What is Basal-type Breast Cancer?

Hey Lizzy - I did realise that you responded to Khali's reply but your message was well received and beautiful, supportive and positive!  I would be interested to receive any of your findings from your research.  Anything worthwhile to my journey??

Sorry to hear that you were affected by the bushfires moreover, I hope your property or that of family was directly affected.  You must be a strong person to be surrounded by such a tragic event whilst going through your treatment!  Very admirable and inspiring!

Keep in touch - take care of yourself.

PS:  I love your occupation!

Pen 

Hey Lizzy - I did realise that you responded to Khali's reply but your message was well received and beautiful, supportive and positive!  I would be interested to receive any of your findings from your research.  Anything worthwhile to my journey??

Sorry to hear that you were affected by the bushfires moreover, I hope your property or that of family was directly affected.  You must be a strong person to be surrounded by such a tragic event whilst going through your treatment!  Very admirable and inspiring!

Keep in touch - take care of yourself.

PS:  I love your occupation!

Pen 

I read the wrong message and replied to your previous one. But you'll figure it out. As I said, thinking of you.

What a time you've been having!  But I am delighted to hear from you.  Yes, even the strong find the going tough at times so I hope you are getting the support you need and are able to cut back on all those commitments. 

I don't have a 3neg cancer statis, actually.  I read your blog when you first joined this forum, and felt moved to do some research on it because nobody seemed to be replying to your query and (as a trained filmmaker and current writer) research is something I can do easily.  Your plight moved me also because a friend had just been diagnosed with another of the rarer varieties.  My own cancer was Estrogen positive and was treated successfully.  I am six years down the track now and have my annual check up next month. I can relate to what you say about other issues going on at the same time as the cancer treatment.  Life is so like that!  We had major bushfires here in the Grampians while I was recovering.  

I hope the news for the new lesion is not too disheartening for you.  It is hard having to go through it all again - but you are still young and seem to have a great deal to live for.   Did you know Australians have the best survival rate in the world due to the excellent treatment we receive here?

Will be thinking of you,

 Lizzy 

Hi Khali

Thank you for your warm and understood sentiments!

I am so sorry that it has taken me sooo long to reply to your post however, working f/t, undertaking uni and family commitments in conjunction with my cancer diagnosis and treatment had caused me to "hit the brick wall".  I mean I have  been diagnosed with depression and anxiety (go figure!) and cumulative stress.  I had more going on in my life in addition to the breast cancer diagnosis that trying to ignore this, caused me more grief and anxiety than I could possibly expect to imagine!  Particularly given that I am a very strong person and similarly in personality!

I reciprocate your thoughts and wishes, I hope all is well with you? If you  get read this, could you let me know how your going. It is unusual to find one of 15% of the breast cancer population that has been diagnosed with the triple negative type.

Unfortunately for me, my recent 3 month MRI has found a possible lesion in the right breast, which I believe has been there since my first situation.  All the same, I will go through the process and hope for the best. I just hope that if the other lesion is negative orientated, I can avoid cancer - not at the detriment of my life!!

I have not perused your profile at this stage but will do so in due course.

Thanks again for your kind words, thoughts and I hope for you, your medical status has remained positive!

Sent with Kind thoughts . .

Pen xx

How are you doing, Penni?  I've been thinking of you.  Wondering how you have coped with your treatment program.   Just sending you some warm fuzzies....xx Lizzy

Hello Penni,

                       Let me start by saying  thankyou,i"ve just read your blog & finally i've found more information about  my diagnosis.I was diagnosed with trip neg basal type breast cancer in 2008.It happened so fast for me.   

             The cancer was found in my left breast.Due to the size of my tumour(9cm)i was told that i would have to have a mastectomy so i chose to have both breast removed.My lymph nodes were also removed(left side only).Chemo started in the Feb 2009.The type of chemo i had was FEC 100.Pretty strong dose but because of the size & type of cancer it was needed.I have written more about my journey in my profile which you are more than welcome to read.After chemo i than had radiotherapy.

           Each one of us heals,reacts & thinks differently & I realise that you are probably  half  way through chemo if that is what you opted for but i just  wanted you to know that there is someone else out there who has already gone though it & can maybe be there for you if you have any questions.

           It is now 2011 & all is going well for me & this i hope will be the same for you.Wishing you a bright & beautiful 2011.

           Khali.x

Hi Lizzy

Thanks for the aforementioned website - I did not think to research triple negative cancers - you are a gem!

I have spent hours surfing the site and have gained loads of information and knowledge of triple negative cancers including the basal-type.  I feel more comfortable going forward with this knowledge on board, so thank you very much.

My husband and I are meeting with our Oncologist and Radiotherapist next Friday.  This will provide me with direction on treatment and hopefully more opportune outcome than some of the basal-like cancer stories in the tnbcf site. Fingers and legs crossed!  I am intrigued to ascertain whether my cancer has developed as a result of genetics - from my father's side of bowel cancer - this is the only explanation I can associate my situation.

Thank you for your kind words, through and support, I greatly appreciate you finding the above site on my behalf.

Kind regards

Penni

Hi Penny, I was very moved by your story and the lack of info you had access to because of the unusual nature of your diagnosis - so I did a bit of research and found a group dedicated entirely to triple negative breast cancer fellow travellers, Here is the link below (check out the spotlight stories for inspiration).  Also, from my own experience, I find having an Oncologist oversee my case, rather than the surgeon who operated on me (who was wonderful but, as you discovered, not a cancer expert) really helpful.  Will be thinking of you, girl.  Lizzy

http://www.tnbcfoundation.org