Got told today chemo failed

Hi Jenv, don't feel bad,we all respond differently. This is just the surgeons opinion, will be talking to my oncologist tomorrow to see what her take on it is. Final chemo also tomorrow. 

LMK74...I'm sorry you got told your chemo isn't working...i feel bad cos i posted that mine was...didn't mean to brag...this is such an insidious disease that doesn't discriminate and we all just want to survive no matter what....God, its such a mindfield. 

I developed lympodema in my arm, breast and torso.  I am not happy about it, but it's manageable.  I would rather be alive with it than dead.  Not everyone develops it.  It's not inevitable.  And it's manageable.  

I really encourage you not worry too much about it.  Worrying won't help and may well be unnecessary.  

 However, it's a good idea to see a lymphedema physio soon and get measured in your arm so they know your starting point, should it develop later.   I wish I had known to do that.  

You can also be checked regularly so if some develops, you get on to treating it quickly. 

So sorry your chemo didn't work.  Best wishes for you next treatment.

karen 

So sorry to hear this LMK74. Sending big hugs xx

@LMK74 Oh you sound so much better!!! You go girl!!! Fantastic!!! and you know what?? I believe we make the right decision at the right time. When I look back at my first diagnosis in 2011 I had aggressive treatment and it didn't work, it came back 4yrs later. I now think obviously eventhough I had high grade DCIS I should have had a mastectomy then and I wouldnt have had a recurrence in 2015 or had to do chemo ;) I would choose differently now but hey!!! I did it got through it and kicking goals and had a delayed mastectomy/diep flap recon in Feb. So I did it all just a longer route haha!!! all finished just revision in 3 months :) to match my boobs and get a nipple yay!! So let us know how Tuesday goes and what's next...keep on going...as you will be nearer to the end of it all. :)

Thanks Melclarity, I  will have a good chat to my oncologist on Tuesday and go with what she recommends. At the end of the day we can't change what is. Going to try and stay positive.kind of wish I opted for mastectomy first now instead of waiting to see. But we tried, it failed. Shit happens as they say lol.

Yes what @LMK74 is saying is the Chemo didn't shrink the Tumor, they would have no idea as for anyone if it got all the stray cells. I agree now I've sat back and thought about it, all it means is it didn't shrink your tumor, so means you'd probably require more of a surgery than they anticipated. So hang in there! see what's next in terms of surgery, either way it will be gone! xx

Kezmusc, thankyou. I got plenty of tongue and groove ceilings that need painting. Don't spose you'd like to do mine lol.

What a shitty thing to happen. No wonder your pissed of, anyone would be.  As the others have said, hopefully its caught anything that might have possible got away.  I had surgery first, then 6 mths of chemo "to catch any strays they said".

On a brighter note, not everyone gets Lyphodema, its just one of those side effects that may or may not happen, like everything else. I think that's one of the worst parts of all this just waiting to see what's going to happen.

 I had a lumpectomy and level 3 axillary clearance (5 of 24 positive) last October and am half way through radiation.  No lymphodema.  Do the excersises they give you, they do help a lot.  I just kept doing as much as I felt capable of with that arm (read that as hand painted a tongue and groove ceiling lol.)  I pretty much have full strength and flexibilty ithat arm.  Only time I wore a bandage was doing the mowing as the vibration knocked it around a little but I dont even have to do that now.  Keeping my fingers crossed for you that everything else goes to plan. XOXO

Thanks Rapunzel, made me laugh the last part. How did you're radiation treatment go. It must be good to be done with it.