I saw my oncologist today, for a follow-up after the second dose of Keytruda that I received two weeks ago.
Dr. Melnyk, my new oncologist at the Tunnell Cancer Center here in Delaware, became my oncologist because Dr. Asif moved to Howard County Maryland. Her background includes work in melanoma research, so I made it clear that I wanted her to take over, rather than Dr. Asif's replacement, who I understand is a freshly minted MD. Nothing against that, per se, but I like the idea of someone who has been actively involved in melanoma research watching over me.
I mention all of that because today was only the second time that Dr. Melnyk has seen me. I was still under the care of Dr. Asif until after my first dose of Keytruda, and Dr. Melnyk had not seen the spots on my back before I started with Keytruda. She first saw them two weeks after my first infusion, when I had already noticed that they had begun to change, for the better.
Today she told me that I was responding well to the Keytruda, and, that it appeared to her that the spots on my back were no bigger than they were three weeks ago. In fact, she said they might be a little smaller. I know for a fact that they are not nearly as raised and thick as they were, but she never saw them at that point.
Now it's on to my next infusion next Thursday, and a CT scan a week or two after that. Hopefully the lesions in my lung are having the same response that my skin is having.
Before she left the room today, Dr. Melnyk told me something I already knew, which was that they are seeing strong, long lasting responses to Keytruda. But then she said something that no one else has said to me yet.
"We just might be able to rid you of this."
.
