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Calling all TNs

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Comments

  • Paintingmywaythru
    Paintingmywaythru Member Posts: 221
    edited August 2011

    Titan..how is Jen3? Is there something we can do?

    Prepping for possible hurricane Irene..was in RI, got home at 12:30 last night..had to baton down the hatches.

    There is an extremely loud rude child in the next yard telling hi father he will "kill him". Slammed my windows shut. I think he is the man cleaning out the house next door from a junk removal company.

    My poor neighbor was a hoarder and died recently at a venreable old age of pancreatic cancer. Unfortunately her daughter says the house is an absolute mess and they have been trying to clean it for the past 6 weeks.

  • MBJ
    MBJ Member Posts: 3,671
    edited August 2011

    westieluv:  I imagine she would only need 4 x TC--anything else would be considered really aggressive.  If her dr. is all doom and gloom I would get a 2nd or 3rd opinion.  I had great success with my treatments so far--in 2 weeks I will be 2 years out from my diagnosis.  I had 0 nodes and was stage 2.  Know that being TN is NOT a death sentence but it is more aggressive then ER+/PR+.  Get her to a specialist in TN if you can--for both an ONC and a BC-it will make a world of difference.

  • HeidiToo
    HeidiToo Member Posts: 965
    edited August 2011

    I'm also busy doing Hurricane prep. I wish those idiots on Weather Channel would get off the d*mn beaches and show us the latest trajectory and time line! We need stat info... not idiot reporters outside for dramatic effect. (sigh)

    PS- been doing prep for 3 days--- a friend on facebook thought I'd just started! Geesh-- Ime knot dat stoopid!

  • HeidiToo
    HeidiToo Member Posts: 965
    edited August 2011
     These are classified ads, which were actually placed in U.K. Newspapers:



          FREE YORKSHIRETERRIER.

          8 years old,

          Hateful little bastard.

          Bites!


          FREE PUPPIES

          1/2 Cocker Spaniel, 1/2 sneaky neighbour's dog.


          FREE PUPPIES.

          Mother is a Kennel Club registered German Shepherd.

          Father is a Super Dog, able to leap tall fences in a single bound.



          COWS, CALVES: NEVER BRED.

          Also 1 gay bull for sale.



          JOINING NUDIST COLONY!

          Must sell washer and dryer .



          WEDDING DRESS FOR SALE .

          Worn once by mistake.

          Call Stephanie.


          **** And the WINNER is... ****


          FOR SALE BY OWNER.

          Complete set of Encyclopaedia Britannica, 45 volumes.

          Excellent condition, �200 or best offer. No longer needed, got married, wife knows everything.


          Statement of the Century


          Thought from the Greatest Living Scottish Thinker--Billy Connolly.

          "If women are so bloody perfect at multitasking,

          How come they can't have a headache and sex at the same time?"

  • gillyone
    gillyone Member Posts: 495
    edited August 2011

    Heidi - love the ads.

    Jenn3 is having to deal with more progression and has been in and out of the hospital recently. She is one of my August 2009 chemo buddies - in fact she is "team leader" as she started the thread. She still posts there and also on several stage IV threads.

  • Lynn18
    Lynn18 Member Posts: 284
    edited August 2011

    Thanks for letting us know about Jenn--I'm sorry to hear she's been in the hospital.

    Hope everyone on the east coast stays safe. 

  • Paintingmywaythru
    Paintingmywaythru Member Posts: 221
    edited August 2011

    westieluv ...MJB  is  absolutely correct. Same Rx as me stage 1 grade 2 triple negavtive and I am getting 4 rounds of TC 3 weeks part and 33 rads... I am part of the july TC thread and it is really helpful. We all find we have similar blood counts and lots of the same experiences.

    MJB...Wow, congrats to you on approaching the 2 year mark...I can't imagine what that feels like but I expect to be there on MAy 26, 2013.

    Gillyone ...thanks on the update....so hard....

    Heidi...expecially like the Wedding dress for sale...

    DH has tomorrow off so we are going to RI to secure our house and ride out the storm. I checked the trajectory and it says 4-8 foot storm suge above high tide but we are at 18 feet above high tide so I think it will be OK..if not...we return to Boston. Our cat travels with us..she thinks she is a dog.

