First Opdivo/Yervoy done

I’m a father of two little guys. Age 7 & 3. I can’t comment on your actual question but I just want to say that you are awesome and a real warrior. You are an inspiration. Thanks for sharing your post. I know there are other lurkers out there who are reading this and getting a spark of hope.

The second week after my first combo the rash appeared. I was so happy because I knew my immune system was having a response. The added pain can be that the tumor is enlarging due to your immune system fighting the tumor now. Many stories on here where people saw increase in tumor size due to t-cells flooding into it. I had 7 tumors in my lungs and before I was diagnosed I had started a little dry cough and had sharp pains in my right upper chest. In the third week after my first combo and I had my second combo that same week the cough and pain went away. With the side effects and these 2 things going away I felt sure the treatment was working. I had my first scan at 8 weeks and 6 tumors were reduced greatly in size. I ended up with 6 side effects but still managed to work full time.

I had all 4 treatments after failing adjuvant pembro and trying tvec . I worked full time only missing a few days due to fatigue. Vitiligo was something I developed a lot of after starting the combo. I had 5 tumors in different lymph nodes( inguinal, iliac, retroperitoneum.) Three are now gone and the two left have shrunk by 60%! I was very sick before starting, but feel great now.

I am stage 3b and did an Opdivo/Yervoy Clinical trial for a year. Got through with it last August. I had a lot of fatigue and muscle, joint and bone pain but managed to work full time the whole time. I had a few days where I went in late or took off, but not too many. I did have to go on a low dose of prednisone about half-way through, but made it.

I had a 1.2 cm tumor near my spine (pelvic region) and just under my skin. After the second combo infusion, it ballooned like crazy and within 3 days it shrank to the size of a grain of rice. The last two CT scans show no evidence of the mass. By the way, side effects appear usually after three or four weeks following first infusion. Best of luck and remain strong and positive!
Melanie