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A Zelboraf Update

Forums General Melanoma Community A Zelboraf Update

  • Post
    Richard_K
    Participant

       

      Hi everyone,

      I had scans this past Monday and yesterday met with my doctor for the results – NO CHANGE from previous scans.  It’s now been 28 months since I started on Zelboraf and 19 months since the PET scan stopped lighting up.

      I get a through physical exam including blood work and EKGs (three of them).  My doctor and her staff consider me a “boring” patient.  It’s great to be boring!

      I got another six week supply of pills with next scheduled scans for July 30th.

      Dick

       

      Hi everyone,

      I had scans this past Monday and yesterday met with my doctor for the results – NO CHANGE from previous scans.  It’s now been 28 months since I started on Zelboraf and 19 months since the PET scan stopped lighting up.

      I get a through physical exam including blood work and EKGs (three of them).  My doctor and her staff consider me a “boring” patient.  It’s great to be boring!

      I got another six week supply of pills with next scheduled scans for July 30th.

      Dick

    Viewing 44 reply threads
    • Replies
        aldakota22
        Participant

          Great news Dick.Like you I am Z  but only for 9 1/2 months.Love the stuff.Thank God it works so good Say prayers every night that it continues for all of us on it.Like you say boring is good. Al the best.  Al

          aldakota22
          Participant

            Great news Dick.Like you I am Z  but only for 9 1/2 months.Love the stuff.Thank God it works so good Say prayers every night that it continues for all of us on it.Like you say boring is good. Al the best.  Al

            aldakota22
            Participant

              Great news Dick.Like you I am Z  but only for 9 1/2 months.Love the stuff.Thank God it works so good Say prayers every night that it continues for all of us on it.Like you say boring is good. Al the best.  Al

                Erinmay22
                Participant

                  That's great!  I too hope Z works like that for me!  I was a boring patient for a little over a year until in May when Melanoma showed it's ugly head in my small intestine (at least they think it's Melanoma).  So started Z May 30th.  Took it on full dose for 10 days until I got a chin to toes rash.  Stopped for a few days and back on it at 3 pills 2x's per day.  Will have my first set of scans mid July!  Let's hope it's doing it's thing!  Horrible joint pain the last few days 🙁  but if it's working I'll deal with the joint pain.

                  Thanks for sharing the good news!

                  Erin

                  Erinmay22
                  Participant

                    That's great!  I too hope Z works like that for me!  I was a boring patient for a little over a year until in May when Melanoma showed it's ugly head in my small intestine (at least they think it's Melanoma).  So started Z May 30th.  Took it on full dose for 10 days until I got a chin to toes rash.  Stopped for a few days and back on it at 3 pills 2x's per day.  Will have my first set of scans mid July!  Let's hope it's doing it's thing!  Horrible joint pain the last few days 🙁  but if it's working I'll deal with the joint pain.

                    Thanks for sharing the good news!

                    Erin

                    Erinmay22
                    Participant

                      That's great!  I too hope Z works like that for me!  I was a boring patient for a little over a year until in May when Melanoma showed it's ugly head in my small intestine (at least they think it's Melanoma).  So started Z May 30th.  Took it on full dose for 10 days until I got a chin to toes rash.  Stopped for a few days and back on it at 3 pills 2x's per day.  Will have my first set of scans mid July!  Let's hope it's doing it's thing!  Horrible joint pain the last few days 🙁  but if it's working I'll deal with the joint pain.

                      Thanks for sharing the good news!

                      Erin

                    H555
                    Participant

                      Congratulations Dick. you are evidence of my hope. I've been on Zelboraf since April 9 and 90+% of my lung mets are gone, those that remain are half the size they were when I sstarted taking it. let's hope the researchers and pharma companies develop or refine MEK because there's a growing number of melanoma pts getting treated with Zelboraf.

                      Ron

                      H555
                      Participant

                        Congratulations Dick. you are evidence of my hope. I've been on Zelboraf since April 9 and 90+% of my lung mets are gone, those that remain are half the size they were when I sstarted taking it. let's hope the researchers and pharma companies develop or refine MEK because there's a growing number of melanoma pts getting treated with Zelboraf.

