Tumor growth just three weeks after last chemo treatment

Thanks everyone for your support! This past year has been a total nightmare and I've felt very alone. I'm surrounded by friends and family that love and support me, but I don't have support from people that have actually been in my shoes. 

One year ago, my 20 yr old son came home from basic training very sick. A week later, after several mis-diagnosis we learned Joseph has Leukemia. My world started spinning. Eight months later, I was diagnosed with triple negative stage 3a breast cancer. Many times my son and I sat side by side receiving our chemo at the same time. Within a month, I lost my house, most of my clients and had to move two hours from home with my parents so they could help. To be honest, I'm just now beginning to research my own cancer. I just googled triple negative yesterday. I've been so overwhelmed with my son's health, I've ignored my own. It wasn't until my tumor started to grow and the doctor's concern threw me into a panic, that I began to research. I'm still so totally ignorant of my prognosis. I can tell you anything you want to know about leukemia but little to nothing about triple negative stage 3 breast cancer. My son is very sick and in and out of the hospital. We are on a first name basis with the EMT's. I've brushed my cancer off as a small thing because I'm not as sick as my son...until yesterday. For the first time since my diagnosis I'm really scared about my own health. I'm trying to hide all of this from my boys so not to ruin their Christmas. I smile and joke and act like everything is great. Until they go to bed and I totally fall apart. 

The tumor growing is just by my feel. I would totally LOVE to hear that it's not really growing. I've had it swell within the first few days after chemo, but this seems different. I remember, before I started chemo, I could really feel the tumor when I was driving. When I had my right hand on the steering wheel, I could feel the tumor rubbing against my arm.That feeling went away about a month into my chemo, but over the last few days, it's returned. The pain feels different as well. I have a constant dull ache, with occasional knife sharp pains...even after taking really strong pain meds. I thought I was ready to wean myself from the pain meds, but if I don't take them, I can't function.

I'm very relieved I don't have to wait to see my surgeon. My biggest fear is getting really bad news from him and then having to try and put on my happy face through Christmas. I suck at acting and I'm barely able to do it now, it's going to be even harder if something really IS wrong.

I called my mom this morning for support. Her response? I'm being a hypocondriac, like when I was a little girl. She actually compared this to the time when I was five and stubbed my toe and was convinced my entire foot was broken. REALLY?? I know she' s trying to help, but she's actually making me feel worse. And pissing me off. Comparing cancer to a stubbed toe?? Arggggggg!!!

I was also wondering if any of you guys had to get more chemo after surgery? At my last appointment, my doctor said he didn't think more chemo was going to be needed, because my tumor had responded so well to chemo. That's all changed now that I'm feeling growth in the tumor.  

Thank-you everyone, for your kind words and encouragement. Having breast cancer is scary enough...when you find out the doctor you trust is not taking care of you as he should, it's terrifying. 

My son, Joseph, had a chemo treatment Monday. He had the mega whammy as we call it. He had a spinal tap to check for any new  leukemic cells and then two chemo drugs put in his spine while they're in there. He also has 'regular chemo' through his port and one given by shot. Since his diagnosis last December, he's never had the mega whammy without ending up in the ER. Fortunately, this time he only had weakness and minor nausea. We were thrilled! If you had told me two years ago I would be celebrating over a 'good' chemo treatment I would have thought you were crazy. Oh how cancer changes your life.

My son's strength amazes me. He has about 18 more months of chemo. Just four months of chemo knocked me to the floor, but he just keeps charging along. He'll be 21 next month. The age when most people are celebrating their passage into 'adulthood'....my son will celebrate his birthday in the chemo room at The West Clinic. Life can really bite....