Chemo Didn't Work

IntegraGirl

I just had my US following 8 rounds of chemo that finished Aug 1: 4 FEC and 4 Docetaxel. There is a third mass that was detected in my May US that my MO hoped was just one that had been hidden previously. Today's US shows that it's growing. I'm meeting with my surgeon on Friday but my thought is that if this beast hasn't responded to chemo, I'm SOL no matter what I do. I'm also triple negative to add to the joy

Anyone have non-responsive masses?

Shellsatthebeach

Hi IntrgraGirl, I see you posted in the Inflammatory Breast Cancer thread. I don't know much about it. I have IDC. I know with my kind of breast cancer (ER and PR positive), I was told that I needed my chemo prior to surgery in order to shrink my lymph nodes (lots of involvement) and not so much the masses in my breast. She had explained that the kind of cancer I have may not necessarily respond to the chemo by shrinking the tumors prior to surgery and not to be too concerned. I would just asked your oncologist. I wish you luck and let us know how your appointment goes.

IntegraGirl

Thank you for your response. I hope it's the same concept. IBC is such an odd thing I'll see what the surgeon has to say Friday and report back.

Kicks

My TX plan was different than most otbers who are IBC do. I did do 2 diffefent batches of chemo as is usual but while both batches are done neoadjuvant, I did 4 DD A/C neoadjuvant, UMX 2weeks after last one and then 3 weeks post UMX started 12 weekly Taxol. A week after last Taxol started rads.

The 'idea' was never to get a complete response with neoadjuvant chemo but rather to get the 'nest' to form into a 'lump', shrink and get good margins. If did what was wanted, Surgeon had good margins so was able to get it all out. Then the adjuvant chemo was done to make sure that any 'stray cell' that might have been hiding was attacked and annihilated. While different than what most IBCers do - it worked for me - it's been 8 yrs since DX and I'm still NED.

To me, it makes a lot of sense to get 'it' under control with neoadjuvant so Surgeon has a chance at getting it all out and then hitting with adjuvant to 'clean up' any cells that might be hiding. Rather than hitting with 2 neoadjuvant and then not have anything (except rads) to use IF a complete response is not gotten

Don't jump to any conclusions until after you see your Surgeon and Rads Dr. Also what is actually found in surgery.

When I hit a year post DX, all my Drs told me then that they had not expected me to make it a year - I FOOLED THEM! They had always been very honest and truthful with me throughout TX. Never any "Everything will be perfect" or "Gloom and Doom" - basically "It's a fight and we'll do all we can to help you fight" - so I fought and won. You can too!

(Shellsatthebeach - You seemed surprised that IntegraGirl had posted in the Inflammatory Breast Cancer Forum. She's IBC so where else should she have posted to get replies from other IBCers regarding what she's going through?)

Shellsatthebeach

I was basically saying I don't know much about it, but wanted to let her know that with my kind of cancer shrinking of the mass was not the plan. Perhaps, my wording was poorly written. Sorry for any confusion.

IntegraGirl

Thanks for your response Kicks. Yes, I'm keeping a grip (at least trying) until I know more from the surgeon. The fact that one mass is still growing after the chemo was just a gut punch. So happy that you're 8 years out and NED . That is outstanding!!

They gave me 50/50 for 5 so it's just a bit daunting. I'm very mindful of quantity versus quality. I just don't want to go down some slippery slope where treatment A doesn't work so we're off to plan B, C etc and the rest of my life is defined by treatments and medical bullshit and I end up dead anyway

Shellsatthebeach I know what you meant .

IntegraGirl

By way of update, I met with the surgeon today and, as I thought, the US results were not great news. I'm going for a variety of tests next week to make sure it hasn't spread. If the tests come back clear, surgery on the 31st.

Living the dream in 2017

Shellsatthebeach

IntegraGirl, hoping all goes well next week!