Split chemo for double Mx, then continue?

MustangMom

I could use some experienced advice to guide me in my decision making. I was diagnosed with a 4.5cm triple negative IDC on July 10th. I had my port placed on the 13th and started chemo on the 19th. I am on a very strict keto diet and doing 3 days of fasting (2 before and 1 the day of chemo). Thursday will be my 3rd of 6 treatments. The combination of diet and TC chemo is working beautifully, and my mass has shrunk to the point where my onc and nurse practitioner can no longer palpate it.

The doc has given me the option of doing my double mastectomy (right side is prophylactic) about 4 weeks after the 3rd or 4th treatment and then continuing chemotherapy after recovery. My husband is concerned about seeding, and would like for me to split the chemo. I have some concerns about that, but I know that a pathologically complete response before surgery gives better chances of survival, and I'm concerned about chemo interfering with full recovery after mastectomy. My doc mentioned that many women enjoy a "break" from chemo, but thus far I am not having any side effects other than exhaustion so I am not too worried about taking a break. I meet with the surgeon after chemo in 2 days to discuss and plan, and she wants to have plenty of time for me to consult with the plastic surgeon she works with so I need to make up my mind fairly soon.

Moderators

Hi mjclark, and welcome to Breastcancer.org!

We just wanted to drop a note to welcome you to our community and thank you for posting. We're sure you'll find our Community a valuable source of information, advice, and support. You're sure to get some helpful responses soon, but we wanted to let you know we're all here for you!

Please come back and keep us posted with what you decide for your treatment journey.

Looking forward to hearing more from you soon!

--The Mods

imdunroamin

I am just about to start chemo and was wondering if you did the keto diet for the treatment or if it was something you had been on all along. Thinking about fasting to reduce the nausea, as I have read it can be effective.

Thanks!

Moderators

Hi imdunroamin-

That's a great question! You may want to read through our Chemo forum and post there for some guidance from members who're current;y undergoing treatment: https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/69

The Mods

MustangMom

Hi imdunroamin, I have been off-again-on-again paleo for several years now to treat fibromyalgia and knew of the benefits of keto, but I only became hard-core keto when I was diagnosed. I very heartily recommend the book "Keto for Cancer" by Miriam Kalamian as it addresses cancer and treatment/recovery specific aspects of the keto diet that don't apply to other people such as protein needs, proteins that can actually feed the tumors, meal replacements for those days when you just can't stand to eat, etc... I have found keto to be highly beneficial if somewhat frustrating with my chemo-influenced taste buds.