Diana2

Hi Linda,

I'm so sorry your husband didn't respond to Ipi. I was really hoping he was a late responder. I'm so sad for you after all the waiting & all that you've been through already. Well, I don't have too much to add to Val's reply earlier regarding my husband & biochemo. Other than he started round 2 this week & is handling the toxicity better this time – less side effects. Still no piece of cake but not quite as rough. No new scans yet since the 12 wk ones after 4th cycle of Ipi. All we know is that 2 wks after starting round 1 of biochemo, 2 lymph nodes were shrinking. One by as much as 50%. We're hoping the biochemo is attacking from a new angle with a new set of drugs. The only one of the 5 biochemo drugs that Steve's had before is Interferon back in 2008 so basically 4 new drugs that his body hasn't seen before. Let me know if I can answer any questions about biochemo. Good luck & I wish you and your husband the best. -Diana        

Hi Linda,

I'm so sorry your husband didn't respond to Ipi. I was really hoping he was a late responder. I'm so sad for you after all the waiting & all that you've been through already. Well, I don't have too much to add to Val's reply earlier regarding my husband & biochemo. Other than he started round 2 this week & is handling the toxicity better this time – less side effects. Still no piece of cake but not quite as rough. No new scans yet since the 12 wk ones after 4th cycle of Ipi. All we know is that 2 wks after starting round 1 of biochemo, 2 lymph nodes were shrinking. One by as much as 50%. We're hoping the biochemo is attacking from a new angle with a new set of drugs. The only one of the 5 biochemo drugs that Steve's had before is Interferon back in 2008 so basically 4 new drugs that his body hasn't seen before. Let me know if I can answer any questions about biochemo. Good luck & I wish you and your husband the best. -Diana        

Linda, Steve finished 4 cycles of Ipi and immediately started biochemo. After 1 round of biochemo, tumors are shrinking. He'll begin round 2 next week. It may be Ipi late response, biochemo, or both that are helping him. This may be an option for your husband. Good luck!  -Diana

Linda, Steve finished 4 cycles of Ipi and immediately started biochemo. After 1 round of biochemo, tumors are shrinking. He'll begin round 2 next week. It may be Ipi late response, biochemo, or both that are helping him. This may be an option for your husband. Good luck!  -Diana

JuleFL, I'm so sorry to hear about Cal. My thoughts and prayers are with you. He was an amazing fighter & you must be very proud of him. I so admire your own bravery & courage during this incredible journey. Not easy at all. I wish you peace & comfort and please know that we're here for you. Take care, Diana (husband, Steve) 

Thanks Mark for posting. It's so great to hear you're doing well. Your story really makes my day! Enjoy!! -Diana 

Thanks Mark for posting. It's so great to hear you're doing well. Your story really makes my day! Enjoy!! -Diana 

Thanks so much Val! I'm really hoping & praying Ipi does the trick for you. Good luck with the next cycles & keep us posted. -Diana

Thanks so much Val! I'm really hoping & praying Ipi does the trick for you. Good luck with the next cycles & keep us posted. -Diana

Val, You're very welcome! Steve's doing the biochemo with Dr. Gonzalez at the CU Melanoma Clinic (University of Colorado hospital) in Aurora (a suburb of Denver). A backup plan is always a good idea but I'm really hoping & praying you're a responder to Ipi & won't need it! Stay positive & keep us posted. -Diana

Val, You're very welcome! Steve's doing the biochemo with Dr. Gonzalez at the CU Melanoma Clinic (University of Colorado hospital) in Aurora (a suburb of Denver). A backup plan is always a good idea but I'm really hoping & praying you're a responder to Ipi & won't need it! Stay positive & keep us posted. -Diana

Hi Bruce,

This is the first time Steve's received all 5 biochemo drugs. He did 1 year of interferon back in 2008 after the original stage 3a diagnosis. The only other treatment he's had prior to Ipi is YM155 + docetaxol last spring following progression to stage 4. There's some thought that Ipi "primes" tumors so biochemo can be more effective. I like to think this is true in Steve's case but just don't know for sure. It is a tough treatment as you know but maybe it's worth trying 1 round & see what happens? Good luck & keep us posted. If I can help with any other questions, just let me know. 

-Diana   

Hi Bruce,

This is the first time Steve's received all 5 biochemo drugs. He did 1 year of interferon back in 2008 after the original stage 3a diagnosis. The only other treatment he's had prior to Ipi is YM155 + docetaxol last spring following progression to stage 4. There's some thought that Ipi "primes" tumors so biochemo can be more effective. I like to think this is true in Steve's case but just don't know for sure. It is a tough treatment as you know but maybe it's worth trying 1 round & see what happens? Good luck & keep us posted. If I can help with any other questions, just let me know. 

-Diana   

Hi LInda & Val,

Steve received his 4th infusion of Ipi on 8/27, 12 wk scans on 9/8, scan results on 9/10, & began biochemo on 9/11. So yes he started immediately following cycle 4 of Ipi, no 30 day wait period. His 12 wk scans showed mel worse everywhere. Maybe Ipi was working or maybe not… Biochemotherapy includes 5 drugs: 3 chemos (cisplatin, dacarbazine, vinblastine) & 2 immune boosting biologic agents (IL-2, interferon). The therapy is pretty intense & involves a hospital stay of 5 days while receiving the drugs through IV then 2 wks at home to recover. The nurses were great helping manage side effects both in the hospital & at home (nausea, diarrhea, fever, loss of appetite, fluid retention, fatigue, weakness, low potassium). Well these are the ones Steve had anyway… Each day at home gets a little better & this week most side effects are gone & he's feeling almost human again. It's a very toxic treatment but toxicity is sometimes what it takes. 2 weeks after starting biochemo, tumors are shrinking. Let me know if you have any other questions & I'll try to help. Good luck! 

-Diana

Hi LInda & Val,

Steve received his 4th infusion of Ipi on 8/27, 12 wk scans on 9/8, scan results on 9/10, & began biochemo on 9/11. So yes he started immediately following cycle 4 of Ipi, no 30 day wait period. His 12 wk scans showed mel worse everywhere. Maybe Ipi was working or maybe not… Biochemotherapy includes 5 drugs: 3 chemos (cisplatin, dacarbazine, vinblastine) & 2 immune boosting biologic agents (IL-2, interferon). The therapy is pretty intense & involves a hospital stay of 5 days while receiving the drugs through IV then 2 wks at home to recover. The nurses were great helping manage side effects both in the hospital & at home (nausea, diarrhea, fever, loss of appetite, fluid retention, fatigue, weakness, low potassium). Well these are the ones Steve had anyway… Each day at home gets a little better & this week most side effects are gone & he's feeling almost human again. It's a very toxic treatment but toxicity is sometimes what it takes. 2 weeks after starting biochemo, tumors are shrinking. Let me know if you have any other questions & I'll try to help. Good luck! 

-Diana