                        Ron

                        H555
                        Participant

                          Congratulations Dick. you are evidence of my hope. I've been on Zelboraf since April 9 and 90+% of my lung mets are gone, those that remain are half the size they were when I sstarted taking it. let's hope the researchers and pharma companies develop or refine MEK because there's a growing number of melanoma pts getting treated with Zelboraf.

                          Ron

                          lhaley
                          Participant

                            Great news!!!  Since you have been NED for so long have they ever discussed you taking a break from it? 

                            Linda

                            lhaley
                            Participant

                              Great news!!!  Since you have been NED for so long have they ever discussed you taking a break from it? 

                              Linda

                                Richard_K
                                Participant

                                  Linda

                                  There have been no discussions with me about stopping Zelboraf.  It is a great hope of mine that by still being in the trial, information will be found about my response that will help others.

                                  Dick

                                  Richard_K
                                  Participant

                                    Linda

                                    There have been no discussions with me about stopping Zelboraf.  It is a great hope of mine that by still being in the trial, information will be found about my response that will help others.

                                    Dick

                                    Richard_K
                                    Participant

                                      Linda

                                      There have been no discussions with me about stopping Zelboraf.  It is a great hope of mine that by still being in the trial, information will be found about my response that will help others.

                                      Dick

                                    lhaley
                                    Participant

                                      Great news!!!  Since you have been NED for so long have they ever discussed you taking a break from it? 

                                      Linda

                                      Eileen L
                                      Participant
                                        Wonderful news! I am a Zelboraf newbie, just over five weeks now. Scans June 28! Thx for sharing your encouraging news.
                                        Eileen L
                                        Eileen L
                                        Participant
                                          Wonderful news! I am a Zelboraf newbie, just over five weeks now. Scans June 28! Thx for sharing your encouraging news.
                                          Eileen L
                                          Eileen L
                                          Participant
                                            Wonderful news! I am a Zelboraf newbie, just over five weeks now. Scans June 28! Thx for sharing your encouraging news.
                                            Eileen L
                                            triciad
                                            Participant

                                              Congratulations!  Thanks for posting such uplifting news.  Here's to many more decades of being "boring"!

                                              triciad
                                              Participant

                                                Congratulations!  Thanks for posting such uplifting news.  Here's to many more decades of being "boring"!

                                                triciad
                                                Participant

                                                  Congratulations!  Thanks for posting such uplifting news.  Here's to many more decades of being "boring"!

                                                  Bruce Davis
                                                  Participant
                                                    Thanks for sharing this encouraging news. I’ve been on zel for 9 months….think this medicine is the only reason I’m still around… Nodules in the lungs have reduced to 1/10 the size and stayed that way for the last 5 months. Wish you many more clear scans!

                                                    Bruce

                                                    Bruce Davis
                                                    Participant
                                                      Thanks for sharing this encouraging news. I’ve been on zel for 9 months….think this medicine is the only reason I’m still around… Nodules in the lungs have reduced to 1/10 the size and stayed that way for the last 5 months. Wish you many more clear scans!

                                                      Bruce

                                                      Bruce Davis
                                                      Participant
                                                        Thanks for sharing this encouraging news. I’ve been on zel for 9 months….think this medicine is the only reason I’m still around… Nodules in the lungs have reduced to 1/10 the size and stayed that way for the last 5 months. Wish you many more clear scans!

                                                        Bruce

                                                        hopefortomorrow
                                                        Participant

                                                          You are a walking miracle.  An inspiration to us all.  Be thankful for every day you have and keep being "boring".  God bless! 

                                                          hopefortomorrow
                                                          Participant

                                                            You are a walking miracle.  An inspiration to us all.  Be thankful for every day you have and keep being "boring".  God bless! 

                                                            hopefortomorrow
                                                            Participant

                                                              You are a walking miracle.  An inspiration to us all.  Be thankful for every day you have and keep being "boring".  God bless! 

                                                              Richard_K
                                                              Participant

                                                                Thank you all for the kind comments.

                                                                Dick

                                                                Richard_K
                                                                Participant

                                                                  Thank you all for the kind comments.

