Diagnosed TNBC...........
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Topic: Diagnosed TNBC...........
Posted By: GNA R Simmons
Subject: Diagnosed TNBC...........
Date Posted: Aug 20 2013 at 9:26am
Hi I was diagnosed 25 jun 13 with TNBC, what a range of emotions I never knew I could experience. Clean mammogram in 2012, so this was definitely unexpected. I have since had breast conserving surgery, found that the lump was 1.5 cm, lymph nodes negative, right breast negative and margins were clear. I have also had the BRACA1/2 test completed which came back negative. I meet with the oncologist on the 27 for Chemo and post chemo will have about 6 weeks of radiation. Most days I'm handling this diagnosis in an upbeat manner but this week has been an emotional roller coster. I find that I am second guessing everything. Today it's did I have the right surgery, should I have had a bi-lateral mastectomy vice partial? So many emotions, anyone else experiencing this? And are there any survivors who had TNBC breast conserving surgery who might be able to put me at ease?
FROM PATHOLOGY REPORT ON 8/6 - BCS - 8/6/13; 1.5 CM LF BR, IDC GRADE 3. MARGINS NEGATIVE, RIGHT BREAST NEGATIVE, LYMPH NODES NEGATIVE.
Thank You
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2 TIM 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of Power, Love and Self-Discipline
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Replies:
Posted By: kirby
Date Posted: Aug 20 2013 at 10:28am
GNA, sorry you have to be here. I am only responding as a long term survivor...or what is considered long term in this world. Lol, not necessarily thru demise but because TN is relatively new so statistics don't go back to far. You'll see my status along with my signature. That was tx du jour, which is about 1/2 of what is given now. TN hadn't been named yet, nor were they giving dose dense, steroids and a port are probably only given for those having more tx.
If you search the archives there have been topics on mastectomy vs lumpectomy. I feel like the mastectomy advocates are more vocal but the statistics given for lumpectomy have been positive.
It is hard to not 2nd guess. I did that after finding this site 6 years after tx. I had to mentally tell myself I was already 6 years out and there was no way nor any need to redo anything. I did the best I could with the knowledge available at the time.
Keep us posted.
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kirby
dx Feb. 2001. Age 44
Lumpectomy
2cm. no nodes stage 1 grade 3
4 rnds AC, 35 rads
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Posted By: CAfree12
Date Posted: Aug 20 2013 at 3:04pm
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GNA,
Even though you might hear from others about their surgical decision, there are lots of personal factors that might not be fully disclosed. My tumor was about the same size, but I did select double mastectomy with reconstruction. However, I had been through several biopsies and scares with the same breast and when the final path was done, my right breast was filled with active atypical cells - it was a ticking time bomb. I did bilateral because of my size and issues with scoliosis.
As an oncology nurse my only advice to you is to be diligent with your follow ups. When I hear about women that recur in the treatment area, many times it is a case of those that quit doing annual mammograms and follow ups - then they get in trouble. Continue with surveillance and if something recurs, you will find it promptly and deal with it if it happens.
Try to embrace your decision and move forward. You will still have nerves and sensations those of us that did mastectomies will never have again.
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Diagnosed Oct 2011 @ age 53, Stage 1c, grade 3, 1.5Cm, neg nodes;double mastectomy with TE, dose dense AC+Taxol; BRCA neg; treatments finished April 2012
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Posted By: TriplePositiveGirl
Date Posted: Aug 20 2013 at 4:48pm
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GNA,
I am coming up on 4 years since i found my tumor, and so far, all is well. These decisions are never easy, but my doctor really put my mind at ease once I chose breast conserving surgery. I had fairly well defined borders with my tumor, and the neo-adj chemo reduced the initial size of the tumor from 3.2 to less than half that upon surgery.
I wish you all the best!
Lisa
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Diagnosed Jan 2010; Stage IIa, grade 2, 3.2cm in rt. breast, no nodes and BRCA-. 4 cycles Carbo/Gemzar 3/10; Lump 6/10; 2 cycles carbo/gem after surgery 8/10; 35 Rads finished 12/1/10. NED.
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Posted By: Charlene
Date Posted: Aug 20 2013 at 5:01pm
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On the homepage for this forum, in the lower right hand corner, under Triple Negative Breast Cancer News, there is a study cited from 5/19/13 regarding this issue. After I completed treatment, I went back to my oncologist to question him as to whether we had been aggressive enough. I asked if I should go ahead and have the bilateral mastectomy any way. He was adamant that I could do it if I wanted, but that it would not increase my chances for long term survival. I never brought it up again. You can still have a local recurrence in the tissue or scar left from the mastectomy. There are no guarantees, but with successful surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, most people survive. I wish you the best. Don't consume yourself with fears of recurrence. (Easier said than done I know!) Charlene
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DX 3/10 @59 ILC/TNBC
Stage 1, Grade 2, Multifocal; Lumpectomy/re-excision
SNB 0/4 nodes, BRCA-; Taxotere/Cytoxan X4, 30 rads
3/14:NED
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Posted By: debB
Date Posted: Aug 21 2013 at 9:33am
GNA,
Being BRCA neg, and clean margins, I was told the stats are the same. Like someone above said, there are very personal reasons women make the choices they do, or specific medical reasons they do, but if you go by the numbers, it shouldn't make a difference. We can still recur locally or distantly either way, sadly. Do your chemo, do your rads, cross your fingers, and try, try, try to go live your life!
Deb
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Dx 4/29/11, 46 yrs old, 3.9 cm tumor, Stg 2 Grade 3 chemo 4 rounds DD AC, 12 weekly taxol, finish. Lumpectomy, 2mm residual tumor. 37 rounds rads completed. Cisplatin/PARP trial
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