Triple Negative Breast Cancer

Anjon

Hi Ann and a very warm welcome to the online community

I'm sorry to read all you've been going through lately and having to make treatment decisions, in your case whether to have chemotherapy or radiotherapy, is hard.

I can't help with your question, as my type of cancer doesn't respond to either of those treatments, but I noticed that you hadn't had any replies yet. You have had a reply though to the question you posed in ask a nurse and, if you haven't seen it yet, clicking here will take you straight to it.

You might also like to pose these questions in the main breast cancer group as it's generally busier than this one. Again, clicking on the link I've created will take you straight there if it's something you want to do.

Replying to you here will also 'bump' your post back to the top of the discussions list which might mean that it's more easily seen and gets some replies.

When you have a minute, it would be really useful if you could pop something about your journey so far into your profile as it really helps others when answering or looking for someone with a similar diagnosis. It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself. To do this click on your username and then select 'Profile'. You can amend it at any time and if you're not sure what to write you can take a look at mine by clicking on my username.

All the best with whatever you decide to do

x

Hello Anjon,

What have your Drs said? We all have reasons for choosing and I think we all listen to what the medics suggest. Don't rush in making your decision. I know these things go round and round in our heads, well it did in mine!!! I hope you find a bit of peace amongst it all.

I did my chemo before my surgery, tried a little more after at the dr's suggestion and am now waiting for radiotherapy. My breast cancer wasn't secondary.

All the best in whatever path you take. Hugs x

Hi Ann

i had a similar dilemma, had a lumpectomy to remove a small tumour which was picked up on my routine mammogram.  It was too small to feel and the lumpectomy was done three weeks after my mammogram.  I was told that they got good clear margins and the lymph nodes were clear so I really questioned the need to put myself through chemo.  However the triple negative diagnosis seems to drive the iull hit treatment.  I think I would have chosen to take my chances but someone gave me the analogy of a plate being smashed on a hard floor - you can clear up all of the visible pieces but there may be tiny shards left that you can’t see, and so the chemo etc is to mop up those bits.  Hope that helps, and good luck with whatever path you choose. X

Hello Floss b

Thank you for responding.  One of the doctors was non committal, putting the ball firmly back in my court to make sure the decision was mine alone.  He gave me a lot of info.  However, the surgeon was very clear and explained all the reasons why I should have chemo.  I also did a lot of reading up myself in addition to checking out opinions on this very informative and helpful website and came to the decision to go down the chemo route.  

So my chemo starts on the 16 Dec.  Six sessions, once every three weeks.  I shall count them down.

Thank you for your support.  I really appreciate it. Good luck with radiotherapy, it really is a piece of cake! 

Ann

Hello Cloud 123

Our diagnoses seem to be pretty similar. I spent a long time talking to doctors and doing my own research and came to the conclusion that chemo is the route to go down.  I start on the 16th and I can't say I'm looking forward to it.  The surgeon explained clearly about why I should have chemo despite having clear margins around the tumour and clear lymph nodes.  Little sections of cancer could go through the blood stream start growing again.  This is the same as the analogy of a smashed plate.  I like that analogy.  

Thank you for your support.  I'm not looking forward to chemo, but I will get through it and will be fine.

All the very best with yours.

Ann