Meeting with Oncologists - The start of a treatment plan

Today has been a day that i have been agonizing over for what feels like months when in reality it has only been weeks. I went to the cancer center for my two consultations with my medical oncologist (chemo doc) and radiologist oncologist. Tyler of course was with me every step of the way.

My first meeting was with my medical oncologist. From the start of the conversation she recommended that i consider a second opinion to ensure that i have all of the best information and care at my finger tips. I will be receiving a call in the near future to meet with specialists in Boston who will review all of my tests to date and provide what they think are the best options for my treatment. My oncologist near home would then execute the treatment plan that is decided on. To be clear i already have a treatment plan in place which i will detail later, but the 2nd opinion will ensure that this plan is the best for curing my cancer.

We discussed my cancer and the good news is that although i am triple negative, my cancer is curable and is known to respond well to the medications being used during my chemotherapy treatment. My oncologist told me that i will be having a pet scan asap to insure the cancer has not spread and to get a full picture of what is going on with my body. I will also receive phone calls in the coming days to schedule my classes to learn about what to expect during treatment, have more blood work, and have my port inserted. We also spoke about an injection that can maybe help retain my fertility throughout the process given freezing eggs is out of the question financially at this time. Oh another thing, we talked about a prescription for something to aid me with my anxiety before procedures. Fingers crossed that goes well.

I will be starting an intense chemo and immunotherapy regimen in approximately two weeks. I will undergo two rounds of chemo over 5 months. After treatment we will preform another pet scan, as well as consider my genetic results (that we do not have yet) in order to make an informed decision for surgery (lumpectomy vs mastectomy). I will let my body recover for 3-6 weeks from chemo prior to surgery.

Here is what my treatment plan looks like:

I will be given Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) throughout my entire treatment every three weeks via IV. This is an immunotherapy treatment that essentially uses my own immune system to fight the cancer.

Risks include:

-my immune system attacking different parts of my own body

- fatigue

-itching

-adrenal issues

-lower thyroid

One 1st round of chemo includes two medications, Doxorubicin and Cyclophsphamide for two months. The Cyclophsphamide will be given via IV every two weeks, while the Doxorubicin will be every three weeks via my port.

Risks Include:

-Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea

-Hair loss

-Decreased white blood cells

-Fever

My 2nd round of chemo will include two medications, Carboplatin and Pacitaxel for three months. Both of these medications will be weekly for the 3 months.

Risks Include:

-bone marrow suppression

-swelling of hands feet ect

-abnormal electrocardiogram

-changes in liver function

-all of the risks already listed above

-infections/weakness

-changes in kidney function

-pain

-weakness

At the end of treatment we will access all factors to see how my tumor and body has responded and make a decision about surgery at which time i would meet with my surgeon again for a consultation. We also may consider chemotherapy after surgery as well.

I met with my radiology oncologist, we reviewed the process of radiation and what i would expect should i need radiation. Side effects include soreness, swelling, burning, change in breast shape, and potential cancer later in life. Yay! The doctor stated that if i were to receive a mastectomy i am a candidate for not needing radiation therapy. If i opt for a lumpectomy i would need radiation treatment everyday, 15 mins daily for 3-4 weeks. He also stated that given my scans and recent ultrasounds that he would be extremely surprised if my cancer has spread as the tests to date are a good indicator that it has not. This places me at a stage T2 cancer, The upcoming pet scan will confirm this.

Overall my experience at the cancer center today was good, all of the staff was friendly, competent and the entire process seems very streamlined. I left feeling confident in the care i am receiving especially knowing i will be receiving a 2nd opinion to ensure i kick cancer's ass. I am terrified of what is ahead and my heart hurts feeling as though i am loosing a year of my life when in many ways i feel like i just started living. But this like all of my other challenges in life i will fight and overcome.

One note i forgot to mention above, i spoke with my oncologist about cold capping, the facility supports it and my doctor has seen its success. Now i need to find a cold cap that i can somehow afford for 5 months of treatment, most are $375-450 monthly or 1-2k outright to purchase. Unfortunately i have found out that my STD will not be 66% of my pay as i had thought, but rather only 66% of my hourly base rate. I have a production based job and make over 60% of my income based on the audits i complete. So in reality my STD will not be even a quarter of what i make and is not enough for us to survive on financially without including all of the medical, travel, and additional expenses for needs that will arise. I will be on STD for the next 6 months at which time my surgeries start and i will be paid a lesser amount for LTD. I am grateful that i have any income at all. I keep getting reminded that i should not have to worry about finances while fighting for my life, i just wish that were a reality for me right now. I came home from the hospital and made sure my claims and paperwork were submitted for FMLA and STD. Hoping for the best.

At the urging of friends and family i have put together an amazon wish list full of chemo supplies to help make my battle a bit easier, along with household necessities and items for our pets. I am keeping everything here, including my blog https://linktr.ee/megmadore

I love and appreciate you all more than you know.

Keeping Faith,

Meg