It was a busy week – not only was I back at work, I had a trip to NY/CT and 3 Doctors appointments. Overall I’m feeling pretty good. Here’s the break down.
Monday – Medical Oncologist
- Just a conversation (no exam) and he said we could consider 2 more treatments since I only had partial success from chemo. It’s common for hormone positive patients to take an oral chemo for 5-10 years after treatment.
- I asked if all his patients in my position what has been his success rate – he said knock on wood very good.
- So we’re going to meet in December and in the meantime I’m going to research these options more.
- Treatment 1: An oral chemo for 6 months (Xeloda)
- There’s not conclusive evidence, but one study did show positive correlation in TNBC survival rates for those who took it after surgery.
Note the study was only run in Japan – it has not been recreated in the West, so basically there isn’t evidence that shows white women have been successful with the drug. One thought is Asian women were more tolerant of the high dose. - Could help with remission and increase chance of survival
- 6 more months of treatment (2 weeks of pills, then one week off cycles)
- Side effects: pain in hands and they turn red, like a bad sun burn
- I asked if any other patients have taken it – he said one person started the drug but stopped because the side effects were too severe
- There’s not conclusive evidence, but one study did show positive correlation in TNBC survival rates for those who took it after surgery.
- Treatment 2: The second option is an immunotherapy trial for 1 year
- Since it’s a trial there is no conclusive evidence (Here is the info)
- There’s a chance I wouldn’t be selected for the study and if I do get selected I could be in the control group with a placebo
- He said only one patient he knows tried to get in the trial and wasn’t selected
- Side effects seem more severe
- Treatment 1: An oral chemo for 6 months (Xeloda)
Monday – Plastic Surgeon
- Had another fill in the left boob – added 60ccs taking us to 410. We’re going to stop here until after radiation and we can always fill more after
- I was having a small pain under my right boob and asked if sleeping on my side could have pulled a stitch or done damage. She said at this point it’s unlikely I’ll “break them” and that they look great