Today is day 172

02/29/24

Cycle 4, Day 1. 148 Days total. 

A: Adriamycin (AKA Doxorubicin) 

C: Cyclophosphamide (AKA Cytoxan) 

I had immunotherapy Keytruda as well. 

03/01/24

Udenyca (Bio similar to Neulasta) subcutaneous injections in my stomach to help stimulate my bone marrow. 

I completed chemotherapy on 2/29/24. So happy to be done!!! I cannot wait to feel more like myself again. This cycle ended on 3/21 so the side effects from chemotherapy should fade over time. This will be gradually over months. The feeling of being unwell day in and day out is wearing. I have called it a rattle cause it almost feels like my cells are rattling around; it’s hard to explain. I am so excited to be free of the rattle. 

Edema 

Hot flashes

Extreme fatigue

Classic moon steroid face

Weight gain 

Neuropathy

Nausea 

Weakness 

Body aches/flu like 

Changes in taste and textures of foods 

Joint pain: very uncomfortable. Might be the immunotherapy Keytruda. 

Dizziness: New this cycle. Room spins. Fell in kitchen. 

Keytruda (immunotherapy)

I will have Keytruda only infusions every 21 days for 9 cycles. This means I need to go to the cancer center every 21 days through about September 2024 for infusions. I have been getting Keytruda, but along with my other chemotherapy, so I do not know how I tolerate it alone. I have been getting a lot of joint pain recently so they are monitoring this as a Keytruda side-effect. 

https://chemocare.com/druginfo/keytruda

Having the joint pain has been a bummer. I can’t imagine feeling like this through September. I am meeting with my oncologist next month to discuss options. 

Echocardiogram 

I had an echo on 3/21 to make sure the AC chemotherapy did not damage my heart. I had one done before starting, as a baseline. This chemo is known as the red devil because of its red color and because of its potential to have serious cardiac side effects. They wanted to know my heart is okay before doing surgery. My results were very similar to the one I had before chemo. 

Surgery: double mastectomy 

I only have cancer in my right breast, but due to my high risk of reoccurrence with the triple negative, a double mastectomy is recommended. Symmetrical is also good. 

I will have general anesthesia, the surgery should be about 3 hours long, the incisions will be about 4 inches on each side, drains will be in place for 1-4 weeks. I will stay one night in the hospital. Pain will need to be managed. I will have restrictions for about a month. I will not be able to lift my arms above my shoulders, this will likely be the most impactful restriction. My surgeon said no house chores so Tony will be doing things solo. 

My surgeon also said getting through chemotherapy is harder than the surgery. I have accomplished chemo, and now facing surgery it seems a bit frightening. I hope he’s right and this will be just another step in this process. 

I wish I wasn’t so nervous about the surgery. Nervous for the surgery itself, possible complications, risk of infection, and the change in my body forever. I am also nervous getting care from my fellow coworkers. I know they will take care of me but I will be in such a vulnerable state. Hopefully I am a good patient. The pain makes me nervous as well. How bad will it be? 

Drain 

A Jackson Pratt (JP) drain is placed with a mastectomy. This drain needs to be stripped, emptied, and site care is to be done. We will be measuring the amount of output for the surgeon, this will determine when they can be removed. 

I can still go about life activities, I just need to secure the drains so they don’t get pulled accidentally. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79CXsZx8ABw

Lymph node removal and biopsy 

I will have a seed placed in the lymph nodes proven to have cancer on 3/25. This will allow the surgeon to properly identify them during surgery. 

During surgery, a dye will also be injected as a tracer. This blue dye will follow the most likely path of the lymphatic system cancer cells. Further lymph nodes may be removed if they “take up” the blue dye. Right now the plan is to remove about 3 and leave all the rest to reduce future complications such as lymphedema. Hopefully this will be the case. 

Lymphedema 

Occurs when removing nodes causes a blockage in the lymphatic system and the arm becomes painfully swollen with lymphatic fluid. This can develop right away, or even months to years after surgery. Since I am having radiation to this same location, I am at an increased risk of lymphedema. 

Post surgery, I will have to do specific arm exercises and wear a compression sleeve to help to prevent this. 

The nerves in the arm pit area will likely become numb for months after this surgery. 

Radiation 

As soon as I get my drains removed and I heal from the surgery, I will start radiation. I do not know my exact radiation plan yet. Treatment will be 4-8 weeks. I have to get the pathology results from the surgery and have my consultation with the radiation oncologist. This is scheduled 5/2. 

Weight gain and hair loss 

The steroids, the chemo, the hormonal changes, water retention, and lack of physical exercise have all contributed to now a 20+ pound weight gain. I cannot fit into my clothes and I hate the way I feel. My skin is tight and I am uncomfortable. 

I have some peach fuzz regrowth on my head and my eyelashes & eyebrows are growing back. This regrowth may shed again based on my last chemo timing. 

Wedding fun 

I booked the hotel in Mexico for Jaime and Mikes wedding at the end of the year! 

Events to highlight 

02/29/24 Last chemotherapy treatment 

03/01/24  Dinner at Wilfire thanks to my weekend work crew 

03/02/24 Bonfire at Susan and Craigs house 

03/03/24 Goddaughter’s dance recital 

03/04/24 Lunch at Bunny’s with my Dad 

03/08/24 Tequila Butcher

03/11/24 Bun Mee with my brother Steven 

03/13/24 Tator-Tot-Hotdish at my moms 

03/14/24 Lunch and shopping with Aunt Sharry 

03/15/24 Don Romans and Copper Pint 

03/20/24 Pre-op physical 

03/21/24 Keytruda infusion

03/21/24 Echocardiogram 

03/22/24 Tried on more wigs at ItsStillMe. 

03/22/24 Pho and games with Jeff and Chor 

03/23/24 Bridesmaid gathering to plan wedding events 

Up Next: 

March

3/25 Seed placement

April

Surgery 

4/9 Follow up 

4/18 Keytruda infusion 

May

5/2 Radiation consult