Dave’s been admitted to hospital… update

I am sorry to hear this news sending prayers to you both. My stage 4 has been as battle with liver, brain and chest mets since July of 2011.unfortunately brain mets leave few trial options particularly if they are not yet stable so others would be better to advise. I. Am taking both Yervoy and Zelboraf. But only 4 wks in is too soon to,say if it his combo works.

I am sorry to hear this news sending prayers to you both. My stage 4 has been as battle with liver, brain and chest mets since July of 2011.unfortunately brain mets leave few trial options particularly if they are not yet stable so others would be better to advise. I. Am taking both Yervoy and Zelboraf. But only 4 wks in is too soon to,say if it his combo works.

I am sorry to hear this news sending prayers to you both. My stage 4 has been as battle with liver, brain and chest mets since July of 2011.unfortunately brain mets leave few trial options particularly if they are not yet stable so others would be better to advise. I. Am taking both Yervoy and Zelboraf. But only 4 wks in is too soon to,say if it his combo works.

Oh, Maria.  I wish I could cook up something right here that would help Dave.  My husband had a complete response to Carboplatin/Abraxane/Avastin (liver, lymph node mets), but that combo doesn't usually have a great response rate.  I only offer this info in case your doctor happens to suggest this combo. Then I'd be happy to share with you what you might want to know about our experience re side effects, etc.  No one's thrown in the towel yet, so I'm sure they are looking at the best options for Dave right now.  Big hugs and good wishes are being sent your way!.

Hope

Oh, Maria.  I wish I could cook up something right here that would help Dave.  My husband had a complete response to Carboplatin/Abraxane/Avastin (liver, lymph node mets), but that combo doesn't usually have a great response rate.  I only offer this info in case your doctor happens to suggest this combo. Then I'd be happy to share with you what you might want to know about our experience re side effects, etc.  No one's thrown in the towel yet, so I'm sure they are looking at the best options for Dave right now.  Big hugs and good wishes are being sent your way!.

Hope

Oh, Maria.  I wish I could cook up something right here that would help Dave.  My husband had a complete response to Carboplatin/Abraxane/Avastin (liver, lymph node mets), but that combo doesn't usually have a great response rate.  I only offer this info in case your doctor happens to suggest this combo. Then I'd be happy to share with you what you might want to know about our experience re side effects, etc.  No one's thrown in the towel yet, so I'm sure they are looking at the best options for Dave right now.  Big hugs and good wishes are being sent your way!.

Hope

sorry that Dave has so much pain.Praying that the choice you decide on is an answer for a very good response.Keep us posted.  Al

sorry that Dave has so much pain.Praying that the choice you decide on is an answer for a very good response.Keep us posted.  Al

sorry that Dave has so much pain.Praying that the choice you decide on is an answer for a very good response.Keep us posted.  Al

Maria, Sorry to read your post, that Dave is in pain, hope they get that discomfort under control. I have heard of a few cases where they have offered Ipi along with a chemo drug. It seems new drug combinations may be the future of melanoma treatment. I would ask about the possibility of chemo, like Avastin and Ipi given together. That way, maybe Dave’s brain will continue to remain stabilized on the Avastin while the Ipi is doing the longer immune response! Just a thought to discuss with doctors. Please take care and know that others are sending you both healing thoughts! Valerie (Phil’s wife)

Maria, Sorry to read your post, that Dave is in pain, hope they get that discomfort under control. I have heard of a few cases where they have offered Ipi along with a chemo drug. It seems new drug combinations may be the future of melanoma treatment. I would ask about the possibility of chemo, like Avastin and Ipi given together. That way, maybe Dave’s brain will continue to remain stabilized on the Avastin while the Ipi is doing the longer immune response! Just a thought to discuss with doctors. Please take care and know that others are sending you both healing thoughts! Valerie (Phil’s wife)

Maria, Sorry to read your post, that Dave is in pain, hope they get that discomfort under control. I have heard of a few cases where they have offered Ipi along with a chemo drug. It seems new drug combinations may be the future of melanoma treatment. I would ask about the possibility of chemo, like Avastin and Ipi given together. That way, maybe Dave’s brain will continue to remain stabilized on the Avastin while the Ipi is doing the longer immune response! Just a thought to discuss with doctors. Please take care and know that others are sending you both healing thoughts! Valerie (Phil’s wife)

Maria,

Oh how I feel for you. I think it must be harder to watch your husband go through all this than to go through it yourself. I know I wouldn’t want to trade places with my husband.

Sorry that you had to go to the hospital. I think the steroids will always help when there is swelling, so I don’t know that that should scare you.

I believe my Oncologist also recommended the same combo of 3 drugs as the other post. Maybe this will get things calmed down so that he can then go on the Yervoy.

Praying for a turn around for you and Dave.

Julie in Las Vegas

Maria,

Oh how I feel for you. I think it must be harder to watch your husband go through all this than to go through it yourself. I know I wouldn’t want to trade places with my husband.

Sorry that you had to go to the hospital. I think the steroids will always help when there is swelling, so I don’t know that that should scare you.

