Specialist Report

Hi Denise,

Interesting about the Debrafenib, I haven't come across any information about any of the BRAF inhibitors crossing the BBB, though I admit I haven't been looking much lately. If that's true (I'll trust your specialist) it's good to know.

Yes, the Ipi can take a very long time to "kick-in". It's one of the things that made me very uneasy about going with it vs starting a trial (I was hoping for one of the Ipi/PD1 combo trials). My concern was- ok, it can take a while to start working, but what if it doesn't work? Now I'm 4-6 months progressed and worse off- then what? I'm still a bit uneasy about it to tell the truth, but here I am on much the same treatment plan as you having been denied (as you were) the clinical trials due to brain mets. 

I also had a check in appointment today (with my local oncologist, not my specialist) and aired some of the same "what if's", uneasiness, and fears that you probably have. I also got what sounds like a similar response- hang in there and stay positive. I have a lot of subcutaneous disease and since starting Ipi things seem to at least be stable for me (just hoping it hasn't changed gears and started internally). You mentioned in a previous post that you thought one of your subQ's was maybe startng to shrink. Hold on to that as a happy thought. 

I suspect that both our doctors have a similar goal in mind- at the very least hold us stable long enought to get into a trial, at best kick this thing to the curb with the Ipi. I told my doctor today that I'd feel better if things were shrinking, not just staying stable and that I had concerns about the longevity of any response once I finish the Ipi (I had a very fast relapse after completing what appeared to be a successful course of IL2). He basically said we won't know until we know, but that at lest for now things appear stable and I should be happy about that. I am, really, but I do worry. 

All we can do for now is cross our fingers and stay positive. It's true- if it works, we don't need a trial and PD1 will be there and FDA approved should we need it in the future. Hold on to that, enjoy the summer (if you're not dying of heat) and I wish you all the best!

-Eva

Hi Denise,

Interesting about the Debrafenib, I haven't come across any information about any of the BRAF inhibitors crossing the BBB, though I admit I haven't been looking much lately. If that's true (I'll trust your specialist) it's good to know.

Yes, the Ipi can take a very long time to "kick-in". It's one of the things that made me very uneasy about going with it vs starting a trial (I was hoping for one of the Ipi/PD1 combo trials). My concern was- ok, it can take a while to start working, but what if it doesn't work? Now I'm 4-6 months progressed and worse off- then what? I'm still a bit uneasy about it to tell the truth, but here I am on much the same treatment plan as you having been denied (as you were) the clinical trials due to brain mets. 

I also had a check in appointment today (with my local oncologist, not my specialist) and aired some of the same "what if's", uneasiness, and fears that you probably have. I also got what sounds like a similar response- hang in there and stay positive. I have a lot of subcutaneous disease and since starting Ipi things seem to at least be stable for me (just hoping it hasn't changed gears and started internally). You mentioned in a previous post that you thought one of your subQ's was maybe startng to shrink. Hold on to that as a happy thought. 

I suspect that both our doctors have a similar goal in mind- at the very least hold us stable long enought to get into a trial, at best kick this thing to the curb with the Ipi. I told my doctor today that I'd feel better if things were shrinking, not just staying stable and that I had concerns about the longevity of any response once I finish the Ipi (I had a very fast relapse after completing what appeared to be a successful course of IL2). He basically said we won't know until we know, but that at lest for now things appear stable and I should be happy about that. I am, really, but I do worry. 

All we can do for now is cross our fingers and stay positive. It's true- if it works, we don't need a trial and PD1 will be there and FDA approved should we need it in the future. Hold on to that, enjoy the summer (if you're not dying of heat) and I wish you all the best!

-Eva

Hi Denise,

Interesting about the Debrafenib, I haven't come across any information about any of the BRAF inhibitors crossing the BBB, though I admit I haven't been looking much lately. If that's true (I'll trust your specialist) it's good to know.

