Any Triple Negative People?
Comments
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Tara24242 said:Arkansasgirl
I was wondering in your case if you had any positive nodes?? And Moopy23 what does the letter after the stage mean?? All new to me. Did AG too have the genetic link or do you know??
I am now just going through all this genetic bull and finding out if breast tumor was triple negative 14 years ago something they never knew. I was 36 at time of diagnosis.
Funny if I hadn't got two more lumps in my arm I wouldn't have insisted on getting back into cancer cline and would never know about this triple negative and genetic link being the worst form of breast cancer. I sort have been living with a false sense of security all these years since that wasn't what was going on back then and at some point I quit reading about breast cancer and stopped coming here for support.
I am truly glad for that because all this triple negative stuff would have scared the hell out of me reading all your posts.
Just had my CT scan yeterday for hips, spine and head. Funny I am more conserned about the lumps but I managed to get that done first and the arm was not part of it. Oh right they are the doctors.
On the 29th I have consultation at Heriditary Program building so this means they must have the results of the tumor tests. They have my tumor still because I was apart of a study that started 97 and ended 07 to follow women with negative HER agressive form of breast cancer.
Well finally feeling good enough to work again and that alone is alittle bit of a relief, but they yoyo sick thing wears on you after awhile let alone the waiting as we all know by now.
Danielle good luck and so glad it isn't much longer for you.
Intersting for sure and so glad for this.
Tara
Hi, I am embarrassed to say I can't describe the different stages. My husband will post for you. They are based on the size of the tumor, lymph nodes affected, how many, and other tumor characteristics...
I tested negative for BRCA 1 and 2. Not sure about AKGirl.Hopefully she will reply.0 -
Staging Guidelines24242 said:Arkansasgirl
I was wondering in your case if you had any positive nodes?? And Moopy23 what does the letter after the stage mean?? All new to me. Did AG too have the genetic link or do you know??
I am now just going through all this genetic bull and finding out if breast tumor was triple negative 14 years ago something they never knew. I was 36 at time of diagnosis.
Funny if I hadn't got two more lumps in my arm I wouldn't have insisted on getting back into cancer cline and would never know about this triple negative and genetic link being the worst form of breast cancer. I sort have been living with a false sense of security all these years since that wasn't what was going on back then and at some point I quit reading about breast cancer and stopped coming here for support.
I am truly glad for that because all this triple negative stuff would have scared the hell out of me reading all your posts.
Just had my CT scan yeterday for hips, spine and head. Funny I am more conserned about the lumps but I managed to get that done first and the arm was not part of it. Oh right they are the doctors.
On the 29th I have consultation at Heriditary Program building so this means they must have the results of the tumor tests. They have my tumor still because I was apart of a study that started 97 and ended 07 to follow women with negative HER agressive form of breast cancer.
Well finally feeling good enough to work again and that alone is alittle bit of a relief, but they yoyo sick thing wears on you after awhile let alone the waiting as we all know by now.
Danielle good luck and so glad it isn't much longer for you.
Intersting for sure and so glad for this.
Tara
Hi, Tara! As the husband of a "triple negative" (God, I hate that stupid term) BC survivor, I am happy to see you "TN" (did I tell you I hate that stupid term?) ladies getting together like this. As Moopy and Mimi know from their experiences over the last year and a half, there is such a thing as strength in numbers.
The ACS has an excellent explanation of BC staging at http://bit.ly/bakw0x (this is a shortened URL, which will take you back to the correct page at the ACS site). Definitely worth reading, but I advise you not to do like I first did and get all freaked out by the details.
According to Moopy's radiation oncologist, BC staging is far more useful for determining the best treatment than it is for guessing prognosis. Seeing that Dr. Marie Taylor is also professor of Radiation Oncology at Washington University in St. Louis (an NCI Comprehensive Cancer Center), Moopster and I are always happy to take her word for things.
Please keep in mind too that any statistics you may run across on the ACS site (or any other) are very likely to be outdated. Not because the researchers are lazy, of course, but they tend to double-check and triple-check their data before updating.
God Bless you all, and here's to you all keeping your strength in numbers for years to come!
