Why is my Breast Tumor NOT Responding to Treatment? | Update on Scheduled Surgery 

Hey Everyone! I appreciate your concern and rather than continuing to answer every comment about LUMPECTOMY vs MASTECTOMY (aka full removal of the breast), I am putting the reasoning here: A mastectomy won’t help me since I am stage 4 (and always was) and there is already cancer in other areas in my body. Many people get a mastectomy because it gives them peace of mind that they are removing all breast tissue where the cancer started. Because of this, it’s a great option for some people, but they are typically stage 0-3. Even then, research shows that a mastectomy doesn’t improve survival chances over lumpectomy in certain cases so people don’t always pick it now (it was probably more common years ago when your friend/mom/grandma was being treated). There are other reasons people might choose mastectomy over lumpectomy but they don’t apply to me. One reason is their tumor is too big or there are multiple tumors. Mine is small and in one spot. Some people have certain mutations that make it more likely for cancer to form in their healthy breast which is why they choose a double mastectomy to give them peace of mind, but again, it doesn’t completely guarantee the cancer won’t come back. Some people are just doing it for personal preference. A lot of times they don’t need to get as many scans, biopsies, or other procedures if they just get a full mastectomy and so it’s more convenient for them. I’m stage 4 so I’m already being monitored constantly and on treatment for life and a mastectomy won’t change that. What about the microscopic cells left over in the breast after lumpectomy? Good question. If the treatment I am on is helping shrink the active cancer in other parts of my body, then it should also take care of those microscopic cells left over in the breast. Sometimes the treatment needs extra “help” which is the reasoning for removing the bulk of the tumor. I am NOT saying a mastectomy is always a wrong decision because it is a great option for many people in certain situations and many people have success with it, but in my situation it is not needed. It was not recommended by my doctors because it is unnecessary. I hope this helps, and thank you again for your concern and support!

Your daughter has a remarkable mother ❤

That sounds like a suitable plan. I’m 13 years in Stage 4. My cancer is in my bones. My last scans showed certain bone areas showing growth. They suggested radiation just on those areas. 6 months later my tumor markers are the lowest they’ve been in years. You have a troubled area, makes sense to treat that.

Breast Cancer Survivor here. Sending hugs. People watching don't always understand how tough these decisions are. Hope lumpectomy goes smoothly!

I am stage 4, B.C., while I was responding to treatment, I had to insist that cyberknife radiation be done to the last spot in my bones, on my left rib. After that my tumor markers continued to drop, 1 year after that all signs of cancer gone. I was told that basically I was not a candidate for cyber knife because of having numerous spine mets. But it made sense to me to kill that last remaining tumor. Last Pet scan no evidence of any cancer. I followed advice from a book, titled Help heal yourself from cancer, written by doctor who beat 2 difference cancers over a span of many years between cancers. And I take my meds exactly as prescribed. I've been in the trenches with this battle for 9 years, stage 4 diagnosed in 2021. Cancer changes everything, your looks, attitude, etc. I am praying for you now.❤

I can give you a possible reason for the treatment not working. Been reading a lot about Verzenio and saw my oncologist this past week. He said it takes 2-3 months for the Abemaciclib (Verzenio) and the aromatase inhibitor you're taking...to work. Some people respond better to it, like me. I'm almost 3 years on Abemaciclib + Letrozole. As an RN, I'd say that everyone responds differently to these cancer drugs so don't write it off yet. I have a dear friend who's in the same boat as we are (stage 4 MBC) and she had a double mastectomy 4 years ago and has NED (no evidence of disease) now. She is thrilled. I wasn't able to have surgery because my cancer had already spread to my ribs and other bones. My little helper, Abemaciclib, is working to keep it all from spreading further. I'm praying for you and hoping for a rapid recovery for you. HUGS from Alabama!

My breast cancer has came back after 4 years and now it is in the liver. You are so young bless you. I just found out last month. It been hard to wrap my head around.

