Author |
Topic Search Topic Options
|
Suebhs
Groupie
Joined: Nov 09 2019
Location: Virginia
Status: Offline
Points: 47
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Topic: Never thought I'd be here.... Posted: Mar 16 2020 at 7:41am |
Thank you! I recently read an article that stated weight gain and menopause together drive tnbc. Given that my treatment threw me into menopause and caused me to put on 15 pounds I'm working on taking that weight off.
|
|
COZAZ
Newbie
Joined: Feb 08 2020
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Status: Offline
Points: 17
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: Mar 14 2020 at 10:59pm |
Will do.. Hope everyone is hanging in there..
|
I am the Storm!
|
|
Suebhs
Groupie
Joined: Nov 09 2019
Location: Virginia
Status: Offline
Points: 47
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: Mar 10 2020 at 5:16pm |
Yep, that's what my oncologist told me as well. Regular exercise vigorous enough to increase heart rate and a Mediterranean type diet. My nutritionist said low fat and plant based. She didn't say to eliminate any particular foods. I've read online that certain foods are associated with an increased risk of tnbc but there's a lot of conflicting information. My nutritionist said there not enough research yet to validate some of the claims but a low-fat plant based diet has the most valid research behind it at preventing breast cancers. Please let us know your nutritionist says!
|
|
COZAZ
Newbie
Joined: Feb 08 2020
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Status: Offline
Points: 17
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: Mar 10 2020 at 11:24am |
Will do. I have an appt with the Mayo Nutritionist on March 25th. Oncologist said 150 minutes minimum of vigorous exercise a week. Heart rate up and a sweat... will let you what im Nutritionist says but Onc said its like Mediterrean with some tweaks...
|
I am the Storm!
|
|
Suebhs
Groupie
Joined: Nov 09 2019
Location: Virginia
Status: Offline
Points: 47
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: Mar 09 2020 at 11:50pm |
Awesome news!!!! Yes, everything I've researched and been told is that the chance of reccurrence is low when >5mm and no lympth node involvement therefore radiation only is a good option. I'm currently doing radiation and it's a cake walk compared to chemo. I would love to hear what your oncologist had to say about diet and exercise!! Now that I'm finished with chemo I'm really focusing on what I can do to prevent a reccurrence. I also met with a nutritionist that works with my oncologist. The recommendation I received was a low-fat plant based diet. Also maintaining a healthy weight and regular exercise. I would love to hear what recommendations your nutritionist gives you. Congrats again, that's wonderful news!
|
|
COZAZ
Newbie
Joined: Feb 08 2020
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Status: Offline
Points: 17
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: Mar 09 2020 at 10:34pm |
So great news! Oncologist doesn't recommend chemo as my tumor was tiny tiny and believes chemo will do more harm than good so Sue you were correct in it being borderline. He strongly recommends exercise and diet (i will be meeting with nutritionist) changes to prevent recurrence . Still makes me nervous though....
|
I am the Storm!
|
|
Suebhs
Groupie
Joined: Nov 09 2019
Location: Virginia
Status: Offline
Points: 47
|
Post Options
Thanks(1)
Quote Reply
Posted: Mar 05 2020 at 8:02am |
Totally agree ladies about putting health first! I took FMLA leave during my chemo treatment and so glad I did. I work as an elementary school teacher and our school got hit hard this year with illnesses - particularly the flu. A lot of teachers who had the shot caught it this year, and severe cases of it, too. Member of my team just diagnosed last week. Being single and the sole income provider has made the decision to take extended leave tough. But as they say, you can't put a price on health. Continue to take of yourselves
|
|
Marymom
Groupie
Joined: Mar 22 2019
Location: Ny
Status: Offline
Points: 97
|
Post Options
Thanks(1)
Quote Reply
Posted: Mar 05 2020 at 3:25am |
Cozaz, Yup...with you on the job! I worked with a person that was a bully and very angry...decided I could not fight cancer and her. I took a short term leave during AC. I was going to retire after the leave (not because of cancer, because of this woman)and my bosses offered me a new position and asked me to return. She was so angry! So, silver lining? Maybe! Anywho, love my new position and after cancer...went back to work and stood up to the bully and her small group of followers. Long story short...she retired and I have continued to make our office a bully free zone! I call it cancer courage! Ya gotta find something good out of all we go through! Amen...Godspeed to all!
