A new unknown approaches

 Hi! I'm here! :) 

Posts are becoming less frequent as life slowly returns to some temporary normalcy - whatever that is anymore. 

I am proud to report that as of February 10th, 2025 I completed immunotherapy which means I am DONE WITH ACTIVE TREATMENT!!!!! 

January 2024 – February 2025: A total of 17 infusion sessions, all including immunotherapy (pembrolizumab), with 8 of the 17 also involving two of four chemotherapy drugs (Carboplatin, Docetaxel, Adriamycin, and Cyclophosphamide), along with the necessary pre-chemo medications. I'm still getting used to the fact that I am not going to the Cancer Center every few weeks. 

Where do we go from here?

Going forward, I will check in with my Oncologist every 3 months over the next year to do bloodwork and make sure my body is functioning as expected and no unusual symptoms pop up - like unexplained fatigue, extreme night sweats (something I experienced pre-diagnosis), and really anything that seems off without a clear cause. Honestly, its like a terrifying cliff. After the first year, visits will switch from 3 months to every 6 months for the next 5 years. Recurrence is most likely to occur within the first 5 years after treatment so, if I make it to that milestone check-ins will be annual as my odds for recurrence drop drastically at that point.  I'll never have to get another mammogram because I don't have any breast tissue left in my body. No CT scans, no MRIs, just clinical check ins unless there is cause for something more. SO...

I think I can say I am in "remission" or  "no evidence of disease", maybe even "cancer free" but I think that last one comes at the 5 year mark? I don't know, its complicated and there is still more to be done. I will get an Echocardiogram scan on March 24th to assess my heart function for any potential damage caused by the chemotherapy treatments. Then, my big Diep Flap reconstruction surgery in April. 

I had my pre-op for my reconstructive surgery on March 5th where I learned more of what to expect. First, a little recap - 

Back in August I had a skin sparring bilateral double mastectomy where they removed all of my breast tissue, including the 9mm of tumor that was left and my nipples (super sad).  Even though cancer was only in my left breast, I still had risk factors (dense breast tissue, previous cancer diagnosis, etc.) for developing cancer in my right breast as well, so I chose to have it removed too. Aesthetically, removing both will also provide symmetry and balance for my reconstruction. 

Since my mastectomy I have been rocking tissue expanders under my skin.  They are stitched to my chest and are hard and stiff - I'm happy to have them but wont miss them! 

Now, about surgery.

April 7th is the DIEP Flap reconstruction where I will be in surgery for about 6-10 hours.  During that time they will remove the tissue expanders, dissect my stomach tissue and cut through my abdomen to bring along the blood vessels that provide blood to the stomach tissue. I'm not sure what happens between dissection and implantation but I do know that my surgeon will perform what is called microsurgery to connect the blood vessels of my shaped stomach tissue to the blood vessels in my chest.  This means my breasts will be made from my own body, encased in my own skin, and have feeling and warmth.  Science is fucking NUTS and I am grateful.  My surgeon will also remove my port during surgery - in a strange way, I will miss it.  It's been my homie, my pretend SciFi communicator, and a fun party trick - "hey you wanna feel my port?!" 

At the pre-op appointment my nurse asked if I was excited. I am definitely that, but it’s a predominately daunting feeling at this point. The surgery itself, and the recovery to follow are no small feats. I'll be in the hospital for 3 days, until April 10th. During that time my care team will monitor the blood flow to the transplanted tissue and if anything goes awry - which it most likely would within the first 24-48 hours - I am where I need to be for them to take action.  That said, I feel very optimistic that all will go well and I have a lot of trust and confidence in my surgeon and his team. Once I am home, I begin 8 weeks of recovery where I will take a leave from work and just focus on healing this sweet, trauma drenched, resilient body and mind of mine. While I'll go back to my desk job after 8 weeks, my team said it would be about 12 weeks until I was feeling more physically and energetically myself.

Facing this big unknown has brought back the same fear feelings I had the days leading up to starting chemotherapy - not knowing how I am going to feel, what the outcome will be, meeting another changed me. All I can do is feel that, know its real and valid, and face whatever may come. 

IN THE MEANTIME

Life is crazy, beautiful, and busy. I've been lucky enough to spend some quality time with friends celebrating all the babies they are all birthing, go to some shows with the besties, and take an actual mini vacation! Jeremy and I flew to Denver for a weekend to go to a concert at Red Rocks Amphitheater and explore the city - perfectly fun and casual escape before we solider up again. Feels like there is much to prepare in the next 25 days or so, but the train is moving and I am approaching my destination. Here I go...

I'll touch back after surgery. 

Endless love and gratitude, 

V

@ Red Rocks Amphitheater   

        

Last Immunotherapy!