My mum has her results after mx and they’re a bit of a shock to be honest - all along she was sure the cancer was hormone positive (at least one or both) but turns out she is negative in both and also in HER2. She is due to start chemo in a few weeks. It’s all a bit stressful really - feels like one blow after another. She has grade 2 and the cancer had spread to the lymph nodes before they were removed in surgery. I’m trying to keep optimistic about it.
Hi, Please don’t be too frightened over this, I’m also negative and negative for Herceptin. It doesn’t mean that she’s any worse off than she would be if she was positive. There are lots of treatments available for negs like us. I’ve just had taxotere (for secondaries) and now I’m on a daily tablet called Arimidex which will hopefully halt the spread. Your mum isn’t in the same position as me I know, she’s just starting, but please try not to worry too much. There are lots of things they can do. When I had my initial dx (18 years ago) mine had spread to the lymph nodes too, but I had the mastectomy, chemo, rads and then tamoxifen and I’ve had 18 years before it reared it’s ugly head again. (I intend to have a few more yet as well)!!
Take care of yourself and your mum, she’s very lucky to have such a wonderful and caring daughter. Lots of love to you both, Dianne x x x
Thanks for your reply Jodie, it really helps to hear something positive. I googled triple neg when I found out and was quite alarmed by what I read. The perils of the internet I suppose. It’s great that you’re doing so well and you’ve had good options available to you. You have a lovely attitude to it too 
Best wishes for your treatment hun x
Indeed - in these days of the internet it is easy to self (mis)diagnose, and read all sorts of problems. I once convinced myself I had skin cancer, but the doc took one look and said exzema. the ointment sorted it in no time.
My wife is also triple neg - she has opted for chemo first and has just started.
My reading (and the Onc supported this) is that triple neg does often respond better to chemo, but there are fewer targetted treatments for the longer term.
Paul.
Hi overtherainbow
I remember too gooling when I was first diagnosed triple neg - scary!! I advised people never to google for bc because the info is just so out of date and inaccurate. There is no such thing as good bc just different kinds triple neg’s like us being one of them. Good news is that we respond well to chemo and as years go by have less chance of recurrance.
You have the right attitude and please post here any time or ask any questions - the women here are wonderful and very knowledgable. Wishing your mum and you all the best and keep your optamistic attitude - don’t forget to take care of yourself too.
Lots of love to you both Anne x x
Hi overtherainbow,
I am also a triple negative girl. I was diagnosed with a grade 3 lump in December last year at the age of 29. I am in a slightly different situation to your mum as I had a lumpectomy rather than a mx and didn’t have any lyph nodes involved.
I had 6 rounds of FEC chemo which finished about 4 weeks ago. I was very lucky with my side effects, and am currently in the middle of my radiotherapy. I’m not going to say it’s easy but it is do able. The important thing for your mum is that she looks after herself. You really do have to listen to your body during treatment. Also if her side effects are rough contact the nurse, there is so much they can do now to help ease them. She really doesn’t just have to put up with them. The staff I have dealt with have been fantastic and I hear alot of people saying that, no matter where they are in the country. There are lots of things on here with top tips for getting through chemo etc so they may be worth a read.
Before I started chemo one of my friends put me together a little box of tricks to help me through. Things like lip balm, ginger tea, a couple of DVD’s, a dinosaur you heat up in the micorwave, etc. It may sound a bit mad but it meant the world to me as it was so thoughtful. Maybe it’s something you could do for your mum. It may help you feel like your doing something, as I know people tend to feel a bit helpless. During all this it really has been some of the smallest things that have meant the most to me because it just shows how much people care. Just remember just having you there to help support her, is the biggest thing you can do and something that will mean the world.
I know it must be so hard for you to deal with hearing this news about your Mum while trying to stay strong. You must remember to look after yourself too, as I’m sure it’s easy to forget this when you are so worried about someone you love.
I wish you both the best of luck for the treatment and the future and I hope it goes as smoothly as possible.
Kells
x
Hello!
I found out last week that I have triple negative bc and after the initial shock of knowing that I have to go through chemo, the comments on here have really helped me to understand it more.
I had a lumpectomy last wednesday and a SNB where they removed 4 nodes. I find out my results tomorrow and am really praying that I don’t have to have more surgery.