|
|
COZAZ
Newbie
Joined: Feb 08 2020
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Status: Offline
Points: 17
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: Mar 05 2020 at 12:21am |
Thanks ladies... I'm sure i'll have much to share after my oncology appt. Appreciate the continued support more than you know. I've decided to go on Short Term Disability until I see how I handle side effects. I have a high pressure stressful job with much backstabbing unfortunately and don't need that nor want that in my life while i battle. This has opened my eyes on how to spend the next chapter in my life... I know its Healthy and Happy so no better time than the present.
|
I am the Storm!
|
|
DonnaYardshopper
Newbie
Joined: Dec 21 2017
Location: Cary, NC
Status: Offline
Points: 12
|
Post Options
Thanks(2)
Quote Reply
Posted: Mar 04 2020 at 9:54pm |
Hang in there. I am a BRAC1 gene carrier and was diagnosed in 1999 for the right breast, had a lumpectomy then 4 rounds of A/C + 36 rounds of radiation. Thought I was done and then in 2002 my left breast decided it too wanted to have BC, which was totally unrelated to the first one. Another lumpectomy, 13 rounds of Taxol done weekly and in 2003 I had a bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction (free flap). The good news is, I'm almost 21 years out from the first one and 18 years out from the second one and I'm doing fine. The hair grows back. : 0)
|
|
123Donna
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 24 2009
Location: St. Louis, MO
Status: Offline
Points: 13509
|
Post Options
Thanks(1)
Quote Reply
Posted: Mar 04 2020 at 7:58am |
Chemolite probably means Cytoxan and Taxotere (or Taxol) x 4. It's what I had 11 years ago and was commonly used at that time for small stage 1 tumors.
|
DX IDC TNBC 6/09 age 49, Stage 1,Grade 3, 1.5cm,0/5Nodes,KI-67 48%,BRCA-,6/09bi-mx, recon, T/C X4(9/09) 11/10 Recur IM node, Gem,Carb,Iniparib 12/10,MRI NED 2/11,IMRT Radsx40,CT NED11/13,MRI NED3/15
|
|
Suebhs
Groupie
Joined: Nov 09 2019
Location: Virginia
Status: Offline
Points: 47
|
Post Options
Thanks(1)
Quote Reply
Posted: Mar 04 2020 at 6:56am |
That is awesome news!!! Yes, I was told if 5 mm or smaller with negative lympth nodes then chemo may not be necessary. Possibly radiation treatment only or at least a less aggressive chemo regimen. I'm not familiar with chemolite. I'm very happy for you! That is great news!
|
|
COZAZ
Newbie
Joined: Feb 08 2020
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Status: Offline
Points: 17
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: Mar 04 2020 at 1:06am |
Some good news.... Surgeon said great actually. Tumor was 5mm , probably showed 8mm due to inflammation on contrast imaging. She said I was borderline needing chemo but that will be up to my oncologist. Dr. is thinking chemolite? Can't find much on that but i'm assuming a lower dose of AC & T maybe? Any thoughts on that. Im sure terminology is different depending where you have treatment. I will know more on Monday with Onco.
|
I am the Storm!
|
|
Suebhs
Groupie
Joined: Nov 09 2019
Location: Virginia
Status: Offline
Points: 47
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: Mar 01 2020 at 12:40pm |
Still less than a centimeter and that's good! Please let us know how it goes. Sending positive vibes that your consult goes well
|
|
COZAZ
Newbie
Joined: Feb 08 2020
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Status: Offline
Points: 17
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: Feb 29 2020 at 8:00pm |
Contrast imaging did show tumor being larger at 8mm. Not sure what the size was when taken out.. Thanks all for your experiences. Will help be understand more at my consult.
