21. I was diagnosed triple negative stage III breast cancer with lymph node involvement in March 2005. I had lumpectomy followed by a mastectomy and 8 doses of chemotherapy. The chemotherapy was not pleasant, but it was doable. I just focused on the end result. It is now almost 2 years since my treatment and I have never felt better. I done a 360 degree turn in my lifestyle and radically changed my diet and exercise more. So far it is paying off and there has been no recurrence. I know that triple negative breast cancer is not the best diagnosis to have, but you have to keep your faith and keep moving on with life. That's what I do.

Posted at 8:35PM on Jan 23rd 2007 by SHARON RILEY

22. I am triple negative and also have RA and thyroiditis. I have never heard of any connection between inflammatory disease and breast cancer. Please tell me more.

Thanks.

Posted at 9:52PM on Jan 25th 2007 by Sandy Cooper

23. To all the ladies out there that aare 'younger than average' to be hit with this hateful disease, try www.youngsurvival.org. It is a support forum for younger women with breast cancer. It has been a life saver for me. I am 26 and triple negative, dont know anyone my age with my type of disease, this site has been so helpful because you can swap notes with everyone and talk to people who know what you are going through. I had my second to last TAC chemo dose on Wed, it has been harsh, but not as bad as I thought it would be. I will have radiation for 6.5 weeks after chemo, and hopefully this horrid disease will never come back. If I obesess about it coming back then I am essentially living with cancer again anyway, and I will have wasted that 'cancer-free' time, whether it comes back or not. The doctors are discovering new information about cancer every day, and hopefully soon enough for all of us! Also, with regards to being triple neg - our stupidly aggressive types are VERY susceceptible (sp?) to chemo, and the 2 year clearance mark is more significant for us than for ER/PR/Her2 + types, so even though they have extra drugs and whatnot to treat it, reoccurance is higher for those types after 5 years, so the playing field is evened out.
Good luck to all of you going through treatment for this horrid sneaky disease!

Posted at 2:29PM on Jan 26th 2007 by ellie

24. Hey Ladies I am a 4 years cancer free in April!!! Stage 2 one node grade 3. Did 3 chemos and brachytherapy. We will survive!

Posted at 10:47PM on Jan 29th 2007 by Peggy

25. Hi, I am 45 yrs. old and have been diagnosed with triple negative with 1 positive lymph node. I had a mastectomy with 20 lymph nodes removed. This fri. will be 1 month since surgery. Arm is still very painful, much more than the breast/or lack of. Wish I would not of let anyone talk me out of profalactically removing the other breast at the same time. I would not have to worry about trying to wear a bra while still having drains in. I am told I do not need radiation but this concerns me because I want to do everything humanly possible. and I am confused on which route to go with chemo, study using gemzar vs reg. medications. Any suggetions or comments.
LeAnn in Michigan

Posted at 8:57PM on Jan 30th 2007 by leann money

26. Sandy...As a Sarcoidosis patient, I am being treated by the Marshall Protocol. The MP treats other inflammatory diseases effectively without the use of steriods, such as RA, Lupus, etc. To find out more information, type in The Marshall Protocol in your search engine. Some information on the relatonship between inflammatory diseases and cancers is located at the this medical forum. In addition a brand new paper from Medical News Today can be found at the link below. Donna
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=61656

Posted at 1:18AM on Jan 31st 2007 by donnastogner

27. I was dx triple neg in 5/04, complete response to chemo. 8/06 met to brain-- more likely to happen to triple neg. women. Advocate ladies, for brain mri's. Resected, gamma, and no evidenve of disease. Now, I am in search of what to do if it comes back in my brain....

Posted at 12:19PM on Jan 31st 2007 by Amy

28. I was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer in June 06. My tumor was a little over 2cm. Five of 23 lymph nodes were postive for cancer. My oncologist proclaimed me Stage II. I opted for a lumpectomy, but now I don't know. I'm going to get the BRCA gene testing since my twin sister died of Ovarian cancer this past October. I had a complete hysterectomy 2 years ago to protect myself from ovarain, and what do you know, I get breast. I wasn't really surprised to get it. Anyway, I just finished chemo today, whooo hooooo!!! I had four treatments of A & C and four of Taxotere, and I did really well on both. I got sick once after my first treatment of A&C, but nothing after. I'm glad I found this sight. It's hard to relate to women who have ER-positive cancers, only because it's so different. I have one co-worker who had triple negative with a lumpectomy and lymph node involement 11 years ago and she's still going strong. Bless you all! Patty

Posted at 5:47PM on Jan 31st 2007 by Patty

29. I read an article in the paper today that identified triple negative breast cancer. I knew that I was diagnosed (April 2004) as ER-, PR- and HER2- node negative and that the tumors were very high grade, but I didn't know it was identified as a subset. I was told I was grade 9 (which was described to me as 3 out of 3 in each of the 3 sets of markers. Has anyone else run into this grade system?

