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RosaPink's avatar
RosaPink
Member
6 years ago

Triple Negative Breast Cancer

Hello,

I am a healthy (I thought) 69 year old woman and I feel as if I could live forever… I enjoy my life, am reasonably fit and very active – I swim, go on really pleasant bush walks with my partner, ride my bike occasionally, love to potter in the garden…. I also eat well and am conscientious about my diet but not fanatical. I must admit I maybe indulge in a little too much wine. Life is good!

But suddenly, out of the blue comes a diagnosis. Triple Negative Breast Cancer, Grade 3, but luckily found early. Those of you reading this will know what a mind-numbing shock this is.

And with this comes the beginning of huge decision making.

So, I have read as much about my cancer as I can..I learn it is a particularly aggressive little nasty (but, as I said earlier…luckily for me caught early), only 15 to 20% of people with breast cancer actually get this type… the amount of research is also less than for the more common hormone adaptive cancer and  metastasis tend to occur sooner rather than later.

I am also reading as much as I can about how to strengthen my immune system eg diet, supplements, food regimes etc. There is a lot of information out there, and often it is contradictory.

My initial decision was for a lumpectomy, with radiation, as opposed to a mastectomy without radiation. First hurdle jumped….clear margins around the tumor and 4 lymph nodes removed with no cancer. A good result!

But the chemo question still looms. The pros and cons, the weighing up of my evidence (biopsy, surgery etc), can I take the risk, the odds%% - it’s like a gamble – there is so much speculation involved. Did some cancer cells escape before the tumor was removed?….absolutely impossible to know.

I’d appreciate hearing from someone who has faced this diagnosis and have a chance to share the experience and hear how someone else tackled this situation.


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triple-negative-breast-cancer

14 Replies

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  • jennyss's avatar
    jennyss
    Member
    6 years ago
    Dear @RosaPink, other network members I am sure will jump in with information and experience with triple neg breast cancer. I was a 'positive' gal: at first I thought that 'positive' meant bad! Have a look at the great post and discussion on page 2, '8 year clearance this week after triple neg recurrance'.
    Best wishes for your decisions and treatment


  • kmakm's avatar
    kmakm
    Member
    6 years ago
    Hi @RosaPink. Welcome to the forum. I hope you find it to be as warm and helpful as I have.

    I had ER+ BC, and my diagnosis didn't automatically warrant chemotherapy. However for a variety of reasons (read my bio) it was on the table. My doctors suggested I do a genomic test. That's where they look at the specifics of your cancer to assess the likelihood of recurrence/spread. The one that is used in triple neg is called MammaPrint. These tests are not on Medicare or covered by private health insurance and so cost several thousand dollars. If you can manage the price, perhaps you coukd ask your oncologist if they think it would be useful.

    To chemo or not is a question that comes up a lot here. Find out what chemotherapy regime you'd be having, and make yourself aware of the risk factors and side effects. If you do a genomic test you'll be clear if it's warranted and the decision is a no brainer. But if you don't, then for me it comes down to the clincher question: if I don't have chemo and my cancer comes back, will I be tortured by the knowledge that I chose not to have chemo?

    There is no right or wrong. It's a perfectly legitimate decision to not have chemo. It's all about knowing yourself and what your tolerances for the road not taken are. No regrets, either way.