    Anyone hear of sucking on fresh ginger for mouth sores...saw it in on a TCM site.

  • sandejosgirl
    sandejosgirl Member Posts: 6
    edited August 2011

    Heyyah, everyone. Just wanted to add myself to the TNBC roll call.

    I found a lump Mar 2nd, 2011 while nursing my daughter, who turned 5 months that week (kiddo #4 for us, our kids are 7yrs, 6yrs in Sept, 3yrs, and the babe is now 10 mos). Turned 33 on Mar 9th. Got the flu Mar 10 so went in thinking mastitis.  US/mammogram Mar 11. Everyone got really quiet.  Radiologist said, "no way this isn't BC". L breast mastectomy 4/6; 9cm DCIS, 2 mico IDC of TNBC that they missed but found 2/4 nodes pos. so went back to look again.  Axillary node dissection 5/13/11 with port placement.  ACx4 starting May 24, Tx8 starting July 19th, only 2 left!!  Sept. 20 the stupid expander is coming out along with my port. Radsx35 to follow.

    In Oregon so not dealing with the weather most of you are having. Hope everyone rides it out well.

    ~Stephanie

  • Taika
    Taika Member Posts: 3
    edited August 2011

    Hi, I'll join in.

    I turned 33 last month, I had found a lump a few months back and after googling and seeing BC is rare in people my age I kept an eye on it to see if it would change in size due to hormones or whatever. Went to see the dr, got sent for a mammogram and ultrasound, came back again for a core needle biopsy, everyone thought it was a fibroadenoma. Results came in and GP told me there was cancer and referred me to a specialist. I stressed out until that appointment, specialist said it was DCIS and booked me in a couple of days later to have it whipped out. I was relieved, but did wonder how they knew it was only DCIS from analysing 2 samples.

    Got the results last week that it was 18mm, grade 3, basal phenotype, hormone receptor negative. The HER2 test takes longer to come back but they're confident it's triple negative and that I have the BRCA mutation, I'm not aware of a family history of cancer, but I don't know much about the fam anyway.

    Went for an MRI the other day, it showed bi lateral benign looking cysts and one indeterminate node. Going in tomorrow to have a sentinel node biopsy and hopefully they'll snip out that indeterminate one then. They thought they'd need to take more out of my breast as well, but have since decided the margins are clear enough.

    Dunno what my treatment will be after surgery yet, pretty concerned about the BRCA thing and getting/having other cancers.

  • gillyone
    gillyone Member Posts: 495
    edited August 2011

    Welcome Stephanie and Taika. This is a great bunch of ladies to learn from - lots of advice (should you need it) and all the support you want. I know you will have heard this before - but the early days are the hardest, but there are many of us doing well. I am 2 years out from diagnosis Smile

    (Taiki - I spent 5 months in NZ just before dx)

  • riley702
    riley702 Member Posts: 575
    edited August 2011

    Welcome to our newest members of the club nobody wants to join. I'm 18 mos out from diagnosis, and it does (usually) get better. TN is a more aggressive form of BC, but on the flip side, it usually responds very well to chemo. Treatment sucks, but is a small price to pay for me to have the best chance of surviving and putting this behind me as much as I can. I think there'll always be a fear lurking that it might come back, but I don't dwell on that as much any more. You guys can do this and it will get better.

  • Titan
    Titan Member Posts: 1,313
    edited August 2011

    Westie..my lump was 1.8 cm., no lymph nodes, no LVI..how old is your mom?  I had 4 DD AC and 4 DD taxol.  They were very aggressive with me because beside the BC I was perfectly healthy...(is that an oxymoron or what??).  

  • Huskerkkc
    Huskerkkc Member Posts: 471
    edited August 2011

    Westie, my lump was 1.9, no lymph nodes, grade 3, TN. I am 50. I had two opinions for chemo; one was for 4DD AC and 4DD taxol every three weeks. The other was for a clinical trial that was 6DD treatments of cytoxan and taxol together. I think you will find 4 treatments to be the bare minimum with six or eight treatments also possible. The grade (aggressiveness) is also a consideration for how much/how many treatments. Much of my research lead me to believe that 8 was pretty common, so I was thrilled with the chance to "only" have six treatments. However, I worried that it wouldnt' be enough given the TN status. I just finished chemo in June and rads (33) this week.