|
I am the Storm!
|
|
Suebhs
Groupie
Joined: Nov 09 2019
Location: Virginia
Status: Offline
Points: 47
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: Feb 29 2020 at 8:39am |
Your tumor was 5 mm, correct? And if there's no lympth node involvement I would think you're a good candidate for less aggressive treatment. I had a 7 mm tumor with no lympth node involvement and it was recommended that I do four rounds of TC. I was told doing a more aggressive chemo would only give me a 0.5 percent statistical advantage and not be worth the added risk of side effects. I've read a couple of recent studies online that have discussed the issue with treating early stage node negative tnbc and it tends to lean towards a less aggressive approach. Of course, the frustrating part is there's no crystal ball to exactly know what the future will bring and what the outcome will be. Some people hear tnbc and automatically think you've got to hit it as hard as you can. And I'm not saying anyone is wrong, just saying some studies have shown stage trumps biology and a small early stage, node negative cancer may not benefit from the most aggressive treatment. Personally, I feel there are no right or wrong decisions in these cases. It weighing risks vs benefits and you have to do what is right for you based on the information you have and in consult with your medical care team. Just wanted to share this information I learned along my journey. Sending you prayers for healing!!
Edited by Suebhs - Feb 29 2020 at 10:30am
|
|
Meadow
Groupie
Joined: Apr 22 2017
Location: seattle, wa
Status: Offline
Points: 88
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: Feb 29 2020 at 2:06am |
Adriamycin is called Red Devil because it is bright red and notorious for bad side effects. Everyone is different, but for me it wasn't that bad. I had four infusions (combined with cytoxan), one every other week. I felt yucky on and off for 4 days after each infusion, and there was always one afternoon the day after when I felt really awful and just laid in bed not even able to watch TV (no vomiting though). Otherwise I felt pretty normal for the eight weeks and kept up with work and regular life. I did 4 infusions of Taxol after the AC, and that was easier. I needed a lot more sleep during the Taxol, and I got some neuropathy which eventually went away.
|
|
COZAZ
Newbie
Joined: Feb 08 2020
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Status: Offline
Points: 17
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: Feb 29 2020 at 1:23am |
So.. Lumpectomy done yesterday. Clear margins and lymph nodes seem to be clear as well but waiting on final path report. Was your chemo called Red Devil? Sounds like thats what my oncologist goes with from what recovery nurse told me. Fortunately cool capping is free at my cancer center due to a generous donation from a breast cancer survivor. I'll know more at my chemo consult March 9th. Lumpectomy wasn't as painful as i thought it would be other than being tender.. I had a seed localization for axillary nodes and they failed to tell me my body, especially my face would have a blue hue to it.. Freaked my mom out a bit when she came to recovery... funny actually... trying to find some humor in this and am keeping a positive attitude. Hope you are doing well.
|
I am the Storm!
|
|
Suebhs
Groupie
Joined: Nov 09 2019
Location: Virginia
Status: Offline
Points: 47
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: Feb 10 2020 at 11:42am |
Prayers that everything goes well! Your tumor may actually end up being smaller after they remove it and get the most accurate measurement. So don't freak out if it's a little larger from imaging. Once it's removed they get the most accurate measurement. Please keep be updated. You got this 🙏♥️
|
|
COZAZ
Newbie
Joined: Feb 08 2020
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Status: Offline
Points: 17
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: Feb 10 2020 at 10:31am |
Thanks again.. You are a huge help to me with going through this. I am off to my imaging and hoping that little bastard stayed at 5mm. Dr. is recommending chemo. I had a hysterectomy at 42 so hopefully that helps. Same statistics for TNBC did not apply to me... still waiting for BRCA test though.. Anyhow.. i'll keep you posted! Off to the hospital...
|
I am the Storm!
|
|