Update on most recent PET scan
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Update on most recent PET scan

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Update on most recent PET scan

  • Post
    • September 26, 2012 at 4:44 pm
    Mickey n Jo
    Participant

    Hi, again. Let me begin by saying that we almost feel a little guilty posting a question knowing what Kevin and Brenda are going through right now. All else pales in comparison. My husbands most recent scan came back pretty much the same as the previous one, with a decrease in size of some mets and a slight increase in size of some others ( no new ones though ). I guess this is good, since he was off the Zel for almost two weeks due to the side effects. He's feeling a lot better now and has started on the Zel again, 3 pills morning and night, and so far no side effects.

    Hi, again. Let me begin by saying that we almost feel a little guilty posting a question knowing what Kevin and Brenda are going through right now. All else pales in comparison. My husbands most recent scan came back pretty much the same as the previous one, with a decrease in size of some mets and a slight increase in size of some others ( no new ones though ). I guess this is good, since he was off the Zel for almost two weeks due to the side effects. He's feeling a lot better now and has started on the Zel again, 3 pills morning and night, and so far no side effects. Should he continue with the Zel, since it is working, or should he consider switching to Yervoy? He's leaning towards continuing, especially since he hasn't had a problem with any side effects now.  Any information would be appreciated. Thanks.   

                                                                                                                       Jo

Viewing 2 reply threads
  • Replies
      • September 26, 2012 at 5:51 pm
      awillett1991
      Participant
      That’s a tough one. What did the oncologist say?
        • September 26, 2012 at 6:56 pm
        Mickey n Jo
        Participant

        The Drs. all seem to feel that he should continue on the Zel for now.  They said that since he had to take so many breaks from it due to the side effects, that maybe now if he takes it continuously it will work better.  So many maybes and so many ifs, it's scary, we don't want to make any mistakes.

        • September 26, 2012 at 9:20 pm
        POW
        Participant

        Since there is as yet no cure for melanoma, the best we can aim for is to keep it "under control" for as long as possible. "Under control" means tumors staying the same or shrinking. As long as any therapy is keeping the mets under control, including your husband's Zelboraf, it's good to stick with that. Especially if the side-effects that were interfering with the treatment are subsiding. If and when his tumors start to grow again, or new tumors appear, it will be time to consider another type of therapy to once again keep it under control for as long as possible. Meanwhile, new therapies are still being developed that may be available if he needs them later on. It's all a numbers game– keep the cancer under control for a few more months, then a few more months, then a few more, and next thing you know several years have gone by and he's still here and still enjoying life!

        • September 26, 2012 at 9:20 pm
        POW
        Participant

        Since there is as yet no cure for melanoma, the best we can aim for is to keep it "under control" for as long as possible. "Under control" means tumors staying the same or shrinking. As long as any therapy is keeping the mets under control, including your husband's Zelboraf, it's good to stick with that. Especially if the side-effects that were interfering with the treatment are subsiding. If and when his tumors start to grow again, or new tumors appear, it will be time to consider another type of therapy to once again keep it under control for as long as possible. Meanwhile, new therapies are still being developed that may be available if he needs them later on. It's all a numbers game– keep the cancer under control for a few more months, then a few more months, then a few more, and next thing you know several years have gone by and he's still here and still enjoying life!

        • September 26, 2012 at 9:20 pm
        POW
        Participant

        Since there is as yet no cure for melanoma, the best we can aim for is to keep it "under control" for as long as possible. "Under control" means tumors staying the same or shrinking. As long as any therapy is keeping the mets under control, including your husband's Zelboraf, it's good to stick with that. Especially if the side-effects that were interfering with the treatment are subsiding. If and when his tumors start to grow again, or new tumors appear, it will be time to consider another type of therapy to once again keep it under control for as long as possible. Meanwhile, new therapies are still being developed that may be available if he needs them later on. It's all a numbers game– keep the cancer under control for a few more months, then a few more months, then a few more, and next thing you know several years have gone by and he's still here and still enjoying life!

        • September 26, 2012 at 10:59 pm
        awillett1991
        Participant
        You have to trust your doc to help you make the best decision and try not to worry and fret whether or not its a mistake. You’re right. There are so many unknowns. Zel is working for me still after 5 mos and i have very little disease. We have chosen for me to go off and start Ipi on Monday, then probably back to Zel. Everyone’s situation is unique – just try to live each day the best you can and enjoy the blessings you have. There are no guarantees for anyone.
        • September 27, 2012 at 2:11 am
        Mickey n Jo
        Participant

        Thank you both for your replies, you're right, "under control" is what we hope for right now.  He will continue with the Zel and take all good days as blessings. I have a bad tendency to overthink everything and end up getting a little crazy. I have to learn to go with the Drs. advice and let them do some of the worrying.

                                                                              Best of luck to you both,

                                                                                         Jo

        • September 27, 2012 at 2:11 am
        Mickey n Jo
        Participant

        Thank you both for your replies, you're right, "under control" is what we hope for right now.  He will continue with the Zel and take all good days as blessings. I have a bad tendency to overthink everything and end up getting a little crazy. I have to learn to go with the Drs. advice and let them do some of the worrying.

                                                                              Best of luck to you both,

                                                                                         Jo

        • September 27, 2012 at 2:11 am
        Mickey n Jo
        Participant

        Thank you both for your replies, you're right, "under control" is what we hope for right now.  He will continue with the Zel and take all good days as blessings. I have a bad tendency to overthink everything and end up getting a little crazy. I have to learn to go with the Drs. advice and let them do some of the worrying.

                                                                              Best of luck to you both,

                                                                                         Jo

        • September 26, 2012 at 10:59 pm
        awillett1991
        Participant
        You have to trust your doc to help you make the best decision and try not to worry and fret whether or not its a mistake. You’re right. There are so many unknowns. Zel is working for me still after 5 mos and i have very little disease. We have chosen for me to go off and start Ipi on Monday, then probably back to Zel. Everyone’s situation is unique – just try to live each day the best you can and enjoy the blessings you have. There are no guarantees for anyone.
        • September 26, 2012 at 10:59 pm
        awillett1991
        Participant
        You have to trust your doc to help you make the best decision and try not to worry and fret whether or not its a mistake. You’re right. There are so many unknowns. Zel is working for me still after 5 mos and i have very little disease. We have chosen for me to go off and start Ipi on Monday, then probably back to Zel. Everyone’s situation is unique – just try to live each day the best you can and enjoy the blessings you have. There are no guarantees for anyone.
        • September 26, 2012 at 6:56 pm
        Mickey n Jo
        Participant

        The Drs. all seem to feel that he should continue on the Zel for now.  They said that since he had to take so many breaks from it due to the side effects, that maybe now if he takes it continuously it will work better.  So many maybes and so many ifs, it's scary, we don't want to make any mistakes.

        • September 26, 2012 at 6:56 pm
        Mickey n Jo
        Participant

        The Drs. all seem to feel that he should continue on the Zel for now.  They said that since he had to take so many breaks from it due to the side effects, that maybe now if he takes it continuously it will work better.  So many maybes and so many ifs, it's scary, we don't want to make any mistakes.

      • September 26, 2012 at 5:51 pm
      awillett1991
      Participant
      That’s a tough one. What did the oncologist say?
      • September 26, 2012 at 5:51 pm
      awillett1991
      Participant
      That’s a tough one. What did the oncologist say?
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