Best,
Joe0 -
thanks for linkAortus said:Staging Guidelines
Hi, Tara! As the husband of a "triple negative" (God, I hate that stupid term) BC survivor, I am happy to see you "TN" (did I tell you I hate that stupid term?) ladies getting together like this. As Moopy and Mimi know from their experiences over the last year and a half, there is such a thing as strength in numbers.
The ACS has an excellent explanation of BC staging at http://bit.ly/bakw0x (this is a shortened URL, which will take you back to the correct page at the ACS site). Definitely worth reading, but I advise you not to do like I first did and get all freaked out by the details.
According to Moopy's radiation oncologist, BC staging is far more useful for determining the best treatment than it is for guessing prognosis. Seeing that Dr. Marie Taylor is also professor of Radiation Oncology at Washington University in St. Louis (an NCI Comprehensive Cancer Center), Moopster and I are always happy to take her word for things.
Please keep in mind too that any statistics you may run across on the ACS site (or any other) are very likely to be outdated. Not because the researchers are lazy, of course, but they tend to double-check and triple-check their data before updating.
God Bless you all, and here's to you all keeping your strength in numbers for years to come!
Best,
Joe
Well the stats game isn't new to me and back 14 years I spoke out loudly about how the Cancer Clinics are like being on another planet and maybe these ways of thinking about cancer and diagnosing cancer should be in main steam which they are often not.
I will check it out. I guess I am mad at myself for having this false sense of security having this negative HER since there wasn't as much known back then. I just don't remember having a letter attached to my Stage 3 diagnosis.
My cancer in 97 never fit any of the criteria set out for treatment and I fought for some treatments along the way.
I will let you all know what I find out on Thursday I should have the result of if my cancer then had triple negative factor and yes I am doing genetic thing too.
I spoke out because young women were dying at an alarming rate at the time I had dx. In my home town very few young women were surviving not getting early diagnosis because too young.
I am surprised though there are so many people being told of poor prognosis because as we all can see there are plenty of us who prove them wrong about all sorts of things. I did every study possible so that others might not have to go through all I have.
Thanks again for all the sharing of info though I am not sure I really want to see it all, lol
Tara0 -
I'm not triple negative,eworell said:triple negative
hi Danielle, My name is Erica, I actually was diagnosed in sept 2009. I had 3 lumpectomy surgerys... An 8 lymph nodes removed. all that had cancer. After that my doctor told me i had Triple negative breast cancer stage 3. Talk about scary... But the best thing is Family and friends..... I love the both of them... I dont want to bore you. but I just finished up chemo today. 4-21-2010. 4 rounds of Adrymicin/Cytoxin, and 4 of Taxol. It was tough but you can do this!!! then have i have 3 weeks rest then start Radiation. i was in ur shoes and felt i need friends and anyone to talk to...
I'm not triple negative, but, want to say welcome and to wish you good luck. As you can see, there are many on here that are triple negative and can offer you support and help.0 -
Triple Negative
I'm sorry for your news. I am new to this as well. I was diagnosed in November of 2009 with Breast Cancer and had a lumpectomy and redo lumpectomy concurrently in Jan and March of 2010. I was diagnosed with triple negative cancer and was told that my chemo treatments would be aggressive due to the aggressive nature of the cancer. I have only had one chemo treatment with 3 to go followed by radiation and I can tell you that I have had the worst time of it. I would love to sugar coat treatment and I know that it is different for everyone but I have not had an easy time so I offer you this word of advice. Solicit honest info about what we suffer with and expect the worst so that the worst won't be as bad. I have had bad side effects and I know that makes my disposition a little odd but know that you are not alone. I lost all of my hair in five days and I am still mustering a smile so be encouraged and god bless!0 -
ChemoCarla42 said:Triple Negative
I'm sorry for your news. I am new to this as well. I was diagnosed in November of 2009 with Breast Cancer and had a lumpectomy and redo lumpectomy concurrently in Jan and March of 2010. I was diagnosed with triple negative cancer and was told that my chemo treatments would be aggressive due to the aggressive nature of the cancer. I have only had one chemo treatment with 3 to go followed by radiation and I can tell you that I have had the worst time of it. I would love to sugar coat treatment and I know that it is different for everyone but I have not had an easy time so I offer you this word of advice. Solicit honest info about what we suffer with and expect the worst so that the worst won't be as bad. I have had bad side effects and I know that makes my disposition a little odd but know that you are not alone. I lost all of my hair in five days and I am still mustering a smile so be encouraged and god bless!
