Only partial response to chemo

After my horrible sessions of chemo, my scan revealed the chemo had put holes into my tumour but hadn't shrunk it enough to warrant a successful lumpectomy, I opted for single mastectomy with lymph nodes removal. After op I was told there were still active cancer cells in tumour. I was told by my surgeon that I will need more chemotherapy treatment as well as radiotherapy. I'm devastated. I'm currently receiving Herceptin injections every three weeks. I cannot face the awful chemo again. If it had little effect with first session I can't understand why another lot of awful sessions will be needed. Surely radiation will mop up any stray cancer cells. My oncologist is on holiday so no idea when I will be speaking to her about what surgeon told me. I feel so depressed, as I was assured that the neoadjuvant chemo was highly successful. I was not told it wasn't guaranteed. All through my awful chemo sessions I was given positive messages that it would be all worthwhile and would be killing the cancer. I was even given a clip inserted into tumour just incase it completely obliterated it, so they'd know where it originally was. I was left  with a 5cm tumour instead of a 6cm I've with a few holes in it. I really don't want to have more chemo. It has been 8 weeks since last session, and I've still not got my full sense of taste back, so food tastes bland. My hair has just started to grow back, and that had cheered me up. I was feeling so happy after my end of chemo sessions and people telling me the worst was over now it was finished. Even the mastectomy didn't bother me. I'm still in pain with lymph node removal but it's only been just under two weeks and seems to be getting a bit less painful each day. I can't stop crying when I think of going through chemo again. I've got a telephone appointment with a doctor regarding my radiotherapy treatment next Tuesday, so I'm hoping I'll be having that soon and not chemo. I just want them to be totally honest with me now, and not give me false hope, to then me feeling so disappointed, and disillusioned when it doesn't turn out like I've been told it would. I've got cancer trying to kill me, and I can't even hug my son and grandson because of this virus that could possibly kill me too. Sorry for the rant. I'm just feeling sorry for myself and a bit angry at the world right now. I'll feel better once I've had a good old cry. 

Parents
  • Hi Kayjay8, 

    So sorry you are going through all this. 

    Is there a Breast Cancer nurse you can talk to while your Oncologist is away? Macmillan are very good at answering questions if you call their helpline.

    Hope all gets better, 

    Ceyenne

  • Thanks for your reply. I'm not very good with telephone conversations. I'll probably end up blubbering and making no sense whatsoever. I've just remembered I've got a clinic appointment next Tuesday to see nurse with my mastectomy and lymph node scars, so I'll ask her some questions then. If I'm told positive things, I believe them and feel and act positive. I also like to be told the worse that can happen so I'm prepared for disappointment. While waiting to see my surgeon the nurse said that I would be getting really good news. I was so excited. Then my surgeon came in and said that I made right decision with opting for mastectomy, as would have struggled getting out what was left of tumour with a lumpectomy, and then went on to say they'd found active cancer cells so would be needing further chemo, as well as radiotherapy which I had expected to have. From feeling so happy with the hint of good news from nurse, I felt sick with disappointment at the news of further chemo treatment. 

Reply
  • Thanks for your reply. I'm not very good with telephone conversations. I'll probably end up blubbering and making no sense whatsoever. I've just remembered I've got a clinic appointment next Tuesday to see nurse with my mastectomy and lymph node scars, so I'll ask her some questions then. If I'm told positive things, I believe them and feel and act positive. I also like to be told the worse that can happen so I'm prepared for disappointment. While waiting to see my surgeon the nurse said that I would be getting really good news. I was so excited. Then my surgeon came in and said that I made right decision with opting for mastectomy, as would have struggled getting out what was left of tumour with a lumpectomy, and then went on to say they'd found active cancer cells so would be needing further chemo, as well as radiotherapy which I had expected to have. From feeling so happy with the hint of good news from nurse, I felt sick with disappointment at the news of further chemo treatment. 

Children
No Data