MikeInAK

So sorry to hear this.   He was a true warrier, and kept his head and spirit up.   He never gave up.  A true inspiration.   Peace, blue skies and tailwinds Melanoma Mike.  Your example helped a lot of others.

Steve,

I finished my immunotherapy of Optivo in January 2020.   I got my COVID-19 vaccine shots on January 22 and February 12, 2021.  No real side effects or adverse reactions to the vaccines.   Glad I was able to get them.   My oncology team encouraged me to get vaccinated, I am high risk as I have a history of respitory illness and susceptibility to pnenomia.

Mr. Bill, thanks for sharing your report, and status. Actually, I agree its good news that no metastasis indicated in the LN. Follow the advice of your team, have faith, and move forward. I know the fear and worry, had the same for me, but I’m blessed my adjuvant therapy worked and am NED. Relax and take it one day at a time.

Good news, and good attitude. Keep on keeping on, and Peace bro.

That’s great news Sharon! One year of bi-weekly Opdivo treatments with blood tests day before was very wearing, I’m impressed you went through 2 years, good for you sticking with it!

Hope you find some awesome shoes!

That’s great news Sharon! One year of bi-weekly Opdivo treatments with blood tests day before was very wearing, I’m impressed you went through 2 years, good for you sticking with it!

Hope you find some awesome shoes!

Oh my, I feel for you. My story very similar, a year ago last week an evil looking lesion appeared, and started my road into fighting melanoma. I was flying Part 135 too, as a semi-retirement gig for the last three years after 42 years in a professional surveyiing/photogrammetry career.. So as you know , that is over with until a 3 year NED status and then applying for Special Issuance, and the guidance from the FAA about the requirements of a Special Issuance is financially onerous. For me, I can still fly (though non-commercial) under the Special Med privileges that do not have melanoma as disqualifying. I have two more treatments of Opdivo, and my scans are scheduled for the 10th, your story makes me nervous.

For your questions, if you feel up to trying to find aviation employment, you might find some options there. I am not sure if your CFI or CFII, or were in a Part 121 or 135 line of commercial work, but you may find work as Simulator Instructor or Trainer. Flight Safety and SimCom are always looking for trainers. There are also possibilities as a Safety Management System manager or in dispatch for a commercial operator. I would at least take your current employer’s offer up on doing outreach for you, it is possible that something would come up that would fit for you. You never know if you can find some related aviation work that will be right for you unless you give it a go. And then there is the issue of what the pay would be for entry levels at those positions.

You have lots of considerations to work through with supporting your family and financial issues. Make sure that you take care of yourself too, and find a way to get the treatment you need and deserve. I will keep you in my prayers that you find a way to make things work. If you need someone to chat about fighting Mel and the aviation side of things, send me a PM and I will give you my contact information.

Peace, and take care

I have Opdivo infusion number 12 tomorrow.. I am on the 240ml every two-weeks schedule. Whereas I had a fair amount of post-infusion fatigue for a few days in the beginning, for the last six or so I have very little noticeable fatigue. I guess your mileage may vary, as it seems different side effects present for different individuals. I have no idea on your shoulder and upper arm pain, I have not experienced any of that.

Excellent news.   The worry meter can go down a bit.  

Glad you got the finanical stuff worked out Mike.   Don't see any red flags, you are following a good standard of care treatment.   Trials and patient experience has shown that Opdivo has a good chance of letting your immune system fight any melanoma at the celllar level that may be still with you.  Best of luck. 

I have my 7th Opdivo transfusion next week, have only had minor side effects of fatigue and nasea.  

I too use protective clothing, but of course have to use sunscreen on exposed face and hands.   I have liked the Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch broad-spectrum sunscreen in the SPF 55 to 70 range.  I have used this for years, on my determatologist's recommendation.   

I was in COSTCO today here in Anchorage, and they had a featured item of a two-pack of 5oz tubes of Neutrogena SPF 55 for $10.   Thats about half the cost of what I usally pay, so thought I would pass that on.   

Wow, thanks so much for posting that link Ed, I found it really interesting and informative. 

BTW thats a cool way they have the text and bookmarks to the video.   

I want to know more about the interaction of gut bacteria. pro-biotics and the inflamed T-cells as I have had a history of gut inflamation and bacteria, but did not how it might play with my mono imumunatherapy and my immune system.  Will forward this on to my team and see if they have seen this research and view points.  

I agree with Bubbles, you might want to start without a port and see how it goes. I did 26 bi-weekly infusions of Optivo without a port. Additionally, was doing blood draws for Labs each time, so that was 52 pokes. Worked out OK, my preference over having a port put in.

I am in the adjuvant treatment phase with NED post surgeries.   Today will be my 4th infusion of Opdivo, and checkup scans are a few months out.   So, doing good at this point is what I would say.  I seem to handle the Nivo OK, and hopeful it stays that way and it does its job for any cleanup needed.