Any more triple negative b c looking for positive stories

Hello

Are you having chemo first? I'm assuming as its triple negative you will be. The chemo will shrink the tumour often to microscopic level even sometimes it will disappear. Please dont look at Google, I did that and it drove me to the brink. Triple negative is treatable. Once you start treatment it will be better in your head.

Julie x

No as far as I’m aware I’m having lumpectomy this coming week they will check the lymph nodes same tile but they think they are ok. They said I’m stage 1-2 but grade 3 however they said most with tnbc are grade 3 I am estrogen her2 negative progesterone is a 3 but saying because it’s so low they will treat it as triple negative. So all I read is doom and gloom I have prepared myself for chemo radio and even the operations but the scare stories of the next 3 years can be fatal is what’s making me ill. So how far are u into treatment ect if don’t mind me asking ? Sorry I’m just trying to build a few people with the same situation. I have already had mri ct scan mammograms ect so I’m imagining they would of picked anything else up am I right ? Just so confused 

Hi , hi and Welcome to the site although sorry you find yourself here. 

I have hormone receptive breast cancer but felt I wanted to post to tell you about my lovely friend Prickles! I know she won't mind me sharing her story! 

She was diagnosed almost 5years ago with triple negative breast cancer. Her lump was a large lump and so they offered her Chemo first as this is the usual route for triple neg! I wonder if they are opting for surgery first in your case because of the low progesterone score?! Once the lump is out I'm sure they will double check the biopsy findings!

Anyway back to some positive news. So after being told she would need a mastectomy due to size of the lump. Mid way through her Chemo they scanned her and the lump was under half of its original size! By the end of Chemo it was not visible on the mammogram so a lumpectomy was viable. 

At the start of treatment just like you she was in need of some happy stories. Her daughter had just found out she was expecting their first grandchild and Prickles was certain she'd never see it grow up!

Well little grandson will be 4 in Jan and he now has a cousin who is 2, her first granddaughter followed by a 2nd son now 18months by her eldest daughter. Then another grandson now 6months ish by her 2nd Daughter and another one due early next year! 

She has good days and bad and a few worries along the way. But on the whole is doing well. Living life to the full and helping out with all her grandchildren that she never thought she would even get to meet. 

Once she hits the 5year milestone and is still cancer free. I believe the chances of it returning is the same chance of anyone getting triple negative breast cancer. 

So please try to remember that and concentrate on the here and now. Take things one step at a time. So Surgery first. Allow yourself time to heal from that then move forward to think about the next step. Don't worry about the future because in doing that you are missing out on the present. Make special memories with your daughter, enjoy every day and remember none of us know what the future has lined up for us. Right now you are in a position where your Cancer is curable. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. Keep reminding yourself that.

Allow yourself to have bad moments but then tell yourself that right now you are doing your best to get through the coming months. Then distract yourself with something nice, be kind to yourself. If you find that your bad thoughts are taking hold then come on here for a bloody good moan/shout or scream. Or call the helpline and talk things through. 

Just remember most people don't come back on with their GOOD stories as they are busy getting away from Cancer and enjoying life again. That will hopeful be you next year! 

Hope this helps a little. Sending you......

It doesn't take the worry away but hopefully it helps you see that now you are on this site you will NEVER be alone. Sal xxxxx

Hello

Mine was her2 positive which is also grade 3. I had chemo first. I've just finished radiotherapy. If you had anything anywhere else it would have shown up on your ct scan. I'm assuming your lump is small if you are able to go straight for lumpectomy. 

Julie x

Hi Stephie

I was diagnosed last October.  I'm triple negative which they didn't know until lumpectomy.  

We all google and go into meltdown when we read triple negative. In fact I was so distraught I called macmillan nurse on a Saturday who was amazing just to chat to.  But times have changed and I know of many ladies who are 10 to 20 years post triple negative. I've had lumpectomy, axillary clearance, chemo and am  1 down in 5 radio.  I finish active treatment next Tuesday.  The last 10 months have been hard emotionally and sometimes physically (I think I'm a lot  older than you as my son is 28)  but it is doable. please don't write yourself off because you are triple negative.   I was scared senseless at at the start but I no longer wake up each day wondering how long have I got. 

As others have said once you are in system and allocated breast nurse it becomes easier and your oncologist can reassure that triple negative is treatable these days.  Best wishes for your journey x

Hello,

I was triple negative.....Was because my surgeon has always maintained that the day he removed my tumours...I stopped actually having cancer. He says everything that followed his op, the chemo, radiotherapy and regular checks, mammograms and ultrasounds are preventative or observation to stop a recurrence causing further difficulties. He has always reassured me that in most cases triple negative tends not to return if it hasn't returned in five years.

So the good news story in answer to your request.....I am one month short of five years. Today's x ray showed no secondaries in the lungs. I have a prescription for an annual mammogram and ultra sound for the rest of my life but was signed off from the oncologist last July. I have one final appointment with the surgeon after this year's mammogram in November. I have a friend whose cancer .....also triple negative......developed exactly a year after mine so four years ago, who is also still clear from it returning.

I wish you all well. Treatments have advanced so much .....and even improved since my own treatment in 2015/16..... that I believe you have a good chance of a sucessful recovery. Just keep away from google......Macmillan and Cancer research have accurate information if you need to read more.

Take care. Stay safe and don't give up. There is plenty to be hopeful about.

Love Karen

Hi Karen

i suppose you are no longer active on this site, but I just wanted to say what wonderful news that you've shared. I was diagnosed with triple negative last Wednesday, prior to the diagnosis I read up on ALL breast cancers, but hedged my bets that a small growth 8mm with 2 x lymph's the cancer was sure to be aggressive. Yep it was TNBC - google filled with with horror and dread, however reading experiences from people you have been through it and come out the other side is so friggin amazing, reassuring and above all needed when faced with this. Just wanted to say thanks and good luck xx

I am still here. I am just going to have my 6th year mammogram in a few weeks.

Never google.....If you need to laugh....or cry or ask for advice, day or night, try the Awake thread.

I hope your treatment goes well. It might not always be pleasant......I can't promise it will be easy.....but looking at the size of your tumour, I would hope it will be successful.  Although I had three tumours, they were all found early and therefore small. Now I have a prescription for an annual mammogram and instructions from my surgeon to continue to check regularly. 

Take care. Maybe see you again if you introduce yourself on another thread. The monthly chemo one will help you too as you'll join with others who are at the same stage as you.

Cyber hugs.....Karen