Hello! I was diagnosed with TNBC at the beginning of September 2017. My tumor was described as T1 N1 M0 ( hadn't metastasized anywhere else. It was described as being mammary not ductal) Stage 2B and I was advised to start neoadjuvent chemotherapy, followed by possible lumpectomy and radiation.
I was a candidate for a double blind study of the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab ( Keytruda), which I enrolled in because I figured it might help me and it might help the science around TNBC
Last fall I had12 weeks of a weekly infusion of Carboplatin and Pacitaxol plus study drug , followed this year by another 12 weeks of chemotherapy every three weeks with Doxirubicin and Cyclophosphamide plus the study drug. March 2 will be my last round of this chemo. (sorry i don't knowa ll the shorthand for the chemo drugs
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Side effects were pretty manageable; mostly fatigue, some stomach discomfort, and of course the hair loss.. with more extreme fatigue when I started the every three week regimen which knocks me back for about a week out of the three. My Oncologist advised me that it looks like I am getting the actual study drug because it did have a significant effect on my thyroid, which is a documented side effect with Keytruda and I am now taking thyroid replacement medication, but hey, lots of women deal with that and i think its worth it if it keeps my cancer from reoccurring, which is one of the main things they are looking at with this study.
I am thrilled to report that I can no longer feel what was a very obvious lump on the side of my breast and the swollen lymph node that I could also feel is barely noticeable. And I have one more round to go through. The Dr. checking in with me about the study has said there was one other patient who had 100% response to the chemo using this protocol and at the very least, I think the lumpectomy will not be terribly involved. I will follow up with the radiation for 4-6 weeks and then continue every 3 weeks for 6 months with an infusion of the study drug only!
I feel hopeful and grateful that I will beat this. Yes, it has been physically,emotionally and financially difficult , and I am basically losing a year of my life. At 62, I want to make every year count. I hope that being involved in this study will provide information for others in similar circumstances going forward. I would just urge anyone newly diagnosed to trust their Dr.s and not be afraid to undergo treatment. But I also know sometimes, it's just a matter of luck. I hope everyone gets the care and support that they need.
I am an artist, and hope to get back into my studio soon. Obviously this has had a profound effect on my life, my family and my art. Who knows what I will eventually create.