Update: Xeloda vs Taxol

[catluvr6571]

Just got done with my visit with my oncologist...Here’s the plan: she will get a liver biopsy scheduled for me and will send those results along with my scans to Barnes in St Louis for a consultation. Maybe a clinical trial is available? We will see depending on what mutations they find. There may be one for an ESR1 mutation, which we know I already have.

She is getting insurance approval for me to start Taxol (IV) chemo. She would like for me to start that to take a more aggressive approach to knock these liver mets down, then after six weeks she will check to see if it’s been effective and possibly switch me to Xeloda before I start having the side effects of Taxol.

She said I am catching these liver mets early, and that my blood tests are all normal and all other scans are fine. I am healthy and my liver is functioning as it should.

I’ll know more once she gets some calls made. They will let me know when my biopsy is scheduled and when I start my first infusion. Until then, she wants me to keep taking Talzenna.

Whew...what a rollercoaster ride. 😩

[Wintervt]

So glad you have a plan in place! I have the ESR1 mutation and I'm currently participating in a brand new trial that is "customized" for this mutation (there are quite a few trials for this mutation but most require the patient to be post menopausal, which unfortunately I'm not). So far I have not had any side effects and my liver enzymes are now in the normal range.

Wishing you all the best with your treatment plan.

xo Jade

[catluvr6571 in reply to Wintervt]

Thanks, Jade. Although I’m definitely post menopausal since my complete hysterectomy upon dx, the other problem I’ve run into is that I was on Faslodex injection (although for a short period of time). I’m hoping that there is some sort of immunotherapy trial out there for me.

Good to hear that you’re having positive results ❤️

[breezie]

It’s good to hear the liver mets have been caught early and the plan seems very positive. Good luck with it all x

[catluvr6571 in reply to breezie]

Thank you! The liver mets are definitely not new, since I’ve had them for a little over a year; but they are small and not interfering with anything so far. Last year, my enzymes were elevated; but the treatment I’m on now brought everything back to normal...just didn’t hold the mets back from reappearing. 😕 I’m hoping this Taxol/Xeloda combo is the punch needed. 👊🏻

[breezie in reply to catluvr6571]

Give ‘em the old one-two 🥊🥊

[catluvr6571 in reply to breezie]

You bet!!

[catluvr6571]

That’s good to hear, because that’s what they’re gonna get! 🥊🥊

[catluvr6571]

How was your experience with Taxotere? Is that the same as Taxol?

[Bubbles001]

Sounds like a great plan. I’m glad she wants you to stay on Talzenna because it can take a while in between treatments. I ended up not having any treatments for 3 months while waiting for a biopsy, trial, and insurance approval for Keytruda and had some progression. Sounds like your Onc is on top of things.

[hdhonda]

Dear Catluvr,

Very good news. There are some bright spots in this battle and you got a nice shiny one. Blessings Hannah

[catluvr6571 in reply to hdhonda]

Thank you, Hannah. One must learn to see the flowers among the weeds. ❤️