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Yervoy / IPI WORKED ! Lung, Liver Tumors Shrunk!

Forums General Melanoma Community Yervoy / IPI WORKED ! Lung, Liver Tumors Shrunk!

  • Post
    momof2kids
    Participant

       

       

      Hello everyone. I haven't posted lately as I've been so scared, wondering if this Yervoy was going to work on me!

       

      Diagnosed in June 2011, out of the blue, straight to Stage IV (Brain, Liver & Lung)

       

       

      Hello everyone. I haven't posted lately as I've been so scared, wondering if this Yervoy was going to work on me!

       

      Diagnosed in June 2011, out of the blue, straight to Stage IV (Brain, Liver & Lung)

      I got all 4 injections of the 3mg dose with not a single side effect from September 2011 thru Nov 2011 I thought for sure maybe my body wasn't responding!  I never understood the blood levels, that others said to look for rising numbers, I just gave up trying to figure it out and just figured my body will do whatever it wants.

      GREAT NEWS!!  We saw the scans ourselves today! My lung & liver tumors have all shrunk down, can barely see the Lung tumor (was around 5cm), and the big Liver tumor went from 6cm down to 2cm…and this is the 1st scan since completing the 4 doses!
      We can only hope that another scan in 3 months will show more shrinkage!
      Brain scans came back CLEAN TOO! Quarter size tumor GONE (thanks to Gamma Knife in July, took almost 6 months to disappear), and the spot I had my tumor removed from on my brain in July, is back to normal looking!
      All doctors happy FOR NOW, AND SO AM I!! 3 months of NO treatments or scans for now!
       
      This treatment , the body "remembers" this type, and should continue to kill cancer cells it finds, and I can continue on this treatment again if needed, since my body accepted it!  There's no plans for future treatments of it until they see the need to continue on it, then I can continue to get it after that since my body accepted it once, it should accept it over & over.

      I truly hope, like Lisa13 said in her post (that her doctors said) he's had patients who were on this for YEARS, and it was still working. I can only truly pray & hope that this will be the same way for many of us!

    Viewing 32 reply threads
    • Replies
        Laurie from maine
        Participant

          HOORAY!!!  How wonderful!   Thank you for posting such great news.  What a wonderful holiday you can have just enjoying that your body is doing its work now.

          Thank you for posting.  I am currently on braf(zelboraf) and will have to switch at sometime to something else and was great to see you have had such a positive response to yervoy.

          Enjoy your great news.

          laurie from maine

          Laurie from maine
          Participant

            HOORAY!!!  How wonderful!   Thank you for posting such great news.  What a wonderful holiday you can have just enjoying that your body is doing its work now.

            Thank you for posting.  I am currently on braf(zelboraf) and will have to switch at sometime to something else and was great to see you have had such a positive response to yervoy.

            Enjoy your great news.

            laurie from maine

            Laurie from maine
            Participant

              HOORAY!!!  How wonderful!   Thank you for posting such great news.  What a wonderful holiday you can have just enjoying that your body is doing its work now.

              Thank you for posting.  I am currently on braf(zelboraf) and will have to switch at sometime to something else and was great to see you have had such a positive response to yervoy.

              Enjoy your great news.

              laurie from maine

              Linny
              Participant

                What fantastic news!!!! Congratulations!! Now you can kick back and have a wonderful Christmas and New Year's.

                Linda

                Linny
                Participant

                  What fantastic news!!!! Congratulations!! Now you can kick back and have a wonderful Christmas and New Year's.

                  Linda

                  Linny
                  Participant

                    What fantastic news!!!! Congratulations!! Now you can kick back and have a wonderful Christmas and New Year's.

                    Linda

                    JerryfromFauq
                    Participant

                      Ta;lk about GREAT news.  So glad to hear this!  Enjoy the Holidays.  And give those kids big hugs!

                      Praying for otinued success  in continuing to get rid of the tumors

                       

                       

                      JerryfromFauq
                      Participant

                        Ta;lk about GREAT news.  So glad to hear this!  Enjoy the Holidays.  And give those kids big hugs!

                        Praying for otinued success  in continuing to get rid of the tumors

                         

                         

                          Lisa13
                          Participant

                            This is such fantastic news! 

                            One thing I wanted to mention – it wasn't my Dr. who said he had patients who've lasted years. It was someone else's Dr I read that said he has several patients still kickin' it  4 years and 8 years out.   My Dr. mentioned he was seeing not good scans at 12 weeks and then great scans at 16 weeks. All good news and something to be hopeful for.

                            Mine shrunk by 50% on week 12 and by week 16, they were still shrinking (slowly) and the rest just remained stable. Some have disappeared.   I get more scans and a brain MRI at the end of January. 

