Yervoy / IPI WORKED ! Lung, Liver Tumors Shrunk!
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Yervoy / IPI WORKED ! Lung, Liver Tumors Shrunk!

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Yervoy / IPI WORKED ! Lung, Liver Tumors Shrunk!

  • Post
    • December 3, 2011 at 2:19 pm
    momof2kids
    Participant

     

     

    Hello everyone. I haven't posted lately as I've been so scared, wondering if this Yervoy was going to work on me!

     

    Diagnosed in June 2011, out of the blue, straight to Stage IV (Brain, Liver & Lung)

     

     

    Hello everyone. I haven't posted lately as I've been so scared, wondering if this Yervoy was going to work on me!

     

    Diagnosed in June 2011, out of the blue, straight to Stage IV (Brain, Liver & Lung)

    I got all 4 injections of the 3mg dose with not a single side effect from September 2011 thru Nov 2011 I thought for sure maybe my body wasn't responding!  I never understood the blood levels, that others said to look for rising numbers, I just gave up trying to figure it out and just figured my body will do whatever it wants.

    GREAT NEWS!!  We saw the scans ourselves today! My lung & liver tumors have all shrunk down, can barely see the Lung tumor (was around 5cm), and the big Liver tumor went from 6cm down to 2cm…and this is the 1st scan since completing the 4 doses!
    We can only hope that another scan in 3 months will show more shrinkage!
    Brain scans came back CLEAN TOO! Quarter size tumor GONE (thanks to Gamma Knife in July, took almost 6 months to disappear), and the spot I had my tumor removed from on my brain in July, is back to normal looking!
    All doctors happy FOR NOW, AND SO AM I!! 3 months of NO treatments or scans for now!
     
    This treatment , the body "remembers" this type, and should continue to kill cancer cells it finds, and I can continue on this treatment again if needed, since my body accepted it!  There's no plans for future treatments of it until they see the need to continue on it, then I can continue to get it after that since my body accepted it once, it should accept it over & over.

    I truly hope, like Lisa13 said in her post (that her doctors said) he's had patients who were on this for YEARS, and it was still working. I can only truly pray & hope that this will be the same way for many of us!

Viewing 32 reply threads
  • Replies
      • December 3, 2011 at 2:48 pm
      Laurie from maine
      Participant

      HOORAY!!!  How wonderful!   Thank you for posting such great news.  What a wonderful holiday you can have just enjoying that your body is doing its work now.

      Thank you for posting.  I am currently on braf(zelboraf) and will have to switch at sometime to something else and was great to see you have had such a positive response to yervoy.

      Enjoy your great news.

      laurie from maine

      • December 3, 2011 at 2:48 pm
      Laurie from maine
      Participant

      HOORAY!!!  How wonderful!   Thank you for posting such great news.  What a wonderful holiday you can have just enjoying that your body is doing its work now.

      Thank you for posting.  I am currently on braf(zelboraf) and will have to switch at sometime to something else and was great to see you have had such a positive response to yervoy.

      Enjoy your great news.

      laurie from maine

      • December 3, 2011 at 2:48 pm
      Laurie from maine
      Participant

      HOORAY!!!  How wonderful!   Thank you for posting such great news.  What a wonderful holiday you can have just enjoying that your body is doing its work now.

      Thank you for posting.  I am currently on braf(zelboraf) and will have to switch at sometime to something else and was great to see you have had such a positive response to yervoy.

      Enjoy your great news.

      laurie from maine

      • December 3, 2011 at 4:38 pm
      Linny
      Participant

      What fantastic news!!!! Congratulations!! Now you can kick back and have a wonderful Christmas and New Year's.

      Linda

      • December 3, 2011 at 4:38 pm
      Linny
      Participant

      What fantastic news!!!! Congratulations!! Now you can kick back and have a wonderful Christmas and New Year's.

      Linda

      • December 3, 2011 at 4:38 pm
      Linny
      Participant

      What fantastic news!!!! Congratulations!! Now you can kick back and have a wonderful Christmas and New Year's.

      Linda

      • December 3, 2011 at 6:58 pm
      JerryfromFauq
      Participant

      Ta;lk about GREAT news.  So glad to hear this!  Enjoy the Holidays.  And give those kids big hugs!

      Praying for otinued success  in continuing to get rid of the tumors

       

       

      • December 3, 2011 at 6:58 pm
      JerryfromFauq
      Participant

      Ta;lk about GREAT news.  So glad to hear this!  Enjoy the Holidays.  And give those kids big hugs!

      Praying for otinued success  in continuing to get rid of the tumors

       

       

      • December 3, 2011 at 6:58 pm
      JerryfromFauq
      Participant

      Ta;lk about GREAT news.  So glad to hear this!  Enjoy the Holidays.  And give those kids big hugs!

      Praying for otinued success  in continuing to get rid of the tumors

       

       

        • December 3, 2011 at 9:19 pm
        Lisa13
        Participant

        This is such fantastic news! 