Immense respect for you during your healing process while juggling raising a child. You are so remarkably strong and your beautiful spirit and gracefulness resonates through the screen. Often I've wondered while watching your videos, what sort of emotional support you have from your spouse, any family or friends and what that all looks like over the years. Your daughter is so blessed to have you as her mom.

Hello, I am new to your channel. I want you to know that I pray for all cancer patients around the world. My, at the time 13 year old daughter, was diagnosed with leukemia and is now 15 and cancer free but still undergoing chemo every single day. She’ll be doing that for another year. This whole journey is definitely not easy for sure. Ever since my daughter was diagnosed I pray for you every single day. May God go with you and your beautiful family. Amen Lisa Frye

Breast cancer survivor here. Do what you and your team feel best for you. Sending hugs and prayers.

Your channel was recommended to me. My sister was very recently diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, stage 2. We are awaiting her genetic testing results to find out if she is BRCA positive. It means the difference between a lumpectomy as well as a breast reduction, so that the radiation will be able to target the tumor site more precisely, or if she is in fact BRCA positive, a double mastectomy would be in order. In either case, she was told she would have 4 weeks of radiation(5 days a week) and take an oral hormonal chemotherapy pill. Just to let you know, I admire your strength. And I know from my own sister, who has only told a small circle of family and friends about her breast cancer, that fielding a lot of questions, and getting unsolicited advice from well-meaning people, can be very frustrating. Just continue doing what you think is best for you and remember that you don't owe anyone an explanation on how you proceed with your own treatment. Lots of love from New York City ❤️

Prayers for you for upcoming surgery. You are awesome!

A tumor that has increased from 8 to 17 mm. definitely will benefit from surgical removal. It's very positive that the other sites are shrinking. 🍀 I claim this surgery + your medications will knock it out. 🌻 Edit: You have more freckles. You and baby have been out in the sun. 😊

Lovely to see you. Aside from your illness as such, your straightforward attitude is a good example to anyone, whoever they are and whatever they're doing.

I applaud the decision to get the lumpectomy ! Originally faced with similar scenario when docs at one hospital thought i had stage 4...i was horrified to think they would just treat me systemically and not remove the cancer in breast area. It turned out to be stage 2 ( different hospital) and it took 3 surgeries to get clean margins. After 6 weeks of radiation...i sm hoping to remain cancer free. I think you will feel relived to be rid of that cancerous area. Wishing you continued strength and hope and love ❤ Hug your daughter and your husband. We are all rooting for you ✨❤❤❤♥️

Hi Samantha, you are an extremely intelligent, articulate and very caring woman. Your are very soothing to listen to and know how to relay information in a way that everyone can understand. Thank you for sharing this part of your life with us. I’ve had breast cancer. Been good for 5 yrs. One day at a time. My prayers are with you as I ask for your full remission. Peace, Eleanor from 🍁 Canada.

You are the strongest person, l pray for this cancer to be all removed from your body that isnt responding, in fact l pray all the cancer is cured with this chemo Samantha Lynn. We love you precious girl. 💗 xx

I saw the comment someone made about your “straightforward” approach to your cancer, treatment and decisions. I felt I was the same. I am BRCA-1 positive. It’s been 16 years since that diagnosis and 3 years since my colon cancer diagnosis. Having oncologists have the “straightforward” approach towards my care from DAY 1 was THE BEST for me. I appreciate the way you share information about what you are going through. It’s a given having cancer brings sadness in many ways. Not only as the patient but for our friends and family. You’re so right! I was stage 4 with both cancers and the priority was to get “it” all out. We live with cancer as cancer patients in MANY WAYS whether it is having our cancer being in remission or as you said “get rid of most of the tumors for the best survival.” All the best to you with your lumpectomy. We will be thinking of you

You are a great role model Samantha for your daughter, for many young women and even for older (really old buggers like me)women too. You are doing things your way and dealing with life as it comes .. you’re bloody brilliant girl .. sending love ok ❤❤❤

Your positivity and being able to talk and explain to us the details of your treatment is remarkable. You and awesome women, wife and mother. Praying that your treatment team with Gods guidance there wisdom will give you the best outcome🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

I am also stage4. Thank you for sharing and educating that MBC is not the same as stage 1, 2 or 3. People just don't get it.