Yes, the Ipi can take a very long time to "kick-in". It's one of the things that made me very uneasy about going with it vs starting a trial (I was hoping for one of the Ipi/PD1 combo trials). My concern was- ok, it can take a while to start working, but what if it doesn't work? Now I'm 4-6 months progressed and worse off- then what? I'm still a bit uneasy about it to tell the truth, but here I am on much the same treatment plan as you having been denied (as you were) the clinical trials due to brain mets. 

I also had a check in appointment today (with my local oncologist, not my specialist) and aired some of the same "what if's", uneasiness, and fears that you probably have. I also got what sounds like a similar response- hang in there and stay positive. I have a lot of subcutaneous disease and since starting Ipi things seem to at least be stable for me (just hoping it hasn't changed gears and started internally). You mentioned in a previous post that you thought one of your subQ's was maybe startng to shrink. Hold on to that as a happy thought. 

I suspect that both our doctors have a similar goal in mind- at the very least hold us stable long enought to get into a trial, at best kick this thing to the curb with the Ipi. I told my doctor today that I'd feel better if things were shrinking, not just staying stable and that I had concerns about the longevity of any response once I finish the Ipi (I had a very fast relapse after completing what appeared to be a successful course of IL2). He basically said we won't know until we know, but that at lest for now things appear stable and I should be happy about that. I am, really, but I do worry. 

All we can do for now is cross our fingers and stay positive. It's true- if it works, we don't need a trial and PD1 will be there and FDA approved should we need it in the future. Hold on to that, enjoy the summer (if you're not dying of heat) and I wish you all the best!

-Eva

Hello to both Denise and Eva,

I've been having trouble posting to the forum, but I've been following you two very closely. My husband, Don, is going through a very similar situation. He was only diagnosed in January, had Cyberknife to his first brain met, then it had to be surgically removed, and he had a lost of disease throughout his body. He was on Zelboraf for only 2 months, and had a "mixed response." He just completed his 4th dose of Ipi this week. At the end of May, he had Cyberknife again to two small lesions. But one month later, two knew lesions have showed up.

And to make things even worse, we were patients of Dr. Ibrahim at Dana Farber, who very unexpectedly left DFCI. So we've been re-thinking where and with whom to centralize Don's treatments. We decided this week to move to Mass General to Dr. Keith Flaherty, who we've heard a lot of good things about.

Initial recommendations were to do WBR, but I have all the same questions and concerns that you two have talked about here — timing, what if Ipi doesn't work, PD-1 trials, keeping the brain stable, etc. This week, the radiation oncologist at MGH said she felt we should do SRS on the two new lesions. My general feeling is that SRS is preferable to WBR, when it can be done. So, that is what we are leaning toward right now.

My question right now is whether to do the SRS in Boston at MGH, or do it closer to home where Don had radiation to his pelvis and where he's had his previous two Cyberknife procedures. The radiation oncologist in Boston specializes in brain and eyes, and she's done a LOT of brain SRS. The radiation oncologist closer to home is very experienced and well-trained also. I lean toward Boston; Don wants to stay closer to home. What I don't know is whether there is much of a difference between the various SRS procedures (Cyberknife versus I-don't-know-what-machine in Boston). Also, is the skill and experience level of the person doing the procedure an important piece of the puzzle?

Wishing you both the best in the days to come. Staying positive and optimistic is so important. The nuances involved in fighting this disease are mind-boggling, aren't they? Learning from the people on this forum has been a life-saver in more ways than one!

Janet

Hello to both Denise and Eva,

I've been having trouble posting to the forum, but I've been following you two very closely. My husband, Don, is going through a very similar situation. He was only diagnosed in January, had Cyberknife to his first brain met, then it had to be surgically removed, and he had a lost of disease throughout his body. He was on Zelboraf for only 2 months, and had a "mixed response." He just completed his 4th dose of Ipi this week. At the end of May, he had Cyberknife again to two small lesions. But one month later, two knew lesions have showed up.

And to make things even worse, we were patients of Dr. Ibrahim at Dana Farber, who very unexpectedly left DFCI. So we've been re-thinking where and with whom to centralize Don's treatments. We decided this week to move to Mass General to Dr. Keith Flaherty, who we've heard a lot of good things about.

