First Line Treatment Not Working

Hi MikeyC

Thanks for getting in touch and welcome to the online community. My name is Karen and I am one of the Cancer Information Nurse Specialists on the Macmillan Support Line.  

I’m so sorry to hear of your wife’s recent secondary breast cancer diagnosis and scan results and that the first line treatment hasn’t slowed progression of the cancer. It’s understandable that this news has come as a shock to you both and that you are fearing the unknown. Everything must feel very difficult at the moment and you will be experiencing a range of emotions.

I’m also very sorry to hear that the news was delivered poorly by the oncologist, that you don’t feel supported by the oncology team and weren’t able to get answers to your questions.

You say that the next line of treatment for your wife is Paclitaxel. This is commonly used alone, or in combination with other chemotherapy or anti-cancer drugs, for secondary breast cancer. I hope that your wife has a positive response to this treatment.

It’s understandable that you are fearful that the cancer will progress, and that you don’t know when the new treatment will start. We would always recommend that you contact your breast care nurse. They will be able to answer your questions and give you an indication of when the treatment will start. Macmillan Cancer Support are unable to access NHS services or your wife’s medical records.

In the meantime, if you or your wife want to chat, please don’t hesitate to call us on our support line. We are here for you.

You and your wife may find the following information useful in helping you to cope with how you are currently feeling - living with secondary breast cancer, managing anxiety and supporting your partner with cancer

I can see that you’ve joined 3 forums on our online community and can see you have been active on the carer’s forum. I hope you are finding these helpful and supportive.

If you have any further questions, the Macmillan Support Line offers practical, clinical, financial, and emotional support. Please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Best wishes

Karen, Cancer Information Nurse Specialist 

You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email. 

Ref/AW

Hi Karen,

Thanks for taking the time to reply to my message, still feeling a little lost with it all to be honest. We will be sure to contact the breast care nurse to get an idea of what is going on.

Warm regards

MikeyC

Hi  Mikey,

Thanks for replying. My name is Amy and I am one of the Cancer Information Nurse Specialists on the Macmillan Support Line.

It’s only natural to feel lost, when scan results and treatment doesn’t go as we would hope. Please know we are here to help support you both in whatever way feels right for you.

I wonder if you might benefit from giving our support line a call.

We often find we can explain our answers in a bit more detail over the phone, giving you the opportunity to ask more questions if needed. It can be very overwhelming waiting and wondering what the outcome of each part may be and how it might affect you both moving forward. And although we can’t tell you exactly what to expect, we can help explain what usually happens for most people in a similar situation.

I hope this helps.

Best wishes, 

Amy C, Cancer Information Nurse Specialist 

You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email. 

Ref: AC/KH