Just seen my Onc today and he has told me that my chemo is not responding.
(Dx grade 3 triple neg with spread to cervical lymph glands in neck - March this year, no node involvment) (I seem to be classed somewhere between regional and secondary)
No surgery - went straight to Taxol and Avastin - just had no 13. Got off to a really positive start with breast and neck lumps reduced significantly but now neck lumps getting bigger.
Onc has suggested we do radiotherapy on neck and then try another chemo.
Needless to say I’m upset that we’re already giving up on one sort of chemo so soon. I understood triple neg people tend to have a good response to chemo but there are only so many to go for.
Can someone explain what the radiotherapy can achieve - is it just a delaying tactic before more chemo? Can it reduce the tumours in size, but if so can they just grow back again?
Has anyone got an opinion on what type of chemo they may try next? I forgot to ask the Onc but the nurse suggested it might be epiburicin (I know I’ve spelt that wrong). Is there something better I could try for. I’m currently covered thru work to go private, so I’ll push for whatever.
Sorry to waffle
Thanks in advance
Linda
x
Hi Linda I’ve got sec to lungs im also tn I’m having caboplatain /taxol ive had v gd response on treatment shrunk lumps by 70/50 percent I hope they can sort u out caboplatain is meant to be v gd with tn
Hi Linda,
I’m sorry about your chemo. problems. I’m afraid I have no personal recommendations re;chemos. I have had rads to collarbone, neck and underarm and am in remission now for regional mets - just had another clear scan. It’ll be a year in Sep. since rads, so I can thoroughly recommend them. As Laura says - carboplatin(?) is effective with TN and I think Tina had a good response with it as well. I would def. try rads anyway.
Love, Sarah x
hi linda,
I’m ER+ and PR+, also had taxol and avastin, then Tamxifen, then FEC, now on Arimidex and Zoladex, also zometa for bone mets.
In between chemo, I had rads to my right neck to reduce the lumps was the only place didn’t respond to chemo. My onc expected a reduction and delay the progression, but those lumps completely disappears. I just finished another lots of rads to my left neck to reduce some new lumps!!! They have shrank, so hoping they will disappear, too in a few more weeks. My right neck however, has shown no sign of coming back so far. And now I’ve got the whole neck the same colour!!!
I’m private, too with my work covered for me. Let me know if there’s anything you want to know about the rads.
Take care xx
Thanks everyone. It certainly seems worthwhile to have radiotherapy, so will just wait for my appt to come through.
As for chemo - I know how lucky I’ve been on Taxol as far as side effects were concerned, so didn’t want to let this go. But on the other hand, no point in continuing if its not doing the proper job.
I just went back to work last on a phased return, as I knew what days I could cope with on Taxol - so this news has messed this up a little.
I understand from many that people work thru radiotherapy - do you think I’d be foolsih to increase my hours during this period or should I stick at 2 days as agreed at the moment.
m1yu - you certainly sound like the neck expert - what a blow to have lumps on both sides. But I’m glad you found a positive in that you’re evenly coloured!!
Laura - I’ll mention Carboplatin. I have time to do my own bit of research before I see my Onc again
sarah - really pleased you’ve just had another all clear scan - lets keep it that way!
Thanks again everyone
I do feel better this morning
Linda
x
Radiotherapy made me quite tired towards the end its up to you but I would stick at two (days for now depending onthe physicallity of your job.
thanks Sunflower (love your username - I do wish I’d been a bit more creative)
I’ve just talked to a work friend and she said the same as you. She actually thinks I’m mad already being back at work - but sometimes you just need to get the grey cells working again!
I hope you are doing well
thanks again for taking time to reply
Linda