2 craniotomies in 2 cities in 7 days and a question about Keytruda
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2 craniotomies in 2 cities in 7 days and a question about Keytruda

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › 2 craniotomies in 2 cities in 7 days and a question about Keytruda

  • Post
    • March 14, 2016 at 12:46 am
    SarahW
    Participant

    Yikes! We drove back home, 4 hours from Tampa on March 5. On March 6 new symptoms began, which turned out to be the "other" brain tumor in the frontal lobe. This frontal lobe tumor was scheduled to be radiated the week of March 21 along with the tumor bed of the parietal tumor. However it would not cooperate and generated enough vasogenic edema to impair speech, swallowing, facial muscles and typing. Mac had a second craniotomy 7 days after the first, but this time in our hometown as we had no time to get to Tampa. He is stil recovering in the hospital and will get a feeding tube tomorrow. He hasn't eaten since last Wednesday. We are waiting to hear from Moffitt officially about the dabrafenib and mekinist and whether they can be crushed and administered through a g tube. The research I have done so far indicates that will not be a possibility. 

    Mac's oncologist has mentioned Keytruda in the past and it may become the next option. My question is:are there any of you who are managed by a cancer center that is not close to home, but have been able to get the Keytruda infusions in your hometown?

Viewing 14 reply threads
  • Replies
      • March 14, 2016 at 1:46 am
      Jane Hearn
      Participant

      My husband is going to the melanoma center at MD Anderson for scans every three months.  He is receiving Keytruda in Kentucky at a nearby hospital Chemotherapy unit.  We feel like he has two oncologists.

      • March 14, 2016 at 1:46 am
      Jane Hearn
      Participant

      My husband is going to the melanoma center at MD Anderson for scans every three months.  He is receiving Keytruda in Kentucky at a nearby hospital Chemotherapy unit.  We feel like he has two oncologists.

      • March 14, 2016 at 1:46 am
      Jane Hearn
      Participant

      My husband is going to the melanoma center at MD Anderson for scans every three months.  He is receiving Keytruda in Kentucky at a nearby hospital Chemotherapy unit.  We feel like he has two oncologists.

      • March 14, 2016 at 2:14 pm
      Maria C
      Participant

      Sarah, it's my understanding Keytruda has been FDA approved, which means your insurance company should cover the costs whatever facility you go to. I would inquire with your oncologist….

       

      • March 14, 2016 at 2:14 pm
      Maria C
      Participant

      Sarah, it's my understanding Keytruda has been FDA approved, which means your insurance company should cover the costs whatever facility you go to. I would inquire with your oncologist….

       

      • March 14, 2016 at 2:14 pm
      Maria C
      Participant

      Sarah, it's my understanding Keytruda has been FDA approved, which means your insurance company should cover the costs whatever facility you go to. I would inquire with your oncologist….

       

      • March 15, 2016 at 2:09 pm
      AshleyS
      Participant

      Hi Sarah,

      I'm on Opdivo, not Keytruda, but they are both FDA approved and are both anti-PD1 drugs. My care team is in Houston, Texas at MD Anderson. I live over a thousand miles away in north-central North Dakota. My doctors here administer the drugs but my MD Anderson  doctors are in charge of my care. I also choose to fly to Texas for all my scans. 

      Best of luck,

      Ashley

      • March 15, 2016 at 2:09 pm
      AshleyS
      Participant

      Hi Sarah,

      I'm on Opdivo, not Keytruda, but they are both FDA approved and are both anti-PD1 drugs. My care team is in Houston, Texas at MD Anderson. I live over a thousand miles away in north-central North Dakota. My doctors here administer the drugs but my MD Anderson  doctors are in charge of my care. I also choose to fly to Texas for all my scans. 

      Best of luck,

      Ashley

      • March 15, 2016 at 2:09 pm
      AshleyS
      Participant

      Hi Sarah,

      I'm on Opdivo, not Keytruda, but they are both FDA approved and are both anti-PD1 drugs. My care team is in Houston, Texas at MD Anderson. I live over a thousand miles away in north-central North Dakota. My doctors here administer the drugs but my MD Anderson  doctors are in charge of my care. I also choose to fly to Texas for all my scans. 

      Best of luck,

      Ashley

      • March 19, 2016 at 5:18 am
      AllysonRuth
      Participant

      I live in Iowa and get Keytruda infusions here.  My doctors at the Mayo Clinic manage my care and I go there for all my scans.  It has worked well thus far.  Good luck!  This isn't easy..

      Allyson

      • March 19, 2016 at 5:18 am
      AllysonRuth
      Participant

      I live in Iowa and get Keytruda infusions here.  My doctors at the Mayo Clinic manage my care and I go there for all my scans.  It has worked well thus far.  Good luck!  This isn't easy..

      Allyson

      • March 19, 2016 at 5:18 am
      AllysonRuth
      Participant

      I live in Iowa and get Keytruda infusions here.  My doctors at the Mayo Clinic manage my care and I go there for all my scans.  It has worked well thus far.  Good luck!  This isn't easy..

      Allyson

      • March 19, 2016 at 5:18 am
      AllysonRuth
      Participant

      I live in Iowa and get Keytruda infusions here.  My doctors at the Mayo Clinic manage my care and I go there for all my scans.  It has worked well thus far.  Good luck!  This isn't easy..

      Allyson

      • March 19, 2016 at 5:18 am
      AllysonRuth
      Participant

      I live in Iowa and get Keytruda infusions here.  My doctors at the Mayo Clinic manage my care and I go there for all my scans.  It has worked well thus far.  Good luck!  This isn't easy..

      Allyson

      • March 19, 2016 at 5:18 am
      AllysonRuth
      Participant

      I live in Iowa and get Keytruda infusions here.  My doctors at the Mayo Clinic manage my care and I go there for all my scans.  It has worked well thus far.  Good luck!  This isn't easy..

      Allyson

Viewing 14 reply threads
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