Trodelvy - Round 1

On Wednesday I sat in the chemo chair for my first round of trodelvy. The formal name is sacituzumab so my nurse calls it sassy. I like it!

The first time they drip it really slow to make sure I don’t have an allergic reaction and they pumped me full of Benadryl. I had a conference call about 30 minutes after they pushed the Benadryl and that was tough. I felt like my tongue was too big in my mouth and couldn’t focus on anything. Luckily it didn’t last long and I think I got through my call without sounding drunk. Maybe. Ha ha!!

The good news is that I didn’t have a reaction and so far, I’m in good shape. Today is day 3 (day 1 of no post-chemo meds) and I’m feeling fairly normal. Maybe a little tired. I was able to make thanksgiving dinner with help from my parents and Dan plus we went shopping yesterday. Today I did the weekly grocery shopping, made cookies and 4 pizzas before the firetruck parade…which I watched from inside. Not bad for post chemo days.

I’ll go back for round 2 on Tuesday and then I’ll have a week off. The timing works out perfect as my next off week is Christmas.

Lucy was very interested in all the activity.

So loud, even inside!

Such a good girl.

Ryan was outside with friends, but Tyler did his usual hangout in his room. But, even he’s headed out to meet friends tonight. 

It’s been a nice long weekend and my heart is full. Tomorrow I will rest.

Change is Life

Dan and I met with the oncologist today and the recommendation has changed after consultation with the tumor board. While the treatments we discussed last week could be options for the future, they are recommending a more traditional breast cancer chemo called Trodelvy. There is more evidence of success with this medication so it makes sense to start there. 

I’m not sure why, but I’m a bit bummed. I think I wanted to try something different and I really wanted to avoid an infusion. Oh well. Suck it up buttercup.

It was explained that the tumor board doesn’t think my breathing issues are due to disease which is good news. We know that my first line of treatment impacted my lungs negatively, it sounds like the second line could have as well and we know this last treatment did. Pneumonitis has been with me for a while and it is time for it to vacate the building. This new chemo doesn’t have those side effects so the hope is that the steroids address my current issue and we won’t be doing anything to put me back there.

The other good news that came out of today is that my doctor believes my disease is under control. That is backed up by the fact that I haven’t had to take pain meds for disease in a really long time. Plus my tumor markers went down again. 

My new treatment will begin 11/22, the day before thanksgiving. Hopefully the side effects will take some time to kick in so I can enjoy my turkey. And maybe some shopping on Black Friday?

Marathon

I keep reminding myself that this is a marathon which is really hard for someone who likes to just get things done. I’m frustrated that we’re approaching the one year mark on this journey and I still haven’t had any ‘normal.’ That also means my family hasn’t had any normal either. So unfair. But, metastatic breast cancer is a different kind of beast.

I met with my oncologist today about getting off this merry-go-round. He was prepared and started by acknowledging the cycle, noting the only constant is steroids making improvement and then repeating the same hypoxemic problems once I’m weaned off. Phew, we’re focusing on the real issue!! Unfortunately he used a lot of big words so this is just my basic understanding of what we reviewed.

He had gone through my history and found that I have a mutation that is not commonly attributed to breast cancer. My previous oncologist has made me aware of this, but set it aside. He’s picking it back up and recommending we try an FDA approved treatment, although there were only a couple of breast cancer patients included in the clinical trial. He called it a braf+mek inhibitor. I am considered stable so he plans to watch carefully for 3 weeks. If my tumor markers start increasing, he has the next treatment plan in his back pocket. The good news is that both of these treatment are pills so no infusions in the chemo chair!

This recommendation will be presented to the tumor board for review and agreement. Plus he’s consulting with a pulmonologist. I love the extra review. We are not alone on this journey.

I only need one thing to work. Just one. Unfortunately we’re still throwing mud at the wall to see what sticks, but he doesn’t recommend a lung biopsy right now with the amount of oxygen that I’m on. What made me happy was his confirmation that we still have treatment options if neither of these work.

It’s a lot. So, for now I focus on Ryan’s 15th birthday and I allowed myself to put the Christmas music station on in the car. Simple pleasures.

I’m Home!!

3 days/2 nights in the hospital is a quick trip for me these days. I must say that I’m shocked they let me out this afternoon. But very pleased to be home already!! 

Dan came home a day early from Vegas and spent time with me at Roswell last night. He mentioned that is feels normal doing that and he’s right. It should not feel normal for him to visit me in the hospital. I certainly hope 2024 is not a year riddled with stays in the hospital. I’m ready to leave the challenges of 2023 behind.

My oxygen saturation is still not playing nice, but they tell me it will take time for the antibiotics to work so I’m glad they’ll let me wait where I’m comfortable and can sleep. And, eat well!! I had a horrendous coughing fit last night and hot tea would have helped. I know I can have that now when I need it.

This was a week where family and friends were essential. I’m sure Aunt Deb and Uncle Tom are looking forward to a break from us. We leaned on them 4 days this week. I cannot express my appreciation enough. 

I’ll follow up with my oncologist this week and hope to get a better understanding of what the scans and cultures are telling them. My lungs haven’t been right for a long time…let’s figure this out!

Not again!

Lots has been going on lately and it is a bit overwhelming. I landed back in the hospital yesterday and I am not pleased. But, at least it is Roswell where the food is better. I’m looking forward to French toast this morning.

I think I mentioned previously that I ended up with a nasty cold earlier in October and it seems it hasn’t fully released me from its grasp. I continue to cough junk up and ended up back on oxygen last week when my numbers were really low. Boo!! I hate it even more now after my month of freedom, but I acknowledge that I need it. And, hope it is a temporary situation.

Going back on oxygen earned me a CT scan on Monday. Unfortunately the scan showed a blood clot in my right lung so I get to add a blood thinner to my list of medications. The clot could be causing some of my breathing issues, but my oncologist didn’t think that is the full story which makes me happy because I didn’t either which we’re now seeing is true.

Fast forward to Wednesday evening when I was experiencing significantly worsening shortness of breath to the point where it was difficult to do anything. Coughing fits through the night made it clear that I needed to reach out to Roswell, knowing full well what was going to happen. While Dan is in Vegas. But, I also know that our network of helpers here is strong and that network came through. Thank you to Aunt Debbie for going to the oncologist with me on Tuesday and staying with Ryan & Lucy last night. I couldn’t be more grateful. The best part is that I know there are many others who were ready to step in. We have the best family and friends.

So here I am. The did another CT scan yesterday and I read the report, but haven’t reviewed it with a doctor yet. The opacities in my lungs are a lot worse now than they were on Monday. They did tell me yesterday that I have pneumonia. Again. There may also be a couple of other things going on. Hopefully I’m in the right place to figure it out.

Dan is flying home today. I’m hoping I can go home soon and have the energy to make my own French toast. And I may not leave my house again until June!!