xeloda, herceptin + perjeta, and surgery updates
Time flies when you’re… having fun and simultaneously battling every side effect in the book. I am still doing Herceptin and Perjeta infusions every three weeks, Lupron shots monthly, and cycles of Xeloda (chemo pills). All of that in combination with the follow up appointments post radiation, surgery, physical therapy, and oncology - it’s still a full time job on top of my full time job that pays my bills and provides the much needed health insurance.
Overall, nothing new to report with Herceptin + Perjeta! Infusions go smoothly. It’s now about 2-2.5 hours in the chair. I have a new routine of taking care of admin tasks for work during this time and it typically goes by pretty quickly.
I’m currently on cycle 3 of about 7 for Xeloda. I’m doing 2 weeks on then 1 week off and that is considered a cycle. Breakdown of side effects:
Cycle 1 - on my off week I woke up with a migraine, nausea, and overall just feeling like hell. My cancer center quickly got me in for fluids. After 2 hours of fluids I felt worlds better!
Cycle 2 - my off week was full of gastro issues. Stomach pains were the worst and there just wasn’t enough Imodium in the world. Along with mouth sores, blisters on my feet, and fatigue I won a dose reduction for the remainder of my cycles.
Cycle 3 - I’m now on the reduced dose and so far so good. The weeks on the pills have proven to be easier than my off weeks, which is odd!
While I’m hopeful my side effects can be managed I can’t help but feel a little like I failed with this dose reduction. It is tough because there is really no measurement of efficacy unless I do have a recurrence. And if I do, will I kick myself for not powering through on the higher dose? We’ll never know if it was because of the reduced dosage or just would have happened either way. Xeloda is not studied very well in the way we’re using it for me so it’s kind of a crap shoot. We’re really throwing everything but the kitchen sink at this, though.
I have finally decided on surgery - I’m not doing any surgery in 2023. So, basically it’s not so much of a decision as kicking the can down the road. My body needs a damn break. If I were to do surgery, January would be the earliest, and it would mean more than half of 2023 would involve recovering from three, maybe four, separate surgeries. I want to live my life. I want to plan travel and enjoy it. I want to be more present for work and my team. I want to be done with active treatment and enjoy this life. Then, if I choose, I’ll do surgeries in 2024. I will definitely have a mastectomy for my left breast, that’s the one thing I’m sure of. The idea of reconstruction, though, is still undecided.
So, there ya have it! Despite the side effects, I’ve been enjoying the summer, living up #alivegirlsummer.
Also, a unique opportunity put me way outside of my comfort zone. I was interviewed by Love What Matters for a story on dating/relationship during cancer. While I thought the story was going to have a different perspective, I’m happy how it turned out! Joe deserves all of the recognition. You can read here.
I’ve been feeling a little more vulnerable than usual in sharing. I think because social is providing more attention. But with that attention comes awareness and that’s really why I share. I recently received a message from a woman newly diagnosed who has found my blog and instagram helpful - so that keeps me going!
Overall, all I can do is exactly what I’m doing. I’ll keep keeping on!