I had a mastectomy ( and was placed on dose dense chemo. A/C (full doseage once every two weeks for eight weeks) followed by Taxol in the same manner. They gave me daily shots of another drug (can't remember the name)to keep my white counts up so I could keep on schedule.

I had my first bout of Breast cancer in 1988 (when I was 36)and it was hormone positive, stage 1, node negative. I elected a mastectomy as the mass was so large and then had chemo (cytoxin, methatextrate and 5-FU) and later had my ovaries removed instead of going on tamoxifin.

I now have no more breast tissue, but I am happy and healthy. I was thinking about getting tested for genetics but am unsure. My message to anyone going through treatment is to hang in there and try to keep a possitive attitude.

Marta Gray

Posted at 5:33PM on Feb 6th 2007 by Marta Gray

30. Hello everyone,

I am a writer for Adelante, which is a bilingual publication that is part of the Columbia Missourian newspaper in Columbia, Missouri. I am doing research for an article about triple-negative breast cancer in hispanic women. I wanted to know if anyone here is Latino or knows someone who is and has had this cancer that would be willing to speak with me about their experience. I appreciate any assistance or knowledge you can give me. If you are interested, please send me an e-mail at vab5z2@mizzou.edu. Thank you.

Posted at 1:16AM on Feb 8th 2007 by Victoria

31. I have never heard of an ER/PR negative tumor that has been less than a Grade 3. That seems to be the norm for our type of breast cancer. Aggressive,and responds very well to chemo, which is what is most important to me.

Posted at 12:35AM on Feb 10th 2007 by Sandy Cooper

32. I was diagonised in May of 06 with stage I triple neg. had partial mast, AC 4 times and Tax 4 times, then 33 rounds of radiation. No lymp involvement, Im 55 years old. I hated chemo thought AC would kill me/still blure toe nails from Tax, finished everything 1-17-07. Im little only weigh about 115 and have maintained that weight pretty well. I am eating healthier, and exercising as well. My joints get really stiff though and for real my skin hurts if someone pats me on the leg or whatever it really hurts. Im just scared and havent dealt with this in my little head yet, not sure anyone ever really can. Anyhow Im looking for a triple neg survivor of over 5 years or more? Anyone here? Best to all of you, God Bless us all.
Myrna in Oklahoma

Posted at 10:11AM on Feb 9th 2007 by myrnainc

33. testing

Posted at 11:34PM on Feb 8th 2007 by myrnainc

34. I am 35yrs old, just got diagnosed with IDC, Grade 3, triple neg, mastectomy right breast, need to do chemo. I was diagnosed 4 months after delivering my son and a week shy of my 35th birthday :-(

Posted at 5:41PM on Feb 10th 2007 by Europa

35. I was diagnosed in October, 2005 with stage II, grade 3, triple negative, infiltrating ductal with 3/15 positive nodes. I was diagnosed right after my 33rd birthday, on my daughter's 7th birthday in fact. I had a modified radical mastectomy, followed by chemo cocktain of taxotere, adrymiacin and doxyrubicin (sorry on the spelling), followed by 28 radiation treatments. I had a 'clean' scan in August 2006 and every day pray that this horrible disease does not come back. I try to be strong for my family but sometimes its so hard to put on that happy face that I think is expected from me.

Posted at 11:21PM on Feb 11th 2007 by Jen Engelhardt

36. Hi ladies,
I'm from Australia diagnosed triple negative no node involvement last August. Have had a lumpectomy 4 cycles of AC 30 sessions of radiotherapy and am due to start 6 weeks of Taxol on 1st March. It is great to find a site where I can talk to others about being triple negative.
Sandra

Posted at 9:27PM on Feb 20th 2007 by Sandra Sheehan

37. Jen I had pretty much the same diagnosis about a month after you. I had a sentinal node lumpectomy and started chemo immediately aferwards. During chemo I had genetic testing and found out I carry the BRCA-1 gene mutation. Learning this, I followed chemo with double mascectomy and reconstuction and one month later, an oopharectomy. Having made it through all of this treatment, friends and family see me as somewhat courageous - it all kept me going. Now, with no further treatment other than healthy diet and exercise, I am now a bit scared. I, too try to remain strong for my family, but the possibility of recurrance is always in the back of my mind especially since I am not "activally" doing anything now. Another girl friend whose diagnosis came a year before mine is on tamoxifin so she is continuing treatment. I feel as though I am walking a tightrope without a net. My oncologist tells me to look at the positive aspects - that I don't need to worry about any of the side effects that can be associated with the drugs. I try but it is still a bit scary. How are your kid(s) dealing with your illness?