Hi Carla,
Thanks for responding. I am so sorry to hear that you are having such a bad time with chemo and can only hope and pray for you that the side effects lessen. I am more scared of the chemo than the surgery, that's because there is no way to know how it will effect each person. I have tried to read as much as possible without scaring myself any more than necessary.
I realize that this entire year is pretty much going to be spent in battle with this thing in my body. I wish you the best in your battle too, we can win! Keep positive thoughts even when it's the toughest. Easy for me to say since I haven't begun the process yet so I may need you to repeat these words to me later. lol
Take care and stay strong.
Danielle0 -
finding support
Danielle,
Even though I am not in the same situation as you, I too found myself really needing to talk to someone who had been through triple negative breast cancer. What I did was to call my Cancer Center where I get my treatments. They had a list of clients who had volunteered to mentor or to counsel other new patients. They were able to match me up with another woman who had already been through treatments for triple neg. More than anyone else, she was able to talk to me about what all to expect as I was going into chemo and radiation. We also continued emailing through out treatments, with her actually understanding what I was talking about. She has had so much insight and encouragement. She even came in for a few minutes during my first chemo treatment.
If you are not part of a center who has such resources, I would strongly suggest you contact your Dr. Perhaps she/he knows of another patient that they could contact as a support for you.
I wish you luck. Lisa0 -
Triple negative and survival24242 said:thanks for link
Well the stats game isn't new to me and back 14 years I spoke out loudly about how the Cancer Clinics are like being on another planet and maybe these ways of thinking about cancer and diagnosing cancer should be in main steam which they are often not.
I will check it out. I guess I am mad at myself for having this false sense of security having this negative HER since there wasn't as much known back then. I just don't remember having a letter attached to my Stage 3 diagnosis.
My cancer in 97 never fit any of the criteria set out for treatment and I fought for some treatments along the way.
I will let you all know what I find out on Thursday I should have the result of if my cancer then had triple negative factor and yes I am doing genetic thing too.
I spoke out because young women were dying at an alarming rate at the time I had dx. In my home town very few young women were surviving not getting early diagnosis because too young.
I am surprised though there are so many people being told of poor prognosis because as we all can see there are plenty of us who prove them wrong about all sorts of things. I did every study possible so that others might not have to go through all I have.
Thanks again for all the sharing of info though I am not sure I really want to see it all, lol
Tara
Tara, I'm sorry if I misunderstood, but am I right that you had triple negative breast cancer 14 years ago? Are you facing a recurrence now? I'm so sorry if you are. However, I want to emphasize that the typical window for triple negative bc to recurr is 2-5 years. For each year you survive recurrence free, your chances of ever recurring drop. After 5 years, very few triple negative bc ever returns. Of course there are exceptions. But 14 years of survival for tnbc pretty much means that it ain't coming back. Women who are BRCA 1 or 2 positive must be on the lookout for a second primary cancer, however. Triple negative has a very different recurrence pattern than ER positive bc, so you definitely don't have a false sense of security. After 14 years, you can be very secure that your triple negative bc is gone for good. I hope I haven't misunderstood you completely. Hugs.
Mimi0 -
Supportlisasmit said:finding support
Danielle,
Even though I am not in the same situation as you, I too found myself really needing to talk to someone who had been through triple negative breast cancer. What I did was to call my Cancer Center where I get my treatments. They had a list of clients who had volunteered to mentor or to counsel other new patients. They were able to match me up with another woman who had already been through treatments for triple neg. More than anyone else, she was able to talk to me about what all to expect as I was going into chemo and radiation. We also continued emailing through out treatments, with her actually understanding what I was talking about. She has had so much insight and encouragement. She even came in for a few minutes during my first chemo treatment.
