"New Treatment Option"

Hi Debbie:

Good for you for getting the cPR; that is so good for your long term prognosis.  I am hoping to get the same (or at least similar).  Fingers crossed.  

Looks like you had US after chemo and prior to surgery.  Is that correct?  Did you have any other imaging?  Just curious as I would really like some additional monitoring and am not finding it is recommended...  Maybe it will be right before surgery though.  I have six more weekly treatments - yay!

My treatment is going well.  I have been lucky to have had minimal side effects and I have been able to keep doing all the things I would normally do.  I am getting tired of the process.  With the weekly treatments they are just coming so fast - I guess that is good though.  

I see you had BMX; did you do genetic testing?  I am awaiting my results.  

I have already seen the breast care nurse; she is very nice and knowledgeable.  I am fortunate that my husband is an Emergency physician so he has been my constant support (and much better than doctor google!) and reads anything I send his way.  

Thanks for reaching out.  I love hearing how others have done through this process.  Sounds like you have done great.

Cheers,

Yvette

Hi Yvette,  I am 50 yo and was diagnosed TNBC (grade 3 pleomorphic) last March.   My neoadjuvant treatment was 12 Carboplatin and Paclitaxel followed by 4 EC therapies. The Carbo/Taxel was a walk in the park compared to the EC therapies.  My tumour was 48mm at the beginning and ultrasound after the last EC therapy came back 'no visible tumour'.  Even the steel clip that was inserted into the middle of the tumour had disappeared.  I then had BMX and radiation.  My pathology after surgery came back with no active cells in tumour bed or lymph nodes, what they call a CPR, complete pathological response.  My oncologist puts all his TNBC ladies on reverse treatment.  The only down side to this course of treatment is that you don't actually get to see a breast care nurse until after you're pretty much cured.  Make sure you avail yourself of any support and allied health professionals that are o.ffered..  6 months post chemo and the only lasting side effects are dry mouth and diminished bone density, and of course full menopause!

 

Hope your treatment goes as well as mine did.  Hang in there.

Hugs

Debbie.

Hi Sylvia:

Good luck with the trial!  That is great news that your tumor has regressed.  Mine did the same with the AC so you will likely have further reduction.  I am hoping for more with the Carbo/Taxol combo.  My surgeon had a titanium marker placed in the center of my turmor last week in anticipation of more shrinkage.  She was "thrilled" with the progress thus far.  I guess that is all we can hope for at this stage.

Best of luck to you!  It sounds very promising with good treatment and a responsive tumor.  

Yvette

Hi Yvette

Great to hear you are receiving carboplatin. The trials make it sound very promising!  I am 38 years old, diagnosed with TNBC in November 2015 and I am also receiving neoadjuvent chemo. I am taking part in the Brightness trial: http://www.cancervic.org.au/trials/breast/trial.asp?ContentID=nct0203227

This trial is still recruiting, for anyone that is interested...

As part of this trial I may or may not be receiving Carboplatin and I may or may not be receiving Veliparib. This is a PARP inhibitor which is another new drug to help treat TNBC. I am glad that I have the opportunity to possibly receive these new drugs. 

I am half way through 12 weeks of paclitaxel and have had no side effects!  After that I will have 4 rounds of AC (so opposite sequence to you).  I have already felt my tumor shrinking by about half (started at 3cm+) so I am feeling hopeful.  Good luck to you Yvette, I'm sure everything will go well for you too :-)

Sylvia

 

Hi Michelle:

Thanks.  Wow, 4 years out, that is awesome!  Interesting that you had Carboplatin in 2012.  You must have a great Oncologist yourself.  The studies they are using to add the Carboplatin to treatment are just now being published.  We heard about the treatment through a family member who works at Loma Linda Hospital in the US and talked to my Oncologist about adding it.  Interestingly, my Oncologist had just been to a meeting in Brisbane where they were discussing the use of Carboplatin for TNBC and he agreed to add.  I am his first patient with the combo.  You must have been really cutting edge in 2012!  In any case, it's so nice to hear that you have had good results.  Sounds like you did well through your chemo too.  Thanks for the green tea and ginger tip!  I start my combo tomorrow.  Fingers crossed for smooth sailing.

Hi Yvette,

The TNBC group here is a great support.  Welcome - although I am sorry you had to join us - you are in the right place.

I also had 12  x weekly  Taxol/Carboplaten in 2012, after bmx surgery.  My Medical Oncologist believed in hitting TNBC with everything in the arsenal and the combination was getting great results.  I am now approaching 4 years post-surgery and there is no evidence of disease.  I am very fit again and life is back to normal.

You obviously have a great Oncologist!  All the best with your chemo - I was fine until the very last one, when I felt dizzy for the first time.  The pre and post meds worked for me, plus early morning green-tea with ginger slices - also anti-nausea & anti-inflammatory.

Big hug  xx  Michelle