        One thing I wanted to mention – it wasn't my Dr. who said he had patients who've lasted years. It was someone else's Dr I read that said he has several patients still kickin' it  4 years and 8 years out.   My Dr. mentioned he was seeing not good scans at 12 weeks and then great scans at 16 weeks. All good news and something to be hopeful for.

        Mine shrunk by 50% on week 12 and by week 16, they were still shrinking (slowly) and the rest just remained stable. Some have disappeared.   I get more scans and a brain MRI at the end of January. 

        Now every 3 months, you just hope it continues to look good.

        I'm so happy for you!! 

         

        Lisa

        • December 3, 2011 at 9:19 pm
        Lisa13
        Participant

        This is such fantastic news! 

        One thing I wanted to mention – it wasn't my Dr. who said he had patients who've lasted years. It was someone else's Dr I read that said he has several patients still kickin' it  4 years and 8 years out.   My Dr. mentioned he was seeing not good scans at 12 weeks and then great scans at 16 weeks. All good news and something to be hopeful for.

        Mine shrunk by 50% on week 12 and by week 16, they were still shrinking (slowly) and the rest just remained stable. Some have disappeared.   I get more scans and a brain MRI at the end of January. 

        Now every 3 months, you just hope it continues to look good.

        I'm so happy for you!! 

         

        Lisa

        • December 3, 2011 at 9:19 pm
        Lisa13
        Participant

        This is such fantastic news! 

        One thing I wanted to mention – it wasn't my Dr. who said he had patients who've lasted years. It was someone else's Dr I read that said he has several patients still kickin' it  4 years and 8 years out.   My Dr. mentioned he was seeing not good scans at 12 weeks and then great scans at 16 weeks. All good news and something to be hopeful for.

        Mine shrunk by 50% on week 12 and by week 16, they were still shrinking (slowly) and the rest just remained stable. Some have disappeared.   I get more scans and a brain MRI at the end of January. 

        Now every 3 months, you just hope it continues to look good.

        I'm so happy for you!! 

         

        Lisa

      • December 4, 2011 at 12:27 am
      hope4cure1
      Participant

      WOW, WOW, TERRIFIC!!!!!!!!!!

      • December 4, 2011 at 12:27 am
      hope4cure1
      Participant

      WOW, WOW, TERRIFIC!!!!!!!!!!

      • December 4, 2011 at 12:27 am
      hope4cure1
      Participant

      WOW, WOW, TERRIFIC!!!!!!!!!!

      • December 4, 2011 at 12:56 am
      FormerCaregiver
      Participant

      This is truly wonderful news! Congratulations!

      You are in my thoughts and prayers.

      Frank from Australia

      • December 4, 2011 at 12:56 am
      FormerCaregiver
      Participant

      This is truly wonderful news! Congratulations!

      You are in my thoughts and prayers.

      Frank from Australia

      • December 4, 2011 at 12:56 am
      FormerCaregiver
      Participant

      This is truly wonderful news! Congratulations!

      You are in my thoughts and prayers.

      Frank from Australia

      • December 4, 2011 at 1:40 am
      JJ Walker
      Participant

      This is wonderful news for you and your kids and also gives me hope.  I am also stage IV and just had my first treatment with Yervoy.  Minimal side effects so far.  Let's hope it works for everyone.  Wanted to take Zelboraf but co-pay was more than my wife make a month.  We give Genentec all that research money and then the price the meds so high we can't afford them.  Shame on them!

      • December 4, 2011 at 1:40 am
      JJ Walker
      Participant

      This is wonderful news for you and your kids and also gives me hope.  I am also stage IV and just had my first treatment with Yervoy.  Minimal side effects so far.  Let's hope it works for everyone.  Wanted to take Zelboraf but co-pay was more than my wife make a month.  We give Genentec all that research money and then the price the meds so high we can't afford them.  Shame on them!

      • December 4, 2011 at 1:40 am
      JJ Walker
      Participant

      This is wonderful news for you and your kids and also gives me hope.  I am also stage IV and just had my first treatment with Yervoy.  Minimal side effects so far.  Let's hope it works for everyone.  Wanted to take Zelboraf but co-pay was more than my wife make a month.  We give Genentec all that research money and then the price the meds so high we can't afford them.  Shame on them!

      • December 4, 2011 at 4:48 am
      PhoenixJ
      Participant
      I am so happy for you!!! I just Received my first ipi infusion on thursday. I hope that I have as good results! I had an 85% reduction in disease burden in 2 months on zelboraf and I was nervous about coming off it to start ipi but now to hear so much good news here it gives me hope!! Have a great holiday season!!
      • December 4, 2011 at 4:48 am
      PhoenixJ
      Participant
      I am so happy for you!!! I just Received my first ipi infusion on thursday. I hope that I have as good results! I had an 85% reduction in disease burden in 2 months on zelboraf and I was nervous about coming off it to start ipi but now to hear so much good news here it gives me hope!! Have a great holiday season!!
      • December 4, 2011 at 4:48 am
      PhoenixJ
      Participant
      I am so happy for you!!! I just Received my first ipi infusion on thursday. I hope that I have as good results! I had an 85% reduction in disease burden in 2 months on zelboraf and I was nervous about coming off it to start ipi but now to hear so much good news here it gives me hope!! Have a great holiday season!!
      • December 5, 2011 at 1:33 am
      jag
      Participant

      You

      Are

      Awesome!