If you are not part of a center who has such resources, I would strongly suggest you contact your Dr. Perhaps she/he knows of another patient that they could contact as a support for you.
I wish you luck. Lisa
Hi Lisa,
That is very good advice, thank you. I will definitely check with the cancer center for a mentor.
Good luck to you too.
Danielle0 -
Mimivaclisasmit said:finding support
Danielle,
Even though I am not in the same situation as you, I too found myself really needing to talk to someone who had been through triple negative breast cancer. What I did was to call my Cancer Center where I get my treatments. They had a list of clients who had volunteered to mentor or to counsel other new patients. They were able to match me up with another woman who had already been through treatments for triple neg. More than anyone else, she was able to talk to me about what all to expect as I was going into chemo and radiation. We also continued emailing through out treatments, with her actually understanding what I was talking about. She has had so much insight and encouragement. She even came in for a few minutes during my first chemo treatment.
If you are not part of a center who has such resources, I would strongly suggest you contact your Dr. Perhaps she/he knows of another patient that they could contact as a support for you.
I wish you luck. Lisa
Thanks for responding,
The fact is I do not think Breast Cancer will be my problem and never really have since done things to minimize those risks but I do know the chances for other types are as great as ever even though all the years have passed.
I am just fortunate to have been apart of this study so I will find out probably tomorrow if my cancer was triple negative something they have only been able to find out the past 7 years. The study I was apart of was following HER negative survivors with aggressive forms of breast cancer at young ages. It is something for them to be able to go back and retest that same 14 year old tumor. My grandmother survived more than 10 years and died quickly after a bone cancer diagnosis and more lumps in the existing breast and arm pit.
I am not much for the statistical game since many of us prove what they thought to be true isn't. I have broken many myths about breast cancer and the symptoms we possess.
Comfort can only be when lumps are diagnostically checked to ensure that there is no cancer something I am trying to have done with these two new lumps on my arm, one growing quickly in just a month.
Waiting for answers is no fun.
Tara0 -
21yr old Triple Negative
Hi Danielle,
I have been reading this thread and I've only talked to one other person that had something like me. Now that I'm reading about you it's like taking a weight off my shoulders. Here I am thinking I'm the only one who had no clue about any of this stuff. I was diagnosed with Metaplastic Carcinoma (which turns out that I am also Triple Negative) in late Feb 2010. I had a small lump in my left breast and didn't really think anything of it. I stopped drinking caffiene (because I sometimes get small knots from too much) but that didn't help. I went to the lady doctor to have it looked at (just thinking it was some sort of infection) and they weren't sure what it was. They sent me to a breast center and I got an ultrasound because it was already too large to have a mammogram. They then did a fine needle aspiration and a full biopsy. I got a cancer diagnosis a couple days later and went to see the surgeon. They said that they would just take the whole breast but they went ahead and let me see the oncologist. I did 4 chemo treatments and it stopped the growth but wasn't shrinking. I went ahead and got a full radical masectomy three weeks ago. They took 15 or so lymph nodes and they all came back clean. I didn't get reconstruction .. the surgeon said it would be better for me if I waited. So I go back to the oncologist next Thursday to see what's next. The tumor they took from my breast was 70% of my whole breast. It was the size of a large orange/small grapefruit. I felt the same way you do .. I just want it gone. I just want it out. I feel so much better now that it's gone. I had no idea that my arm would be sore and my shoulder would be stiff. But it's a small price to pay to get the tumor out. I'm still trying to cope with looking down and seeing this scar, and being "uneven" but I'm going next week to get something to put into my bra until I can get reconstruction. I'm not a whole lot ahead of you in treatment. But it would be nice to see how your reconstruction goes so I'll know what to expect. I'm sorry you're kind of alone through all of this. But .. even though all my family is here for me .. I still feel kind of alone because they can never really know what I'm going through or dealing with. It's been such an emotional journey so far and the last thing I thought I'd have to deal with at the age of 21 .. so please don't be a stranger if you want to talk or anything.
And about chemo ..
