It is over

Congratulations!
I'm glad your treatment is over! I also have triple negative breast cancer. My doctor said that the treatment was essentially the same, except that we will not benefit from hormonal therapy drugs such as Tamoxifen. One thing that was mentioned to me was the possibility of doing a clinical trial after treatment that uses drugs to strengthen the bones, which will help to prevent bone mets.

I am still in treatment, but I eat a diet similar to the ones mentioned, rich in antioxidents, vegetables, whole grains, fiber, fruits, and low fat protein such as fish and chicken. I take a multi-vitamin a day and an extra supplement with calcium and Vitamin D.
Good luck!

I'm nearly triple negative
I'm nearly triple negative (only 5% ER+) and my oncologist decided that I should take hormone therapy to get whatever benefit possible. Are you a "true" negative or a weak positive like me? After chemo I resumed a daily multi-vitamin and Calcium with Vit D. There is a triple negative survivors website called tnbcfoundation.org that you might want to visit. There is lots of information on the internet, but visit reliable sources that you can trust like ACS, Mayo Clinic, MD Anderson and Johns Hopkins websites. Good Luck.

Keep your bones strong
Research is beginning to point out that folks with strong bones get less reoccurance and longer survival times if they get a reoccurance, so anything that builds strong bones helps. Have your primary care physician or the folks at the oncology clinic check your vitamin D level just to make sure you are okay. Don't assume that because you take supplements you are alright. Get it checked and then get advice on what to do. If you are nearing menapause, go get the bone density scan. If you are osteopenic, start asking for a bone builder like fosamax or boniva or whatever the doc recommends given your medical history. Some folks can't take either because of stomach problems, but there is an IV that might work if the pills are no good for you. Exercise daily. Make it fun and make it a habit. See your primary care person to prevent any other health problem. Get your weight under control if it is too high or too low and eat lots of veggies, whole grains, and the right kind of fats. See a nutritionalist that your oncologist likes if you want supplements or need a special diet. Most supplements unfortunately are a waste of money and many are somewhat dangerous for our health when taken in excess. For example, the ones that prevent hot flashes have an estrogen like substance in them that promotes ER+ cancer. Vitamin A supplements in smokers given to reduce their chance of lung cancer actually increased the chance they got it. Go figure! My onco will only recommend a generic multi once a day and maybe the calcium and vitamin D if I need it. He reads a lot and won't go with anything not supported by the research. I ask every time I go (I guess I want the magic cure pill!) but so far he just says to take the cheapest multi I can find and the extra calcium and vitamin D if I need it. Are you like me and wish we could do more!

C. Abbott

cabbott said:

Keep your bones strong
Research is beginning to point out that folks with strong bones get less reoccurance and longer survival times if they get a reoccurance, so anything that builds strong bones helps. Have your primary care physician or the folks at the oncology clinic check your vitamin D level just to make sure you are okay. Don't assume that because you take supplements you are alright. Get it checked and then get advice on what to do. If you are nearing menapause, go get the bone density scan. If you are osteopenic, start asking for a bone builder like fosamax or boniva or whatever the doc recommends given your medical history. Some folks can't take either because of stomach problems, but there is an IV that might work if the pills are no good for you. Exercise daily. Make it fun and make it a habit. See your primary care person to prevent any other health problem. Get your weight under control if it is too high or too low and eat lots of veggies, whole grains, and the right kind of fats. See a nutritionalist that your oncologist likes if you want supplements or need a special diet. Most supplements unfortunately are a waste of money and many are somewhat dangerous for our health when taken in excess. For example, the ones that prevent hot flashes have an estrogen like substance in them that promotes ER+ cancer. Vitamin A supplements in smokers given to reduce their chance of lung cancer actually increased the chance they got it. Go figure! My onco will only recommend a generic multi once a day and maybe the calcium and vitamin D if I need it. He reads a lot and won't go with anything not supported by the research. I ask every time I go (I guess I want the magic cure pill!) but so far he just says to take the cheapest multi I can find and the extra calcium and vitamin D if I need it. Are you like me and wish we could do more!

C. Abbott

Health
Yes, I think we all need to keep as healthy as possible through this journey. Research is beginning to show that healthier people with strong bones and weight under control fare better. That doesn't mean it's the only factor, but being healthy has so many benefits on its own, so why not? Cabbott is absolutely right about exercising. My doctor mentioned that as well, and I have read that those who exercise (and/or keep their weight down) have lower risk of recurrence than those who do not, everything else being equal. So, you can bet that I am on my elliptical machine every day that I can. I used to exercise reluctantly; now I feel that I am running for my life, literally.

Mimi