Forum Discussion

kavitha's avatar
kavitha
Member
13 years ago

Mum diagnosed with TNBC

Hi,

I found out today that my mum has been diagnosed with about 3cm, Stage 2, TNBC on her left breast. It has spread to her lymph nodes and to her armpit. She is 63y old. The oncologist has suggested 1) mastectomy with chemo if applicable 2) lumpectomy with chemo & radio 3) breast reconstruction. He is going 50/50 with options 1 & 2.

I would like some advice on where to from here. Any advice on if option 1 or 2? I am leaning towards mastectomy and am thinking if she should do mastectomy of both breasts eventhough no cancer has been detected on her right breast. Should I get another doctor's opinion?

I would like to keep my mum well informed of her options. So any advice or experience would be helpful. 

Thanks lots!

 

 

 

 

chemotherapy
lumpectomy
mastectomy
Reconstruction
triple-negative-breast-cancer
  • kavitha's avatar
    kavitha
    Member
    13 years ago

    Thank you so much for sharing your views. May I know where to download the booklet that you mentioned?

    Happy to hear that you are well.

    Lots of love,

    Kavitha

     

  • kavitha's avatar
    kavitha
    Member
    13 years ago

    Thank you so much for sharing your experiences. Yes, I ordered the "My journes kit" yesterday and they said it would take about 5-7 days to arrive. Will it contain statistics or facts on the implications of each type of tretament and the recurrence rates?

    Is there any website/booklet that I can download to get some of these figures?

    Thank you. Hope your friend and you are well.

    Lots of love,

    Kavitha

     

     

  • kavitha's avatar
    kavitha
    Member
    13 years ago

    Thank you so much for sharing your views. I am relieved to hear that the surgery is not that bad and really happy to hear that you are doing well.

    My mum is a bit anxious of doing a double mastectomy. I guess it is due to the sudden thought of not having both her breasts. Is there a special bra that she could wear that might still make her look like she has breasts when she wears her clothes? I would like to make her feel at ease that it is not that bad.

    Was the chemo and radiation a must after a double mastectomy? The doctor told us that he can only decide after he removes the tumour on whether she needs chemo and said she would not need radio.

    After you recieved the news, how long did you wait before having the surgery? Since the earliest the doctor can do the surgery is on 21st march, I am a bit concerned as to if we can wait or try and do it earlier.

    Thank you so much once again for sharing! I feel a bit better to be able to share my concerns.

    Please keep me informed of your health as well. Wish you all the best!

    Lots of love,

    Kavitha

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Michelle_R's avatar
    Michelle_R
    Member
    13 years ago

    I am so sorry to hear about your mum, and so glad you have found this site, which will be a big comfort to you both as the months pass.

    Like your mum, I had TNBC in the left breast, stage 2, grade 3 - but no node involvement. I opted for a double mastectomy, followed by chemo and radiation - I just wanted to blitz the beast with everything available. It is now almost a year later and I have progressed to 6-month check-ups with my Oncologist. The surgery was much easier than I had anticipated, and with the physio exercises I have full movement and minimal scarring. Just wanted your mum to know that if she decides on this option it is very do-able. I have never regretted the choice for one minute.

    As Tonya said, the My Journey kit is a must-have, so do order one for your mum. It also helps to keep all her records and appointments straight. Whatever your decision, keep in touch and let us know how your mum is travelling. Big hugs to you both,

    Michelle xx

  • Michelle_R's avatar
    Michelle_R
    Member
    13 years ago

    I am so sorry to hear about your mum, and so glad you have found this site, which will be a big comfort to you both as the months pass.

    Like your mum, I had TNBC in the left breast, stage 2, grade 3 - but no node involvement. I opted for a double mastectomy, followed by chemo and radiation - I just wanted to blitz the beast with everything available. It is now almost a year later and I have progressed to 6-month check-ups with my Oncologist. The surgery was much easier than I had anticipated, and with the physio exercises I have full movement and minimal scarring. Just wanted your mum to know that if she decides on this option it is very do-able. I have never regretted the choice for one minute.

    As Tonya said, the My Journey kit is a must-have, so do order one for your mum. It also helps to keep all her records and appointments straight. Whatever your decision, keep in touch and let us know how your mum is travelling. Big hugs to you both,

    Michelle xx