-- I only had 4 treatments .. so I don't know how much help I can be? But I would have chemo every Thursday and would be pretty wore out on Friday and Saturday .. but would start to feel better on Sunday and back to my usual self on Monday. I didn't lose my hair but had a lot of thinning. But I did have really thick hair. I went ahead and got a wig just in case it started to be noticable.0 -
So Youngjworkman said:21yr old Triple Negative
Hi Danielle,
I have been reading this thread and I've only talked to one other person that had something like me. Now that I'm reading about you it's like taking a weight off my shoulders. Here I am thinking I'm the only one who had no clue about any of this stuff. I was diagnosed with Metaplastic Carcinoma (which turns out that I am also Triple Negative) in late Feb 2010. I had a small lump in my left breast and didn't really think anything of it. I stopped drinking caffiene (because I sometimes get small knots from too much) but that didn't help. I went to the lady doctor to have it looked at (just thinking it was some sort of infection) and they weren't sure what it was. They sent me to a breast center and I got an ultrasound because it was already too large to have a mammogram. They then did a fine needle aspiration and a full biopsy. I got a cancer diagnosis a couple days later and went to see the surgeon. They said that they would just take the whole breast but they went ahead and let me see the oncologist. I did 4 chemo treatments and it stopped the growth but wasn't shrinking. I went ahead and got a full radical masectomy three weeks ago. They took 15 or so lymph nodes and they all came back clean. I didn't get reconstruction .. the surgeon said it would be better for me if I waited. So I go back to the oncologist next Thursday to see what's next. The tumor they took from my breast was 70% of my whole breast. It was the size of a large orange/small grapefruit. I felt the same way you do .. I just want it gone. I just want it out. I feel so much better now that it's gone. I had no idea that my arm would be sore and my shoulder would be stiff. But it's a small price to pay to get the tumor out. I'm still trying to cope with looking down and seeing this scar, and being "uneven" but I'm going next week to get something to put into my bra until I can get reconstruction. I'm not a whole lot ahead of you in treatment. But it would be nice to see how your reconstruction goes so I'll know what to expect. I'm sorry you're kind of alone through all of this. But .. even though all my family is here for me .. I still feel kind of alone because they can never really know what I'm going through or dealing with. It's been such an emotional journey so far and the last thing I thought I'd have to deal with at the age of 21 .. so please don't be a stranger if you want to talk or anything.
And about chemo ..
-- I only had 4 treatments .. so I don't know how much help I can be? But I would have chemo every Thursday and would be pretty wore out on Friday and Saturday .. but would start to feel better on Sunday and back to my usual self on Monday. I didn't lose my hair but had a lot of thinning. But I did have really thick hair. I went ahead and got a wig just in case it started to be noticable.
Hi J.
Wow, I am so sorry you are going through this at such a young age. It's good that your family is with you though. Did you have the genetic testing done?
I am pretty sure this thing is about the size of a lemon right now. You are the first person that has said theirs was the as large as I think mine is so it makes me a feel a little better that your lymph nodes came back clean. That is a huge concern of course for me.
This is such a foreign thing to go through and it's like being in a parallel universe. I feel like the odd one out, that I want to scream at everyone that I have cancer. I don't know why I think that but I do. There is no way, no matter how hard they try, that they can understand what is in our head. Maybe because I haven't started the process of having it removed yet, but I think about it most of the time. Either about it growing, about chemo, about wigs, about reconstruction, about bills, etc. It has taken over my life for right now.
Thanks for the information, especially about chemo. You can email me if you want to keep in touch danielle.321@gmail.com.
Take care, and I wish the best for your treatment and recovery.
Danielle0 -
Wife is triple negative
My wife was diagnosed 4/20 with ductal carcinoma T3, its small at 1cm, but before we found the lump she had a mamogram in Jan.
The surgeon says she is a good candidate for a lumpectomy, but she wants to go with the mastectomy and preferably a bilateral. She works for a hospital and they are self insured and refuse to cover the bilateral unless a mass is detected. So the fight begins on that issue.
I have read a few websites thru MD Anderson, ACS, and one aimed at triple negative patients, about this and have so many questions, so many fears (for her and as caregiver). I thought the internet was a good thing, but seems to be giving me more questions than answers.