                                                                  Dick

                                                                  Richard_K
                                                                  Participant

                                                                    Thank you all for the kind comments.

                                                                    Dick

                                                                    hope4cure1
                                                                    Participant

                                                                      Yessssss! How wonderfully boring you are 🙂

                                                                      Hope

                                                                      hope4cure1
                                                                      Participant

                                                                        Yessssss! How wonderfully boring you are 🙂

                                                                        Hope

                                                                        hope4cure1
                                                                        Participant

                                                                          Yessssss! How wonderfully boring you are 🙂

                                                                          Hope

                                                                          Retired41505
                                                                          Participant

                                                                            Dick, so happy to hear the good results. July 16 my son in law will have his first MRI after 6 weeks full dose of Z for brain mets. We're staying positive and praying.

                                                                            np

                                                                            Retired41505
                                                                            Participant

                                                                              Dick, so happy to hear the good results. July 16 my son in law will have his first MRI after 6 weeks full dose of Z for brain mets. We're staying positive and praying.

                                                                              np

                                                                              Retired41505
                                                                              Participant

                                                                                Dick, so happy to hear the good results. July 16 my son in law will have his first MRI after 6 weeks full dose of Z for brain mets. We're staying positive and praying.

                                                                                np

                                                                                Retired41505
                                                                                Participant

                                                                                  Dick, so happy to hear the good results. July 16 my son in law will have his first MRI after 6 weeks full dose of Z for brain mets. We're staying positive and praying.

                                                                                  np

                                                                                  Retired41505
                                                                                  Participant

                                                                                    Dick, so happy to hear the good results. July 16 my son in law will have his first MRI after 6 weeks full dose of Z for brain mets. We're staying positive and praying.

                                                                                    np

                                                                                    Retired41505
                                                                                    Participant

                                                                                      Dick, so happy to hear the good results. July 16 my son in law will have his first MRI after 6 weeks full dose of Z for brain mets. We're staying positive and praying.

                                                                                      np

                                                                                      Retired41505
                                                                                      Participant

                                                                                        My son in law is in his 7th week on Z. He just had his first MRI for brain mets.  .  .more then 14 tumors; largest the size of a golf ball. FABULOUS news!!! The is a significant reduction in the disease and ALL tumors are shrinking. Next MRI in 2-3 months. We're thrilled.

                                                                                        So hang in there everyone!! This stuff works

                                                                                          Richard_K
                                                                                          Participant

                                                                                            Thanks for the update – that is great news to share.

                                                                                            Dick

                                                                                            Richard_K
                                                                                            Participant

                                                                                              Thanks for the update – that is great news to share.

                                                                                              Dick

                                                                                              Richard_K
                                                                                              Participant

                                                                                                Thanks for the update – that is great news to share.

                                                                                                Dick

                                                                                              Retired41505
                                                                                              Participant

                                                                                                My son in law is in his 7th week on Z. He just had his first MRI for brain mets.  .  .more then 14 tumors; largest the size of a golf ball. FABULOUS news!!! The is a significant reduction in the disease and ALL tumors are shrinking. Next MRI in 2-3 months. We're thrilled.

                                                                                                So hang in there everyone!! This stuff works

                                                                                                Retired41505
                                                                                                Participant

                                                                                                  My son in law is in his 7th week on Z. He just had his first MRI for brain mets.  .  .more then 14 tumors; largest the size of a golf ball. FABULOUS news!!! The is a significant reduction in the disease and ALL tumors are shrinking. Next MRI in 2-3 months. We're thrilled.

                                                                                                  So hang in there everyone!! This stuff works

                                                                                                  Retired41505
                                                                                                  Participant

                                                                                                    Did you or anyone have liver function problems? And if so, what was the treatment? Going off Z for a bit which of course is frightening. Can anyone please provide some encouragement? Thanks

                                                                                                      Richard_K
                                                                                                      Participant

                                                                                                         

                                                                                                        Neither my Oncologist nor PCP has ever mentioned any concerns about my liver.

                                                                                                        Dick

                                                                                                        Richard_K
                                                                                                        Participant

                                                                                                           

                                                                                                          Neither my Oncologist nor PCP has ever mentioned any concerns about my liver.

