Triple Negative Breast Cancer Survivor Stories

Grace is a gift. She has supported me, settled me and acted as a source of truth and a sounding board for all of my research, feelings and thoughts throughout this journey. I had been diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer and with three young children was desperate to ensure I did everything and anything I could to ensure this diagnosis was left in the past and with minimal impact on my life moving in to the future. Grace is true to her slogan and leaves no rock unturned. We were able to personalise my treatment, reducing possible side effects and creating a feeling of control within my treatment plan. She gave me the courage to be my own advocate on this journey and was there at every turn and question with support, evidence and knowledge – She truly is a ‘saving Grace’. I will be forever grateful for Grace’s guidance and am her biggest advocate to any one finding themselves embarking on this journey.

Feb 2024 I was diagnosed with breast cancer: Grade 2, Triple Negative, Ductal Carcinoma. Updated 2026

Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC), I was to find out, is an aggressive cancer, not so easy to treat! Lucky for me I already knew about Grace Gawler’s cancer navigation service and got in touch immediately. At the age of 73 and with a history of other illnesses since my last breast cancer in 2007, I knew I wanted expert advice to help me make the most informed decisions about my path of treatment.

Grace provided that and more! The breadth of scientific and medical knowledge she displayed as she examined all my tests results, scans and medical history was extraordinary. Throughout the process she was able to give an integrated, personalised and detailed overview of my health situation that sadly medical specialists, due to their specialised focus, are unable to give.

At each stage of the process: diagnosis, analysing test results, seeking second opinions, making important decisions regarding treatment; Grace offered important information and preparation so I could be armed with informed questions to get the most out of each medical appointment.

With Grace’s help I decided on a unilateral mastectomy rather than the standard twelve weeks adjutant chemotherapy and immunotherapy followed by lumpectomy, which my Sydney surgeon and oncologist were recommending. Post op genomic tests we requested privately on the excised breast tissue, later showed my tumour would have resisted the chemo and continued to grow, putting me in a much worse situation.

Instead of following up my mastectomy with the standard preventative 12 weeks chemo+, with Grace’s guidance, I opted for AIET, Autologous Immune Enhancement Therapy in Japan. A non- invasive, drug free process, it builds up your NK (Natural Killer) cells to do the job of mopping up any cancer cells that may still be lurking.

Verification – we made the right choices: The tests done on my arrival in Japan showed my immune cells were so low that I was in no fit state to tolerate the post op chemo+ being offered back home in Sydney. The doctors and nurses in Japan were great and treatment was a breeze; eight days of one-hour IV sessions spread over three weeks.

Recently back from Japan, I am so deeply grateful for the care and guidance Grace has given and continues to give through this whole process. With Genomics for Life lab, we will continue to monitor my bloods for tumour markers. The Japan lab has kept some of my immune cells so if needs be I can go back for a top up!

An added bonus in Japan was meeting three other Aussies who have also had great results with their cancers thanks to Grace. I know there are many, many more patients who have been successfully guided through the complex can maze by her.

Thank you Grace for turning my huge black cloud of fear and uncertainty into a positive experience of healing and empowerment.

Update 13 September 2024: Genomic tests, just in, once again validate the choices made. Jan’s ctDNA test (circulating tumour DNA test) shows that the troublesome TP53 Gene variant is not present in Jan’s latest blood sampling. This is great news!

Explanation: The TP53 gene provides instructions for making a tumor protein (TP53). This protein acts as a tumor suppressor. The gene normally regulates cell division by keeping cells from growing and dividing (proliferating) too fast or in an uncontrolled way. Jan’s earlier tests showed she had a variant or mutation of this TP53 gene and thus it did not regulate cell growth and could allow rapid growth of cancer cells.

Triple negative Breast cancer (TNBC)
Diagnosed 2015 – Long Term Survivor – Updated 2025
Alexa M

Early in 2015 I underwent a lumpectomy and chose not to have follow up treatment. My breast lump was relatively small, and surgeons said they had performed a wide excision and although they recommended, I follow up with either chemotherapy alone or radiotherapy or both to be sure. Under the microscope my small lump was a triple negative breast cancer. A positive thinker, I’d always had an ethic of following natural and lifestyle medicine and I was prepared to take the risk of getting on with my life and leaving cancer behind me.