                            Now every 3 months, you just hope it continues to look good.

                            I'm so happy for you!! 

                             

                            Lisa

                            Lisa13
                            Participant

                              This is such fantastic news! 

                              One thing I wanted to mention – it wasn't my Dr. who said he had patients who've lasted years. It was someone else's Dr I read that said he has several patients still kickin' it  4 years and 8 years out.   My Dr. mentioned he was seeing not good scans at 12 weeks and then great scans at 16 weeks. All good news and something to be hopeful for.

                              Mine shrunk by 50% on week 12 and by week 16, they were still shrinking (slowly) and the rest just remained stable. Some have disappeared.   I get more scans and a brain MRI at the end of January. 

                              Now every 3 months, you just hope it continues to look good.

                              I'm so happy for you!! 

                               

                              Lisa

                              Lisa13
                              Participant

                                This is such fantastic news! 

                                One thing I wanted to mention – it wasn't my Dr. who said he had patients who've lasted years. It was someone else's Dr I read that said he has several patients still kickin' it  4 years and 8 years out.   My Dr. mentioned he was seeing not good scans at 12 weeks and then great scans at 16 weeks. All good news and something to be hopeful for.

                                Mine shrunk by 50% on week 12 and by week 16, they were still shrinking (slowly) and the rest just remained stable. Some have disappeared.   I get more scans and a brain MRI at the end of January. 

                                Now every 3 months, you just hope it continues to look good.

                                I'm so happy for you!! 

                                 

                                Lisa

                              JerryfromFauq
                              Participant

                                Ta;lk about GREAT news.  So glad to hear this!  Enjoy the Holidays.  And give those kids big hugs!

                                Praying for otinued success  in continuing to get rid of the tumors

                                 

                                 

                                hope4cure1
                                Participant

                                  WOW, WOW, TERRIFIC!!!!!!!!!!

                                  hope4cure1
                                  Participant

                                    WOW, WOW, TERRIFIC!!!!!!!!!!

                                    hope4cure1
                                    Participant

                                      WOW, WOW, TERRIFIC!!!!!!!!!!

                                      FormerCaregiver
                                      Participant

                                        This is truly wonderful news! Congratulations!

                                        You are in my thoughts and prayers.

                                        Frank from Australia

                                        FormerCaregiver
                                        Participant

                                          This is truly wonderful news! Congratulations!

                                          You are in my thoughts and prayers.

                                          Frank from Australia

                                          FormerCaregiver
                                          Participant

                                            This is truly wonderful news! Congratulations!

                                            You are in my thoughts and prayers.

                                            Frank from Australia

                                            JJ Walker
                                            Participant

                                              This is wonderful news for you and your kids and also gives me hope.  I am also stage IV and just had my first treatment with Yervoy.  Minimal side effects so far.  Let's hope it works for everyone.  Wanted to take Zelboraf but co-pay was more than my wife make a month.  We give Genentec all that research money and then the price the meds so high we can't afford them.  Shame on them!

                                              JJ Walker
                                              Participant

                                                This is wonderful news for you and your kids and also gives me hope.  I am also stage IV and just had my first treatment with Yervoy.  Minimal side effects so far.  Let's hope it works for everyone.  Wanted to take Zelboraf but co-pay was more than my wife make a month.  We give Genentec all that research money and then the price the meds so high we can't afford them.  Shame on them!

                                                JJ Walker
                                                Participant

                                                  This is wonderful news for you and your kids and also gives me hope.  I am also stage IV and just had my first treatment with Yervoy.  Minimal side effects so far.  Let's hope it works for everyone.  Wanted to take Zelboraf but co-pay was more than my wife make a month.  We give Genentec all that research money and then the price the meds so high we can't afford them.  Shame on them!

                                                  PhoenixJ
                                                  Participant
                                                    I am so happy for you!!! I just Received my first ipi infusion on thursday. I hope that I have as good results! I had an 85% reduction in disease burden in 2 months on zelboraf and I was nervous about coming off it to start ipi but now to hear so much good news here it gives me hope!! Have a great holiday season!!
                                                    PhoenixJ
                                                    Participant
                                                      I am so happy for you!!! I just Received my first ipi infusion on thursday. I hope that I have as good results! I had an 85% reduction in disease burden in 2 months on zelboraf and I was nervous about coming off it to start ipi but now to hear so much good news here it gives me hope!! Have a great holiday season!!
                                                      PhoenixJ
                                                      Participant
                                                        I am so happy for you!!! I just Received my first ipi infusion on thursday. I hope that I have as good results! I had an 85% reduction in disease burden in 2 months on zelboraf and I was nervous about coming off it to start ipi but now to hear so much good news here it gives me hope!! Have a great holiday season!!
                                                        jag
                                                        Participant

                                                          You

                                                          Are

                                                          Awesome!

