Yesterday at my mel specialist appointment I told him that I wanted so badly to celebrate this day as NED. He winked and said he could ask Dr White to remove the tumor this afternoon and then I could proclaim that I was! Didn't happen, but I knew it wouldn't. Instead he did a FNA on the new site on my arm below what was supposed to be radiated.
My scans were clean!!!! 2 Lung nodules remain stable, that's about 9 months now. The lump on the arm didn't show up but it was deemed to small to show on a PET, hence the FNA.
Yesterday at my mel specialist appointment I told him that I wanted so badly to celebrate this day as NED. He winked and said he could ask Dr White to remove the tumor this afternoon and then I could proclaim that I was! Didn't happen, but I knew it wouldn't. Instead he did a FNA on the new site on my arm below what was supposed to be radiated.
My scans were clean!!!! 2 Lung nodules remain stable, that's about 9 months now. The lump on the arm didn't show up but it was deemed to small to show on a PET, hence the FNA.
If it comes back as mel then my options were discussed. I will be leaving it and going systemic since it would just be used as a marker. If it comes back clean then they will most likely remove it just to be sure.
New trial that has come on board. I had heard but I guess new sites are now getting it. For resected stage 3 and stage 4. This is great since stage 4 NED have had no options except if you have the positive hla factor!!! One arm is Yervoy at an increased dosage. Normal protocal but then after the 3 months it's once a quarter to finish the year. The other arm is interfuron – 12 months. So as normal they give a good option along with one that we don't want to get, especially at stage IV. Dr and I discussed it, if this new spot ends up being ok but neither of us think I could handle the 5 hours round trip every day for a month if I ended up with the interfuron arm.
I am excited about reaching this milestone! Have been dealing with mel with multiple primaries since 79 and now 5 years stage IV.
Waiting for the phone call with the results. Can't believe how quickly this has been acted upon. Called office on Thursday afternoon. Friday morning oncologist talked to radiologist and stopped treatments till further info was gathered. Holiday weekend. Tuesday Pet/ct, results, dr appointment and then they talked my surgeon into staying after his other appointments to do the FNA! phew.
Linda
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