I travelled overseas for a holiday, but although I did not mention to anyone, nagging fears began to plague me; fears about the cancer coming back. Those fears caused me to decide whilst I was in Europe that I would undergo a course of treatment at a German Cancer clinic where I had a few treatments including whole body hyperthermia to help prevent a recurrence. I took supplements prescribed by a naturopath and German doctor and thought little about breast cancer when I returned to Australia.

I thought I had done all the right things however there was one word that had not been explained to me or I that had not heard or understood. The word lympho-vascular invasion. When added to TBNC, this turned out to be the reason why follow up chemotherapy and radiotherapy was recommended after my lumpectomy.

2016 Recurrence! My heart sank. This time not only one lump but several were found and according to pathology reports, they were all related to the previous lump.

I was devastated because not only had my cancer recurred with a vengeance, but my life ethic of curing cancer naturally was shattered. I was ushered into the world of conventional cancer medicine at speed with hardly time to think. Well still I was told that triple negative breast cancers often don’t do well with chemotherapy and if they do, it may only be for a short time before another recurrence. Fear and anxiety began to dominate my life.

A friend suggested I consult with the Grace Gawler Institute. I had a video call with Grace Gawler was surprised when she told me that debulking the cancer with surgery and mopping up stray cancers with chemotherapy was the best way. She told me that because my cancer had spread in my breast and lymph glands but was nowhere else to be seen on scan; that this was the best course of action. This was not what I was expecting – not what I had read on the internet about curing cancer. I don’t know much about cancer, but I was trying to fight it. It seems a crazy thought now; thinking you can fight something when you don’t even know what it is. I had adult kids and I wanted to see my grandchildren grow up and I thought constantly about all that stuff you think you will miss when diagnosed with cancer again.

Grace assured me that conventional treatment would not be easy and still there were no guarantees, but she would help me to give it my best shot. Before surgery she mentioned there was a Cancer immunologist in Japan who was helping many of her patients with a special kind of immune therapy made from their own cells. I liked this idea and I asked her if she could help me to organise a trip to Japan after my treatment had finished. She said that I could do even better and sent a request to my surgeon to have some of the infected lymph nodes removed and sent to Japan for a personalised cancer vaccine. I’m not sure of all the behind the scenes arrangements but somehow Grace made it happen. From that day on there were a lot of video calls and emails as she guided me through the process.

My surgeon gave some dire warnings about my long-term survival so I felt that the Japan option might offer me some extra protection. I have followed up with scans and blood tests and it’s a good feeling when your surgeon says she doesn’t want to see you for another year and then another year and then another.

That’s all in the past now, I have been to Japan four times for my cancer vaccine treatment. I am still in remission seven years later, 2023. I’m grateful for being alive and well and to all my doctors but especially to Grace for the role she played in my recovery. I hope that my story can encourage others and that they can lean from it. Update October 2023 – Now 57, Alexa has remained in full remission, enjoying life and her grandchildren.

Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) locally advanced – both breasts.
Diagnosed 2014 – still in Remission, 2025

Sandra B. NSW. Long Term Survivor

I was shocked when diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer – a high grade carcinoma with lymph node involvement. The doctors said that my cancer was locally advanced with several lumps evident on scans throughout my breast. I had only found one lump which I ignored for several months before seeking help. When further suspicious nodes were found I began to lose hope.

I was lucky they said as my cancer had not metastasised anywhere else in my body it was localised in the breast and lower nodes. I was told that these types of tumours (TNBC) are often chemo resistant and there were no guarantees that even with radical treatment that I would be OK. Despondent with my poor prognosis, I was even more fearful when many doctors said that because I was young, 40 years old, my cancer was likely to be extremely aggressive and fast growing. There were no hormone treatments.

I was advised to have chemotherapy prior to an advised double mastectomy and was prescribed a usual protocol of 18 weeks chemotherapy – Taxotere, Adriamycin and Cyclophosphamide. (TAC)- It was tough going, but I got through.

