Forum Discussion
Got told today chemo failed
Today I met with my surgeon, I'm booked in for right mastectomy and full node clearance for 15th August. He told me chemo has failed and done nothing. Hearing that had my head spinning. I've just spent six long months being poisoned with toxic shit for nothing. I'm due for my very last chemo next Tuesday and unless my oncologist can give me one good reason why I should do it, they can get f##ked. All I can think of is if for the last six months it's done nothing then where else has it spread in the meantime. I feel so pissed off right now and am in tears. Also he said the risk of lymphedema is high given I'll be having radiation as well. Does this mean you have it for life and permanently have to wear compression sleeve. I was told at the beginning of all this it would be just the sentinel node, but seeing as chemo failed the lot have to go. Screw CANCER, there is just so much to look forward to.
109 Replies
- @Afraser, thanks. Will definitely have to consider the heat here regarding fake boob. I'm only a b cup so not much anyway.
- @Kat09, I didn't realize it was standard treatment to the neck,but I guess if all the other ladies can do it so can I. I'm a constant worrier( thanks anxiety) but I love we can swap experiences and support each other.
@Zoffiel, love how you word things it's another Zoffiel lol moment. My neighbor is wonderful and has driven me to nearly every chemo appointment. He did this for my mum too when she had cancer. I don't drive so his help has been amazing. I've known him over 20 years and I feel I owe him so much. Just hope I can repay his kindness someday. He has a bit of foot in mount disease at times lol. - Omg sorry copied someone else's post lol I just wanted to add my bc nurse is fantastic lady so caring and she will see me any where if I want, she has a huge area I never thought I would need her so glad I have her. And it's funny someone commented about lymphoedema after radiation that not everyone gets it my surgeon said the same to me yesterday he said I was special cause I have it.
- primek said:I'm am so glad you feel much more confident that the chemo has done what it should have. Makes it so worthwhile. Unfortunately I didn't feel supported by my bc nurse locally, I used to contact the ones attached to the hospital that did my surgery instead (500k away) as they seemed more interested. I recently had my changeover surgery and let my local bc nurse know I was back home. She sent me a text saying good. I saw her 6 weeks later, at a coffee shop at the hospital, (last actually spoke 5 months ago when my herceptin stopped early) and she said Oh havent seen you since surgery. And I said...havent seen you in 6 months. But we just had a quick chat. I too feel very alone if it wasn't for the ladies here and a couple I met during chemo.
- @LMK74, my radiation treatment also targets my neck as it usually the standard as that's where the cancer may spread. I will keep you in the loop as to how things go. I just figure whatever happens happens the cancers gotta get nuked. Our bodies are very resilient and after we beat this we can work on taking care of ourselves and building ourself back up.
The only operation I had ever had was a caesarean - I didn't have much of a problem with that either so my pain threshold may be low, but not very much tested. I howl like a banshee when I stub my toe though.
I have a prosthesis, I'm on my second, they last about two years (get a bit wrinkly after that) and I find it fine. I had a bit of fluid problems and didn't get a proper one till nearly 12 months after surgery - the soft pads you get immediately after surgery were a trial for such a long period!! Avoid if at all possible - boob shift every time you bend is not what you want. So a proper stays-in-its-place prosthetic boob was great. And I hadn't realised that my back was slightly out of alignment because of the weight difference (reasonably large boobs). It's easy to look after, to travel with, I had it fitted at home. However those in the tropics often say they find them hot. So it may be worth swapping notes locally about types, and whether one brand is better for your environment than another. Best wishes, hope all goes well.
- @Afraser, I pray that is the case for me too but we'll see. It's good to hear some don't have lots of pain. I'm unsure what my pain threshold is like as never had an operation. Do you wear a prosthetic,and how do they feel.
- I had a mastectomy and no immediate reconstruction (still haven't and won't) but I also had virtually no pain. Surgery included an axillary clearance. Was up and around at home in 4 days, went back to work after about a week. May have just been lucky, but it can happen (and I am no stoic!). Here's hoping you have a good outcome too.
- Yeah they have lots of services. I discovered that 2 years ago while my mum was dying from cancer.
- The social worker was great, she also popped in to see me when i was in for the cellulitis
