Did your tumor shrink or grow?

KotchAJ

Hey everyone,

I just got my mammogram results from this morning and found out that after all of this chemo, my tumor has grown, not shrunk. I'm feeling pretty bummed out about this. I go to my surgeon tonight at 5 so that we can plan my surgery.

Has this happened to anyone else? I've been really positive through this whole sucky 5 months, but this, this has hit me like a ton of bricks.

LW422

Sorry you got a disappointing outcome from chemo and I hope your surgeon can reassure you this evening. I was lucky in that I had a PCR (pathologic complete response) to chemo and they could find no trace of cancer in my breast tissue after mastectomy. I know that many people still have tumors after chemo but their surgeons are able to get positive margins. Take heart and don't be discouraged.

serendipity09

Kotch - my tumor responded to the AC, but did not respond to the Taxol and grew and spread to my lymph nodes. To say that I was bummed is understatement. I was like you, very positive throughout treatment and I understand how you feel. It felt like a bat to the stomach. I hope everything goes well at the visit with your PS. I'm assuming radiation is on the able? Keep us posted.

Hi LW!!

Redkitty815

First: imaging is imperfect. Second, chemo is only one arrow in the quiver. My tumor and my node shrunk some, but definitely not as much as I had hoped. ER+ cancer can be less receptive to chemo, but hormonal therapy can work wonders so you’re not done with the systemic attack. It sucks a lot to get news that wasn’t what you were hoping for. But lots of women don’t get PCR and go on to live full lives. Bon courage!

KotchAJ

RedKitty815, Serendipity and LW422,

Thank you for the responses. I feel better after speaking with the surgeon last night. We're going for a modified radical mastectomy of the left breast along with axillary lymph node dissection. I'm bummed, but not ready to give up anything yet. Surgery is scheduled for the 16th of December, radiation begins in January!

Not the news I wanted, but hey, it's a different path than I thought I was going to be on is all.

serendipity09

Kotch - I'm glad the visit went well with the PS. None of this is easy, but you have the right attitude! Sending hugs { }

LW422

Kotch--you're going to do great. The mastectomy and ALND will be a little tough but doable, like most of these damn treatments. For me, none of it was as bad as I feared it would be. I'll be looking for your surgery posts to keep tabs on you. Take care and gentle hugs.

Hey Serendipity!!! XOXO

1982M

Oh KotchAJ,

First of all I’m really glad you got to talk to your surgeon and you have a plan and a surgery date. I’m sorry the mammogram didn’t show the best response to chemo. That can be difficult after having endured so much.

I hope it goes well. (((HUGS)))

AMG2

Oh Kotch! My taxol buddy! I'm so sorry about the poor response to chemo, but really glad you've got a surgical plan in place, and I guess we will have overlapping radiation protocols, too.

Big hugs to you.