Forum Discussion
The Foxs Lady
I'm feeling very isolated as a TNBC in my area.
To my knowledge there is one other (a recent diagnosis who is now going head long into intensive treatment).
I have physically met three survivors.
I know that there are more out there but I find women with hormonal breast cancer have no concept of TNBC.
Looking forward to connecting with others...........
I was diagnosed grade 3 stage 3.
66 Replies
- Jacky - I so hear you my friend. The stress theory irritates me a little because it always makes me feel if only I had have managed my life better....if only I hadn't done this or that. It makes me feel like I am somehow responsible for the manifestation of my cancer. I also have had some people tell me it's I undealt with childhood trauma (I didn't actually know I had had any) or that it's trapped anger. You know what .....I think that stuff is all crap. For me it's pure science. If I look at Mother Nature and she is full of anomalies and irregularities - and I think this with a combination of a saturation level of chemicals and genetic predisposition - and here we all are with TNBC. I also am the youngest at breastcancer groups and chemo - and I am 51. Where do you live? I would love to catch up for a coffee sometime. I am about to do my last chemo tomorrow.....
Hi ShereeJoy. I cannot imagine how hard that must be, having it hit again. Do you have to start treatment all over again??
I guess one of the things that make it so hard is that at the end of treatment (which in itself isn't nice to say the least) you don't know you're done, clear. The ongoing fear... and in your case it has come back. I'm so sorry. And I'm sorry for whinging about myself... :)
But thank you for the big hug! Big hug for you too, hope and pray it all goes well!- Big hugs jacky... I have been fighting tnbc for nearly 3 years now. Handled my first diagnosis so well .. But this advanced breast cancer business is tuff! Xx
Hmm, reading all the comments I feel stress as a precursos seems to become a common theme, also in my case. Or; is life often so stressful that it's almost unavoidable to have a stressful period prior to a diagnosis like this?
Apart from not meeting many TNBC patients, I also see that often I'm one of the younger ones at every treatment (even at 48!); the majority of oncology patients seem to be well in or over their 60. I must be a very bad person; I'm a bit jealous of anyone having had so many more years without this worry. I do realise though that I'm also lucky it hasn't struck much earlier.
3 years of stress after immigrating to Australia (and then getting Immigration to play havoc, being stuck in a job where bullying was part of the deal, and my husband having to re-sit all his medical exams 25yrs after he graduated) we were just starting to get ourselves sorted, and enjoying ourselves.
At the moment it feels like chemo is all I've ever done, and will be all I ever do from now on. The end of the tunnel is somewhere, but I can't see it at the moment. And it only leads to radiation... but at least that's only 6 weeks.
Sorry, am a bit sad at the moment.- Hi Linda... I've exactly the same diagnosis as you. Grade 3, stage 3, one lymph node cancerous. I had to ask the question... the oncologist punched in the numbers into the pc, along with size of tumors.... results were 75% chance of a five year survival, not too bad. I was told that with triple negative, if we can get past the five year mark, our chances of survival are better than hormone receptive cancers. Hope this has helped. Cheers Jo
Hi, I was diagnosed TN in May 2007, grade 3 stage 3, had lumpectomy, a wider excision then full mastectomy followed by chemo and radiation along with complementary therapies. I had to travel away and stay for the duration of radiotherapy. I've passed the magical 5 year milestone and try to remain positive but the reality is I still feel I live with uncertainty. I've had 2 reconstructions. I've also had genetic testing and don't have either of the known genes. I also agree that stress is a major contributing factor. I'm now 3/4 way through a Bachelor of Naturopathy so hope to help other people as well as myself to live healthy and well. I'm coordinator of my local BC Support Group. I'm happy to chat about my experience over these last 6 years. All the best x
I was diagnosed 1/8/13 TNBC 5 days B4 my 53 birthday and 1 week after my newest granddaughter's birth. Regardless of TNBC diagnosis I'm still convinced my cancer was caused by extreme stress. Had lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy - 9mm tumour with clear margins and 0 nodes and on 14/10 start 6 cycles over 18week chemo cycle followed by radiotherapy, somewhere in all this I have a confirmed trip to the UK - I aim to be on the plane. I live in Adelaide but haven't met any other TNBCs yet although 15-20% of all BC is TNBC. Research is going on all the time - knock Dr Google on the head as there is a lot of old info on the net and stick with trusted websites and ask lots of questions of your care team. Don't forget TBNC has 80% + survival rates. Take each day as it comes, there will be high and low days and be kind to yourself. Happy for you to email me as one TNBC newbie to another :)
- Oh my only wish was to have treatment post chemo. Left in limbo post treatment just waiting for it to come back :( and it did :( hopefully I am the exception though and most of you TNBC girls fair well xxxxxx
- I'm also TNBC had lumpectomy chemo radiation it's not an east road but doable . The TNBC freaked me a bit but the site on here is great and you can chat to all the ladies dealing with the same things there are quite a few of us so your not alone.wishing you all the best with your treatment love Deb
I too was diognosed TN in June 2013, I live in the Wollongong area, dont know of any other TNBC. Have just completed TAC Chemo C4/6 with 6 weeks radiotherypy to follow. Mine was stage 1 grade 3, I was told that the Chemo would preserve my life I have just turned 54 this month and it has been rough, ended up in hospital after 1st round of chemo with nutrapina of the white cells, they dropped it back by 15%, OK until 3rd round which left me totally exhausted and with extra side effects of numbness in fingers and shortness of breath, this 4th round was dropped back by a further 10%. Feeling still tired and weak but not as bad as the previous one. So glad I found this group on the website, as most of my family is in denial. Hope to talk more with TNBC ladies. Deb