Hi Samantha. I just wanted to say my oncologist left the decision to me, but she did say that it could still come back on the chest wall. I had a lumpectomy. That was in 2007. We thought it was gone but in 2013 it came back and was then stage 4. I can’t have chemo or radiation. I take Ibrance and Letrozole and it has worked In slowing things down. I am praying. It makes me so sad when young women with children get this disease. The Lord has brought me through a lot and many friends and family are praying for me.❤

I hope your treatment goes well. You’re so young. I had a bilateral mastectomy in Feb but mine was stage 1 and I didn’t need radiation or chemo. I’m almost 60. I feel for you and will remember you in my prayers

😢😢😢 Hopefully, this surgery will get all the cancer! Best wishes!

It truly amazes me how well you handle all of this. I will say I was a hot mess when I got my BC dx in 2022. I’m doing well today but it’s always in the back of my mind that it can come back. I pray that if that happens someday I’m able to have the positive attitude that you do.

The plan sounds fine, removing the primary tumor cant hurt the process and if it had mutated, its better not to give it a chance to spread and be non responsive to treatment. I wish you all the best with the surgery and keeping my fingers crossed for some clues in the biopsy for a better treatment plan. ❤

I've been following your journey for a while, and i pray you are healed. You are such a brave fighter.

Hi Samantha. Lumpectomy sounds like the best way to go now. I'm sending you positive energy, healing and strength. Much love to you & your family. ❤

Hi Samantha😊 Looking in on you with love and concern as usual. I am glad you managed to come to a decision with your team about the lumpectomy. I hope all went well and you are recovering well. We are all as always right behind you. (I go for my MRI scan on Weds. This time the whole spine including the neck.) I hope you find a wee gap sometime next week to let us know how you are. Sending my love to you and baby girl and the lovely Gray. Take care of each other. Janice 👵 🇬🇧 xxx

Breast Cancer Patient here... I am (was?) stage 2 but on Verzenio for 2 years and Exemestane for 10 years to reduce chances of recurrence... a lot of us are on these drugs whether we're stage 4 or not since recent studies show risk of recurrence is reduced but it's a hard road right! I'm so sorry you are going through this. It's so much harder with a little one! Take care

Good luck on the surgery. Getting that tumor out has to help with cancer cells elsewhere in your body. My good wishes to you and your family. 🥰

Praying for you ❤ Thank you for sharing!

I'm so sorry you have to keep fighting this battle for so long. ❤

Keeping you in my prayers. You are amazing. I just celebrate my 5 years out of treatment.❤❤

Hi Samantha!! It sound like the treatment is going well--soooooo happy about that!!! I'm also glad you will be removing the lump in your breast--you lightened up so much when you told us it would only be about three days that you couldn't pick up your daughter--so cute!!! Thank you so much for keeping all of us informed--we all care so much about you and are cheering for you!! Sending tons of love and thoughts your way!!!💛💛💛💛

There is safety in numbers....sounds like you have a good team working with you...Think of you lots❤

Samantha, I wish you well with your surgery and I pray you get good results. Thank you for taking the time to explain everything about your treatments and cancer. 🙏🙏🙏♥️♥️

Hot flashes: I learned from integrative oncology that 2 tbsp flax seed meal (mix into apple sauce or smoothie) daily and/or 500 mg Vitamin E daily to reduce hot flashes Has really helped. (I’m on tamoxifen). Pulling for you. 💕

Thank you for the update Samantha. We are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers ❤from London UK

You look absolutely amazing and thriving. So glad it went well . Rock on butterfly 🦋

Samantha, one step forward, one step back. Blessing to you and your sweet family. Kick cancers butt... You can do this... 🙏⚘️⚘️

Thank you 🙏🏼 for the update Samantha. Always praying for you and I hope that the lumpectomy goes well and that your continued or new plan of treatment gives you strength and comfort going forward. Today is my 55th birthday 🥳 and I’m thankful 🥹 for another trip around the globe 🌎. Keep on fighting girl, you’ve got this 💪. Sending you virtual hugs 🤗 and positive vibes.