                                                                                                          Dick

                                                                                                          Richard_K
                                                                                                          Participant

                                                                                                             

                                                                                                            Neither my Oncologist nor PCP has ever mentioned any concerns about my liver.

                                                                                                            Dick

                                                                                                          Retired41505
                                                                                                          Participant

                                                                                                            Did you or anyone have liver function problems? And if so, what was the treatment? Going off Z for a bit which of course is frightening. Can anyone please provide some encouragement? Thanks

                                                                                                            Retired41505
                                                                                                            Participant

                                                                                                              Did you or anyone have liver function problems? And if so, what was the treatment? Going off Z for a bit which of course is frightening. Can anyone please provide some encouragement? Thanks

                                                                                                              Retired41505
                                                                                                              Participant

                                                                                                                Thanks for the reply Dick. CT scan today to see what's going on with the liver. Hoping just a break from Z for a fews days will get the liver enzymes back down. Glad to hear you never had problems.

                                                                                                                Retired41505
                                                                                                                Participant

                                                                                                                  Thanks for the reply Dick. CT scan today to see what's going on with the liver. Hoping just a break from Z for a fews days will get the liver enzymes back down. Glad to hear you never had problems.

                                                                                                                  Retired41505
                                                                                                                  Participant

                                                                                                                    Thanks for the reply Dick. CT scan today to see what's going on with the liver. Hoping just a break from Z for a fews days will get the liver enzymes back down. Glad to hear you never had problems.

                                                                                                                    Sonhelpingdad
                                                                                                                    Participant
                                                                                                                      Hi Dick,
                                                                                                                      It’s inspiring reading your posts.
                                                                                                                      Perhaps you can help me with some advice for my father in law. He’s experiencing joint pain and doesn’t know if he should ‘push through it’ and keep trying to exercise, or rest/do nothing. Any tips?
                                                                                                                      (i’ve put his details in my profile).

                                                                                                                      Thanks for any help!

                                                                                                                        Richard_K
                                                                                                                        Participant

                                                                                                                           

                                                                                                                          Very sorry to hear about your father-in-law.  My joint pain was/ is limited to my knees but it is hard for me to distinguish between Zelboraf side effect and what is probably some arthritis.  I did however have very painful feet, about five months into treatment.  For that I took it easy and bought better fitting shoes; after about a month pain subsided and today it is only an annoyance or mildly painful if I’ve been walking on uneven terrain a lot.

                                                                                                                          Dick

                                                                                                                          Sonhelpingdad
                                                                                                                          Participant
                                                                                                                            Thanks for the swift response Dick.
                                                                                                                            It seems some patients use steroids to help at the start of their Zeldoraf treatment. He’ll check with his onco.
                                                                                                                            He’s only just started Zeldoraf and has yet to have a check-up to see if it is working. He’s very anxious as this treatment is his last hope. I think he’d find it helpful to be on forums such as this one, sharing with people who are living with the same hopes and fears… But he’s terrified of reading facts that he’s not ready to know. He was only diagnosed a couple of months back and it has been a dark rollercoaster since the . How can i (softly) encourage him to get online and make contact with people?

                                                                                                                            Kyle

                                                                                                                            Sonhelpingdad
                                                                                                                            Participant
                                                                                                                              Thanks for the swift response Dick.
                                                                                                                              It seems some patients use steroids to help at the start of their Zeldoraf treatment. He’ll check with his onco.
                                                                                                                              He’s only just started Zeldoraf and has yet to have a check-up to see if it is working. He’s very anxious as this treatment is his last hope. I think he’d find it helpful to be on forums such as this one, sharing with people who are living with the same hopes and fears… But he’s terrified of reading facts that he’s not ready to know. He was only diagnosed a couple of months back and it has been a dark rollercoaster since the . How can i (softly) encourage him to get online and make contact with people?