      Glad to hear the news momof2kids.  Once Yervoy takes it usually lasts pretty far into the future esp w/an immediate response such as yours.

      • December 5, 2011 at 1:33 am
      jag
      Participant

      You

      Are

      Awesome!

      Glad to hear the news momof2kids.  Once Yervoy takes it usually lasts pretty far into the future esp w/an immediate response such as yours.

      • December 5, 2011 at 1:33 am
      jag
      Participant

      You

      Are

      Awesome!

      Glad to hear the news momof2kids.  Once Yervoy takes it usually lasts pretty far into the future esp w/an immediate response such as yours.

      • December 5, 2011 at 3:16 am
      momof2kids
      Participant

      Thanks for the replies everyone! 

      Yes, like my doctor said and Lisa heard from her doctor, that they've seen once people react to this, they can sometimes stay on it for YEARS, the body remembers it likes this stuff and will continue to use what's still in us to fight off those nasty cells, and hopefully future injections if needed, will help do the same, and have it continue to crush those cancer cells down to nothing. LETS HOPE THAT HAPPENS FOR ALL OF US.   I can only HOPE right now that this will kick some ass in the future for myself (and for others)!

        • December 5, 2011 at 10:57 am
        Vermont_Donna
        Participant

        Hi,

         GREAT news!! I too have had Ipi, 3mg/kg, and so far I am NED…since 2/2011! I wish you continued response to the drug!

        Hugs,

        Vermont_Donna, stage 3a, NED

        • December 5, 2011 at 10:57 am
        Vermont_Donna
        Participant

        Hi,

         GREAT news!! I too have had Ipi, 3mg/kg, and so far I am NED…since 2/2011! I wish you continued response to the drug!

        Hugs,

        Vermont_Donna, stage 3a, NED

        • December 5, 2011 at 10:57 am
        Vermont_Donna
        Participant

        Hi,

         GREAT news!! I too have had Ipi, 3mg/kg, and so far I am NED…since 2/2011! I wish you continued response to the drug!

        Hugs,

        Vermont_Donna, stage 3a, NED

      • December 5, 2011 at 3:16 am
      momof2kids
      Participant

      Thanks for the replies everyone! 

      Yes, like my doctor said and Lisa heard from her doctor, that they've seen once people react to this, they can sometimes stay on it for YEARS, the body remembers it likes this stuff and will continue to use what's still in us to fight off those nasty cells, and hopefully future injections if needed, will help do the same, and have it continue to crush those cancer cells down to nothing. LETS HOPE THAT HAPPENS FOR ALL OF US.   I can only HOPE right now that this will kick some ass in the future for myself (and for others)!

      • December 5, 2011 at 3:16 am
      momof2kids
      Participant

      Thanks for the replies everyone! 

      Yes, like my doctor said and Lisa heard from her doctor, that they've seen once people react to this, they can sometimes stay on it for YEARS, the body remembers it likes this stuff and will continue to use what's still in us to fight off those nasty cells, and hopefully future injections if needed, will help do the same, and have it continue to crush those cancer cells down to nothing. LETS HOPE THAT HAPPENS FOR ALL OF US.   I can only HOPE right now that this will kick some ass in the future for myself (and for others)!

      • December 5, 2011 at 2:06 pm
      Gene_S
      Participant

      Congratulations that is great news!!!!  Now enjoy the holidays and family.  I pray this keeps working for you.

      Judy (loving wife and caregiver of Gene Stage IV and also responding to Ipi 10mg/kg)

      • December 5, 2011 at 2:06 pm
      Gene_S
      Participant

      Congratulations that is great news!!!!  Now enjoy the holidays and family.  I pray this keeps working for you.

      Judy (loving wife and caregiver of Gene Stage IV and also responding to Ipi 10mg/kg)

      • December 5, 2011 at 2:06 pm
      Gene_S
      Participant

      Congratulations that is great news!!!!  Now enjoy the holidays and family.  I pray this keeps working for you.

      Judy (loving wife and caregiver of Gene Stage IV and also responding to Ipi 10mg/kg)

      • December 7, 2011 at 12:21 pm
      shellebrownies
      Participant

      So glad to hear that you are doing better!

      Michelle

      • December 7, 2011 at 12:21 pm
      shellebrownies
      Participant

      So glad to hear that you are doing better!

      Michelle

      • December 7, 2011 at 12:21 pm
      shellebrownies
      Participant

      So glad to hear that you are doing better!

      Michelle

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