Hoping the third time is the charm

[Hbryan]

So Ibrance did not work. My oncologist switched me to gemcitabine and carboplatin which also has not worked. Cancer markers have not increased but my lymph nodes and nodules on the skin over my breast have gotten bigger. She has now switched me to taxol which I took for my original breast cancer and had good results with. I also start radiation next week for the lymph nodes in my neck. I am really scared about the radiation because I just finished radiation to the same side in November of 2017. They have warned me if nerve damage occurs I could loose use of my left arm. I guesss paralysis is better than death but it still is very scarey. Here is hoping this regiment works. Thank you all for your support.

[nstonerocks]

I had a course of Abraxane for lung Mets with good results. Think it’s related to taxol. Can you do some gentle yoga or gentle pt to maintain function of radiated parts? Wish inhad cause I notice I cannot stretch out that side of my torso/chest. Radiation must have shortened muscle

[Hbryan in reply to nstonerocks]

The main problem is radiation effects your nerves in the area and if the nerve is radiated more then once permanent nerve damage is a concern. I do not think there are preventative measures that can be taken. Just pray it does not happen.

[Debdavenpo]

Taxol worked like a charm for me for 9 months as did Eribulin. When Taxol stopped I was switched to Gemcarbo which I’m not thrilled w but we’ll see.

[Hidden]

Good luck on the new regimen. It is so depressing when the much-hoped-for treatment does not work - been there and am currently not on any treatment a the next step would be IV chemo and my oncologist considers I am not symptomatic (other than by scan and bloods) to warrant putting up with the side effect - but am dreading the possibility anyway - if I think about it. But there is so much out there being tested and tried as we speak and so much already available - we are each so different that nothing works for all it would seem.

I was given a lot of gentle stretches when I had radio over my right chest to the base of my neck. I have a dystonia tic of my head and was told by the then radio lady "keep still or you will fry your spinal cord" REALLY?? Fortunately by the time I actually had the radio there was another nurse who helped me relax and allowed me to have my head taped still - and gave me the stretches - it worked and I had no problem with radio at all.

Hope the radio goes well for you and that the new meds work.

[Kimr2081]

Prayers for you that this will work. I also am in my 3rd treatment plan, xeloda and hope it will work. Scans in November. I guess we just have to keep trying!!!

[Hbryan in reply to Kimr2081]

Thank you. Wishing you luck too. It is a hard road of uncertainty.

[Hbryan]

I have lots of lymph node involvement. Superficial and deep cervical, submandipular, supraclavicular. Plus Axillary underarm and cheast wall. All on the left side.

[NPmary]

I already had neuropathy in my arm because of tumors, I'm glad I had the radiation it significantly decreased pain and slowed/possibly stopped the progression of neuropathy. I absolutely did not want to be paralyzed.

[Monak2]

How is the new drug ? I also haven’t had success taking ibrance. It has to be used with letrozole to be most effective.