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Calling all TNs

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Comments

  • AgathaNYC
    AgathaNYC Member Posts: 317
    edited May 2018

    Hi, R.

    I once asked my MO at Sloan Kettering about Parp Inhibitors and she told me they wouldn't be right for me and my TNBC. I didn't ask follow up questions on the Parp Inhib. subject since I had more questions about treatment I was already getting.

    Not that helpful, but thought I'd chime in.

    Hope your current treatment is going well!

  • rdeesides
    rdeesides Member Posts: 233
    edited May 2018

    I think, upon a quick search, that parp inhibitors may be for BRCA + people, which I am not. <sigh>. There is nothing "special" about my cancer and therefore no additional treatments that seem right.

  • klvans
    klvans Member Posts: 199
    edited May 2018

    Paula, even though radiation was easier physically I felt it was harder emotionally because of its impersonal nature. I too felt like an object. It was disheartening. You are entitled to your tears; we all are. It helps if you can from a bond with your team. It can be hard to do under the circumstances but it does help. They don't mean to be impersonal, but the machines, positions, time limits tend to make it so. The most important thing is that you heal. Take care.

  • anothernycgirl
    anothernycgirl Member Posts: 821
    edited May 2018

    Paula, More hugs coming your way!

    We have all had days like those and we surely understand how you feel. :(

    Although most of the dr/nurses/techs/staff that I have dealt with are very kind, my experience on the day that I was marked up (and photographed!) for radiation was awful. The tech was talking to other people as though I wasnt even there. As I lay there naked, with tears streaming down the side of my face, he suddenly took a facial pic (so they'd have to match every time I was there for treatment). I still cringe when I remember the humiliation I felt. He had no clue how his lack of any consideration or understanding affected me. :(

    Here's to better days ahead!!

    Things DO get easier!! Keep your chin up!!

  • Valstim52
    Valstim52 Member Posts: 833
    edited May 2018

    Hi Cathy, sorry for the late reply. Thinking ba ck to when we were “newbies” (less than a year from dx, still in treatment etc). I’m reminded when I read the thread now, of how much support we received from those further along in this terrible path.

    I don’t visit this thread often, but want to tell all you cry when you want, be happy when you want. Most of all go easy on yourself and your feelings. It does get better. Look at my signature. I’ve been through the ringer so to speak. I still have bad moments, but time is helping. There are complete weeks where I don’t think about b at t all. We are all different, but a warrior survivor of TN told me, the waters get calm again, though you can’t see it during the storm. Words I live by now. It was our beloved Annie who told me those words when on round 2 of chemo.

    Val

  • Valstim52
    Valstim52 Member Posts: 833
    edited May 2018

    Just reaffirming what Nycgirl said. Getting on that hard table, being marked up, the chit chat by the techs all is so emotionally painful. I was only 2 weeks from my Dax, so in physical pain as well. I can recommend the starting spring rads for this year . The Mods usually start the thread. It helped so much with tips and sharing with others going through it the same time

  • LoveMyVizsla
    LoveMyVizsla Member Posts: 526
    edited May 2018

    I can relate. I did NOT want radiation, and was very upset about it. But it went okay and was just a step in the process.

    I found this article today, on a new TN trial called BEAUTY2. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2018-05-potential-treatment-option-triple-negative.html

  • rdeesides
    rdeesides Member Posts: 233
    edited May 2018

    LoveMyVizsla,

    Thanks for posting the study. I just emailed Dr. Goetz, who is leading it, to ask about eligibility for the clinical trial. :-) I will let you know what I find out. I would like to enroll in a trial after I finish Xeloda, but so far I haven't found a good fit.

    Rebekah

  • PaulaAtlantaGA
    PaulaAtlantaGA Member Posts: 65
    edited May 2018

    LoveMyVizsla - I just got back from my second-opinion medical oncologist who is at Emory University and is participating in that trial. She said the response has been so strong that it may be closed by the time I finish radiation (first week of June). She also said that it would be in place of Xeloda, for me. I'm not sure if that's the trial in general or just because of where I am.

    She was also the first to apply the term "high risk" to me, having a resistant tumor and two nodes still malignant after neoadjuvant chemo. It's not like I didn't know that - but it is still hard to hear. I hope I have the option of the trial, or that I can stick it out through the eight sessions (2 weeks on, 1 week off) of Xeloda to better my odds. May we all enjoy this nice long weekend (rainy nights in GA).

