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6 months past chemo with new lump

TwinFlower
  • By TwinFlower
  • Posted August 19, 2009 at 9:12 pm · 13 replies
  • In Recurrence
  • Shared with the public
0 Recommendations

Hello everyone,
I have been reading about alternative treatments and came to this site via referral.
I am 6 months out of chemo. Stage 3B, 4 nodes positive with vascular involvement and a secondary tumor in the nodes. All nodes were removed as well as the tumors. I had chemo for 12 months (issues) and 37 radiation treatments. Er/Pr positive, Her2 neg.
I have a new lump, in the exact same place as the original, growing at about the same rate. Original tumor was 2 cm.
My doctor is alarmed, as am I. A biopsy is scheduled, but I am not at all optimistic about this.
Does anyone have a similar situation, or any input???
A stray kitten just walked in my front door.........lol.

Any input would be welcomed.
Linnea

Explore topics in this discussion:

Taxotere Cancer Chemotherapy Radiation therapy Stress Breast cancer

13 replies

ReneP

i am sorry for this situation i am glad you have a biopsy schedule. information is power, then you can move forward.

if it is a reoccurence there is a trial that might apply to you. here is some information and a link. talk to your doctor...

DIGNITY Breast Cancer Trial for patients with chest wall recurrance
RCW Study of ThermoDox and Microwave hyperthermia

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVESTIGATIONAL THERAPY BEING STUDIED & PROTOCOL REQUIREMENTS


The Phase I-II multi-center DIGNITY Study is the first clinical study evaluating a chemotherapeutic agent (or anti-cancer drug, called ThermoDox®), used in combination with an approved medical device (microwave hyperthermia- a form of heat) to treat breast tumors of the chest wall and the surrounding tissue. The study is currently enrolling patients who have had breast cancer that has recurred at the chest wall and who have previously had two treatment regimens of chemotherapy and a regimen of radiation therapy.

ThermoDox is a heat-activated drug that contains doxorubicin and is administered through a vein. When used in combination with microwave hyperthermia (MH) or heat, doxorubicin is released directly to the tumor and the surrounding tissue.
This study will assess the optimal dosing, safety, and efficacy of ThermoDox/MH therapy. RCW breast cancer patients may receive up to six ThermoDox/MH treatments at 21-day intervals unless unacceptable toxicity or progressive disease is present.
For further details including protocol requirements related to the DIGNITY Study, please visit clinicaltrials.gov at the following link: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT...sion&rank=1. Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00826085

LaGata

I fully recommend keeping the kitten! LOL!!!

Beachbabe

Ugh, when it rains it pours! I don't share the same story but agree a biopsy is the smartest direction to go in. We're here for you when/if you need us...just call out our names and you know wherever we are we'll come typingggggggggggg to make you feel good...

Sorry, I've got a gut full of cement and am a bit off today ;)

TwinFlower

Thank you all for your responses. The biopsy will be done next Friday. I will look into the clinical trial. I am wondering now if the original tumor was in fact breast cancer, since it came from beneath my sternum, then popped through the rib cage. Perhaps the chemo was not the right mix???? Just thinking......
The kitten belongs next door, and seems quite at home here with my three cats. Open door policy!!!

LittleLibby

Hi Linnea,

your note struck a cord with me as it reminded me of my history. I had recurrence in my lymph nodes, both supraclavicular and axillary nodes on the opposite side of my original tumor. I had the choice of Xeloda or the taxoterre/cytoxin. I chose the taxotere because I thought it was the most aggressive thing to do, I was very ready to take care of business! Six months after the chemo ended I had node involvement in the supraclavicular area again, and found that I had bone mets as well. I was devastated at what I considered a rapid recurrence.

Anyway, I ended up on faslodex for 3 mos. which I continued to progress on. Then I was switched to Xeloda and after 9 weeks my scan showed improvement. I go in for another scan in early Sept. and hope to see more reduction in the cancer - don't we all!

I hate to call it a crap shoot, but what this boils down to is that its anybody's guess as to what will be the most effective treatment. I see there are certain protocols followed , such as trying to see if the hormonal therapy works first, which didn't work for me. I do find the Xeloda very tolerable and am hoping it will work for a long time.

Whatever comes to pass and I hope its not a recurrence, I recommend getting a 2nd opinion when you are faced with a fork in the road. I have a regular specialist that I go to for a 2nd opinion and during my last "decision" I actually got a third opinion. I figured I could aim for the best 2 out of 3!

