Forum Discussion

Lou_V's avatar
Lou_V
Member
12 years ago

Treatment options

Hi this is my first posting to the triple negative group. i am a 44 yr old mother of 3 who has just finished 6 rounds of chemo and 25 radiation treatments for stage 3 triple negative breast cancer. I elected to have a bilateral mastectomy. I have decided not to have reconstruction and would be interested in talking to other women that may have made the same decision. 16 of the removed lymph nodes were found to have cancer. I am wondering what treatment options others have found after they finished radiation. I think I would feel better if I knew there was something I could be doing, taking etc there is a funny emptiness after treatment stops. I haven't found my oncologist very forthcoming with information or advice and being a rural patient unless I want to travel I have no other choice but to continue with him. I traveled for radiation treatment and found the support offered at a bigger centre such an improvement.
mastectomy
radiotherapy
triple-negative-breast-cancer
  • RochelleAnne's avatar
    RochelleAnne
    Member
    12 years ago

    Hi Lou,

    I really wanted to respond to you as there are a few similarities here between you and my Mum, who was diagnosed TNBC last year and underwent 18 chemo cycles followed by a mastectomy and 5 weeks radiotherapy. She is a 54 year old mother of four and also decided not to have a reconstrution. There is so much negative info out there - IGNORE IT and tackle it in a positive, life-giving way!!!

    Mum really struggled when treatment stopped. There's all this planning and 'what's next' and then suddenly there is nothing! It can be frightening! It was at that point my mother decided to take matters into her own hands and really focused on her life style - she did a lot of research and has become a very health-concious eater (not extreme, but very dedicated) which helps her feel in control because she is contributing in a meaningful way to her health. She exercises (when she's not too tired from more recent radiotherapy!) and has become a really active participant in her health. She even joined a breast cancer choir in Newcastle!

    Thoughts are with you xxx

  • SamzRusty's avatar
    SamzRusty
    Member
    12 years ago

    Hi Ladies,

    My name is Sam, I'm 40 & I was diagnosed 21/5 with provisional stage 2-3 bc, triple negative. I have 2 kids, Josh 14 & Jade 6 and am married to a the best guy in town! I had surgery on Thursday to remove the cancer from my left breast & to my delight, only 2 lymph nodes were taken for testing as they looked clear to the pathologist while I was OK'd. 

    Now, I won't be seeing my surgeon again until Friday 31/5 to get the complete rundown on my situation, but I'm feeling really postive.....well, I was until I started looking at what Triple Negative actually meant. Starting to feel a little more scared now. 

    I do know I have chemo for 3-4 months, then 6 weeks of radiation ahead.

    Is there anything that you can share with me that I may need to know or should be asking my surgeon on Friday?

    Thanks in advance, Sam :)

  • SamzRusty's avatar
    SamzRusty
    Member
    12 years ago

    Hi Ladies,

    My name is Sam, I'm 40 & I was diagnosed 21/5 with provisional stage 2-3 bc, triple negative. I have 2 kids, Josh 14 & Jade 6 and am married to a the best guy in town! I had surgery on Thursday to remove the cancer from my left breast & to my delight, only 2 lymph nodes were taken for testing as they looked clear to the pathologist while I was OK'd. 

    Now, I won't be seeing my surgeon again until Friday 31/5 to get the complete rundown on my situation, but I'm feeling really postive.....well, I was until I started looking at what Triple Negative actually meant. Starting to feel a little more scared now. 

    I do know I have chemo for 3-4 months, then 6 weeks of radiation ahead.

    Is there anything that you can share with me that I may need to know or should be asking my surgeon on Friday?

    Thanks in advance, Sam :)

  • angie75's avatar
    angie75
    Member
    12 years ago

    Positive thoughts for all of us tnbc Sisters. I commenced neo adjuvant chemo 4 weeks ago after considering surgery 1st. I'm 37 with 2 kids & a loving supportive husband. Research shows both methods are equally effective & treating any undetected micro cells sooner & allowing time for BRCA gene test results & progress of chemo was what we opted for. I'm reading the Cancer for Life book also & eating all the right foods, exercising & working on the mind,  body & spirit.  I have positive nodes (unsure how many as no surgery yet)

  • MishBnLyss's avatar
    MishBnLyss
    Member
    12 years ago

    Hi Lou_V,

    I agree with both positive posters!  I'm a 31yo mother of 3 and I found so much negative information and it effected every part of my body.  I also figured if negativity did bad things to my mind and body, then positivity has to do some great things.  I am currently reading Anti-Cancer A new way of life by David Servan Shreiber.  Some very interesting information and research in the book concentrating good healthy foods, active lifestyle and positive thinking - all things I can control day in and day out.  It gives me hope and a clearer mind to concentrate on other things in life. 

    Keep up the positive thoughts for your future.

    Huggles,

    Mish

  • MishBnLyss's avatar
    MishBnLyss
    Member
    12 years ago

    Hi Lou_V,

    I agree with both positive posters!  I'm a 31yo mother of 3 and I found so much negative information and it effected every part of my body.  I also figured if negativity did bad things to my mind and body, then positivity has to do some great things.  I am currently reading Anti-Cancer A new way of life by David Servan Shreiber.  Some very interesting information and research in the book concentrating good healthy foods, active lifestyle and positive thinking - all things I can control day in and day out.  It gives me hope and a clearer mind to concentrate on other things in life. 

    Keep up the positive thoughts for your future.

    Huggles,

    Mish

  • Making_TNBC_a_p's avatar
    Making_TNBC_a_p
    Member
    12 years ago

    Hi Lou,

     

    I have stage 4 TNBC. I have mets in my lungs and lymph nodes in my chest area. I currently feel better than I ever have and this is all down to a ten point plan my husband and I devised to get me healthy and to ignore what the doctors say and the prognosis I was given of two years to live. Oncologists only know so much. Im still on chemo and not getting any side effects. if you like you can read my story by going to my blog and the website we set up which we hope helps you.I personally think you are in a great position. You have time to make sure if doesnt spread and live a long full life!

    If you have any direct questions don't hesitate in contacting me.

    www.triplenegative.co.uk

    Claire X

     

  • Michelle_R's avatar
    Michelle_R
    Member
    12 years ago

    I am so glad you have found us on the site and made contact.

    Like you, I have recently finished chemo and rads for TNBC, and also had a bi-lateral mastectomy last year with no re-construction. I just felt that my body had been through enough and wanted to concentrate on healing. It was a personal decision.

    My Oncologist said to "live my life" and enjoy it, and stay as healthy as possible - so I have changed my routine fair bit. Although we always ate a lot of vegetables, we have even more now, and only have red meat once a week (if that.) Lots of fish, an occasional glass of wine, and as much exercise as possible - morning walks, afternoon gym - and some meditation to visualise being cured. It all takes time, and has to be scheduled as important. Trying to lessen the odds of recurrence is a major part of life now, and I fit it into my social life as a priority.

    I will send you a Contact request, so we can stay in touch. Feel free to ask anything you want and I will try to be of some help.

    Sending you a big hug,

    Michelle