Triple Negative Breast Cancer

I limited my research to the American Cancer society in the beginning to try not to get so overwhelmed. My MRI did not find any other signs of cancer but I was still waiting on the results of the FSH test to determine the HER-2 receptor. I had learned a little more about the receptors and I found that if the HER-2 is negative that would mean I have Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC). This is the way American Cancer Society describes TNBC at https://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer/about/types-of-breast-cancer/triple-negative.html – “TNBC differs from other types of invasive breast cancer in that it tends to grow and spread faster, has fewer treatment options, and tends to have a worse prognosis (outcome).” I got that call on January 14, 2022. My surgeon was out of town and her PA called to give me the results of the FSH test that showed I was HER-2 negative. So this means I definitely have TNBC. I immediately scheduled a follow-up with the surgeon to discuss surgery. As soon as I hung up I started crying. I cried when I told my daughter and when I told my husband. This is becoming more real each minute. I met with the surgeon again and she informed me that I would also need chemotherapy as part of my treatment regimen because of this diagnosis. I chose to schedule a lumpectomy after I asked her many more questions. She would not answer a lot of questions about the type of cancer. She wanted to only talk about surgery and referred me to an oncologist to discuss the other treatment. After that appointment I cried again. Chemotherapy? This brought on even more anxiety and questions. Another scary “C” word.