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KatherineM · 08-13-2018, 09:59 AM

So, I start Keytruda on Wednesday. Scared but hopeful. It's amazing, isn't it? -- how quickly this routine becomes familiar: first, the disappointment and fear, when the latest scan shows progression; then, the feeling of confusion and panic, when you don't know what next step to take, (esp. for those of us who have long since left the "SOP" protocols), then, the hope and optimism of starting a new treatment-- maybe this will be the one! -- followed by... Well, so it goes. And for some of us, there are miracle drugs, NED achievable. But really, I just want another 3 months of relative stability, followed by more scans, followed by another 3 months. My expectations are smaller, but there must always be hope.

So many of you brave women living within these parameters. I am so sad that we are here, but I am also grateful, and I am in awe of your strength, your passion, and your determination. We are all stronger for sharing our stories.

Thank you for sharing yours!

08-13-2018, 09:59 AM	#6
KatherineM Senior Member Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 94	Re: Keytruda So, I start Keytruda on Wednesday. Scared but hopeful. It's amazing, isn't it? -- how quickly this routine becomes familiar: first, the disappointment and fear, when the latest scan shows progression; then, the feeling of confusion and panic, when you don't know what next step to take, (esp. for those of us who have long since left the "SOP" protocols), then, the hope and optimism of starting a new treatment-- maybe this will be the one! -- followed by... Well, so it goes. And for some of us, there are miracle drugs, NED achievable. But really, I just want another 3 months of relative stability, followed by more scans, followed by another 3 months. My expectations are smaller, but there must always be hope. So many of you brave women living within these parameters. I am so sad that we are here, but I am also grateful, and I am in awe of your strength, your passion, and your determination. We are all stronger for sharing our stories. Thank you for sharing yours! __________________ _______________________ Diagnosed 3/26/14 BC Stage 3a ER neg PR neg HER-2+ 5 cm tumor in left breast, needle node biopsy positive Started TCHP 4/25/14 - 6 rounds Oncologist can no longer feel tumor, after 4th round Chemo shrunk tumor to less than a mm Lumpectomy and axillary node dissection 9/3/14 Radiation for 5 weeks, with boost Herceptin until 4/3/15 CT Scan on 4/27 shows lung mets (lots of little ones on both sides, largest 1.6 cm) STAGE IV Lung biopsy shows still HER2+++/ER-/PR- Taxol with Herceptin and Perjeta May, June, July 2015 Lung mets reduced by 50% Just H&P through Fall 2015 11/15 Progression Back on Taxol with H&P January 2016 THP no longer working March 2016 Start Kadcyla 3/16 After first treatment, experienced low platelets, tongue turned black, had to have transfusion. Dry cough and shortness of breath for first week, improves over second and third. 4/16 Platelet transfusion after second treatment, blood blisters in mouth. Allergic reaction to platelets. 6/16 Kadcyla not working. Progression to liver, though lung mets smaller. 7/16 Start Xeloda and Tykerb. 11/16 Port infected. Taken out. Have to go off chemo. 1/17 Back on Xeloda and Tykerb 5/17 Tykerb and Herceptin 11/17 Navelbine and Herceptin 12/17 Progression in lungs, liver reevaluated, no progression 1/18 Haloven and Herceptin 2/18 Sloan Kettering consultation 3/18 Brain mets, 16 lesions, largest 16mm 3/18 Cyberknife to 16mm lesion 3/18 Haloven and Tykerb added 4/18 Scan shows all lesions significantly smaller! Some almost gone. Radiation oncologist says she's never seen anything like it 7/18 Brain scan shows progression, w/ with one new lesion. Don't want to do WBR. Will try for tucatinib. 8.15.18 Start Keytruda