After chemotherapy they could find no evidence of the tumours. Then the next treatment; a double mastectomy. The surgery confirmed a complete response with no residual microscopic disease. Things began to look rosier. When recovered, then came six weeks of radiation therapy. My body felt like a war zone. I was exhausted and traumatised especially with the extra demands of a young family to raise. I asked myself “Should I rest on my laurels” take time out and watch and wait as had been advised.

I am not good at watch and wait so I decided to become proactive being aware of the ongoing risk of recurrence and the impact of side effects that were already plaguing me.

My inflammatory markers were high, and I had constant joint and muscle aches. I found the Grace Gawler Institute which was a turning point. I soon became a client. I had no idea of the huge range of possibilities that awaited me.

As a navigated client of the Grace Gawler Institute, I was prescribed complementary medicines and was referred to a qualified overseas clinic for whole body hyperthermia. Then I travelled to the Institute’s recommended specialist cancer immunologist in Japan.

I underwent a series of personalised cancer vaccines made from my own immune cells. I have returned every year for treatment and a holiday with family. With the advice and support from Grace, my health improved dramatically, my fatigue melted away as did all my aches and pains. I had turned a significant corner in my healing and wellbeing.

Update: It is now 20255. My remission has continued, and my health is beyond expectations. My kids are now teenagers and I know I will be around for them and see their birthdays and graduations and one day hopefully grandkids.

Invasive Breast Carcinoma – Triple Positive
Diagnosed 2014 – still in Remission 2023

Marnie, Queensland – Early stage Breast Cancer

“I had the good fortune to find Grace Gawler and Dr Bruce Whelan through Grace’s book “Women of Silence” that was recommended to me by a friend shortly after my breast cancer diagnosis in September 2014.

My first consultation with Dr Whelan and Grace Gawler was within a few weeks of my diagnosis. I, like many newly diagnosed patients had made numerous appointments with ” Dr Google “and had been lured into exploring “alternative” treatments for my cancer, as well as having embarked on radical diet changes.

In that consultation with Grace and Dr Whelan, I soon was made aware of the dangerous nature of some of these “alternative” treatments that are not based on any scientific evidence.

It is difficult to put into words the immediate difference in the way I viewed not only the journey in front of me, but the reassurance that I felt that there was now a ‘buffer zone’ between myself and the doctors and hospital system.

Someone to talk to about treatment decisions and options (very important). Someone who remembers your name without looking at a piece of paper or a computer screen and someone as knowledgeable about cancer treatment as anyone else in the hospital system.

The absolute professionalism and intelligence that both Dr Whelan and Grace possess gives you the confidence and piece of mind that you need to place your trust, your life, in their care.

I was transformed from someone dealing with a diagnosis, stumbling through ‘Dr Google’s’ tangled web, into someone who was relieved and confident that I had found the help I needed to assist me along my treatment journey.

Grace makes herself always available for advice along the way, in a very personal way that makes you feel comfortable to email her about even the smallest things. She very soon feels more like a friend which I feel can be lacking in conventional care.

There is no other person I think that could come close to Grace in her manner, knowledge, enthusiasm and experience. The ‘grace’ that she has in the way that she presents herself in her dealings with people is truly unique.

The gift that she gives to cancer patients and their families during the most difficult times of their lives is one wrapped by her helping hands. I look forward to a long relationship with Grace Gawler her partner Pip and Doctor Whelan long into survivorship and beyond.

UPDATE: ‘ Marnie Rose. QLD, Australia – Update – Oct 2023

2014: TNBC locally advanced – both breasts.
I was 40 years old with an extremely aggressive and fast-growing cancer. I was informed that my tumour type was often chemo resistant, with little chance of success. Despondent, I still went ahead with chemotherapy and a double mastectomy. I then found Grace Gawler, a turning point. I became a navigated client. She alerted me to a huge range of treatment possibilities which she actioned on my behalf. I am still in remission. <br><br>Oct 2023. Sandra, ACT, Still surviving and thriving 2026

Grace Gawler Insitute - Helping You Navigate the Cancer Maze

Triple Negative Breast Cancer Survivor Stories

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