Some of you know that in the background of all of this I have been working with a company in Canada called CTOAM. They organised for my biopsy to be sent to them and tested for 100’s of different genes 🧬 and specific DNA.
Alex Rowland is a scientist who we have had a number of zoom meetings with and advocates ‘knowledge is power’. We decided for us (it’s not for everyone) that we want to know everything to give myself the best possible chance at beating this. We were aware that they could find things that there would be no treatment for but that we’d rather know and be in a position if it did come up - perhaps further down the track they can add it in.
They now know so much about my DNA and genes specific to my tumour, it’s all there ready to go at a later if needed (not that I’ll need it but it gives me peace of mind)! Unfortunately this is not always an option or possible for others and therefore I feel a little hesitant writing this - however it’s my process and what I’m going through right now, it doesn’t mean it’s the right thing to do, everyone’s process and cancer is different.
The first tests have come back and they found I have a high amplification of a gene CD274 which often means a high PD-L1 (gobbledegook for most) so won’t go into it more, but feel free to google and totally confused 😂.
GOOD NEWS SPOILER ALERT: There’s a drug that helps thia, some of you might have heard of it before because it’s been splashed over the news recently ’Keytruda’ - used for many cancers already including metastatic breast cancer (not me). However just recently it’s been researched, early days but approved by the FDA for early triple negative (remember it’s not in my nodes or anywhere else) at high risk of recurrence.
This is ME, because my lump was (see ya Gary), reasonably big. Plus, now I know through CTOAM that I have a gene that Keytruda works for…..it’s exciting, I’m excited and hoping I tolerate it well to keep going with it - it can cause havoc with autoimmune stuff which I am keeping all of my fingers and toes crossed it doesn’t.🤞
’THE FIRST AND ONLY IMMUNOTHERAPY USED WITH CHEMOTHERAPY BEFORE SURGERY, THEN ALONE AFTER, TO TREAT HIGH-RISK EARLY-STAGE TNBC.’
Theres no guarantees it will make a difference and when I turn 84 I’ll still be asking myself, am I here because of Keytruda or not - I’ll never know
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/888e47_2f0a24e0e479436d9c5b235903db4c61~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_980,h_1307,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/888e47_2f0a24e0e479436d9c5b235903db4c61~mv2.jpeg)
but I’m willing to give it a whirl.
Sitting at chemo now getting the full first class treatment, so lucky to have such an amazing team looking after me at Bowen Icon Centre.
xx
I have heard of Keytruda and read about it too but by the sound of your post you're not at the stage where it's necessary . . . . and from your attitude it doesn't sound as if you will be needing it. You're one strong Bunny. Keep it up Kate. Love and Hugs
Amazing. It all blows me away and I am so pleased you have taken this path as we never want to see or hear from Gary again xx
That is so interesting Davo and yay for new science and medicine xxxxx
You are a superstar and such an inspiration. Thanks for sharing your journey. It certainly helps keep things in perspective. keep fighting hard! Susannah x