Greeting warriors,
I have not posted in quite a while. Recent losses and ongoing battles have made me feel like an outsider, because I have been doing so well lately. Perhaps it's survivor guilt. I dropped all immunotherapy back in late November as it appeared I was progressing again after a year on ipi/nivo combo therapy. Had the major surgery in mid-December to remove spleen which had blown up triple normal size, infested with two very large masses combined to about the size of a cantaloupe. The surgeon also removed two other tumors in the vicinity while I was on the table. Now, after fully recovering from surgery and being off all drug therapy, I must say I am feeling great which makes me uncomfortable when I read how others continue to suffer. Sure, I have been through the war already, but entering the 5th year of the battle, when statistics had predicted I would like be dead by now just feels weird. But of course my family is happy. So I hope that this can somehow continue to give hope to those still suffering. For the record, radiation and surgery have been the primary ways I have controlled the disease. I have been a non or only partial responder to just about everything we have thrown at the beast. I know my battle is not over. Recent scans show that I have some new growths, but it seems as compared to the aggressive nature of my past tumors which have mostly always been very large, it's in slow-motion now. Perhaps the immunotherapies are providing some longer-term benefits? I laughed at the results and said to onc that until we are measuring in inches, I'm not too concerned. So in closing, please know I am cheerleading for the success stories, and praying and projecting positive energies to those in the thick of battle, whether I post or not. This board saved my life, and I am thankful to each and every member here for the knowledge, insight, and emotional support they provide. With Aloha.
Gary
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