chemo session 5

This update is a little more than a simple recap of chemo session five. I had an appointment on January 5 at the James Beck Cancer Center as I began the process of transferring my care. They are adjusting my treatment plan and I am still sorting out how I feel about the changes.

The original plan was to continue immunotherapy for eight cycles after chemo. There may have been a break in those eight cycles for surgery. After surgery, if I reached pCR which means pathological complete response, I would continue the immunotherapy for the full eight cycles. If I did not reach pCR then additional chemo sessions would be added.

The new plan is different. This provider is not continuing the immunotherapy. New studies show a six percent risk of a long term side effect from the immunotherapy drug compared to only a one to two percent chance of it helping prevent a future recurrence. If I do not reach pCR the next step would most likely be a chemo pill rather than IV chemotherapy.

Honestly, if I do not have to do the immunotherapy, I am relieved. At the same time, you want to feel like you are doing everything possible to avoid going through this again. I have already faced this twice. And with this diagnosis being Triple Negative, the risk of recurrence is higher.

I did have my fifth chemo session on January 22. This round brought some nausea and I have felt more tired and weak than before. From what I understand, that is pretty typical as treatment progresses. I am doing well overall.

I am scheduled for February 9 to meet with the general surgeon and then the plastic surgeon right after. I will know more about the next steps once those appointments are done. I am not looking forward to that part, but it is what it is. 🍋 I will be grateful to have this part behind me, and I hope it lowers my chances of a recurrence. For now, I am choosing to focus on the positives. 💗