Good News but more questions

Question

Hi All&nbsp; I will apologise in advance if this turns out to be rambling.&nbsp; I had my 2nd round of AC chemo last Monday and saw the med onc who thought my lump (was 4cm) seemed to be responding (having 4 x 3 weekly Ac then 12 x weekly Taxol Herceptin prior to surgery then radio).&nbsp; The whole plan was to see how my lump (ER+ HER2+ fast growing) responded to all of these drugs so we could chart a course if I got a recurrence (which I definitely picked up "vibes"about as being likely but both surgeon and onc say nothing unless asked a direct question.)&nbsp; Sounded like a great plan after I got my head around the "no you can't have it out now".&nbsp; Thing is this week the lump appears to have disappeared.&nbsp; ie not palpable to surgeon and she sends me off to have a clip put in under ultrasound.&nbsp; Except very highly experienced and lovely radiologist can't find it either.&nbsp; After a serious amount of poking around and guided by my instinct as to where it was in goes the clip.&nbsp; He was happy with the siting of the clip on the mammogram so there must be still something to see there. So, everybody says great news.&nbsp; But I am now wondering.&nbsp; How will they know if it responds to Herceptin/Taxol if there is nothing to see?&nbsp; How will the surgeon know how much tissue to take out?&nbsp; Will it grow back when the AC stops? If the tissue that the clip is attached to is cancerous and gets killed off will the clip move?&nbsp; Has anybody had any experience with any of this?

scorpionqueen · Answer

Hi Helen,
..Peace of mind is a powerful thing when we are going through this....so i would definitely be calling them and asking until you are satisfied you understand what's going on..
Wishing you all the best!
-Tracy
&nbsp;

helendx · Answer

Thanks Tracy.&nbsp; Yes, I now realise that all these questions need to be answered by the specialists.&nbsp; I am glad I wrote them down.&nbsp; Slightly overwhelmed at the moment (an understatement?!). Cheers, Helen

primek · Answer

My head would be spinning too. I am on the same treatment as you and it really is the right choice...but there are others if it doesn't respond. But great news is...it has already. Stay strong. ..write all questions down&nbsp;

lrb_03 · Answer

Hi Helen. On the advice of my surgeon, I too had chemo first. I had a clip placed in the tumour before starting chemo, in case I reponded really well to chemo, and the tumour disappeared before surgery. It sounds like you're responding really well to the AC. They probably won't know anything definite before surgery.&nbsp;
When you have you surgery, if you'r having a lumpectomy, they will take an area larger than the tumour was on the original scans. This may or may not show scarring from where the tumour was, if you've had a good response. Pathology will pick up any remaining active tumour. The clip won't move from where it was placed. Do you know if you have nodes involved?&nbsp;
Take care, Lyn

helendx · Answer

Hi Lyn.&nbsp; Thanks for your reply.&nbsp; Sounds like putting a clip in at the start would have been a better idea.&nbsp; I think the surgeon was very surprised&nbsp;- When I went in I could see that she didn't quite believe me when I said that it had shrunk.&nbsp; The planned surgery is lumpectomy.&nbsp; Do not know about nodes.&nbsp; Initial needle biopsy was indeterminate due to sample size.&nbsp; Am hoping that it was a good sign when&nbsp;they couldn't find any nodes big enough to even stick a needle in but as chemo should kill those cells off too might never know?&nbsp; Glad to hear clip won't move.&nbsp; Cheers Helen

Forum Discussion

Good News but more questions

6 Replies

Recent Discussions

Chemo treatment decision

Radiation oncologist recommendations, Sunshine Coast, Queensland.

Cardio-Oncology and Chest Irradiation

TC chemo 4 vs 6 cycles

Very confused

Disclaimer:

Foundation partner	Major partners