  • navymom
    navymom Member Posts: 842
    edited May 2018

    Hello to everyone. I am an oldie on this thread. Joined in when it was just on page 3! Yesterday marked 9 years since my diagnosis. And guess what..........I didn't even know it! Figured it out this morning. I was having so much fun with my navyson and his family and friends that I didn't even think about cancer.

    To those in treatment, just do the best that you can. Allow others to help you get through this terrible time. Know that you're not alone.

    For those out of treatment. Hang on. Things will get better. It takes time to calm the worries and those run away thoughts.

    Hugs to all.

    PS: Please take a moment to thank a Vet/Active duty military service member and their families. The price they pay to step up to do what they do is heartbreaking.



  • sylviaexmouthuk
    sylviaexmouthuk Member Posts: 7,940
    edited May 2018

    Hello NavyMom,

    I am someone who remembers you from page 3! It does seem a long time ago. Congratulations on reaching 9 years since diagnosis. I was glad to know that life is treating you well.

    I shall reach 13 years since diagnosis on June 20th this year and am living normally and happily and am still trying to help people going through their breast cancer treatment.

    We are both living proof that there is life after diagnosis.

    Sending you my very best wishes.

    Sylvia xxxx

  • moth
    moth Member Posts: 3,293
    edited May 2018

    Hi, always nice to hear from people who've come out the other side! Thanks for checking in NavyMom, and thanks Sylvia for keeping this thread going.

    Yesterday I was thinking again about the plans I had made before my cancer diagnosis: back to school for new career, work for 10+ years, retirement, pensions, savings etc & how it would all work out.

    It seems odd to be making such long term plans but on the other hand, I guess I should just assume it will all work out, & that I won't have any recurrences, and plan for the best life possible. There are times though when my mind just freezes at thinking that far ahead. It's a good thing I hatched this plan & put it in motion way ahead of the diagnosis because I'm not sure that I would have had the confidence now to think that far ahead & assume the best.

  • anothernycgirl
    anothernycgirl Member Posts: 821
    edited May 2018

    Thank you NavyMom and Sylvia for your comforting words, and hugs to you (and everyone here) as we remember the service members and their families on this Memorial Day.

    I check this board often, - I dont know how I would have managed without all of you! With much appreciation and BE WELL wishes to all!

  • vl22
    vl22 Member Posts: 471
    edited May 2018

    Navymom - when I was first diagnosed I looked for inspiration and you are one of the people I’ve latched onto! Thanks so much for thinking of us and just know I am so thrilled you are enjoying life!

    Sylvia - thank you for always helping along us newbies!

    Moth - I’m with you - the fear can freeze you in your tracks. I don’t let it keep me from making plans - in fact I’m making more than ever. Michael J Fox said something about if you worry and let fear in and then something bad does happen, you’re experiencing it twice. It stuck with me. I can’t wait for the day when we can all really breath

  • anothernycgirl
    anothernycgirl Member Posts: 821
    edited May 2018

    OFF TOPIC- not BC related. Moderators, I hope you can permit this, - I am looking for support/advice and this is my go to place. I dont know where else to ask.

    Has anyone here had experience with a high risk pregnancy with complete placenta previa? My daughter is in this situation, and she is stressed and nervous as we all are. I am looking for any advice, suggestions, and positive outcomes! She is due in August, and has had 2 episodes of bleeding. She was able to stop it by keeping her feet up, and will go for cortisone injections tomorrow and Wed to speed up the baby's lung development. The hope is that she can hold out until late july and have C section then. She is so worried about the baby, and I am so worried about HER.

    Sad

    THANK YOU for hearing me out, and for any (good) experiences you can share!

  • LoveMyVizsla
    LoveMyVizsla Member Posts: 526
    edited May 2018

    Best wishes for your daughter and grandchild AnotherNYCgal. I don’t have any advice except to say that I had a niece born at 14 ounces and she is alive and doing great over 4 1/2 years later. Hang in there.

    Moth, you absolutely should be planning and executing those plans. At Stage 1 you should have an excellent prognosis.

    NavyMom, is your son still out near me? We’ve been having some very nice weather for this time of year.


  • navymom
    navymom Member Posts: 842
    edited May 2018

    Yes, he is still in WA. But new orders will send him back to Jacksonville, Florida in about 2 months. He is also re-enlisting for another 6 years and will be going on his 3rd deployment this fall.



  • anothernycgirl
    anothernycgirl Member Posts: 821
    edited May 2018

    Thank you so much LoveMyVisla. I appreciate your good wishes and good story of your niece!!

    NavyMom, thank you for your son's service!