I’m 39 and have no children, so we also have an appointment to discuss egg collection this week. So, message for Kells80 - did you have the same thing as I note that you are only 29! So young, I can’t believe it.
One thing I don’t do is go on the internet looking for information. This is the only site that I come on as I know that I am a massive worrier and I have enough to worry about without adding my own diagnosis to the mix!!!
Fingers crossed for tomorrow. xxx
Morning Everyone, lovely to see all your encouraging posts. Just wanted to say that I totally agree about not going onto the Internet as you end up with all kinds of mixed messages and being scared out of your wits.
Hope you are all feeling well today and that you are all having a great weekend.
Lots of love, Dianne x x x
Hi Jodie
I’m going to go shopping and try to find some comfy pj’s and tops to wear. The weather is horrid today, so retail therapy is the answer!
I know its only been three days since my surgery but its so uncomfortable, I get so cross not being able to shower and dress properly, and I hate not being able to wear deodorant!!! How silly is that?!
It’s such early days still, I suppose you get used to it at some point?!
Have a nice weekend also.
Katie x
Hi Katie. I wasn’t offered egg collection, but was told that there is no reason why I won’t be able to go on to have children. To be honest I don’t really want children so am not too worried, but I’m sure it’s a big concern to a lot of women.
Good luck for your results tomorrow, I remember the day I went for mine. I really hope they are good for you.
xxx
i too am triple neg and knew when i was diagnosed that it wasnt as good a cancer as my first one (if you can get a good cancer!!) but did scare myself a bit but wanted to be informed so looked up lots of research articles as my way of dealing with something is to find out all about it the pros and cons… not everybody wants to know all the ins and outs but some people do.
the thing with looking up stuff on the internet is its not always good evidence based information you are reading and often its just personal opinions and people who have bad experiences seem to be more inclined to tell the world about it than those who have a good experience.
there are some really positive stories out there too.
Lxx
I am triple neg too.I was dx at 62 and was convinced it would be hormone positive.It was grade2 and I had 4xfec and 4xtaxotere followed by rads.That was 2006/7 and now I am 66 and have been ok so far [fingers crossed].
Hi Bunny, Hope you and everyone else are feeling well today. I hope you enjoyed your shopping trip yesterday and managed to find something you like. I must admit I tend to go shopping quite regularly!! I know what you mean about not wearing deodorant. I remember when I had the rads I was really worried about it especially as I lived in Saudi Arabia at the time! However, it was ok and I didn’t ‘whiff’ (well if I did nobody said anything!!!)
You’re right at the beginning and it will get better honestly, I promise. You’ll get to grips with it and come out on the other side. The ladies on here are wonderful and you will always get loads of love and support. Take very good care of yourself and keep in touch. Sending you lots of love and hugs, Dianne x x x
Morning!
Thank you for all your comments. I’ve got my appointment at 4pm today, so fingers crossed its good news, if that’s possible!
One step at a time, that’s all you can do isn’t it?
xxx
bunny1,sendin you good luck,it really does get easier after today xxxxxxx
Thanks guys for all your messages of support and encouragment. Good luck to those of you having treatment.
Thanks Drabble - I cant tell you how much I am dreading this appointment.
I’ll be back later with my results, or tomorrow morning.
Thanks everyone.
xxx
Can I ask why people talk about the 8 year marker? Why is it 8 years?
Hi am not an expert but I think with tbn bc after 8 years it is extremely unlikely to come back. Whereas other bc can lie dormant for longer periods. I am sure there probably more to it than this. Someone else may have more info, or check with your onc. Dx
Midge you are right-there was a Canadian study some time ago which said that although tnbc is more aggressive to start with it begins to level out until by 5 yrs the risk of recurrence is about the same as for a similar size,grade,stage +++ bc.After 5 yrs the trend continues until after 8 yrs, if there has been no recurrence then tnbc is extrememly unlikely to come back.This is why we tn people talk about the ‘magic’ 8 yrs.
Nothing is certain though but it is a peg to hang your hopes on.Someone else may be able to link to the research-I am afraid I cant but I will look back in posts and try to find it for you.
Good Luck
Valxx
I have bumped the thread-Triple negative;concerned and the article is linked on page 8 of that thread at 22.16 on 28th Oct 2009