Sorry if I am rambling, somewhat lost, dazed, and confused at this point.0 -
Hang in there GregGregStahl said:Wife is triple negative
My wife was diagnosed 4/20 with ductal carcinoma T3, its small at 1cm, but before we found the lump she had a mamogram in Jan.
The surgeon says she is a good candidate for a lumpectomy, but she wants to go with the mastectomy and preferably a bilateral. She works for a hospital and they are self insured and refuse to cover the bilateral unless a mass is detected. So the fight begins on that issue.
I have read a few websites thru MD Anderson, ACS, and one aimed at triple negative patients, about this and have so many questions, so many fears (for her and as caregiver). I thought the internet was a good thing, but seems to be giving me more questions than answers.
Sorry if I am rambling, somewhat lost, dazed, and confused at this point.
Cancer is not like most sciences because we are all so different.
Knowledge is Power though it doesn't feel that way sometimes. It is too bad that insurance companies do not just allow this since it does reduce, not illiminate one's chances for reoccurance. They can never remove every breat cell so there is always still a chance.
Fighting for what you want is hard and tiring I know. One has to do what they will be comfortable with and insurance companies should realize this. By the way for Extended Health Insurance I am considered cured but when it comes to life insurance why is it they want to charge so much if I am CURED?? Contradiction at its finest don't you think. There money might be better spent on the bilateral.
Greg you are an incredible husband to be looking here for support because you have realized you need it too not just your wife. Youu have come to the right place. I will let you know what I find out about my triple negative statis since having a meeting with oncologist I had 14 years ago and will be told results of the study I was apart of about this very thing. 1997-2007 Aggressive breast cancer survivors were followed who were negative HER at time could not tell if triple negative but know they will find out since keeping the tumor for further studying. I can't wait to hear all the findings of this study because they did learn allot.
Take good care of each other that is the best we can do.
Tara0 -
WifeGregStahl said:Wife is triple negative
My wife was diagnosed 4/20 with ductal carcinoma T3, its small at 1cm, but before we found the lump she had a mamogram in Jan.
The surgeon says she is a good candidate for a lumpectomy, but she wants to go with the mastectomy and preferably a bilateral. She works for a hospital and they are self insured and refuse to cover the bilateral unless a mass is detected. So the fight begins on that issue.
I have read a few websites thru MD Anderson, ACS, and one aimed at triple negative patients, about this and have so many questions, so many fears (for her and as caregiver). I thought the internet was a good thing, but seems to be giving me more questions than answers.
Sorry if I am rambling, somewhat lost, dazed, and confused at this point.
Hi Greg,
It is awesome that you care enough to research for yourself and her. Yes, the internet is a good thing and yes it is overwhelming.
Since I was diagnosed in March I have scoured the internet and the forums for answers. At first it was a frantic search and I was not able to digest it all. The terminology, everyone else comfort level of discussing each and every detail. But now I have a certain level of peace knowing that the information the people on these forums give are facts and that they don't beat around the bush with the answers if you ask the question.
Since I am not the caregiver but the one affected I cannot know what you are feeling anymore than the caregivers can know what we are feeling. I'm sure it is just as frustrating on the other end. Just continue to support her and make sure you find other people that are caregivers that can provide some insight on how to deal with your situation. I'm sure there are forums for caregivers as well.
I wish the best for your wife and for you as well.
Danielle0 -
Thanks allDanielle321 said:Wife
Hi Greg,
It is awesome that you care enough to research for yourself and her. Yes, the internet is a good thing and yes it is overwhelming.
Since I was diagnosed in March I have scoured the internet and the forums for answers. At first it was a frantic search and I was not able to digest it all. The terminology, everyone else comfort level of discussing each and every detail. But now I have a certain level of peace knowing that the information the people on these forums give are facts and that they don't beat around the bush with the answers if you ask the question.
Since I am not the caregiver but the one affected I cannot know what you are feeling anymore than the caregivers can know what we are feeling. I'm sure it is just as frustrating on the other end. Just continue to support her and make sure you find other people that are caregivers that can provide some insight on how to deal with your situation. I'm sure there are forums for caregivers as well.