Beautiful blue eyed girl, I hope today brings you smiles.

Sending you healing thoughts! I hope your lumpectomy goes smoothly and you’re on the mend in record time.

Prayers coming your way! 🙏🏻

Praying for you, I’m so glad that the treatment is helping with the mets, and hoping that the surgery will go well and get clean margins. I know it’s hard having to go through so much when you just want to focus on being a mama. You are so strong and such a good mom. I’m in GI failure and dependent on IV nutrition. And, I spend all of my time more worried about my son, I just want to be there for him, and I feel like people who haven’t dealt with severe medical issues as a parent don’t fully understand. Please don’t let anyone get to you if they are being ignorant. This is your life and you are making the right decisions for you and your family. Shame on anyone who thinks they have a right to be rude to you!

Continued prayers on your surgery and journey!

Thank you for your update. Sending tons of prayers and hugs ❤

Thank you for the update. Praying for surgery and recovery. Warms my heart to hear your daughter playing. 😊

Love to you Sam. You are such a warrior ❤

wishing you a fast recovery 🙏

🙏 ❤️ 🙏 For You Always & Forever

Praying for you. 🙏 ❤

Thanks Samantha for the update ❤ sending love and prayers for you and your family xxx

Praying for you Samantha! Stay strong❤️❤️

Wishing you all the best 😍. Thank you for keeping us informed of everything.

Praying 🙏🏻 for you my dear.

Praying for your full recovery 🙏🙏🙏❤️❤️

Thanks so much for sharing your journey! Rooting for you!

Prayers for you and your upcoming surgery ❤

Sending you comfort and healing. ❤

Prayers and Comfort to You and Your Family ❤💙🧸

Blessings for healing!

Hoping your upcoming surgery goes well ❤

Keeping everything crossed for you xx

Praying 🙏 for you and your family 🙏🙏💗🌸

Thank you for updating us. Continued prayers for you! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

Praying for you!

I am so sorry this is happening to you 💔 thanks for keeping us updated. Praying for your full recovery 🙏

Praying your recovery will be quick.

Best wishes for your upcoming surgery stay strong ❤

Thank you for the update! Hopefully you’ll recover fast after surgery! 🙏❤️🌷

Best wishes for success!

❤wishing you the best!

Always sending positive vibes to you and your family. ❤

I am so sorry for your health problems. wishing safe recovery and a long life to live with your family.

Continued prayers! 🙏🏻🫂❤️

Good luck to you. XX

Stay strong. Sending prayers for peace and guidance.

You are a true warrior! I’m believing for your healing! ❤❤❤❤

Sending prayers and good wishes your way.

Still praying for you! You look good!

Samantha, you are so amazing!! Sending you peace, good vibes and energy, and lots and lots of prayers. 🙏🙏❤️❤️

Hope all goes well for you 🙏

Love to your beautiful family!

ur amazing! 🙏🏾You got this ur so strong and beautiful inside and out!

Sending hugs, light, and prayers your way 🙏 Blessings to you 💛

Praying for complete healing

Praying for you daily Samantha, I'm so sorry you're having to deal with this.

Sending prayers for fast recovery!!I have faith everything will go good and you will be able to hold your baby in no time❤️

Praying that the surgery goes exceptionally well and you heal quickly 🙏🏻❤

You are lovely, and I wish you all the best❤

I'm so sorry Samantha will be praying that all goes well.

Sending you lots of love and strength fellow pink sister 💕

Blessings to you on your journey.... Comfort and strength and peace... Keep moving forward❤

You are so beautiful ❤ and helping so many with your story

Praying for you, may God heal and comfort you.

Wow that’s GREAT news!! I’m so happy for you that this treatment is showing improvement overall! And awesome about not having to have drains for this surgery! You got this!! ❤🎉

Good luck with surgery! This sounds like encouraging news and you look very healthy and radiant. ❤rock on butterfly 🦋

Samantha you are being so brave and handling everything so well. God bless you and your husband and daughter.