Zanidatamab & Xeloda Treatment #3 and #4 Update - 4/27/26

Been a few weeks so I wanted to give an update of what’s been going on in my world.  Lately I’ve been soaking up all the special little moments and events that continue to remind me that life is precious. 

Recently I participated in an event called Emerge, The Woman and the Warrior, where 19 survivors and thrivers walked the runway wearing a crafted warrior piece that is important to them on their cancer journey.  It was an incredible event, and everyone was cheering as we walked the runway.  A special event that showcases the strength, hope and resilience that each of us face every day.  My warrior piece was on my shoulder and to me it symbolized everything I’ve been through, carrying so much on my shoulders from past trauma to now breast cancer, the weight of it all, and the resilience to continue to move forward despite it.  This event was also amazing as all proceeds went to fund stage 4 breast cancer research through Vranicure.  What a wonderful evening this was and I continue to be grateful for the friendships I’ve made and the community of strong women who continue to show up for each other. 

Other fun things lately also included a free Aritzia styling event, where we got the whole store to ourselves and a personalized stylist to pick out clothes for us.  Was so fun to try on new items and update my wardrobe.  I also did a 500 puzzle competition with other stage 4 thriver friends and had spa day that was gifted to me from the Karen Wellington Foundation.  A few weeks ago I went to the Lady Gaga concert with my sister.  This was a bucket list item for me as I told myself that when Lady Gaga goes on tour, I am buying really good seats and we ended up having front row to see all the action.  It was expensive but so worth it.   I loved every part of it.  Going to this with my sister made it that much better as we enjoyed being together, singing and dancing the night away.  Tears were shed as Lady Gaga performed a few of her songs, and in that moment, I was reminded that these experiences are priceless, that moments and memories like this won’t last forever, and when I am on my death bed (many, many years from now), I will look back at these times with a joyful, grateful heart.  I continue to tell myself, take that trip, go on that experience, take on that adventure, because life is too short to let money prevent you from living life. 

As far as my treatment is going, I just had my 4^th infusion of Zanidatamab on the clinical trial about a week ago.  I will tell you what, this drug Zani is my bestie healing drug.  With my latest good scans, I just feel like this drug is going to keep me going for a long time and I am so grateful to be on this clinical trial.  Apparently I am the only one on this trial at the Mayo Clinic location that I go to.  Wild to me that there are no other patients on the trial.  I feel a bit like I am on an island, but to me it’s a good island to be on.  One that has given me so much hope as of late.  Another reason I love Zani so much too is that my quality of life on this drug is really good. I don’t have many side effects on this drug and I’m so happy.  I just hope I can continue to be on it for a really long time. 

Now Xeloda or Capecitabine is another story.  The problem child I call it.  For my third cycle, I ended up not taking this chemo pill at all because my liver enzymes were being high maintenance.  Apparently, my liver doesn’t like this drug, and my liver enzymes were really high when I went in for my 3^rd infusion.  I had to retest my liver enzymes locally about a week after my infusion and unfortunately, they increased even more, as ALT was in the 200s!  The doctor was concerned they went up, but thankfully when I went in for 4^th infusion, they had gone back down, almost to normal range.  We attributed the increase in liver enzymes to Xeloda, and Dr. Goetz ended up reducing my dose moving forward.  So now I will take 3 pills in the morning and 3 in the evening.  Previously I was doing 3 pills in the morning, 4 in the evening, so it is still a lot but hoping the reduction of 500mg does the trick and my liver stops wanting attention so much.  The goal is to find a dosage that my body can tolerate.  Overall, will watch my liver enzymes over time, and I go in to get them retested again later today.  This drug gives me severe diarrhea too, so hoping that also behaves itself moving forward.  It’s been almost a week since I started taking Xeloda again and so far, so good, keeping my fingers crossed.  My body and Xeloda just need to get along and quit being brats!  Be more like Zani, why don’t ya.  Other than that, some other side effects (obviously from Xeloda, Zani does no harm haha) are some fatigue and brain fog, but all manageable. 

Thankfully my mom was able to come with me to my 3rd infusion and last scans, and my friend Steve joined me at my 4^th infusion.  I am getting pretty used to making the drive out to Mayo every three weeks and will continue to do so if it means I can still be alive.  Being a cancer patient is my full-time job, so I don’t mind making the drive.  I see it as another adventure and a new routine added to my life.

Other than that, I am enjoying the nicer weather here in MN getting outside, exercising everyday still and trying to eat as healthy as I can.  I have relaxed some on my diet, using the 80/20 rule and trying to find balance in life.  Having good scans recently has brought a little more peace in knowing the drugs are doing the hard work.  This season is about supporting those drugs to do the best work they can, through diet and exercise.  Supporting my body to continue to fight cancer, because it’s going through a lot.  I feel good knowing I am doing the best I can and some days that’s just resting, and that’s ok too.  Rest is productive and needed. 

With all that, I want to thank everyone who continues to follow my journey and supports me along the way.  I feel so lucky and grateful to have amazing friends and family by my side through this shit show.  Although it’s one that has given me so many blessings.

My next scan is May 14^th, so I will be sure to give an update after then.  These scan days come quickly every six weeks!  But I am looking forward to seeing continued magic happen. I believe it. 

Love, Stacy