This is one roller coaster ride I would like to abort!

take care U,
Libby

TwinFlower

Dear Libby,
Thank you, and I cry reading your words.
The uncertainty of life since this path has been a huge awakening for me spiritually. That is my comfort. I know my "purpose", which I never had control over from the beginning.
I'm scared about Friday, and the results, mostly because of the decisions I may have to make that I know will be difficult for my family. Thankfully I am single and have no children. I feel my opportunity to speak out is huge, and beckoning.
I did the medical route, and do not regret that decision.
I have changed my lifestyle, eating, breathing, cleaning, bathing, everything. Through this transition I have seen the shift from nature, our God given healing, and thriving way of sustaining life, to a money driven way of altering these gifts to prosper for man's benefit.
ok, I'm done with that.
What I would encourage everyone going through this journey to do is, look at nature, apply it, teach it, and find a comfortable balance. We are going back to Green...yes, someone will make money. But it's time to start. We are killing ourselves, and will be extinct if we don't start to change now.
I welcome any comments. This is so new to me. I'm a quiet artist.
Linnea

LittleLibby

Dear Linnea

My heart is with you and open to you. I was originally diagnosed in 1994, although became metastatic in 2007. It is a whole different ballgame and through it all, I find I continue to learn more about disease, treatment, but even more about the human condition. I have gone through so many emotions and directions through this all.

I have made some minor changes in lifestyle, but since I looked around and saw that I was one of the healthiest people I know I can't go cast blame on anything specific and especially not on myself. In fact, I credit my great health with my long survival, perhaps this would have killed someone else long ago. But these things I don't know and I've decided not to stress myself out about it anymore. Of course, I want to do whatever I can to fight it, heal, and be well. And I choose to accept the practices of science and complement that with whatever healing practices make me feel well.

Of course, that doesn't mean that I can get off the roller coaster. However, I am trying to learn to not scream like a banshee on the way down, but instead try to look up and believe and strive for that way back to the top. I met with a counselor for a while this year when I was feeling quite overwhelmed with it all and that was helpful. She recommended a book to me that might be helpful to you. I have been reading it and although I haven't completed it, it addresses the uncertainties that we face. Its called "The Human Side of Cancer, Living with Hope, Coping with Uncertainty" by Jimmie C. Holland, MD and Sheldon Lewis. Perhaps it can help smooth out your ride.

By the way, I'm with you on the whole green scene. And on a spiritual note, I have found love to be as healing as any drug. Also, don't hesitate to speak your mind on these discussions. As your "sisters" (brothers, too) we can hear you, when often your family can't. What I mean is that we can all relate to your thoughts and feelings when at times its difficult for family and friends
to process.

Peace to you during this difficult time, and remember we are fortunate that there are many treatments and options for us with advanced BC.

hugs, Libby

Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, its about learning to dance in the rain.

CSF

Hey Linnea-
I'm sorry to hear that all the efforts may not have totally wiped out this thing...
A proper biopsy will tell what exactly this is. I would think that if a biopsy with proper pathology was done the first time that it would have been correctly identified as breast cancer. It can pop up in weird places.
That having been said, yes the uncertainty of all this is one of the hardest things to adjust to. I just try to accept what is happening, do what I can about it and try my best to let the other things just be what they are. We can go crazy trying to control this.
I hope for the best for you with your biopsy - please let us know how it goes. There are MANY options out there for treatment... both conventional and supportive/alternative. Just hang in there and keep doing what you are doing.
(hugs)

TwinFlower

Wonderful news and a new day!!!
The lump (s) are scar tissue that is trying to find a place to settle, no sign of any kind of tumor. I will be having my last mammogram ever, and an MRI this month, and MRI's from then on to double check my manual exams.
Many prayers went out during the past 2 weeks, and I am thankful for all of you.
Now, time to start packing for that camping trip!!!
Linnea

ykimmiey

wow how wonderful that it all worked out isay that god does here at least some of our prayers god bless you

Enola

That is absoslutely wonderful, you should really be able to enjoy the camping trip now. Fantastic

margaret27217

LittleLibby, that is the BEST description of what we try to do with this roller coaster ride - " learn to not scream like a banshee on the way down"!
Linnea, we love you!

lusianagal

Awesome!! i am doing the happy dance for you!!

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