    All the very best, and please continue to throw out the questions and ponderings. This is a great hive mind! Big hug, K xox
  • kitkatb's avatar
    kitkatb
    Member
    6 years ago
    Hi @RosaPink   So sorry you have to be on this forum but welcome and as others have said it is full of warm people who just get what you are going through.
    I was also diagnosed grade 3  TNBC last year ( although after saying that I was actually found hormone positive by just 1 % so still classified as Triple Negative ) 
    It isn't an easy question you ask as to whether you have chemo or not. ( It is a question bought up a fair bit on this forum though) But really only you can answer that question guided by your medical teams expertise and your own beliefs and whether you have any other ongoing health issues.  There is no right or wrong answer but I guess ultimately we have to live with the decisions we make and although we don't like to think of recurrence that little sucker is always there in the periphery. 
    I was not given the option really as they said grade 3 TNBC was an automatic chemo for me.  Everyone is different but because of the higher risk of recurrence I was prepared to throw the kitchen sink at it with no regrets and to be honest if I was given the choice it would have worried me about whether any stray cells would have escaped. ( I think I would have had nightmares about What If !!  )
    Good luck with your decision and if you have any questions or just need to vent we are all here.  Big hugs  xo
  • Giovanna_BCNA's avatar
    Giovanna_BCNA
    Member
    6 years ago
    Jen029 MelbourneMember Posts: 17 ✭
    I had a triple negative diagnosis in November 2018. Had a lumpectomy then 4 lots of TC chemo and 25 radiation treatments. I was similar to you with clear margins and 3 lymph nodes with no cancer, I didn't want to take any chances with not doing chemo as I really wanted to throw everything at it. I think it is a personal decision for everyone in this crappy situation.
  • Shellshocked201's avatar
    Shellshocked201
    Member
    6 years ago
    Hi RosaPink.
    sorry to see you here, but you have come to the right place.
    I have also been diagnosed with TNBC in October 2018.
    Had a partial mastectomy and two sentinel nodes removed in December  clear margins and nodes, tumour was 2.5 cms Grade 3.
    Commenced dose dense A/C every fortnight for 8 weeks in February of this year, currently on week 8 of 12 Pactlitaxel
    I wanted to throw everything at this nasty disease and leave no stone un turned as I wanted no regrets down the track. Yes those nasty cells can escape as I found out personally even after
    the all clear. After an unplanned CT scan when admitted into hospital they noticed a swollen lymph node under my left armpit, which after investigation they found some cancer cells, fortunately some had already died from the chemotherapy.
    So my treatment of chemotherapy hasn’t changed, once I have finished the round of Pactlitaxel I will then be having more surgery for a full, auxiliary clearance. Once healed my next step is Radiotherapy.

    No one can make your mind up what you should or shouldn’t do.
    I didn’t even think for one second that I wouldn’t have chemo or Radiotherapy, as I didn’t want any regrets .
    This is a horrible disease, but WE CAN BEAT THIS. There are quite a few people here that are 7 years cancer free from TNBC.
    If you ever want to talk more I’m happy to send you a private message.

    Sending cyber hugs 😘


  • RosaPink's avatar
    RosaPink
    Member
    6 years ago
    Thanks Shellshocked2018,
    Thanks for your response. Since posting l have decided to go ahead with the chemo and start tomorrow...part of the difficulty with these decisions is the speed with which everything happens. This time last month l was going into surgery and a week before that l was receiving my diagnosis. It's been a whirlwind.
    I have also been to see a Medical Herbalist who is willing to support me through this process. Me being me, l feel l need to be contributing to my healing so think this will be a good way to 'have some control'... even if it is psychological.
    My chemo is to be administered intravenously, 4 lots 3 weeks apart, then radiation. The chemo part sounds quite different to yours. It also sounds as if regular body checks for more cancer is the go after reading your experience of recurrence.
    I appreciate the contact... feel the need to talk to others in similar circumstances. How do we make contact privately? Just exchange email addresses?
    Your online name speaks volumes. Very appropriate under the circumstances... would like to hear back from you. Thanks.   

  • kitkatb's avatar
    kitkatb
    Member
    6 years ago
    Hi @RosaPink  My chemo was the same as yours for TNBC   I was TC chemo for 4 lots and 3 weeks apart as well.     I understand your feeling about a herbalist but just be careful as from what has been mentioned quite a few times on this forum as well as my own Onc some herbs can counteract the benefit of the chemo drugs.  We even have to be careful after treatment has finished.  Please just ask your Onc and advise what herb supplements you intend to take.
    Hopefully someone will be on shortly to clarify.  xo
  • smokie08's avatar
    smokie08
    Member
    6 years ago
    Hi @RosaPink I am also TNBC I finished active treatment in Jan 2018 after being diagnosed in April 2017. My treatment was dose dense AC every 2 weeks then pactlitaxel with carboplatin for 12 weeks then surgery and radio therapy.  My diagnosis was 2b grade 3 as at least 1-2 nodes were involved. The chemo was tough but doable as I looked at it as getting rid of any nasties that may have escaped. As @Shellshocked2018_said if you ever want to chat please feel free to PM . I hope your treatment is sorted out soon so you can get it over with and get on with life (that's what my oncologist told me to do when he discharged me) I now have check ups every 6 months with the surgeon and hopefully will continue to do so with no mishaps (fingers crossed). Take care 😉