I believe my Oncologist also recommended the same combo of 3 drugs as the other post. Maybe this will get things calmed down so that he can then go on the Yervoy.

Praying for a turn around for you and Dave.

Julie in Las Vegas

Maria,

Oh how I feel for you. I think it must be harder to watch your husband go through all this than to go through it yourself. I know I wouldn’t want to trade places with my husband.

Sorry that you had to go to the hospital. I think the steroids will always help when there is swelling, so I don’t know that that should scare you.

I believe my Oncologist also recommended the same combo of 3 drugs as the other post. Maybe this will get things calmed down so that he can then go on the Yervoy.

Praying for a turn around for you and Dave.

Julie in Las Vegas

Maria, I am sorry to read that Dave has been admitted to hospital. A chemo combo could
be worth trying. However, from the info that I have seen over the last few years it is
not certain if any combo is significantly better than a single agent such as DTIC
(dacarbazine).

From:
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/melanoma/HealthProfessional/Page9#Section_467
"The objective response rate to DTIC and the nitrosoureas, carmustine (BCNU) and
lomustine, is approximately 10% to 20%.[2,26-28] Responses are usually short-lived,
ranging from 3 to 6 months, though long-term remissions can occur in a limited number of
patients who attain a complete response."

From: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10561349?dopt=Abstract
"Several single-institution phase II trials have reported that the Dartmouth regimen
(dacarbazine, cisplatin, carmustine, and tamoxifen) can induce major tumor responses in
40% to 50% of stage IV melanoma patients … only a small, statistically nonsignificant
increase in tumor response for stage IV melanoma patients treated with the Dartmouth
regimen compared with dacarbazine. Dacarbazine remains the reference standard treatment
for stage IV melanoma."

See also: Avastin for metastatic melanoma
http://cancertreatments.typepad.com/cancer_treatment/2009/05/avastin-for-metastatic-melanoma.html

Hope this helps

Frank from Australia

Maria, I am sorry to read that Dave has been admitted to hospital. A chemo combo could
be worth trying. However, from the info that I have seen over the last few years it is
not certain if any combo is significantly better than a single agent such as DTIC
(dacarbazine).

From:
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/melanoma/HealthProfessional/Page9#Section_467
"The objective response rate to DTIC and the nitrosoureas, carmustine (BCNU) and
lomustine, is approximately 10% to 20%.[2,26-28] Responses are usually short-lived,
ranging from 3 to 6 months, though long-term remissions can occur in a limited number of
patients who attain a complete response."

From: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10561349?dopt=Abstract
"Several single-institution phase II trials have reported that the Dartmouth regimen
(dacarbazine, cisplatin, carmustine, and tamoxifen) can induce major tumor responses in
40% to 50% of stage IV melanoma patients … only a small, statistically nonsignificant
increase in tumor response for stage IV melanoma patients treated with the Dartmouth
regimen compared with dacarbazine. Dacarbazine remains the reference standard treatment
for stage IV melanoma."

See also: Avastin for metastatic melanoma
http://cancertreatments.typepad.com/cancer_treatment/2009/05/avastin-for-metastatic-melanoma.html

Hope this helps

Frank from Australia

Maria, I am sorry to read that Dave has been admitted to hospital. A chemo combo could
be worth trying. However, from the info that I have seen over the last few years it is
not certain if any combo is significantly better than a single agent such as DTIC
(dacarbazine).

From:
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/melanoma/HealthProfessional/Page9#Section_467
"The objective response rate to DTIC and the nitrosoureas, carmustine (BCNU) and
lomustine, is approximately 10% to 20%.[2,26-28] Responses are usually short-lived,
ranging from 3 to 6 months, though long-term remissions can occur in a limited number of
patients who attain a complete response."

From: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10561349?dopt=Abstract
"Several single-institution phase II trials have reported that the Dartmouth regimen
(dacarbazine, cisplatin, carmustine, and tamoxifen) can induce major tumor responses in
40% to 50% of stage IV melanoma patients … only a small, statistically nonsignificant
increase in tumor response for stage IV melanoma patients treated with the Dartmouth
regimen compared with dacarbazine. Dacarbazine remains the reference standard treatment
for stage IV melanoma."

See also: Avastin for metastatic melanoma
http://cancertreatments.typepad.com/cancer_treatment/2009/05/avastin-for-metastatic-melanoma.html

Hope this helps

Frank from Australia

Dear Maria,

Both you and Dave are in my thoughts and prayers!!!  Good thing you brought him in.  Keep us updated and in the meantime, sending BIG hugs and good thoughts :))))))))

Take care,

Bridgette (Jeff's Mom)

Dear Maria,

Both you and Dave are in my thoughts and prayers!!!  Good thing you brought him in.  Keep us updated and in the meantime, sending BIG hugs and good thoughts :))))))))

Take care,

Bridgette (Jeff's Mom)

Dear Maria,

Both you and Dave are in my thoughts and prayers!!!  Good thing you brought him in.  Keep us updated and in the meantime, sending BIG hugs and good thoughts :))))))))

Take care,

Bridgette (Jeff's Mom)