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Some Good News
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Some Good News

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Some Good News

  • Post
    • May 18, 2017 at 8:39 pm
    Bradley75
    Participant

      Just wanted to share some good news.  It has been a long time since I have been able to say that.  I had one dose of the combo back in January and the side effects wiped me out.  Once I was off steroids and beta blockers, they decided I was stable enough to try Pembro.  Monday the 15th was three weeks after my fourth dose.  I had my first scan and MRI since the December scan that moved me to stage 4.

      The results indicate a 30% reduction in the size of the tumor on my spine, considerable improvement to the right lung, no new growth, and two other spots remain stable.  I am not 100% sure how to quantify the considerable improvement to the lung comment, but it sounds good to me.  All my blood came back within  the norms so I received my 5th dose of Pembro on Tuesday.

      I wanted to share this as hope for those that can't handle the combo.  I was pretty doom and gloom when they told me I couldn't continue with it.  There is so many success stories with the combo that I thought what is the point of trying Pembro.  Keep fighting even when you feel there is nothing that can help.  I am by no means in the clear, but at least I can enjoy the next three months until my next scan.  I can spend the summer with my wife and kids knowing, at least for now, we are winning the battle.

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    • Replies
        • May 18, 2017 at 9:39 pm
        Christine.P
        Participant

          This is excellent news, Bradley! I'm so happy for you. Thanks for this update. May you continue to win the battle!

          • May 18, 2017 at 10:34 pm
          jenny22
          Participant

            That is great to hear…….GOOD NEWS for sure…..

            ENJOY!!!!!!

            • May 18, 2017 at 11:19 pm
            Marksa2570
            Participant

              That is great news…. thank you for sharing.   It gives many of us continued hope!

              • May 19, 2017 at 1:44 am
              Casitas1
              Participant
                Good news! Keep it coming. I failed combo after 2 infusions. Switched to Pembro and Ned 7 months later. Best, Paul
                • May 19, 2017 at 4:12 am
                RitysMom
                Participant

                  That is wonderful news! Thank you for sharing!

                  • May 19, 2017 at 11:27 am
                  DaveNB
                  Participant

                    Great news! I am in the same boat. Keytruda is my first treatment since making it to stage 4. After 4 infusions my 3 mo. scan shows 1 lung nodule shrunk by 1/2 & another shrunk by 2/3! The only side effects are occasional joint pain and maybe fatigue. Nothing to affect my work schedule or daily activities. Yes, despite the dissapointment of progressing to stage 4 there is always hope! I am approaching 3yrs. since my first diagnosis at stage 3 (unknown primary). I thank God for every day! I know I have had an easier journey than many on this board. My thoughts and prayers go out to all in this fight!

                     

                    Dave.

                    • May 19, 2017 at 6:49 pm
                    Scooby123
                    Participant

                      So pleased for you, keep up the good fight.

                      scooby

                      • May 19, 2017 at 8:14 pm
                      jbronicki
                      Participant

                        So happy for you and it helps the rest of us to hear such good news!  Wishing you continued great news!

                         

                        • May 20, 2017 at 12:27 pm
                        UBContributor
                        Participant

                          Yah-ooo! Wainting for more such updates! 

                          • May 20, 2017 at 2:24 pm
                          Patrisa
                          Participant

                            Keep those good news coming, they really lift the spirits and bring so much hope!

                            Take care,

                             

                            Patrisa

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