                                                                                                                              Kyle

                                                                                                                              Sonhelpingdad
                                                                                                                              Participant
                                                                                                                                Thanks for the swift response Dick.
                                                                                                                                It seems some patients use steroids to help at the start of their Zeldoraf treatment. He’ll check with his onco.
                                                                                                                                He’s only just started Zeldoraf and has yet to have a check-up to see if it is working. He’s very anxious as this treatment is his last hope. I think he’d find it helpful to be on forums such as this one, sharing with people who are living with the same hopes and fears… But he’s terrified of reading facts that he’s not ready to know. He was only diagnosed a couple of months back and it has been a dark rollercoaster since the . How can i (softly) encourage him to get online and make contact with people?

                                                                                                                                Kyle

                                                                                                                                Richard_K
                                                                                                                                Participant

                                                                                                                                   

                                                                                                                                  Kyle

                                                                                                                                  I am not surprised about his reluctance to jump into a forum like this one; the information can be overwhelming but can be very supporting.  Explore other parts of this site as there are a lot of resources including a Phone Buddy Program.  There are also a number of other informative sites.  One such site is http://www.facesofskincancer.org  Here you can find a number of information links and stories people have posted with their cancer stories.

                                                                                                                                  Getting back to the MIF forum, there are several people posting with quite long term Zelboraf responses.  While not on Zelboraf, there is also one cantankerous (meant in the kindest of terms) individual who hasn’t posted lately but did so yesterday, Charlie S who has been dealing with melanoma for some 25 years.

                                                                                                                                  Dick

                                                                                                                                  Richard_K
                                                                                                                                  Participant

                                                                                                                                     

                                                                                                                                    Kyle

                                                                                                                                    I am not surprised about his reluctance to jump into a forum like this one; the information can be overwhelming but can be very supporting.  Explore other parts of this site as there are a lot of resources including a Phone Buddy Program.  There are also a number of other informative sites.  One such site is http://www.facesofskincancer.org  Here you can find a number of information links and stories people have posted with their cancer stories.

                                                                                                                                    Getting back to the MIF forum, there are several people posting with quite long term Zelboraf responses.  While not on Zelboraf, there is also one cantankerous (meant in the kindest of terms) individual who hasn’t posted lately but did so yesterday, Charlie S who has been dealing with melanoma for some 25 years.

                                                                                                                                    Dick

                                                                                                                                    kath17
                                                                                                                                    Participant

                                                                                                                                      Dick,

                                                                                                                                      Did you ever have the rash associated with Z? If so, how long did it last? The fever and the rash are very irritating both physically and mentally. My husband started Z ten days ago and the rash began at day 9. Any thoughts or suggestions?

                                                                                                                                      Thank you….Kath

                                                                                                                                      Richard_K
                                                                                                                                      Participant

                                                                                                                                         

                                                                                                                                        Kath

                                                                                                                                        So sorry you had to come here for information, but I hope things will work out for you and your husband.

                                                                                                                                        I am a bit of an anomaly as my results and side effects have not been typical; yesterday marked 2 ½ years on Zelboraf for me.  I did develop a rash very quickly on but it never manifested itself into fever.  I did experience dryness and itching.  I used several over the counter moisturizing creams that helped with the dryness and once the dryness got better, the itching diminished.  The dryness lasted some 2-3 months but I still have some visible rash on arms and thighs.

                                                                                                                                        Hope this helps.

                                                                                                                                        Dick

                                                                                                                                        Richard_K
                                                                                                                                        Participant

                                                                                                                                           

                                                                                                                                          Kath

                                                                                                                                          So sorry you had to come here for information, but I hope things will work out for you and your husband.

                                                                                                                                          I am a bit of an anomaly as my results and side effects have not been typical; yesterday marked 2 ½ years on Zelboraf for me.  I did develop a rash very quickly on but it never manifested itself into fever.  I did experience dryness and itching.  I used several over the counter moisturizing creams that helped with the dryness and once the dryness got better, the itching diminished.  The dryness lasted some 2-3 months but I still have some visible rash on arms and thighs.

                                                                                                                                          Hope this helps.

                                                                                                                                          Dick

                                                                                                                                          Richard_K
                                                                                                                                          Participant

                                                                                                                                             

                                                                                                                                            Kath

                                                                                                                                            So sorry you had to come here for information, but I hope things will work out for you and your husband.