    To the TN "regulars", I've been MIA a few weeks finishing up rads and starting back to work (school counselor); however, I have been reading posts when I can. Sorry to hear about jenn3 and hope she is feeling better soon.

    To the newbies...welcome. Be careful of reading too much on the Internet early on. It can scare you to death and worry you needlessly! That said, I know we all probably did that. Just know that not everything is fact and percentages are just numbers. They are not absolutes.

  • riley702
    riley702 Member Posts: 575
    edited August 2011

    Titan, it makes perfect sense. I was kind of dumbfounded - "How can I have cancer when I feel fine?" When I started and they were taking down my medical history, they kept asking me what drug prescriptions I had and seemed surprised when I told them I had none. One jokingly commented, "We'll take care of that!" and yeah, I'm on 5 drugs plus Prilosec now.

  • lrm216
    lrm216 Member Posts: 534
    edited August 2011

    Westie:

    I, like Titan and others, was in perfect health upon diagnose of my breast cancer.  Yeah, Titan, it does seem like an oxymoron, doesn't it?  I had a 1.2 cm tumor, no nodal involvement and no LVI, and had 4 DD A/C, one DD taxol (developed instant neuropathy of all fingers and toes), then was switched to remaing 3 DD Taxotere.  Not going to lie, it was nasty, but I got through it all and was glad I saw it through.  I was also older at diagnose, 62, work full time, a widow raising my teenage grand-daughter, so if I could do it, even with many side-effects, anyone can.

    The thing that stuck with me the most during all of my treatment was what my onc told me at my first meeting with her, and that was "you only have one shot at killing this beast right out of the gate - use it."  While she could offer me no guarantees that I will never see it back, she did assure me that at best, I was doing all that I humanly could to fight it.  That was good enough for me.

    I wish your Mom an uneventful journey with all the success possible.

    Linda

  • laurajane
    laurajane Member Posts: 305
    edited August 2011

    Hi everyone of you beautiful ladies!

    cc4, MJB thanks for the "How Are You's"

    MBJ Maybe next time and I'll look forward to it.

    Sunny Yeah!!!Smile

    Inmate- I'm sending positive thoughts that  this works for you.

    Suze- Are you taking fish oil for your blood pressure? The good stuff "Carlsens has worked for me in the past and will continue once I start the Avastin.

    Bernie - See onc asap so can rest assured that everything is alright.

    Titan - Thanks for sharing about Jenn

     So gals I guess I am now stage 4. Xeloda didn't touch it and my FC is still spreading like mad. Incredible pain, I'm on Oxy every 4 hrs. Started Abraxane last Tuesday Fc still spreading. Having mets to skin it is easy to see, More and more lumps, tumors yuck every other day.  Markers went up from 88 to 199.2 in one week and still climbing. I get my port reinstalled Tuesday and once I heal they will add the Avasitn. Man, I just want something to slow this MF down. They figured out what the buldge in my left side is it's edema and continuing to swell up with fluid also my left arm. Looks like I have a huge jiggly beerbelly but no weight change. o I went shopping of course LOL and bought some big girl clothes. It hurts so much to wear my bra I jumped to a 40B because of the swelling. WahhWahh Wahh! I did fix my self up last night and had dinner with a couple of friends and that was nice. It's hard to believe that I can have physically changed sooo much in just 4 weeks. It's crazy. My daughter and son have been so distraught. I wish I could tell them that everything is going to be ok but I am beyond terrified. How can FC move this quick? My daughters birthday is tomorrow and my sons birthday is next Sunday. I'm so glad I can be here for their birthdays. I am painting a watering can for my daughter. I guess I'll be moving on over to the Staage 4. Thank-you all for everything and I wish you the best.

    fondly,

    LJ 

  • MBJ
    MBJ Member Posts: 3,671
    edited August 2011

    ((((Laurajane)))):  Darn it!  That isn't what anyonne wants to hear but you keep posting here too as you have many friends and supporters who will be here for you through your fight.  (((Hugs)))

  • gillyone
    gillyone Member Posts: 495
    edited August 2011

    (((Laurajane))) I am so sorry to hear this news. We all wish you well, and as MBJ said, keep posting here, we will give you all the support we can.

