Sister Diagnosed with TNBC

 

My name is Udoka, male, 34yr old, married, 2 daughters. I live in Port Harcourt Nigeria.

 

My younger sister, Amarachi (29yrs/single), noticed a small lump on her left breast in September 2007 and had it removed at a local hospital. Tests after this diagnosed Fibro Adenoma which I researched and confirmed to be benign. Hence I thought she was in no danger. However, in March 2008, she called to tell me that a bigger lump had developed in the same breast, the lump must have been there for sometime but somehow she was unable to open up to me or anybody else early enough. Anyway, by the time I became aware, she already had a sizable lump on the breast. I took her to Port Harcourt University Teaching Hospital where they removed part of the lump and the diagnosis this time around was LOBULAR CARCINOMA IN A BACKGROUND OF FIBROCYSTIC DISEASE. The docs recomended Mastect. However, we were by now wary of Nigerian Doctors and Hospitals.

 

We made attempts at sending her to Germany but had probs procuring a visa for her. In October 2008 we sent her to India (Indraprastha Apollo Hospital Delhi, to be specific. He cancer was diagnosed Stage 3b, she had a sizable tumor and it had already spread to her lymph system. She went through six Chemo cycles. Pet Scan after the cycles showed over 80% remission. Her onc recommended mastectomy (even though the tumor had shrunk considerably). She's had the mast. and started complaining of pains on her right breast but the onc said the cancer had not gotten to the right breast.

 

Eventually she switched doctors and the new doctor diagnosed TNBC after a series of tests including MRI. She received 'carboplatin' and 'germcitabine' last thursday and will take this weekly for one month while the docs re-evaluate her and decide the best course for her.

 

She will be joining this forum shortly as I am trying to intorduce her to it. I am looking for all the help I can get for her. It is eating a big hole into my income but I am ready to do all that is required to try and save her life.

 

I thank all the wonderful women on this forum for their stories. It gives me hope that my sister's case has not gone beyond redemption yet.

 

Thank you all.

 

Regards,

Udoka.

Port Harcourt, Rivers State,

Nigeria.

 

 

 

I look forward to meeting your sister and you both will be included in our prayers that you find the right path for your sister.  She is lucky to have a brother such as you and obviously you have educated yourself on TNBC.

 

Alot of what we read is sometimes disturbing but things are changing. 

TNBC is a hot topic now in the research area and the studies and research have picked up quite a bit.

 

I wonder, she says she has pain in her other breast.  Has the doctor actually looked into this or is he just guessing.  I hear from many women that docs will say cancer doesn't hurt and that is false, it can hurt.

 

I look forward to hearing more from you and your sister when she decides to join up. She certainly has had a hard time of it.

 

Best wishes

 

I was just wondering, do you have assistance programs where your sister lives where she might qualify to help with the medical bills?

 

I hope she is doing well,

 

 

I am happy to hear your sister sounds upbeat and is hopeful.  I can only imagine how happy you were to talk with her.

 

My goodness $2,000 is a huge chunk of money per month.  Please beware and research this company and any others who claim they have a cure.

 

There is no cure for breast cancer at this time.

 

Good luck to you and your sister and please keep us posted,