Scan Number 2

The results from my scan were positive. The tumors have all shrunk, but are still present, and there are no signs of it spreading beyond the right lung.

Now I am on the clinical trial drug (Yervoy) exclusively, without the chemo. I had a dose of it on Wednesday, Feb. 19th and will have the next dose on March 12th. After that I will be in the Maintenance Phase of the trial. This will involve getting the Yervoy every 9-12 weeks, as long as I continue to respond.

I am also planning on having radiation in the middle of April as a preventative against the cancer spreading to my brain.

The only negative thing to come out of the scan is that I am developing Pneumonitis. This is an inflammation of the lungs. It is seen as a side effect of Yervoy in less than 1% of people taking it. Yippee for being special!!! I am being treated with Steroids for this and will have another scan on 2/27 to see how the Pneumonitis is responding.

All in all I feel great and am able to go about life like I did before I was diagnosed. Looking forward to the weather getting better so we can get outside! Take care.

Chemo Complete

When I last left you I was getting ready for the fourth and final round of chemo. I am happy to report that I made it through the last round and rang the completion bell.

I was down and out for about 4 days after chemo this time. I think it was a combination of the chemo and the cold I have been battling for about three weeks. I spent the entire day Saturday sleeping. At one point Ellana did ask if I was dead! Apparently I let go with a massive snore and she laughed and said I was just sleeping. Very funny!! I am feeling much better now.

This week I have a scan on Monday to see how everything is looking. I will post the results but probably will not have them until late in the week.

Assuming the cancer is still not progressing I have two more rounds of the clinical trial drug on Wednesday, Feb. 19^th and three weeks later. I will have ten rounds of radiation over two weeks in mid to late April. That is a preventative measure to keep the cancer from moving to my brain.

All the news for know keep your fingers crossed for good news this week!