Initial recommendations were to do WBR, but I have all the same questions and concerns that you two have talked about here — timing, what if Ipi doesn't work, PD-1 trials, keeping the brain stable, etc. This week, the radiation oncologist at MGH said she felt we should do SRS on the two new lesions. My general feeling is that SRS is preferable to WBR, when it can be done. So, that is what we are leaning toward right now.

My question right now is whether to do the SRS in Boston at MGH, or do it closer to home where Don had radiation to his pelvis and where he's had his previous two Cyberknife procedures. The radiation oncologist in Boston specializes in brain and eyes, and she's done a LOT of brain SRS. The radiation oncologist closer to home is very experienced and well-trained also. I lean toward Boston; Don wants to stay closer to home. What I don't know is whether there is much of a difference between the various SRS procedures (Cyberknife versus I-don't-know-what-machine in Boston). Also, is the skill and experience level of the person doing the procedure an important piece of the puzzle?

Wishing you both the best in the days to come. Staying positive and optimistic is so important. The nuances involved in fighting this disease are mind-boggling, aren't they? Learning from the people on this forum has been a life-saver in more ways than one!

Janet

Hello to both Denise and Eva,

I've been having trouble posting to the forum, but I've been following you two very closely. My husband, Don, is going through a very similar situation. He was only diagnosed in January, had Cyberknife to his first brain met, then it had to be surgically removed, and he had a lost of disease throughout his body. He was on Zelboraf for only 2 months, and had a "mixed response." He just completed his 4th dose of Ipi this week. At the end of May, he had Cyberknife again to two small lesions. But one month later, two knew lesions have showed up.

And to make things even worse, we were patients of Dr. Ibrahim at Dana Farber, who very unexpectedly left DFCI. So we've been re-thinking where and with whom to centralize Don's treatments. We decided this week to move to Mass General to Dr. Keith Flaherty, who we've heard a lot of good things about.

Initial recommendations were to do WBR, but I have all the same questions and concerns that you two have talked about here — timing, what if Ipi doesn't work, PD-1 trials, keeping the brain stable, etc. This week, the radiation oncologist at MGH said she felt we should do SRS on the two new lesions. My general feeling is that SRS is preferable to WBR, when it can be done. So, that is what we are leaning toward right now.

My question right now is whether to do the SRS in Boston at MGH, or do it closer to home where Don had radiation to his pelvis and where he's had his previous two Cyberknife procedures. The radiation oncologist in Boston specializes in brain and eyes, and she's done a LOT of brain SRS. The radiation oncologist closer to home is very experienced and well-trained also. I lean toward Boston; Don wants to stay closer to home. What I don't know is whether there is much of a difference between the various SRS procedures (Cyberknife versus I-don't-know-what-machine in Boston). Also, is the skill and experience level of the person doing the procedure an important piece of the puzzle?

Wishing you both the best in the days to come. Staying positive and optimistic is so important. The nuances involved in fighting this disease are mind-boggling, aren't they? Learning from the people on this forum has been a life-saver in more ways than one!

Janet

Hello to both Denise and Eva,

I've been having trouble posting to the forum, but I've been following you two very closely. My husband, Don, is going through a very similar situation. He was only diagnosed in January, had Cyberknife to his first brain met, then it had to be surgically removed, and he had a lost of disease throughout his body. He was on Zelboraf for only 2 months, and had a "mixed response." He just completed his 4th dose of Ipi this week. At the end of May, he had Cyberknife again to two small lesions. But one month later, two knew lesions have showed up.

And to make things even worse, we were patients of Dr. Ibrahim at Dana Farber, who very unexpectedly left DFCI. So we've been re-thinking where and with whom to centralize Don's treatments. We decided this week to move to Mass General to Dr. Keith Flaherty, who we've heard a lot of good things about.

