I was diagnosed with TNBC in September 2024 and had 6 months of Carboplatin, Pembro and Paclitaxel followed by 4 cycles of EC. I was due to continue with the Pembro until November and had 2 infusions and then had a mastectomy and SLNB early May.
At my last surgeon appt I was told there was 6mm remaining disease, that they took 6 lymph nodes and all were clear and they removed the breast with clear margins and no issues. I presumed I was done with treatment (save for some weird blood collecting in a hard lump under my scar which is to be followed up in 6 weeks).
So when I saw my oncologist on Friday and he said I would be on capecitabine for 6 months I was absolutely crushed. My morale is still low from surgery (I just can’t come to terms with it) and my stamina is at rock bottom. The idea of 6 more months of chemo is so depressing. I don’t know how to get through it.
I’m worried about the side effects. How have others found them?
I’m worried about being immunocompromised again (during the first 8 cycles of chemo I was advised to wear a mask in public and stop work as i work in a very ‘peopley’ environment). I was making plans to go back to work and now that feels up in the air.
I don’t know what to do about our summer holiday. Is it ok to take an airplane if the chemo affects our immune system so much?
And how oh how do you keep going?! I’m exhausted and run down and I just feel like giving up.
Sorry to come to this so late - I hope you’re getting on alright with the cape and feeling more positive.
I found your thread when looking for info on residual disease and treatment options. Can I ask if you’re still on the Pembro? I’ve just had my results and I have 4mm of residual invasive disease (and a lot of residual DCIS but they don’t seem bothered about that). I had prepared myself to be told I’d need cape but I’ve been told it’s not necessary and I’ll just have radio and 6 more months of 6 weekly Pembro. I want to be happy about this, but it’s hard to feel positive when it seems the last 6 months of chemo haven’t shrunk my tumours very much
My oncologist stopped the pembro when he started the cape. Because all my cancer and dcis was removed at surgery there’s nothing there now for the pembro to treat. No radiotherapy either.
I’m 3 cycles into 8 of the cape. I’ve struggled with my hands and feet and so the dose has been reduced to help deal with that. Some fatigue and nausea. I’m doing ok as long as I don’t think too much!
Good luck with your ongoing treatment. It’s tough.
Oh interesting. I’ve had a mastectomy and full lymph node clearance but am still having radio and Pembro. Are you in the UK? I find it strange how different oncologists do different things
I am in the UK, yes. It is definitely one of the things I’ve learned, that breast cancer isn’t just one thing to be treated in one way! I had a mastectomy too but my nodes were clear. I was due to continue the pembro but when they found 6mm of residual at surgery he swapped the pembro for cape. I’ve run out of energy to ask why. He’s never very forthcoming anyway!
