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- This topic has 12 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 11 years, 2 months ago by
biancopus.
- Post
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- September 18, 2014 at 7:59 pm
HiI am a stage 4 patient and have failed two treatments.I wonder whether others have been in the same position and what they did bout it
- Replies
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- September 18, 2014 at 9:36 pm
One person on here said to me. You only have to find that one treatment that works for. Stay strong and find that treatment. That really stuck with me.
One way to look at it is not to say you failed two treatments. You did NOT fail. The medicines failed you.
Mine was zelboraf then ipi then taf/mek. Now I'm on pd1 and finally see over a dozen tumors shrinking. Yeah some are still growing and some of those I'm having radiated. But finally a medicine that isn't failing me. It can happen you just got to hang in there.
You just have to dig deep and keep trying. I remember not having the strength to walk to the bathroom. I would have to use the wall to support me and take one small step at a time. I remember not being able to eat a bite of food. So I took half a bite and chewed and chewed and tried to swallow for 10 minutes but I got that half bite down. Then I took another half bite.
I came here and wrote down all types of treatments that are being done and working for other people. It gave me hope that something is out there I just have to make it to it.
Other people were saying how they are NED or things are working great. That gave me hope. Why not me? Yeah why not me too?
Hang in there. Keep fighting and never ever give up.
Artie
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- September 19, 2014 at 12:29 am
I love your answer too, Artie!
You aren't alone in this battle. I would add that hopefully you're seeing an oncologist who specializes in Melanoma. I'm stage IV and have had treatments that didn't work including almost a month in NIH, but the fight goes on. Artie and I are both getting infusions of Keytruda. He's had his first scans and knows that it's working on many of his tumors. I get scanned on Sept 30th but I have a good feeling that it's at least partially working. A large tumor on my shoulder blade is no longer palpable and my LDH has gone from 534 to 180. In order to qualify for Keytruda, you first have to try Yervoy. If Yervoy doesn't work, then you might be eligible for Keytruda (formally known as Pembrolizumab).
Best Wishes and keep up the hope!
Terrie
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- September 19, 2014 at 12:29 am
I love your answer too, Artie!
You aren't alone in this battle. I would add that hopefully you're seeing an oncologist who specializes in Melanoma. I'm stage IV and have had treatments that didn't work including almost a month in NIH, but the fight goes on. Artie and I are both getting infusions of Keytruda. He's had his first scans and knows that it's working on many of his tumors. I get scanned on Sept 30th but I have a good feeling that it's at least partially working. A large tumor on my shoulder blade is no longer palpable and my LDH has gone from 534 to 180. In order to qualify for Keytruda, you first have to try Yervoy. If Yervoy doesn't work, then you might be eligible for Keytruda (formally known as Pembrolizumab).
Best Wishes and keep up the hope!
Terrie
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- September 19, 2014 at 12:29 am
I love your answer too, Artie!
You aren't alone in this battle. I would add that hopefully you're seeing an oncologist who specializes in Melanoma. I'm stage IV and have had treatments that didn't work including almost a month in NIH, but the fight goes on. Artie and I are both getting infusions of Keytruda. He's had his first scans and knows that it's working on many of his tumors. I get scanned on Sept 30th but I have a good feeling that it's at least partially working. A large tumor on my shoulder blade is no longer palpable and my LDH has gone from 534 to 180. In order to qualify for Keytruda, you first have to try Yervoy. If Yervoy doesn't work, then you might be eligible for Keytruda (formally known as Pembrolizumab).
Best Wishes and keep up the hope!
Terrie
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- September 19, 2014 at 11:20 pm
Artie, I wanted to let you know that your post really provided me with some hope for my husband who is Stage IV Metastatic Melanoma currently on Tafinlar (he was on both Tafinlar and Mekinst, but had to stop Mekinst due to pneumonia-like symptoms). He may end up being treated with Keytruda in the future. I'm very grateful that new drugs are being developed and approved all the time and hold out hope that he will have success. Thank you for your positivity!
Biancopus (Eve)
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- September 19, 2014 at 11:20 pm
Artie, I wanted to let you know that your post really provided me with some hope for my husband who is Stage IV Metastatic Melanoma currently on Tafinlar (he was on both Tafinlar and Mekinst, but had to stop Mekinst due to pneumonia-like symptoms). He may end up being treated with Keytruda in the future. I'm very grateful that new drugs are being developed and approved all the time and hold out hope that he will have success. Thank you for your positivity!
Biancopus (Eve)
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- September 19, 2014 at 11:20 pm
Artie, I wanted to let you know that your post really provided me with some hope for my husband who is Stage IV Metastatic Melanoma currently on Tafinlar (he was on both Tafinlar and Mekinst, but had to stop Mekinst due to pneumonia-like symptoms). He may end up being treated with Keytruda in the future. I'm very grateful that new drugs are being developed and approved all the time and hold out hope that he will have success. Thank you for your positivity!
Biancopus (Eve)
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- September 18, 2014 at 9:36 pm
One person on here said to me. You only have to find that one treatment that works for. Stay strong and find that treatment. That really stuck with me.
One way to look at it is not to say you failed two treatments. You did NOT fail. The medicines failed you.
Mine was zelboraf then ipi then taf/mek. Now I'm on pd1 and finally see over a dozen tumors shrinking. Yeah some are still growing and some of those I'm having radiated. But finally a medicine that isn't failing me. It can happen you just got to hang in there.
You just have to dig deep and keep trying. I remember not having the strength to walk to the bathroom. I would have to use the wall to support me and take one small step at a time. I remember not being able to eat a bite of food. So I took half a bite and chewed and chewed and tried to swallow for 10 minutes but I got that half bite down. Then I took another half bite.
I came here and wrote down all types of treatments that are being done and working for other people. It gave me hope that something is out there I just have to make it to it.
Other people were saying how they are NED or things are working great. That gave me hope. Why not me? Yeah why not me too?
Hang in there. Keep fighting and never ever give up.
Artie
-
- September 18, 2014 at 9:36 pm
One person on here said to me. You only have to find that one treatment that works for. Stay strong and find that treatment. That really stuck with me.
One way to look at it is not to say you failed two treatments. You did NOT fail. The medicines failed you.
Mine was zelboraf then ipi then taf/mek. Now I'm on pd1 and finally see over a dozen tumors shrinking. Yeah some are still growing and some of those I'm having radiated. But finally a medicine that isn't failing me. It can happen you just got to hang in there.
You just have to dig deep and keep trying. I remember not having the strength to walk to the bathroom. I would have to use the wall to support me and take one small step at a time. I remember not being able to eat a bite of food. So I took half a bite and chewed and chewed and tried to swallow for 10 minutes but I got that half bite down. Then I took another half bite.
I came here and wrote down all types of treatments that are being done and working for other people. It gave me hope that something is out there I just have to make it to it.
Other people were saying how they are NED or things are working great. That gave me hope. Why not me? Yeah why not me too?
Hang in there. Keep fighting and never ever give up.
Artie
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