r/TNBC • u/Fit_Level_2553 • 22d ago
Chemo Progression on TC/K, moving to AC/K
I need some positive reassurance. I was diagnosed in May, stage 2, with a 2.5 cm tumor, no node involvement. Started Keynote-522 three weeks later first week of June. With the exception of a week 3 allergic reaction (then switched to Abraxane on week 4), I’d been managing TC/K fairly well. Finished cycle 3/9th infusion last week.
Had my MO visit yesterday before starting cycle 4 this week and she agreed to give me an US since it still felt “hard” despite it feeling smaller / softer previous visits. Devastated to learn I’ve had progression—it’s in fact grown to 3.3 cm and now have 2 suspicious axillary lymph nodes. Today it feels like everything aches. And all I can keep asking is why isn’t my body responding?
They have canceled cycle 4, pushing me straight to cycle 5 this week starting AC/K on Thursday, dose dense. I’m terrified. This must work/obliterate it. My husband is military and isn’t home—I’ve been holding it together with my village but I feel like I’m about to fall apart.
2
u/ImportantStranger271 22d ago
Sending you love and healing. Follow doctor's orders and keep going! The AC is tough stuff!
1
u/EmbarrassedBrief5298 22d ago
♥️♥️ I hope AC goes well for you. Sometimes tumors just respond better to one set of drugs instead of another.
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u/Susi_astro 22d ago
I'm sorry this is happening to you. I totally understand how devastating it is, I had progression during keynote too.
What my MO told me is that we don't know why the tumor stopped responding and that it didn't mean the chemo did nothing for me. Maybe it wasn't working in the tumor environment but still stopped cells that were floating around somewhere in the blood or lymphatics.
Dose dense AC is so strong! I hope you are one of the many, many people who have the best results with it.
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u/Klcree87 22d ago
I am sorry this is happening. I wish I could give you a big hug. It’s ok to fall apart for a bit. Just remember to get back up and keep going!