HELP......NEED SOME OPINIONS AND FEEDBACK

bethen

What does eveyone think about this situation.  Originally diagnoses Sept/05  Had 4 AC followed by 4 Taxotere, follow up of one year herceptin.  At the completion of chemo had mastectomy and node removal, 3 of 7 nodes were positive.  Then radiation started for 5 weeks.    Now, diagnosed again May 2010, same cancer appeared below collar bone on same side.  Have just completed 6 rounds of Taxotere combined with herceptin which will continue for one year.  Radiation is about to begin again for six weeks this time.  First time around my radiation oncologist would not radiate the area directly below the collar bone as I had some swelling in my arm, which I believe was probably related to the surgery.  This is the area that the cancer came back in.  Since May and my biopsy I now have full blown lymphedema in my arm, for some reason unknown to me they will now radiate this area, does this seem odd that they would not radiate it five years ago but now they will.  But the most disturbing problem to me is that two months ago, at the half way mark of chemo I had a CT scan which showed the tumor had shrunk from 3.8 cm. to 1.2 cm., now I just had a repeat CT scan at the end of chemo and the tumor has grown up to 2.2 cm., what is happening, the chemo must not have worked.  My oncologist says she is not worried (I certainly am) and will repeat the CT scan after the radiation.  Has anyone else had growth of the tumor during chemo and what do you think radiaiton will do for me at this point.  I am sooooo discouraged.  I never want to do chemo again, I was so sick, lost 20 pounds and had thrush so incredibly bad.  The nodes cannot be operated on without huge risk of paralysis to my arm as they are located below my pectoral muscle and above my ribs.  Any thought from you ladies would really be appreciated right now.  Thanks for your ideas.

Betsy