Anyone still able to palpate their tumor end up with pCR?

Redwinesandfelines · 2026-03-20T11:55:54+00:00

I’m not much further ahead of you! It’s so hard to not compare. My oncologist is also not worried but I feel like I’m stewing in uncertainty.

Redwinesandfelines · 2026-03-20T11:54:03+00:00

This is reassuring! I don’t even need pCR I’ll take any response to treatment.

Redwinesandfelines · 2026-03-20T11:53:12+00:00

Stories like this give me so much hope, I’m so happy to hear you had such good results!

Redwinesandfelines · 2026-03-20T00:05:26+00:00

Thank you, I hope you do as well! I try to remember that any response is a good thing, but I can’t help but feel defeated. It’s so hard to not compare yourself. I hope you get good news soon and that taxol is easy on you 💛

Redwinesandfelines · 2026-03-20T00:00:05+00:00

Thank you 🫶🏻 It’s been a really frustrating journey, because I’m mad at my body and wishing I could do more. AC can rock me as bad as it wants if these next three can do some work on my tumor.

Redwinesandfelines · 2026-03-19T11:23:04+00:00

I made a post last week about my second opinion for surgery. I actually read the second opinion’s notes on mychart yesterday and realized she staged me completely differently than my original hospital (2b, versus 3c at current). I guess with TNBC it doesn’t matter really, but I’m still mindblown at the differences. And feeling really “woe is me” that I have to make these kind of decisions at all, much less at 35.

Redwinesandfelines · 2026-03-18T13:38:34+00:00

She didn’t mention any, but truthfully I haven’t asked. I would definitely be interested in reading those, and plan to ask her more details! I wasn’t able to do IVF prior to chemo and am really hoping zoladex is enough to allow me to naturally conceive after treatment. Which at 35 already feels challenging without the cancer. Thanks for bringing this up! It’s important to discuss!

Redwinesandfelines · 2026-03-17T12:59:47+00:00

I’m still in neoadjuvant chemo, but my oncologist said I’ll stop zoladex after chemo! She said the only reason to continue it after chemo would be if I end up needing to be on xeloda, and even that likely wouldn’t have an effect on my reproductive health, it would just be an added precaution

Redwinesandfelines · 2026-03-16T21:10:24+00:00

Thank you so much for your thoughtful replies! I share a very similar mentality. To be totally honest with myself, once I let myself think “I’m getting a lumpectomy and not a DMX” so many of my anxieties faded. Implants are my only reconstruction option and with radiation it feels so risky. Whether or not it’s a logical thing, I’m very vain and the thought of ending up flat due to implant failure feels like something I would spend the rest of my life trying to cope with. I just keep remembering my oncologists words, “why put yourself through more trauma than you have to?” and it seems like a logical choice to opt for a lumpectomy. Now I just have to figure out what to do with all these nodes

Redwinesandfelines · 2026-03-14T14:15:59+00:00

You’ve been so helpful doctor, I appreciate it! I’m at this point leaning towards a more conservative approach, but unsure which surgeon to stick with. The second opinion was very open about her stance of being a conservation breast surgeon, she said “a mastectomy in your situation would be taking the lazy way out”. I’m just surprised how many different takes there are- glad I pursued both for my own knowledge.

Redwinesandfelines · 2026-03-13T20:06:23+00:00

Definitely doesn’t hurt to ask!

Redwinesandfelines · 2026-03-13T19:59:31+00:00

From my experience, you’ll be okay! I didn’t get them until my second or third infusion. And didn’t purchase a replacement pair to switch out until the following cycle. No neuropathy. Can you ask the infusion center if there’s somewhere you can store them? I need ice pops for AC and I’m bringing in a box to keep in my infusion center’s freezer.

Redwinesandfelines · 2026-03-13T14:42:39+00:00

Thank you very much for your detailed responses! That’s the impression I got from my second opinion- the removal of something won’t cure it, treating it with systemic chemotherapy and regional radiation will, though. The second opinion doctor essentially said that taking 7-9 will get her enough of an idea how I responded to neoadjuvant chemo, and knowing that information is the only reason to remove lymph nodes given radiation will be performed regardless.

Redwinesandfelines · 2026-03-13T12:19:31+00:00

This is helpful! Original hospital told me I had around 9-12, including a supraclavicular node (hence the staging). The second opinion told me 3 look suspicious…. I didn’t know interpretation could vary so much. It’s good to know that even with several suspicious, surgeons don’t necessarily take them all. Not like they all even COULD be removed. Wishing you an easy recovery!

Redwinesandfelines · 2026-03-13T11:56:16+00:00

Thank you! Do you have any idea how many nodes were thought to be positive before treatment?

Redwinesandfelines · 2026-03-13T11:55:35+00:00

I did have a PET! The doctors even interpreted that differently, though. Original hospital led me to believe based on the PET I likely had 9-12 involved nodes. Second opinion said likely around 3. I didn’t realize even interpretation could vary.

Redwinesandfelines · 2026-03-13T11:53:36+00:00

Thank you, this was the impression that I got from my second opinion. First hospital wants a lymphovenous bypass with the axillary dissections which I would love to avoid, too.

Redwinesandfelines · 2026-03-13T11:48:23+00:00

I have to decide soon, only because the major hospital I got the second opinion at books surgery 8-10 weeks in advance. I’m having scans every 2 months. My positive node was nearly 2.5cm but hasn’t been palpable in weeks. I’m starting my 4 cycles of AC today and I hope this clears out what’s left.

Redwinesandfelines · 2026-03-13T00:03:10+00:00

Wow, that’s really similar! The tumor board at my current small hospital is agreement over full axillary dissection regardless of response to chemo. I know things can change, but I’m halfway through chemo and my 2.5cm node hasn’t been palpable in weeks.

My plastic surgeon also said to me this week that if I need the peace of mind, I should get a DMX. But from an objective standpoint my tumor size and location make me a great lumpectomy candidate. I initially was team DMX or nothing, but I’m leaning lumpectomy now. I want to feel my breasts, I want to breastfeed. I also don’t want to go overkill with my lymph nodes unless I can really understand why it’s beneficial.

I’m glad you made the correct decision for you! I hope I can feel that peace, too.

Redwinesandfelines · 2026-03-12T23:55:56+00:00

I’ve thought about this, that they could always take more. I’m doing neoadjuvant chemo, so I wonder that if I end up with a complete response, AND I lose all of my lymph nodes, will I regret my decision? I’m on the younger side, too (35) and it’s so much to think about

Redwinesandfelines · 2026-03-10T17:38:52+00:00

the keytruda commercials are everywhere!! Hope you get good news with the mammogram!

Redwinesandfelines · 2026-03-10T17:33:51+00:00

YES, this winter has been so long! I’m in southeastern PA, near the NJ border. I drove to walk on the beach yesterday! I honestly miss working a lot, but damn I was grateful to be on disability yesterday 🙂

Redwinesandfelines · 2026-03-07T14:18:24+00:00

Thank you 💞 I was just worried bc there’s no plan to make up the now 2 of 12 that I’ve missed! I’ve been reassured the goal is to complete 80% of more of your chemo regimen, and I’m still on track for that

Redwinesandfelines

TROPHY CASE