Initial recommendations were to do WBR, but I have all the same questions and concerns that you two have talked about here — timing, what if Ipi doesn't work, PD-1 trials, keeping the brain stable, etc. This week, the radiation oncologist at MGH said she felt we should do SRS on the two new lesions. My general feeling is that SRS is preferable to WBR, when it can be done. So, that is what we are leaning toward right now.

My question right now is whether to do the SRS in Boston at MGH, or do it closer to home where Don had radiation to his pelvis and where he's had his previous two Cyberknife procedures. The radiation oncologist in Boston specializes in brain and eyes, and she's done a LOT of brain SRS. The radiation oncologist closer to home is very experienced and well-trained also. I lean toward Boston; Don wants to stay closer to home. What I don't know is whether there is much of a difference between the various SRS procedures (Cyberknife versus I-don't-know-what-machine in Boston). Also, is the skill and experience level of the person doing the procedure an important piece of the puzzle?

Wishing you both the best in the days to come. Staying positive and optimistic is so important. The nuances involved in fighting this disease are mind-boggling, aren't they? Learning from the people on this forum has been a life-saver in more ways than one!

Janet

Hello to both Denise and Eva,

I've been having trouble posting to the forum, but I've been following you two very closely. My husband, Don, is going through a very similar situation. He was only diagnosed in January, had Cyberknife to his first brain met, then it had to be surgically removed, and he had a lost of disease throughout his body. He was on Zelboraf for only 2 months, and had a "mixed response." He just completed his 4th dose of Ipi this week. At the end of May, he had Cyberknife again to two small lesions. But one month later, two knew lesions have showed up.

And to make things even worse, we were patients of Dr. Ibrahim at Dana Farber, who very unexpectedly left DFCI. So we've been re-thinking where and with whom to centralize Don's treatments. We decided this week to move to Mass General to Dr. Keith Flaherty, who we've heard a lot of good things about.

Initial recommendations were to do WBR, but I have all the same questions and concerns that you two have talked about here — timing, what if Ipi doesn't work, PD-1 trials, keeping the brain stable, etc. This week, the radiation oncologist at MGH said she felt we should do SRS on the two new lesions. My general feeling is that SRS is preferable to WBR, when it can be done. So, that is what we are leaning toward right now.

My question right now is whether to do the SRS in Boston at MGH, or do it closer to home where Don had radiation to his pelvis and where he's had his previous two Cyberknife procedures. The radiation oncologist in Boston specializes in brain and eyes, and she's done a LOT of brain SRS. The radiation oncologist closer to home is very experienced and well-trained also. I lean toward Boston; Don wants to stay closer to home. What I don't know is whether there is much of a difference between the various SRS procedures (Cyberknife versus I-don't-know-what-machine in Boston). Also, is the skill and experience level of the person doing the procedure an important piece of the puzzle?

Wishing you both the best in the days to come. Staying positive and optimistic is so important. The nuances involved in fighting this disease are mind-boggling, aren't they? Learning from the people on this forum has been a life-saver in more ways than one!

Janet

Hello to both Denise and Eva,

I've been having trouble posting to the forum, but I've been following you two very closely. My husband, Don, is going through a very similar situation. He was only diagnosed in January, had Cyberknife to his first brain met, then it had to be surgically removed, and he had a lost of disease throughout his body. He was on Zelboraf for only 2 months, and had a "mixed response." He just completed his 4th dose of Ipi this week. At the end of May, he had Cyberknife again to two small lesions. But one month later, two knew lesions have showed up.

And to make things even worse, we were patients of Dr. Ibrahim at Dana Farber, who very unexpectedly left DFCI. So we've been re-thinking where and with whom to centralize Don's treatments. We decided this week to move to Mass General to Dr. Keith Flaherty, who we've heard a lot of good things about.

Initial recommendations were to do WBR, but I have all the same questions and concerns that you two have talked about here — timing, what if Ipi doesn't work, PD-1 trials, keeping the brain stable, etc. This week, the radiation oncologist at MGH said she felt we should do SRS on the two new lesions. My general feeling is that SRS is preferable to WBR, when it can be done. So, that is what we are leaning toward right now.