I wish the best for your wife and for you as well.
Danielle
The frustration level is going up and the need to vent is high, but I am working out. She has told me she needs to deal with this in her own way and back off for now..she will let me know when she needs to talk. I expected that.
Appt with the Onc tomorrow and hopefully we can get him to recommend the bilateral.
Good luck to everyone and will chat with everyone soon.
Greg0 -
OhDanielle321 said:Wife
Hi Greg,
It is awesome that you care enough to research for yourself and her. Yes, the internet is a good thing and yes it is overwhelming.
Since I was diagnosed in March I have scoured the internet and the forums for answers. At first it was a frantic search and I was not able to digest it all. The terminology, everyone else comfort level of discussing each and every detail. But now I have a certain level of peace knowing that the information the people on these forums give are facts and that they don't beat around the bush with the answers if you ask the question.
Since I am not the caregiver but the one affected I cannot know what you are feeling anymore than the caregivers can know what we are feeling. I'm sure it is just as frustrating on the other end. Just continue to support her and make sure you find other people that are caregivers that can provide some insight on how to deal with your situation. I'm sure there are forums for caregivers as well.
I wish the best for your wife and for you as well.
Danielle
One last vent
If I hear one more person say they know how I feel (or what I am dealing with) because "their great grandmothers 3rd cousins x-wifes sisters daughter-in-law had........" I am gonna scream!!!!!!!!
Sorry....LOL0 -
I'm also triple neg...GregStahl said:Oh
One last vent
If I hear one more person say they know how I feel (or what I am dealing with) because "their great grandmothers 3rd cousins x-wifes sisters daughter-in-law had........" I am gonna scream!!!!!!!!
Sorry....LOL
Stage 2A, tumor grad 3, nodes clean. Tumor was 2.7 cen. Had single, simple mastecomy, 4 rounds of c/t chemo and no rads because biopsy of breast tissue showed no cancel cells. I had a lumpectomy with so-so margins and reexcision with so-so margins and opted for a mastecomy. Neither my surgeon or onc suggested a bilateral mastectomy. I never considered it. Was diagnosed 7/09 and finished chemo 12-11-09. I came to terms with TN rather quickly and because chemo loves agressive tumors I was relieved. I have a good prognosis and frankly am pleased I don't have to take the 5 years pills with all the side effects the girls with the hormone positive dx talk about.
I don't worry about the TN cancer recurring in my remaining breast but I worry about a new cancer, maybe hormone positive (?). I feel any recurrence would probably come in the area of the mastectomy. It's all a toss up.
Danielle I'm sorry you are having to wait so long for your surgery. You will feel so much better emotionally once treatment begins. We all react differently to chemo, but we all come thru it and it is doable. Take this time and visit the boutique that has everything "mastectomy" from wigs to prosthesis to bras. For your ins. to pay for wigs, bras and prosthesis, your fitter must be certified. I was very impressed with how the fake boobs looked. I did not have reconstruction...enough surgery already (for me). You are doing a good job of getting your ducks in a row and getting prepared. Whether you decide on double or single mastectomy is a very personal decision that only you can make (on advice of your onc etc.) You've come to the right place and have gotten a lot of great advice from everyone.
Gregg, no one except you and your wife will know what you are going thru except someone else who has gone thru it. My husband was and is my rock. I don't know how he felt, I could only imagine (he lost his mom to bc when he was 11yrs.) but for me he was always there at all of my appts, treatments everything. You sound like you are the same which is great cause that's what we need and not everyone gets that. When my husband was diagnosed with prostrate cancer (7 years ago, had seed implants and is fine) he did not want to talk about it with me or anyone. He did not want to tell anyone. he wanted to get his game face on first. We discussed etc. but no deep emotional talk. Your wife may be doing the same thing. I am a firm believer in anti-axiety meds if needed. We both took them and it really helps to take the edge off and lets you get needed sleep. Just smile when everyone starts telling you their stories and think about something else til they're thru talking or excuse yourself from the conversation...don't let a jerk be a jerk.
