No New Cancer!!!

     Woohoo!   I had my Bronochosopy last Friday, which went very well.   Just heard from my Pulmonary Surgeon today and found out that there is NO new Cancer, which is wonderful news.  Apprantely, the changes in my lung are a reaction to the Opdivo treaments, so I will be taking a "much-needed" break from the Infusion for another few weeks.   I am very happy about that as it has really been wiping me out, I do hope the break, will allow me to gain back some energy and stamina.

     I go back for my next CT Scans on July 18th and then will meet with Dr. Sunkara the next morning to review them and also make a determination as to whether or not I can re-start the Opdivo, or whether I will need to HOPE for other option.   We has a long discussion at my appointment yesterday and she told me, she really wants me on it, since it clearly has worked wonders in reducing what was a very large and aggressive tumor.   She also told me, that often when they see a tumor come back, that fast and so fierce, many patient's lose their battle within the next six months.  I know now, that I'm one lucky lady and very happy that it responded so well to the Opdivo.  As much as I hate the side effects - constant fatigue, nausea, over all weakness and such, I know fully realize how well it has worked for me.   I had been on the strongest Chemo drugs currently available to treat Lung Cancer and they did not work, so Opdivo (Immunotherapy), looks like it my only HOPE at this time and now I have to hope I can go back on it.

      In the meantime, I am very much looking forward to having a few weeks off and really want to try and enjoy Summer, especially since it's my favorite season.  I'm still pretty wiped out and not feeling so great today, but did have a really good weekend -- best on in months, so I'm hoping that trend will continue.

Happy June!!!

....the time is flying by, but right now with the wonderful Summer weather arriving, I'd be very happy for things to slow down, so we can all enjoy a wonderful Summer.  It is by far my favorite season and always has been.  I just wish and HOPE that I will be able to take a break from treatment, so that I can build up some strength and truly enjoy the season.

    Not sure, where I left off, but I finally did have my Brain MRI, down at Lahey Hospital in Burlington, two week ago and have great news.  The brain tumor is still gone and all they see is a tiny blip, which is considered scar tissue, they are NO new tumors and now we thing the headaches and dizziness are being caused by the Opdivo.  I had my 12 Opdivo Infusion on Tuesday and also again me with Dr. Sunkara to see if there is anything I can do to feel better.   The fatigue is horrible and I still find I need to nap every day...and far more on the weeks after my Infusion.  I also still ahve nausea, headaches and nausea and that awful taste in my mouth, which makes all foods now taste terrible and makes it hard to even want to eat.  I do eat (at least one meal daily), usually supper, because that is when I'm mot hungry.   

   After the Oncology team review my Chest CT Results, (there are three new nodules that appeared and were not seen on my last scan).  They are all tiny 5mm, 3mm and smaller, but nonetheless are new and now I have to have a biopsy to find out if indeed that may be Cancer. UGH!  But, like all tests and new appointments nothing goes fast....and it's already been almost two weeks waiting to get in to see the Pulmonary Specialist who will do the biopsy via Bronchoscopy- Dr. Faris Mouchantaf.   I was hoping they could simply book the procedure, (I had one done way back, when I was in Lahey/Burlington), when this all first started.  But, since this is a new and different MD, I must first go in for the consult, which will be next Thursday (June 9th).  I just HOPE that once he informs me and I sign the consents etc, that we can get this over and gone with.  It has to be done a Lahey/Beverly, as they don't do them in Gloucester, which is a bummer, since I love my local Lahey, and would much rather have all my care there.   I do feel VERY fortunate that we have such an amazing Oncology Unit and that it's only ten minutes from my house.  I also greatly admire Dr. Sunkara and am very happy she has office hours here too! 

    Now, I jsut wait and for me waiting is hard, I want to move forward and know where is stand.  HOPING these nodules are no cancer, so I can take the much-needed six week break from Opdivo.   If however, the are cancer, we'll need a new game plan and one of which may be going back to Dana Farber in Boston in one of their Clincial Trials..and to be honest that option will truly be a hard ddeciosn to make.   I'm not a fan of being a Guinea pig and already feel that way on Opdivo, after it's it's only been FDA approved since November and there are still a lot of unknows about this drug.  On top of that getting to and from Dana Farber is pretty much a nightmare for me.  It's well over an hour away (on a good traffic day) and right in Downtown Boston, and it's not a drive I can make on my own, so that's huge determint too!  UGH!   But, I'm trying to think positive and hope it won't come to that.  Dr. Sunkara does not think these nodules are "disease progression" and said if she had it to give it a number she feels there is only a 20% chance of them being cancer -- which is good news.

  Thanks for thinking of me.....!!