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On a personal update: About 5 days after starting the targeted drug therapy I realized that the aching in my jaw around the tumors was noticeably reduced. After a week, the aching basically stopped. I'm still definitely more tired than I should be, and probably my focus is a bit worse - but I haven't noticed any other side effects yet. Maybe reduced libido.
I don't really know how I should refer to the debrafnib + trametinib treatment I am on. Drug therapy? Targeted therapy? Genetically targeted therapy? Chemotherapy? Oral chemotherapy? Genetically targeted chemotherapy? They're definitely considered chemotherapy drugs, and I have to take precautions to not expose anyone else (I'm using a separate bathroom, washing clothes separately, immediately wash my hands thoroughly after handling the meds, etc). I just feel like I'm misleading people or overstating things if I refer to it as chemotherapy without going into details - usually when people hear "chemotherapy" they think of going into a treatment center for hours on an IV.
Yes, I'm probably overthinking things - I've done that my whole life. Outside perspectives are welcome. Any vaguely relevant questions are welcome.
Replies to "On a personal update: About 5 days after starting the targeted drug therapy I realized that..."
Not sure if it will help you, Tom, but I heard from patient stories that went through thyroid cancer take pills for radiation instead of going under the machine and they isolated themselves for a few days while they were on that medication. It sounded very similar from your description. Another thing I noticed you mentioned tumors, were there multiple tumors? My neighbor had multiple tumors too. Is it Ameloblastoma behavior that it gets split into multiple tumors? I am trying to relate my 2 tumors into that behavior.
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I’m so happy that the targeted therapy is working for you and you took a leap of faith and it has paid off, you’ve got this! In terms of what to refer your treatment as I think it depends on your own personal preference, like you said it is chemotherapy and if you think that fits you more then call it that and if people do have questions then you can go into that detail, I think when it comes to your treatment remember that it’s your treatment and you don’t have to define it based on other people!