My question right now is whether to do the SRS in Boston at MGH, or do it closer to home where Don had radiation to his pelvis and where he's had his previous two Cyberknife procedures. The radiation oncologist in Boston specializes in brain and eyes, and she's done a LOT of brain SRS. The radiation oncologist closer to home is very experienced and well-trained also. I lean toward Boston; Don wants to stay closer to home. What I don't know is whether there is much of a difference between the various SRS procedures (Cyberknife versus I-don't-know-what-machine in Boston). Also, is the skill and experience level of the person doing the procedure an important piece of the puzzle?

Wishing you both the best in the days to come. Staying positive and optimistic is so important. The nuances involved in fighting this disease are mind-boggling, aren't they? Learning from the people on this forum has been a life-saver in more ways than one!

Janet

Hello to both Denise and Eva,

I've been having trouble posting to the forum, but I've been following you two very closely. My husband, Don, is going through a very similar situation. He was only diagnosed in January, had Cyberknife to his first brain met, then it had to be surgically removed, and he had a lost of disease throughout his body. He was on Zelboraf for only 2 months, and had a "mixed response." He just completed his 4th dose of Ipi this week. At the end of May, he had Cyberknife again to two small lesions. But one month later, two knew lesions have showed up.

And to make things even worse, we were patients of Dr. Ibrahim at Dana Farber, who very unexpectedly left DFCI. So we've been re-thinking where and with whom to centralize Don's treatments. We decided this week to move to Mass General to Dr. Keith Flaherty, who we've heard a lot of good things about.

Initial recommendations were to do WBR, but I have all the same questions and concerns that you two have talked about here — timing, what if Ipi doesn't work, PD-1 trials, keeping the brain stable, etc. This week, the radiation oncologist at MGH said she felt we should do SRS on the two new lesions. My general feeling is that SRS is preferable to WBR, when it can be done. So, that is what we are leaning toward right now.

My question right now is whether to do the SRS in Boston at MGH, or do it closer to home where Don had radiation to his pelvis and where he's had his previous two Cyberknife procedures. The radiation oncologist in Boston specializes in brain and eyes, and she's done a LOT of brain SRS. The radiation oncologist closer to home is very experienced and well-trained also. I lean toward Boston; Don wants to stay closer to home. What I don't know is whether there is much of a difference between the various SRS procedures (Cyberknife versus I-don't-know-what-machine in Boston). Also, is the skill and experience level of the person doing the procedure an important piece of the puzzle?

Wishing you both the best in the days to come. Staying positive and optimistic is so important. The nuances involved in fighting this disease are mind-boggling, aren't they? Learning from the people on this forum has been a life-saver in more ways than one!

Janet

Hello to both Denise and Eva,

I've been having trouble posting to the forum, but I've been following you two very closely. My husband, Don, is going through a very similar situation. He was only diagnosed in January, had Cyberknife to his first brain met, then it had to be surgically removed, and he had a lost of disease throughout his body. He was on Zelboraf for only 2 months, and had a "mixed response." He just completed his 4th dose of Ipi this week. At the end of May, he had Cyberknife again to two small lesions. But one month later, two knew lesions have showed up.

And to make things even worse, we were patients of Dr. Ibrahim at Dana Farber, who very unexpectedly left DFCI. So we've been re-thinking where and with whom to centralize Don's treatments. We decided this week to move to Mass General to Dr. Keith Flaherty, who we've heard a lot of good things about.

Initial recommendations were to do WBR, but I have all the same questions and concerns that you two have talked about here — timing, what if Ipi doesn't work, PD-1 trials, keeping the brain stable, etc. This week, the radiation oncologist at MGH said she felt we should do SRS on the two new lesions. My general feeling is that SRS is preferable to WBR, when it can be done. So, that is what we are leaning toward right now.

