TNBC

Hi Himalaya welcome to the forum and sorry to hear about what has been happening to you and also how you are feeling. Glad that you have felt able to reach out to us here in the forum as we are a friendly, helpful and supportive bunch of folks.

I have to say I agree with the BCN and thy are usually very honest with us about things. Its ok to feel scared, to have feelings and to voice your fears that's perfectly normal given what has happened to you. Do they have a plan for you as yet as to the next step or not yet? People often find that when the plan is in pace it kind of lifts them a little and hopefully you may feel the same.

Breast Cancers of various different types are now no longer the death sentence that they may have been many  years ago and many are now totally treatable and curable and there is no  reason to expect that your is the same. Its not an easy journey sometimes its hard with the treatments but we are here for you each step of the way so you will never be, nor feel alone.    

Sending some huge big hugs your way for now. xxx

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Six years ago on Oct 1st I was diagnosed with TNBC. The treatment wasn't always pleasant but my surgeon was always positive and told me that once he had removed the tumour, I no ĺonger had cancer. Although I will have a mammogram annually for the rest of my life, I am still clear.

I'm not sure whether you have started treatment or finished but I am not alone. There are a number of people in this group who had TNBC a while ago. Five years is considered the point at which it is unlikely to return. If I do have cancer again, my surgeon says it is likely to be a different one which they will treat again.

Take care. There is plenty of hope.

Love Karen

Dear Gail and Karen,

thank you for your prompt replies. Good to hear you both are doing so well.

Did you both have chemo beforehand and was this successful?

Himalaya

I had my lumpectomy first as the TNBC was only discovered when the tumour was analysed so my chemo was to prevent reocurrence.  However, I have a friend who is just approaching her 5th year anniversary with TNBC,  whose chemo was first. She began treatment expecting a mastectomy at the end but her tumour shrank so well, she was able to have just a lumpectomy in the end. She then finished with radiotherapy as of course did I. 

I am retired but my friend has been able to return to a very responsible job ( and in fact did some homework during treatment.) for the last four years.

Hope that helps a bit.....

Thank you. Seems there are many routes as we are all unique!
Nice to hear positive stories.

Himalaya

Hi, I was diagnosed with TNBC in December 2020. Although I was ever so slightly positive for progesterone it was treated as TNBC.

I had chemo first which completely shrunk the tumour to nothing. Had a WLE and SLNR end of July which was all clear and my consultant said prognosis was good. 

I'm having 5 x radiotherapy in October.  Also having a bone scan as I'm taking Letrozole for the next 5 years to take care of the progesterone.

I didn't ask about my prognosis or staging / grade at the beginning - I buried my head in the sand somewhat and just wanted to get on with getting rid of it. I still haven't asked what stage or grade it was, I have an appointment with an Oncologist on 30th so maybe I'll ask then.

Take care and big hugs x