  • Suze35
    Suze35 Member Posts: 559
    edited August 2011

    LJ - I am so sorry to hear this. My thoughts are with you, and I am hoping with all my heart that Abraxane stops everything in it's tracks. Please stay with us as well, we are here for you.



    Welcome to all the new women, though I am so saddened you are here.



    Still having head issues, hard to describe - kind of spacey, a little headachy, ugh. I'm going to have my MO move up my brain MRI, to rule out both mets and problems from the Avastin.



    The storm kind of petered out on us, so a little wind, some rain, but overall nothing too bad. Take care everyone.

  • mitymuffin
    mitymuffin Member Posts: 242
    edited August 2011
    LauraJane, I'm praying the Avastin works for you. It has been a miricle drug for some people. I don't really know you, but you come through on this board as so immensely loveable.  I think all of us on this board love you and want you to hang in there, and we want that FC in remission.
  • TifJ
    TifJ Member Posts: 804
    edited August 2011

    Laurajane- sending you a huge (((((HUG)))))!

  • Luah
    Luah Member Posts: 626
    edited August 2011

    LJ: So sorry to hear what you are dealing with, cancer just sucks. Fingers, toes and everything crossed that your onc hits on a medication that stops the beast in its tracks. Please keep us posted. 

  • navymom
    navymom Member Posts: 842
    edited August 2011

    ((LauraJane)) Clueless as what to say to add my support.  Hoping that Avastin works for you.

    Navy

  • Lynn18
    Lynn18 Member Posts: 284
    edited August 2011

    Laurajane:  I agree with mitymuffin; there is a lot of love for you here.  I hope you will get lots of support from the stage IV board in addition to continued support from us here.

    Suze35:  I am glad the storm was not too bad for you. 

  • Paintingmywaythru
    Paintingmywaythru Member Posts: 221
    edited August 2011

    Laurajane..here's hoping that the new med will kick things back...so sorry and sending you big hugs..we all love oyu here and please keep posting with us.

  • christina1961
    christina1961 Member Posts: 450
    edited August 2011

    Laurajane,

    Please keep posting here to let us know how you are doing.  I hope the Avastin works - I know it has been very helpful to many Stage 4 patients. I'm so very sorry you are going through this.  Hugs, C

  • lrm216
    lrm216 Member Posts: 534
    edited August 2011

    LJ:

    I am praying that the drugs kick in and perform their magic.  You will not leave our minds and thoughts for a minute - no matter where you post - we will follow your progress with love and all of our strength.  There is strength in numbers, and, babe, you've got numbers of us pushing for you.

    Linda

  • Babs37
    Babs37 Member Posts: 320
    edited August 2011

    Laurajane- My heart goes out to you. I am so sad to hear what you are going through. I admire your courage and spirits and hope that the next treatment will kick that cancer out. Stay strong. We are all here for you.(((HUGS)))

  • HeidiToo
    HeidiToo Member Posts: 965
    edited August 2011

    LJ-F! F! F! (in your lingo) Sorry, that's as polite as I can be. This just Ss and I want to just scream in frustration with you, for you, beside you... how about a group {{SCREAM}} about this MF disease.

    Of course, it doesn't change anything, but it's nice to think it at least gives a nano second of relief.

    Don't you dare stop posting in here--- there are too many people that think about you on a daily basis. Get the support you need from the Stage 4 gals, but don't forget to provide updates here as well, even if it's just to Copy/Paste from one thread to another. I know what a drag rehashing this crap can be.

    Well, my back is out again, I am sitting here gasping in pain and I will probably have to stay in bed for the day, as I'm walking like the Hunchback of Notre Dame. I will spent a good part of that time thinking about you, LJ, and wishing you whatever peace you can find with the crappy cards you've been dealt.

    F*ck Cancer.

  • MBJ
    MBJ Member Posts: 3,671
    edited August 2011

    Heidi:  Thanks once again for putting into words what all of us are truly feeling!  Sorry your back is out again-since my little boating accident my left shoulder has been in constant pain so I am right there with you and hoping it subsides soon.