Please keep us posted (both of you)on what's going on and know that we are all here for you to vent, get advice, you name it.
Hugs, Judy :-)0 -
Thank youSkeezie said:I'm also triple neg...
Stage 2A, tumor grad 3, nodes clean. Tumor was 2.7 cen. Had single, simple mastecomy, 4 rounds of c/t chemo and no rads because biopsy of breast tissue showed no cancel cells. I had a lumpectomy with so-so margins and reexcision with so-so margins and opted for a mastecomy. Neither my surgeon or onc suggested a bilateral mastectomy. I never considered it. Was diagnosed 7/09 and finished chemo 12-11-09. I came to terms with TN rather quickly and because chemo loves agressive tumors I was relieved. I have a good prognosis and frankly am pleased I don't have to take the 5 years pills with all the side effects the girls with the hormone positive dx talk about.
I don't worry about the TN cancer recurring in my remaining breast but I worry about a new cancer, maybe hormone positive (?). I feel any recurrence would probably come in the area of the mastectomy. It's all a toss up.
Danielle I'm sorry you are having to wait so long for your surgery. You will feel so much better emotionally once treatment begins. We all react differently to chemo, but we all come thru it and it is doable. Take this time and visit the boutique that has everything "mastectomy" from wigs to prosthesis to bras. For your ins. to pay for wigs, bras and prosthesis, your fitter must be certified. I was very impressed with how the fake boobs looked. I did not have reconstruction...enough surgery already (for me). You are doing a good job of getting your ducks in a row and getting prepared. Whether you decide on double or single mastectomy is a very personal decision that only you can make (on advice of your onc etc.) You've come to the right place and have gotten a lot of great advice from everyone.
Gregg, no one except you and your wife will know what you are going thru except someone else who has gone thru it. My husband was and is my rock. I don't know how he felt, I could only imagine (he lost his mom to bc when he was 11yrs.) but for me he was always there at all of my appts, treatments everything. You sound like you are the same which is great cause that's what we need and not everyone gets that. When my husband was diagnosed with prostrate cancer (7 years ago, had seed implants and is fine) he did not want to talk about it with me or anyone. He did not want to tell anyone. he wanted to get his game face on first. We discussed etc. but no deep emotional talk. Your wife may be doing the same thing. I am a firm believer in anti-axiety meds if needed. We both took them and it really helps to take the edge off and lets you get needed sleep. Just smile when everyone starts telling you their stories and think about something else til they're thru talking or excuse yourself from the conversation...don't let a jerk be a jerk.
Please keep us posted (both of you)on what's going on and know that we are all here for you to vent, get advice, you name it.
Hugs, Judy :-)
Thank you Judy. Since we are just starting this, seems that the little things/stupid things set me off.
Appt with the Onc today, hopefully good news for a change. Will keep you posted.0 -
Not easy GregGregStahl said:Thank you
Thank you Judy. Since we are just starting this, seems that the little things/stupid things set me off.
Appt with the Onc today, hopefully good news for a change. Will keep you posted.
I know it isn't easy to listen to people try to comfort you but that is all they know and at least they try. I on the other hand had friends who only wanted to live in the positive world and wanted to hear nothing of my cancer woe. I even had one of my best friends ask me how I was doing as he always did and most of the time I lied and said "FINE" like most sick people. But this day upon my arrival with parents to my home town after treatments I actually was having a very difficult time since suffering most side effects. When he asked I actually told him the truth and he just put his hand up like "talk to the hand", telling me he didn't want to hear about it. I just told him to never ask me again how I was feeling because I might actually think I could tell my friend the truth. Guess I was wrong.
It is difficult to not to be the one to fix this though that is all you truly want to do. WE all have to understand truly what we have control over and what we do not, often simplifying things for us. I wish I had a partner that appeared to care as much as you, though I know she is doing the best she can.
Your wife doing it her way is her way of keeping control of her body something we loose going through all of this. It isn't easy having our lives hang in the balance, in the hands of doctors. I am so glad that you are there and this is affecting you as much as her since this only shows just how much you care.
Your wife is one lucky woman,
Tara0
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