  • rdeesides
    rdeesides Member Posts: 233
    edited May 2018

    Hi All,

    I heard back from Dr. Goetz this morning and I do not qualify for the BEAUTY2 trial because it is only for those who have not yet had surgery.

    He did say he has a trial for a vaccine that I may be eligible for post Xeloda. I asked him to send me more information, so when I hear back on that I will let you guys know what I find out.

    Just wanted to throw that out there for those that are interested in clinical trials.

    NavyMom and Sylvia, thank you so much for popping in to reassure those of us that are still in the thick of it. It means a lot to hear from people who are well on the other side.

    Rebekah

  • vl22
    vl22 Member Posts: 471
    edited May 2018

    thanks for the info Rebekah. It seems I qualify for nothing because I had surgery prior to chemo. But maybe I could qualify for the vaccine....thanks for keeping us posted. I really stink at finding trial info

  • A4ggy
    A4ggy Member Posts: 44
    edited May 2018

    Rebekah, is this the immunotherapy trial? I have 4 more rounds of xeloda then I would love to go on a trial. I didn't qualify for immunotherapy, so it will be interesting to hear more info about this vaccine. Thank you!

    Also, I love hearing the positive stories! They are so helpful :))

    Have a great day everyone!

  • rdeesides
    rdeesides Member Posts: 233
    edited May 2018

    VL22, I hear you. I was so focused on getting the show on the road when I was first diagnosed that I did not take the opportunity to enroll in a clinical trial. I want to kick myself now that I know what I know. There are few trials that anyone qualifies for if they have already had surgery and chemo, but there are some. Hopefully this doctor replies to me, but I think he will given that he answered me in the first place. I'll keep you posted.

    R

  • Valstim52
    Valstim52 Member Posts: 833
    edited May 2018

    anothernycgirl


    I had placenta Previawith my son who is now 34. It was a lot of bed rest, they did a c-section at 35 weeks as the bleeding got worse. He was 7 pounds 9 oz. no problems. Has a mba in engineering. No issues.

  • anothernycgirl
    anothernycgirl Member Posts: 821
    edited May 2018

    OH VAL! THANK YOU for your post! I am SO happy to read that! My daughter is working from home today, sitting across from me now, after just having had the first of 2 cortizone shots. Your post has me all teary eyed. It is harder to see our children dealing with issues than when its ourselves. THANK YOU, THANK YOU for your words of encouragement!!

    BE WELL wishes and hugs to you, your son, and all of my friends here!

  • vlh
    vlh Member Posts: 773
    edited May 2018

    Mostly a lurker, I want to share the encouraging news that I've reached two years after diagnosis with no evidence of disease.

    Lyn

  • scotbird
    scotbird Member Posts: 592
    edited May 2018

    Great news Lyn, thanks for posting. I’m also going for my 2 year scan tomorrow, and have a bit of anxiety today about that, but fingers crossed that all will be OK. I do feel fit and well, and when I feel anxiety (less and less nowadays) I tell myself that I’m going to live for at least another 30 years, which may sound a bit strange, but seems to work!

    NYCG I don’t have any experience of your situation, but I’m sending love and light to you and your DD. It sounds as though she’s in good hands and her medical team know what they are doing. I’ll be thinking of you both.

    X

  • anothernycgirl
    anothernycgirl Member Posts: 821
    edited May 2018

    Thank you so much, Scot! Thinking of you, too and looking for your good scan report!!

    Lyn, - Here's to only good scans from now on for you and Scot and everyone here!!


  • vl22
    vl22 Member Posts: 471
    edited May 2018

    Lyn - hooray!!

    Scotbird - wishing you great results!!

  • PaulaAtlantaGA
    PaulaAtlantaGA Member Posts: 65
    edited June 2018

    Another NYCgal - I knew so little about premature babies until my daughter gave birth at 29 weeks to our precious grandson. He weighed just under 2 pounds and fit the stereotype for the ones who have trouble: white and male. He was in NICU for almost 4 months, but if you could see him today, you'd never guess he'd had any troubles. He's a bit small for his age - and that's it. Happy, outgoing, lovely 6 year old boy. So I'm hoping your daughter can make it that far and further, but know that medicine has come so far recently with these very early preemies. Best to you.

    Paula

  • hollywood1968
    hollywood1968 Member Posts: 35
    edited June 2018

    Okay hello!

    Just diagnosed with stage IIb triple negative. Scared but optimistic. My mom died of ovarian cancer but it was stage 4. I am 49