Chemo and Immunotherapy: Any tips before I start?

I know someone with GYN cancer who had the 2 chemos you mentioned plus Keytruda…one of her chemos had to be adjusted to a version of it less toxic to her….she made it through 5 of 6 infusions, but got sepsis and infusions had to be stopped…docs now have her on Keytruda every 6 weeks and she’s doing well enough to forget she has cancer. Amazing…probably the best ‘medicine’ has been her terrific attitude- that she isn’t defined by cancer, but will fight it in any way she can. Wishing all here the best .

@sabwal
I had the Carbo-taxel combination and Dostarlimab together. Carboplatin for six cycles and Dostarlimab for one year. I only had Paclitaxel for two cycles and stopped because of neuropathy. I was supposed to have Dostarlimab for two years but stopped because of side effects in my heart. Even though I had lots of side effects, non were life threatening. Besides, I have a high level of allergies in general (top 5%ile). My cancer team was very responsive to all of my side effects.
My treatment ended in December of 2024 and I am in remission. My cancer was a stage IIIb serous endometrial cancer. It is a rare and aggressive cancer. The advanced treatment available today is why I am still living.
I know the side effects sound scary, but many patients don’t experience them. I hope you are one of those patients who have minimal side effects.

@sabwal
I had the Carbo-taxel combination and Dostarlimab together. Carboplatin for six cycles and Dostarlimab for one year. I only had Paclitaxel for two cycles and stopped because of neuropathy. I was supposed to have Dostarlimab for two years but stopped because of side effects in my heart. Even though I had lots of side effects, none were life-threatening. Besides, I have a high level of allergies in general (top 5th percentile). My cancer team was very responsive to all of my side effects.
My treatment ended in December of 2024, and I am in remission. My cancer was a stage IIIb serous endometrial cancer. It is a rare and aggressive cancer. The advanced treatment available today is why I am still living.
I know the side effects sound scary, but many patients don’t experience them. I hope you are one of those patients who have minimal side effects.

VIEW & REPLY

@sabwal I had that last year at the beginning of my cancer journey. The only side effect I had was fatigue. I'm now on my 6th type chemo which is lenvima and Keytruda and only side effect is weight loss because I'm not eating as much. I had bone pain with the carbo/taxol too but you just plow through. Most of the side effects they list, people never have so don't let that scare you.

@ffr Thank you! Smoothies are a great idea!
I'm curious about the overall ups and downs. Were there times during chemo when you felt good enough to go out (walks or time with a friend)? Did you have visitors? Or are you basically shutoff due to risks of infection (flu/Covid)?

@jc100 I'm so glad you made it through! I've heard the cooling gloves and socks can help reduce the neuropathy - I'm going to try them (though I am super sensitive to cold).
I guess I need to just wait and see how my body responds.

@sabwal
The first week after the infusions I pretty much stayed home. When I perked up before the next cocktail, I’d see only my closest people.
That was because of 1) fear of getting sick & having to delay treatments and 2) not wanting to be asked a million questions or to hear stupid comments. My cancer experience taught me a lot about who listens and supports vs who is clueless or gossipy. There were both surprises and disappointments. As a result, I have become much more private.

@carol1024 It’s good to see you here again. Your 6th type of chemo? I’m relieved to know your oncologist is persistent in working with you.

@ffr @carol1024 @jc100 @nycmusic @jenelleseaman I just knew that a group of women from our support group would jump in here and help @sabwal with her questions. I’m so relieved and pleased that all of us found Mayo Clinic Connect that has provided such a valued resource for us. How else would have ever met one another?

Thank you all for sharing your experiences and your wisdom.

@ffr That totally resonates! I've already experienced that...people who rarely reached out when I was totally healthy suddenly want to see me or talk. I find it insulting - they want information (a form of power in social settings). It will be rainy and cold for much of my treatment - easy to stay away from others. I'm planning a bubble of friends & family based on their exposure to others as well.
Lots of life lessons will come from this.