Here's to Good Women: May we be them, May we know them, May we raise them...

Posted at 7:11AM on Feb 16th 2007 by Pamela

38. Dx.12/05, IDC, Stage 1, Grade 3, Partial Mastectomy (not really a lumpectomy, now is it?) Tumor grew from 1.1 cm to 1.7 cm in 15 days...length 2.5 cm., clean margins, but close to chest wall 2mm. Sentinal Nodes clean, but vascular invasion (blood) identified
A/C x 4, 12 weekly Taxol, 32 Rads. Mom had Inflammatory cancer at 64, aunt and grandmother also had some type of breast cancer.

The therapy I received has caused considerable damage to my life; physically, emotionally, mentally (chemo monkey brain with immediate menopause) and spiritually. My entire body hurts inside and out. I question the sentinal node biopsy since they cut nerves, took 4 nodes which tested negative for cancer, and even if there had been cancer there, they would have given me the exact same chemo and rads. Feel betrayed by my body, friends, family, existance. This is not depression; this is cancer.

It would be nice to find a support group who didn't focus on pink, smiley faces, and ladeeda gee I am so lucky to have gone thru this. Personally, I find the entire experience to be isolating, hurtful, annoying, painful, and extremely stressful.

You all amaze me in the you have inner strength, faith, love and the will to survive; to keep on trying no matter what happens. I am losing my will to care about anything. The cancer experience has been nothing but a rude, painful awakening.

Ultimately, cancer really psssses me off.

Posted at 10:56PM on Feb 15th 2007 by Toxic Rainbow (TR)

39. I forgot to mention the secret society called Medical Science and the superiority complex most of them have when addressing the little monkeybrains like me. I am not 10 years old. I was 46 when I knew for certain something was in my left breast. I was treated like a crazy monkey then!

3 months after a mammogram which pronounced my breast cancer free, I found the lump, took me a minute, I really had to poke around, check, yep, that's where the pain has been for such a long time. There's a blue vein that never looked like it should be there. With a family history, why was I not given an MRI? I have "dense" breast tissue. I thought that was a good thing, and later learned it's bad, bad, bad! They miss a lot of cancers with dense breast tissue. So once again, why no MRI? I had insurance. After chemo I looked at the MRI (finally got one before surgery)...I looked at the mammograms, OMG, what a lot of stuff in in der dem boobies!!! What is all that white dotty stuff, round circles, massy nodes, and junk? OK, I had a giant hematoma from the surgery (cantelope size) and a seroma under the armpit (apple-sized) and the amount of stuff they took out was plum sized, and the tumor was about the size of an almond. Sounds like a frickin fruit salad.

I went bald, and when I recovered grew hair in places that truly make me feel like a monkey. My brain is still out of order, so I'm thinkin' like a monkey. Chimp Pansiemitis, no wonder the mad scientists want to keep us stupid and ignorant.

They know more than they're letting us know...and if we so desire, I think we should be told everything. If not, then tell them not to tell you anything. Crimmmeeeea river. What's going to happen if they tell us we're going to end up with hairy fingernails, flappy ears, and cravings for bananas?

TR

Posted at 11:36PM on Feb 15th 2007 by Toxic Rainbow (TR)

40. First, I wanted to say to all the ladies on this blog, never forget that every morning you wake up is another day YOU WIN and Breast cancer LOSES! Every day we live is a day of revenge against breast cancer!

I am a breast cancer survivor at the age of 36 1/2. I was dx at 34. Triple negative, no family history of course. I am also a peer counselor for Y-ME's Hotline. I, too, had lumpectomy, breast reduction on both breasts, 6x of Taxol, dose dense, and then radiation. No nodes involved. I truly appreciate how blessed I am every day. Because I realized something:

I WON THE LOTTERY!!!!!

Except this isn't a lottery with money as its winnings, it's TIME! LIFE!!!

Any time I am not able or up to the fight against breast cancer, any time I don't appreciate the gift I was given (the opportunity to fight this disease, as opposed to dying from it) I know that there are 40,000 women who are going to die to this disease this year! 40,000! And let me tell you, I have spoken with some of them, and they would gladly go through chemo, lose their hair, and go through all the side effects we have to endure so that at the end, they get more TIME!

So if you don't feel like you've won the lottery, just turn around and look over your shoulder, you'll see the 40,000 women waiting behind you, WISHING they would have gotten the opportunity to fight and WIN against this disease.

God Bless each and every one of you, I wish that you remember that once given this time and opportunity to go on with our lives, we remember that it's not about what else can we do for ourselves only, but how can I use this time to help God with HIS plans for us and the other women here?

Posted at 12:56PM on Feb 17th 2007 by Tracy