My question right now is whether to do the SRS in Boston at MGH, or do it closer to home where Don had radiation to his pelvis and where he's had his previous two Cyberknife procedures. The radiation oncologist in Boston specializes in brain and eyes, and she's done a LOT of brain SRS. The radiation oncologist closer to home is very experienced and well-trained also. I lean toward Boston; Don wants to stay closer to home. What I don't know is whether there is much of a difference between the various SRS procedures (Cyberknife versus I-don't-know-what-machine in Boston). Also, is the skill and experience level of the person doing the procedure an important piece of the puzzle?

Wishing you both the best in the days to come. Staying positive and optimistic is so important. The nuances involved in fighting this disease are mind-boggling, aren't they? Learning from the people on this forum has been a life-saver in more ways than one!

Janet

Hello to both Denise and Eva,

I've been having trouble posting to the forum, but I've been following you two very closely. My husband, Don, is going through a very similar situation. He was only diagnosed in January, had Cyberknife to his first brain met, then it had to be surgically removed, and he had a lost of disease throughout his body. He was on Zelboraf for only 2 months, and had a "mixed response." He just completed his 4th dose of Ipi this week. At the end of May, he had Cyberknife again to two small lesions. But one month later, two knew lesions have showed up.

And to make things even worse, we were patients of Dr. Ibrahim at Dana Farber, who very unexpectedly left DFCI. So we've been re-thinking where and with whom to centralize Don's treatments. We decided this week to move to Mass General to Dr. Keith Flaherty, who we've heard a lot of good things about.

Initial recommendations were to do WBR, but I have all the same questions and concerns that you two have talked about here — timing, what if Ipi doesn't work, PD-1 trials, keeping the brain stable, etc. This week, the radiation oncologist at MGH said she felt we should do SRS on the two new lesions. My general feeling is that SRS is preferable to WBR, when it can be done. So, that is what we are leaning toward right now.

My question right now is whether to do the SRS in Boston at MGH, or do it closer to home where Don had radiation to his pelvis and where he's had his previous two Cyberknife procedures. The radiation oncologist in Boston specializes in brain and eyes, and she's done a LOT of brain SRS. The radiation oncologist closer to home is very experienced and well-trained also. I lean toward Boston; Don wants to stay closer to home. What I don't know is whether there is much of a difference between the various SRS procedures (Cyberknife versus I-don't-know-what-machine in Boston). Also, is the skill and experience level of the person doing the procedure an important piece of the puzzle?

Wishing you both the best in the days to come. Staying positive and optimistic is so important. The nuances involved in fighting this disease are mind-boggling, aren't they? Learning from the people on this forum has been a life-saver in more ways than one!

Janet

Hi Denise, I follow your prgoress although I dont post much and just want to wish you all the best; I love your aggressive approach. I too am always thinking ahead where my hubby (Randall, the patient) is more day to day. AFter diagnosis in Feb 2013,  he had done two ipi infusions and mel spread like wildfire, so he was switched to Zelboraf and his tumors have regressed 80% (lungs, liver, subq). He had WBR and good followup MRI – large one shrunk, one disappeared, remainder stable. But I worry about the Z suddenly not working although he is doing so well right now.  

The oncologist also is happy with his progress. He admints ipi didnt have time to work, it can take six months,I talk to Randall (hubby) about PD1 trials but he doesnt want to stop the Z bcuz he's doing well. If he stopped it for a month and it hurt him, I couldnt live with myself. Also insurance issues, his insurance doesnt cover many places (georgraphically only Sylvester miami would be paid for). He is not working and I am struggling to support us and our daughter in college. I see some long-time Z successes and get hopeful, then see others that arent and panic again. 

Anyway, best of luck to you, I love your spirit and will watch your progress and probably copy you,  Imitation is the sincerest firm of flattery. All the best, Vicki

Hi Denise, I follow your prgoress although I dont post much and just want to wish you all the best; I love your aggressive approach. I too am always thinking ahead where my hubby (Randall, the patient) is more day to day. AFter diagnosis in Feb 2013,  he had done two ipi infusions and mel spread like wildfire, so he was switched to Zelboraf and his tumors have regressed 80% (lungs, liver, subq). He had WBR and good followup MRI – large one shrunk, one disappeared, remainder stable. But I worry about the Z suddenly not working although he is doing so well right now.  

