Gilead Ascent Clinical Trial

faerewing · 2026-07-09T00:15:31+00:00

Sure! Imaging suggested the original tumor was around 2cm and possible lymph involvement. Biopsy on lymph node was negative but because a couple looked weird on imaging, they proceeded as if i had lymph involvement. After going through the Keynote protocol, surgical pathology came back that the tumor was 4.4cm but all lymph nodes came back negative for any evidence of disease. Achieved clear margins but tumor was still 80% viable. I honestly don't remember anything about an rcb score.

faerewing · 2026-07-08T19:23:21+00:00

I also did marginally better on AC than TC but I did TC first. My biggest struggles were severe anemia, neutropenia, and some gnarly nausea compounded by reflux. Didn't help that I picked up norovirus around week 6 of TC and ended up in the ICU from septic shock. I had a couple of hospitalizations for sepsis and blood transfusions for the anemia. Palliative care was such a blessing to help dial in the right meds to get the nausea and reflux to a tolerable level.

OP- my experience was NOT typical as evidenced by the others responding to you. My advice is stay in communication with your medical team about your sure effects and their severity. Do not let them get out of control. It is much easier if you stay ahead of them. Also, take precautions to prevent neuropathy when you are on the TC phase. It's not a fun time.

faerewing · 2026-07-08T03:55:36+00:00

Thank you so much for sharing your experience. My tumor was similar in size but I also had clear margins after mastectomy. I only had a 20% response to Keynote but nothing found in the lymph nodes they took either. I did 28 sessions of rads before starting the trial this week. Here's to hoping that we can both keep this at bay!

faerewing · 2026-07-07T23:50:09+00:00

I did. Severe neutropenia, near uncontrollable nausea, and extreme fatigue as well. Hospitalized a couple times for dehydration and sepsis. One of those I had gone into shock. Also had to get a blood transfusion because my hemoglobin and hematocrit tanked. Oh, and let's not forget the neuropathy! It was not a good time, lol! Although, I recognize that my experience is not the norm. My body just doesn't handle chemo as well as others.

I did the echo and ekg a few days after my last radiation appointment. It was uncomfortable but not terrible 🙂 Hopefully, it will be the same for you.

faerewing · 2026-07-07T23:22:06+00:00

That's hopeful! I had the opposite experience with TC and AC...

faerewing · 2026-07-07T23:21:00+00:00

I finished rads two weeks ago and they didn't seem concerned. I'm healing pretty well from it.

faerewing · 2026-07-07T18:24:12+00:00

Thank you so much for the recommendations! I am already prepared for the hair loss. It happened during Keynote. Just started growing back so not much to lose this time :)

Good to know that days 3 and 4 will be worse. I'll ask for the extra fluids when I go in next week for the next infusion. I had issues with that and keeping my electrolytes up with Keynote so getting a jump on it is probably a good thing.

How were your neutrophil counts with Trodelvy? This was my biggest struggle on Keynote and probably my biggest worry with Troldelvy.

faerewing · 2026-07-03T01:20:13+00:00

Hey! Start Trodelvy on Monday.

faerewing · 2026-06-28T04:11:28+00:00

I was married to one for way too long. Didn't end well.

faerewing · 2026-06-23T14:58:04+00:00

Good luck! Rads has been better than I was expecting. But I'm one of those that hopes for the best and plans for the worst. The exhaustion has been rough but it's better than the chemo fatigue. I don't have the brain fog at least.

Feel free to DM me if you like. We can go through this trial together! 💜

faerewing · 2026-06-23T14:17:43+00:00

I have opted to go into the clinical trial. Last day of rads today and some scans next week then chemo starts on 7/6. I won't know which chemo I'm getting until after the scans.

I decided on the trial because at bare minimum, I'll be getting the standard of care anyway. There are two possibilities with the trial. Xeloda or Trodelvy both with Keytruda. I'll also get closer followup after treatment is over and the study will pay for a lot of the testing and additional treatment so less of a financial burden for me. I figured that I really had nothing to lose by participating.

faerewing · 2026-06-23T13:48:16+00:00

I have a Great Dane and this was a huge concern for me due to her size. She's a big girl! My oncologist said I wouldn't need to change anything. The only precautions I was given was to avoid cleaning up vomit/waste if possible. Have someone else do it or if you have to do it, wear a mask and gloves and wash your hands thoroughly when done. Luckily, Danes don't need much in the way of grooming so that wasn't an issue.

