Chemo didn't work!

mommanurse · February 2010

Hello Ladies!

I wanted to post about this because I had never heard of this happening to anyone else.

I am 28 years old and I was diagnosed on November 20th 2009 with IDC and had the gamete of usual testing afterward..... I had a 5.9 cm tumor in my right breast with axillary lymph node involvement and possible clavicular lymph node involvement. Thank goodness, my PET scan and bone scan all came back clean! Because of the lymph node involvement, they (my onc, surgeon and Moffit 2nd opinion) suggested I start chemo ASAP. I started TAC on December 7th 2009 and had a 2nd treatment on Dec 28th. When it was time for me to start my 3rd treatment my onc didn't feel that the tumor had changed much so she sent me for a US. That confirmed that the tumor was still about the same size. So she sent my biopsied tissue off for Target testing. It took about 2 weeks for results and at that time she gave me the horrible news that none of the chemotherapy drugs were effective on my tumor. It did although, show anti estrogen therapy to be extremely effective. She said that I would need surgery right away to remove the cancer and lymph nodes (only one positive out of 13!!!!) and then have my ovaries removed and start Femara. I had a right modified radical mastectomy on Feb 9th and I am having a hysterectomy on Feb 22nd. I have a consult on Feb 24th to start rads as soon as I am healed.

The interesting thing about all of this is that my onc said she has only had one other pt that this has happened to. It makes me nervous that I don't have chemo to back me up. She did present my case to Stephen Jones (developed TC regimen) and he is going to have the lab test for a few other markers to see if there is any chemo at all that I can have. In the mean time, he agrees with the plan of care.

I have been able to stay positive through all of this and plan to continue that attitude. I took the mastectomy a little hard but I am getting used to it and plan to have a mastectomy on the left as well and then reconstruction. My onc told me I have a 45% chance for recurrence. But I look at it as I have a 55% chance of it never coming back!! That is the statistic I am going with!

Thank you ladies for letting me tell my story and thank you to all who are on this forum helping to support each other!

lexislove · February 2010

Hi momma...

I was 30 when I was diagnosed...big tumor as well.

Im sorry that the chemo wasnt working...BUT...the anti estrogen "stuff" should! Sounds like your medical team is on the ball. Anti hormone therapy is very important for us ER+ ladies. Some studies have pointed that chemo is not as effective against ER+ cancers at all.

Sounds like your on the path now to healing...emotionally and physicall and moving on with your life!

Be well.

Anonymous · February 2010

mommanurse - it sounds like you are in good hands. I think this is a great example of how chemo prior to surgery (neo-adjuvent???) can make a lot of sense - at least you know NOW that it was not effective. Your onc. will be following you closely and as Lexi said - you are on the path to healing.

spar2 · February 2010

Sounds like you have a great medical team. I have been on one of the antihormone (arimidex) for 5 years and off for 8 months. It is doable. Have been cancer free for 6 years now. I like your attitude girl.

ElaineD · February 2010

Not every chemo works for every patient-it's not unusual. Good luck with hormonals.

1marmalade1 · February 2010

I am having neo-adjuvant chemo as well - after 2 rounds of AC (for 5cm+tumour) US showed no change to tumour - onc cancelled last 2 AC rounds, and put me on Taxotere/Herceptin for 4tx (or 6 - so far undecided). I had my 2nd Tax this week - hopefully there will be some progress. Probably mast. to follow, then rads. I guess not all chemos work out - but yes, having chemo first, at least you can see if it is working. In my case, AC did not , but at least we know this, and changed the regimen early.

mzazueta · February 2010

Hi Ladies,

I too am having neo adjunct AC chemo for a 5.6 cm tumor. I'll have my second treatment on March 3rd. I don't know if it is wishful thinking, but I think my tumor feels slightly diminished. My surgeon feels I may be able to have a lumpectomy if it shrinks significantly. My oncologist feels neo adjunct chemo is indicated simply to do a mastectomy without taking chest wall tissue. So they're on the fence until i guess we see if the chemo is working. I feel fortunate after reading many of the discussions that my body is responding fairly well to the chemo. I have had no vomitting, and for the first three days after only nausea which I took the anti-nausea med's for. They made me very sleepy, but otherwise did the job. I have had muscle aches and pains for the first week but motrin has helped that. Only yesterday I began to lose strands of hair and after two days of trying to work with that, I've decided tomorrow I'm having my head shaved. The weekend will give me time to decide, wig, beanie, scarf, or whatever feels most comfortable. This entire cancer experience has been anything but fun, but if it helps me to get healthy it is worth it. Having my partner by my side for every Dr. visit and chemo treatment has meant everything to me. Plus, having someone else helps ensure you remember everything you're told about. I'm on the internet every time I get some new medical jargon, so I can understand what it is, how it will help and what to expect. These board discussions are the very best though, since you all are living it - I read them all the time and am empowered by the positive postings. I wish you all the very best.

Jac999 · February 2010

This is my very first post. I have been reading all areas of this site since being diagnosed on Feb 7th.I have found everybody so inspirational and so positive which has been such a highlight for me.My diagnosis is Grade 3A IDC Stage 3 with Lymph Node involvement. I had my first A.C. chemo two days ago. Terrible night but improved well by next day, mainly thanks to all the anti nausea drugs and steriods ect, Next chemo on the 9th March. Four AC two weeks apart. Full mastectomy and axilla clearance then 12 weeks taxol followed up by rads. I am a triple negative also so they are giving me the full deal with chemo etc. I also feel empowered by my determination and positive thoughts and its so wonderful to share our stories.

jancie · February 2010

I had dose dense AC followed up by Taxol to shrink my ER/PR positive tumor. For the first 3 sessions it didn't feel as the tumor was shrinking at all. Then wham.....it started shrinking after my 4th AC treatment and all the way through my Taxol to the point they could no longer feel it by hand. I am just sharing this for positive thoughts for those that don't feel a change after 2 treatments - don't give up - could be like mine thas was slow to start shrinking.

fg2000 · April 2010

I am 51 years old and I was recently diagnosed with IDC. Tumor measuring 4 cm. I will be having chemo, surgery and complete node disection of the right axilla, followed by radiation. I found a large lump in right axilla one day while showering, and wondered, how the hell could I have missed this before now? Immediately made an appointment for a mammogram. . . had a mammo and ultrasound the same day. A few days later I had an ultrasound guided core biopsy and my report came back a few days later indicating metastatic ductal carcinoma. At that time docs were unsure where the primary cancer was coming from as my breasts were both showing clear. I then made an appointment at Moffitt in Tampa. By the time my appointment rolled around, I found another lump in my right breast. Couldn't believe it was not showing up on the mammo or ultrasound. Dr. Lee ordered another ultrasound guided biopsy and sure enough the results showed the right breast as the primary location. After that I underwent a bone scan, CT scan and MRI. Luckily the scans all came back clear. I will be having a port put in very soon and chemo should begin within a couple of weeks beginning with Adriamycin and Cytoxan once every two weeks over an 8 week period, then another drug, I believe she said Taxol, (depending on how well I do with the first round of drugs per Dr. Han) again once every two weeks over an 8 week period. My docs are hoping this will shrink the tumor prior to surgery. I will post again after I have completed 2 or 3 rounds of chemo to let you know what my outcome is. I hope everything turns out well for you! Smile

Chemo didn't work!

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