corvette

I first heard of this test via the Lovin Life post.  She doesn't check in here often (nor do I) and I can't find my way around this new format so I don't know how to find her posts.  Search doesn't work for me.

But I told my onc about this test and he said he never heard of it. I simply said 'well find out and call me.'

You can't let these doctors get by with a 'I don't know about it.' Make them work for their money!

Well he found out - I had the test - and I am an intermediate metabolizer which means I could have a toxic build up with the usual 20 mg dose and the dose has to be adjusted. That hasn't happened yet. I am still waiting.

If you are a high metabolizer or poor you will reap no benefits from tamoxifen.

I guess I am the first to start the ball rolling in my city.  I would like to thank Lovin Life but I am confused on this new format and can't find her posts or figured out how to PM her.  So thanks Lovin Life if you read this!!!

From what you posted snowyday, your cancer is considered aggressive due to its 'grade' -- you said 'aggressive grade'.  That means most likely grade 3.

Grade 1 tumor looks a lot like normal cells

Grade 2 in between

Grade 3 doesn't look anything like normal cells

It's not necessarily the triple negative that makes it aggressive.

And as others have said, the triple negative patients respond much better to chemo.

And much of the gloom and doom associated with triple negative is the fact that there is no follow up treatment like Tamoxifen or Arimidex for estrogen positive tumors.

But many women refuse to take those follow up pills.

You should get a second opinion on your tumor slides from an agency outside the one that did your original pathology. I have seen many posts on bc boards whereas the triple negative was wrong on first pathology report.

And get a second opinion for your liver tumors.  They have drugs that I have read made the tumors disappear from the liver!

And if you are eating more fiber you have to increase your water or liquid intake -- if you don't you'll end up with something similar to cement in your intestines.

Best wishes to you. 

The size of breasts has nothing to do with pain during a mammo.

When I suffered from fluid filled cysts the mammo's were extremely painful.  When I finally had years without the cysts, no pain.

Do you have the new "digital" mammo in your city? Those are super quick -- less time being squashed - much less time!!

The Digital mammo is so fast - takes a picture that you can see pop up on the monitor. And that picture can be reproduced or enhanced or zoomed in on millions of times without distorting the original picture.

I had one and they took two super fast shots and it was over. I would say it was about 1/4 the time I used to spend getting a mammo.

Try to find a Digital mammo.

Since you have such a terror of needles then you should have an 'excisional biopsy' if a biopys is ordered.  That requires one poke of a very fine needle to adminster an anesthetic and the entire lump will be removed.  A 'needle biopsy' requires lots of needle pokes.

So its one poke vs many IF a biopsy is ordered.

You will most likely get an ultra sound and that will show if it is a fluid filled cyst or something suspicious.  If its a fluid filled cyst they can drain it on the spot with a needle that is so fine you won't even feel it.

Have you had a mammo? Many places offer free mammo's.  Look into that in your city. Ask Planned Parenthood. American Cancer Society offers free mammo's. Have one in your town?

Try to remain calm - I know, its easier said then done.  And you do have your age on your side that its most likely not breast cancer. Wish you well and most of all wish you are benign.  We don't want you to join our club!!