any long time survivors of tnbc?

Hi Josie,

Josie,
Don't forget what my doctor refers to as the most important tool against recurrence - exercise!  He says 3 hours per week cardio - I've discovered that the cardio workout on the treadmill is pretty good and I can do 30 minute increments easier than blocking off three hours.  I know it is difficult when you finish treatment and you are 'out there' and you feel helpless.  I've never been a huge fan of the 'e' word but if it keeps the monster at bay, it is well worth it.

Take care.

Hi,I am writting for my sister.She is 68 and is stage (or should I say was stage 3)I do not know if we are looking at this in the right way (at the present she is cancer free)because of the lumpectomy and no cancer in the lympth nodes.Because my sister does not get on the internet very often I began to search breast cancer to try to find out everything that we possible could..diagnosed in Feb.08.along with a patology report.The surgeon was the first to say that the invasive ductal carcinoma was one of the most common out there.I was really scared,but I thought,ok surely there is standard treatment.Still scared ,but feeling a little better.

Hi Billie, welcome to you and what a wonderful support you will be for your sister.

Paula,

Thank-you so much for your encouraging story and repy. Josie

Josie,

HOW does your doctor know that a recurrence would automatically be a stage 4 cancer? Forgive me for second guessing your doc, but I don't know how anyone can predict something like that??

I feel better now, knowing that I am watched closely -- any new cancer I might experience will be caught early.

My cancer was dx in October 2006. I finished treatment 11 months later. Since then I have focused on getting my energy back.

I feel lucky to be triple negative. I do not have to fear the estrogens that are naturally flowing through  my body... I do not have to take heart-damaging drugs (Herceptin) and worry about my cancer becoming "resistant." Our trip-neg cancer responds better to chemo than the others, so we've already fought against it.

True, no one knows what "triggers" trip-neg. I tend to think of it as divine grace. My life before the cancer was on auto-pilot, and I was putting off so much for "someday." Now, I try to live as much as I can EACH day. That is a gift.  (Triple negative breast cancer is one of the most positive things that has happened in my life! )

It is important to  keep your follow up appointments with doctors you trust. Get copies of your reports. Ask questions. If your doc will not answer, find a new doc.  I drive 2 hours to see an oncologist who I think is the very best in my area. Locally, I have a nurse who I think is an angel on earth. It is important to have good doctors (even if they are far away) as well as local advocates.

Also, I started reading the statistics and reports. They can be hard to read, but you have to have perspective. Trip-negs have "poorer prognosis" and etc... But sometimes they are talking about a difference of less than 5 percentage points. That is not information worth ruining my day over. Stay informed. Keep it all in perspective.  Look for new information. So much info is rehashed over and over and over again...

We bought a treadmill, and walking has become so important to me. I listen to life-affirming songs (Bon Jovi is great, surprisingly!), and I walk 30 minutes each day as much as possible.   My diet still needs ALOT of help. I use my three boys as an excuse  not to  eat better...  Would welcome useful, practical help from someone on that issue!

Helping others is a way to help yourself. I got a part-time job at our local library, and it has been a God-send -- something else to focus on each day instead of my cancer. It affirmed that I am a useful, viable ALIVE person. Not just a cancer victim/patient, like I felt for so long.

And, I have a strong faith. I truly believe in Jeremiah 29:11... God has a plan for my life, and he is not a God who wants to harm me. He loves me.
Yes, if the cancer comes back He and I will have more heart to heart talks. I will not be happy about a recurrence. But, I will trust Him to see me (and my family) through.

Hang in there, and keep your head high.  Cancer is so much to get over. I deal with side affects of it every day. Mostly breast tenderness from radiation. Tomorrow I get the results of my annual MRI. I'm nervous, but determined to do whatever might be necessary if something is found. We are stronger because of the cancer.

I am a caregiver for my sister in law and best friend who is triple negative with mets.  Her original diagnosis was in August 05, she had an 8cm tumor in her right breast and 20 lymph nodes involved, she chose to do a bilateral mastectomy and the pathology found early cancer in the left breast as well.  She is BRCA1 positive.  38 yrs old.  She also had a hysterectomy, chemo and radiaition.  She was diagnosed with mets in august of 07.  She has liver mets and abdominal node involvement.  She is currently on a clinical trial which combines abraxane and avastin.  She is on a weekly regiment, indefinitely.  Those are her stats, but along with those facts here are some more.....She has three young children, 2, 6, and 7.  She is a friend, a mom, a  wife and an all around inspiration to so many.  She gets up everyday and functions like the rest of us, she goes food shopping, takes a walk, celebrates a friends triumph and attends school events, my point?  She lives each day, with a smile, happily, showing us "how it is done"  I tell her almost daily....."Always remember that every cancer has been beat by someone"  Keep the faith and enjoy each moment, her cancer has given me the forsight to use my life.  I am proud and amazed of the courage all of you display and want you to know that you teach us more than we could ever hope to learn and we are eternally grateful.  Stay strong.

Josie,

I just had a clear Pet/CT scan and now don't have to go to my oncologist for 3 months...feels like a real vacation.