                                                          Glad to hear the news momof2kids.  Once Yervoy takes it usually lasts pretty far into the future esp w/an immediate response such as yours.

                                                          jag
                                                          Participant

                                                            You

                                                            Are

                                                            Awesome!

                                                            Glad to hear the news momof2kids.  Once Yervoy takes it usually lasts pretty far into the future esp w/an immediate response such as yours.

                                                            jag
                                                            Participant

                                                              You

                                                              Are

                                                              Awesome!

                                                              Glad to hear the news momof2kids.  Once Yervoy takes it usually lasts pretty far into the future esp w/an immediate response such as yours.

                                                              momof2kids
                                                              Participant

                                                                Thanks for the replies everyone! 

                                                                Yes, like my doctor said and Lisa heard from her doctor, that they've seen once people react to this, they can sometimes stay on it for YEARS, the body remembers it likes this stuff and will continue to use what's still in us to fight off those nasty cells, and hopefully future injections if needed, will help do the same, and have it continue to crush those cancer cells down to nothing. LETS HOPE THAT HAPPENS FOR ALL OF US.   I can only HOPE right now that this will kick some ass in the future for myself (and for others)!

                                                                  Vermont_Donna
                                                                  Participant

                                                                    Hi,

                                                                     GREAT news!! I too have had Ipi, 3mg/kg, and so far I am NED…since 2/2011! I wish you continued response to the drug!

                                                                    Hugs,

                                                                    Vermont_Donna, stage 3a, NED

                                                                    Vermont_Donna
                                                                    Participant

                                                                      Hi,

                                                                       GREAT news!! I too have had Ipi, 3mg/kg, and so far I am NED…since 2/2011! I wish you continued response to the drug!

                                                                      Hugs,

                                                                      Vermont_Donna, stage 3a, NED

                                                                      Vermont_Donna
                                                                      Participant

                                                                        Hi,

                                                                         GREAT news!! I too have had Ipi, 3mg/kg, and so far I am NED…since 2/2011! I wish you continued response to the drug!

                                                                        Hugs,

                                                                        Vermont_Donna, stage 3a, NED

                                                                      momof2kids
                                                                      Participant

                                                                        Thanks for the replies everyone! 

                                                                        Yes, like my doctor said and Lisa heard from her doctor, that they've seen once people react to this, they can sometimes stay on it for YEARS, the body remembers it likes this stuff and will continue to use what's still in us to fight off those nasty cells, and hopefully future injections if needed, will help do the same, and have it continue to crush those cancer cells down to nothing. LETS HOPE THAT HAPPENS FOR ALL OF US.   I can only HOPE right now that this will kick some ass in the future for myself (and for others)!

                                                                        momof2kids
                                                                        Participant

                                                                          Thanks for the replies everyone! 

                                                                          Yes, like my doctor said and Lisa heard from her doctor, that they've seen once people react to this, they can sometimes stay on it for YEARS, the body remembers it likes this stuff and will continue to use what's still in us to fight off those nasty cells, and hopefully future injections if needed, will help do the same, and have it continue to crush those cancer cells down to nothing. LETS HOPE THAT HAPPENS FOR ALL OF US.   I can only HOPE right now that this will kick some ass in the future for myself (and for others)!

                                                                          Gene_S
                                                                          Participant

                                                                            Congratulations that is great news!!!!  Now enjoy the holidays and family.  I pray this keeps working for you.

                                                                            Judy (loving wife and caregiver of Gene Stage IV and also responding to Ipi 10mg/kg)

                                                                            Gene_S
                                                                            Participant

                                                                              Congratulations that is great news!!!!  Now enjoy the holidays and family.  I pray this keeps working for you.

                                                                              Judy (loving wife and caregiver of Gene Stage IV and also responding to Ipi 10mg/kg)

                                                                              Gene_S
                                                                              Participant

                                                                                Congratulations that is great news!!!!  Now enjoy the holidays and family.  I pray this keeps working for you.

                                                                                Judy (loving wife and caregiver of Gene Stage IV and also responding to Ipi 10mg/kg)

                                                                                shellebrownies
                                                                                Participant

                                                                                  So glad to hear that you are doing better!

                                                                                  Michelle

                                                                                  shellebrownies
                                                                                  Participant

                                                                                    So glad to hear that you are doing better!

                                                                                    Michelle

                                                                                    shellebrownies
                                                                                    Participant

                                                                                      So glad to hear that you are doing better!

                                                                                      Michelle

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