                                                                                                                                            I am a bit of an anomaly as my results and side effects have not been typical; yesterday marked 2 ½ years on Zelboraf for me.  I did develop a rash very quickly on but it never manifested itself into fever.  I did experience dryness and itching.  I used several over the counter moisturizing creams that helped with the dryness and once the dryness got better, the itching diminished.  The dryness lasted some 2-3 months but I still have some visible rash on arms and thighs.

                                                                                                                                            Hope this helps.

                                                                                                                                            Dick

                                                                                                                                            kath17
                                                                                                                                            Participant

                                                                                                                                              Dick,

                                                                                                                                              Did you ever have the rash associated with Z? If so, how long did it last? The fever and the rash are very irritating both physically and mentally. My husband started Z ten days ago and the rash began at day 9. Any thoughts or suggestions?

                                                                                                                                              Thank you….Kath

                                                                                                                                              kath17
                                                                                                                                              Participant

                                                                                                                                                Dick,

                                                                                                                                                Did you ever have the rash associated with Z? If so, how long did it last? The fever and the rash are very irritating both physically and mentally. My husband started Z ten days ago and the rash began at day 9. Any thoughts or suggestions?

                                                                                                                                                Thank you….Kath

                                                                                                                                                Richard_K
                                                                                                                                                Participant

                                                                                                                                                   

                                                                                                                                                  Kyle

                                                                                                                                                  I am not surprised about his reluctance to jump into a forum like this one; the information can be overwhelming but can be very supporting.  Explore other parts of this site as there are a lot of resources including a Phone Buddy Program.  There are also a number of other informative sites.  One such site is http://www.facesofskincancer.org  Here you can find a number of information links and stories people have posted with their cancer stories.

                                                                                                                                                  Getting back to the MIF forum, there are several people posting with quite long term Zelboraf responses.  While not on Zelboraf, there is also one cantankerous (meant in the kindest of terms) individual who hasn’t posted lately but did so yesterday, Charlie S who has been dealing with melanoma for some 25 years.

                                                                                                                                                  Dick

                                                                                                                                                  Richard_K
                                                                                                                                                  Participant

                                                                                                                                                     

                                                                                                                                                    Very sorry to hear about your father-in-law.  My joint pain was/ is limited to my knees but it is hard for me to distinguish between Zelboraf side effect and what is probably some arthritis.  I did however have very painful feet, about five months into treatment.  For that I took it easy and bought better fitting shoes; after about a month pain subsided and today it is only an annoyance or mildly painful if I’ve been walking on uneven terrain a lot.

                                                                                                                                                    Dick

                                                                                                                                                    Richard_K
                                                                                                                                                    Participant

                                                                                                                                                       

                                                                                                                                                      Very sorry to hear about your father-in-law.  My joint pain was/ is limited to my knees but it is hard for me to distinguish between Zelboraf side effect and what is probably some arthritis.  I did however have very painful feet, about five months into treatment.  For that I took it easy and bought better fitting shoes; after about a month pain subsided and today it is only an annoyance or mildly painful if I’ve been walking on uneven terrain a lot.

                                                                                                                                                      Dick

                                                                                                                                                    Sonhelpingdad
                                                                                                                                                    Participant
                                                                                                                                                      Hi Dick,
                                                                                                                                                      It’s inspiring reading your posts.
                                                                                                                                                      Perhaps you can help me with some advice for my father in law. He’s experiencing joint pain and doesn’t know if he should ‘push through it’ and keep trying to exercise, or rest/do nothing. Any tips?
                                                                                                                                                      (i’ve put his details in my profile).

                                                                                                                                                      Thanks for any help!

                                                                                                                                                      Sonhelpingdad
                                                                                                                                                      Participant
                                                                                                                                                        Hi Dick,
                                                                                                                                                        It’s inspiring reading your posts.
                                                                                                                                                        Perhaps you can help me with some advice for my father in law. He’s experiencing joint pain and doesn’t know if he should ‘push through it’ and keep trying to exercise, or rest/do nothing. Any tips?
                                                                                                                                                        (i’ve put his details in my profile).

                                                                                                                                                        Thanks for any help!

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