The oncologist also is happy with his progress. He admints ipi didnt have time to work, it can take six months,I talk to Randall (hubby) about PD1 trials but he doesnt want to stop the Z bcuz he's doing well. If he stopped it for a month and it hurt him, I couldnt live with myself. Also insurance issues, his insurance doesnt cover many places (georgraphically only Sylvester miami would be paid for). He is not working and I am struggling to support us and our daughter in college. I see some long-time Z successes and get hopeful, then see others that arent and panic again. 

Anyway, best of luck to you, I love your spirit and will watch your progress and probably copy you,  Imitation is the sincerest firm of flattery. All the best, Vicki

Hi Denise, I follow your prgoress although I dont post much and just want to wish you all the best; I love your aggressive approach. I too am always thinking ahead where my hubby (Randall, the patient) is more day to day. AFter diagnosis in Feb 2013,  he had done two ipi infusions and mel spread like wildfire, so he was switched to Zelboraf and his tumors have regressed 80% (lungs, liver, subq). He had WBR and good followup MRI – large one shrunk, one disappeared, remainder stable. But I worry about the Z suddenly not working although he is doing so well right now.  

The oncologist also is happy with his progress. He admints ipi didnt have time to work, it can take six months,I talk to Randall (hubby) about PD1 trials but he doesnt want to stop the Z bcuz he's doing well. If he stopped it for a month and it hurt him, I couldnt live with myself. Also insurance issues, his insurance doesnt cover many places (georgraphically only Sylvester miami would be paid for). He is not working and I am struggling to support us and our daughter in college. I see some long-time Z successes and get hopeful, then see others that arent and panic again. 

Anyway, best of luck to you, I love your spirit and will watch your progress and probably copy you,  Imitation is the sincerest firm of flattery. All the best, Vicki

Hi, Denise-

I like the idea of you taking Dabrafenib rather than Zelboraf. I think that they both cross the blood-brain barrier, but only Dabrafenib has proven that via clinical trials. And, besides, it's supposed to have fewer side effects. You might also ask your doctor about adding a MEK inhibitor– the combination of BRAF+MEK is more effective.

It sounds like you and your specialist have a well-thought-out plan and you have good reason to be optimistic. Keep up the good work!

Hi, Denise-

I like the idea of you taking Dabrafenib rather than Zelboraf. I think that they both cross the blood-brain barrier, but only Dabrafenib has proven that via clinical trials. And, besides, it's supposed to have fewer side effects. You might also ask your doctor about adding a MEK inhibitor– the combination of BRAF+MEK is more effective.

It sounds like you and your specialist have a well-thought-out plan and you have good reason to be optimistic. Keep up the good work!

Hi, Denise-

I like the idea of you taking Dabrafenib rather than Zelboraf. I think that they both cross the blood-brain barrier, but only Dabrafenib has proven that via clinical trials. And, besides, it's supposed to have fewer side effects. You might also ask your doctor about adding a MEK inhibitor– the combination of BRAF+MEK is more effective.

It sounds like you and your specialist have a well-thought-out plan and you have good reason to be optimistic. Keep up the good work!

Seems you are always ready with a new attack plan.Praying praying that this new startergy kicks melanomas butt once and for all .As for switching  to debrafenib it has been proven to work in more people than "Z" with less side affects. Beat the Beast … Al

Seems you are always ready with a new attack plan.Praying praying that this new startergy kicks melanomas butt once and for all .As for switching  to debrafenib it has been proven to work in more people than "Z" with less side affects. Beat the Beast … Al

Seems you are always ready with a new attack plan.Praying praying that this new startergy kicks melanomas butt once and for all .As for switching  to debrafenib it has been proven to work in more people than "Z" with less side affects. Beat the Beast … Al