christmas, and I started chemo Dec. 27th. Plus we had all the insurance stuff and repairs to deal with. But there were so many people that came from all over the country to help. Even though it was a hard time, we were so blessed through it all. We were able to return home before I started chemo. I still had to drive 30 miles but since I only had it every two weeks, it wasn't too bad. I hope you can revive some energy. Have they told you to walk every day (if you are able)? Also nutrition will play a big part in that. I lost a bunch of weight. I have struggled with being overweight all my life, and now they have told me they don't want me to lose any more weight. I said, "No one has ever said that to me in my whole life, I love you!" LOL
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