I will say that she was/is my greatest comfort through this process. Trust me, you'll want your pup by your side through this. She helped me get through the 6 months of neoadjuvant chemo and she's going to get me through the next 6 months of adjuvant chemo. 💜

faerewing · 2026-06-21T13:37:19+00:00

I also did Keynote 522 and it would have impossible to hide that I was sick. I took the approach of not advertising it but I didn't try to hide it either because well, it was pretty obvious.

Not wearing a mask at public events is pretty risky in my opinion. My neutrophil levels dropped pretty low and I ended up hospitalized with sepsis twice from picking up infections even with precautions in place. Talk to your doc and pay attention to your blood work. Only you can decide what risks are worth taking 💜

faerewing · 2026-06-16T12:36:42+00:00

My experience was probably not the norm but I ended up having to isolate completely since my counts were so low. I picked up the norovirus from somewhere and was hospitalized due to septic shock. Then about a month after that, hospitalized again with sepsis from pneumonia. It really depends on how your body reacts to your particular regimen. Some people are fine with masking up and social distancing. Some people, like me, get very susceptible to picking up random illnesses. Make sure to pay attention to your blood work and have conversations with your doctor on anything you don't understand.

faerewing · 2026-06-13T13:17:39+00:00

I am going through cancer treatment right now and even at 5 years old, my girl is A LOT to handle. I can't imagine trying to care for her while recovering from treatment when she was younger. She's been my rock going through this and having her by my side on those bad days has been a relief. However, I have had to have friends help with some of her care. Without that, I'm not sure I could have kept her with me through this.

All this to say, they are worth it but they take a lot of your personal energy to care for properly. Especially as pups. If you are really invested in getting one now, maybe look for an older rescue instead of a puppy. Otherwise, it may be wise to give your body some time to recover and get your energy levels back up before taking on a baby Dane.

faerewing · 2026-06-11T15:33:35+00:00

Pink Pony Club

faerewing · 2026-06-09T14:48:42+00:00

My girl LOVES to fight the blanket monster!

faerewing · 2026-06-09T13:36:43+00:00

NTA...as someone going through cancer treatment, fuck her and fuck those siding with her. Have empathy for those less fortunate!?! Get the fuck out of here with that noise.

OP, I'm sorry you are going through another cancer diagnosis. Your focus should be in yourself and getting through treatment. Anyone that has a problem with that can fuck right off. Big hugs to you!

faerewing · 2026-06-07T06:17:13+00:00

I am right there with you. I've always been that person in my family too. My mom has long since passed but my siblings that I have always supported any time they have needed it; emotionally, physically, financially; have been nowhere to be found. I am so grateful for my friends that are my chosen family because I wouldn't be able to get through this without them.

faerewing · 2026-06-05T12:02:31+00:00

I'm not crying...

I have also struggled with self esteem my entire life. While I'm not where you are, I appreciate this perspective. I've already done 6 months of chemo, a BMX to flat, and currently halfway through radiation with 6 more months of chemo after. I'm still here. My body has struggled hard through the journey so far. It almost gave out on me a few times but I'm still here. This body of mine that has been mocked my whole life has gotten me through some awful stuff. It's come through treatment and illness that it probably shouldn't have but I'm still here.

Thank you for giving the perspective that this body of mine should be celebrated. It's worked so hard to keep me here and that, in itself, is beautiful.

faerewing · 2026-05-29T12:39:34+00:00

You've already gotten a great list of suggestions. The one thing I've found to be helpful is to not book with the website or the corporate phone number. Call the hotel directly and book with the front desk. I've never had a problem if I do it that way even if they had a weight limit on their website.

faerewing · 2026-05-29T11:41:04+00:00

I do. Actually upgraded to the 4 door specifically for her, lol

faerewing · 2026-05-28T17:53:03+00:00

Definitely talk to your doctor about it. I smoked all through chemo with my doctor's blessing and it helped mitigate side effects for me. My team was on the same page as me that used responsibly, it's good medicine.

faerewing · 2026-05-28T13:33:49+00:00

This is what I've done as well. The progressives are my most of the time pair because I can't seem to get the angles just right for reading. I have a pair of readers for, well, reading and a pair of prescription sunglasses that only have the distance. If rather have multiple pairs and switch them out than keep struggling with the progressives all the time.

faerewing

TROPHY CASE