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Well, I did have my first radiation treatment last Tuesday. It lasted 10 minutes and was a piece of cake. Then again Wednesday but then right after I went to chemo. That was different. I got a shot, anti nausea, they said, then there were 2 little bags and 1 large bag and it took 3 hours of sitting in a very cold room. No pain going in. A few hours after I went home, I started having severe pain in my chest. I do have morphine for that, a slow acting pill I take every 12 hours and fast acting that I can take 4 times a day in addition as needed. And I needed it. My cancer is touching my artery and thorax (I think that's what it's called) and I have a hard time swallowing food or even drinks. I've lost 35 pounds in less than 3 months since this all started. Okay, then Thursday again my radiation, piece of cake. Then Friday rolled around, no radiation - it seems the machine went down. So now I have to wait until Tuesday and start the week all over again. So far there's been no changes, nor have they taken any test, so I'll keep posting on that. I'm still positive about the outcome. Just wish it didn't hurt so bad, I had always been told cancer don't hurt, don't believe it, mine hurts like being malled by a few bears. May because of the location of the cancer, haven't been told yet why I have the pain. Will keep posting, still need to know there are others out there who went through it too. Still scared, but no longer of the treatment, more about the outcome. Happy Memorial Day to all my Soldier Brothers out there! DragonKing (Dave)

Dave, And thank you for being a serving soldier! Persist. Stay on point. Stay the course. Tom

Hi guys, can any of you who have been on Opdivo infusions short term share your early symptoms? I'm supposed to start the first full week in June and am nervous about this! My doctor has of course shared all of the potential issues I might face such as thyroid issues, colitis, pneumonitis, but I would like to hear from actual patients. Thanks so much!!

Hi Lbelle78, I have had Opdivo's twin, Keytruda for melanoma. I was on it for almost 2 years and watched my tumors shrink away (that was pretty cool!). Unfortunately my LC doesn't respond to PDL-1 (or Keytruda would have killed it off in the melanoma war). But I digress... I had a fairly easy time with Keytruda. I was a little tired and achy (flu like symptoms) a day or two after the infusion. Sometimes I had a headache, and my joints would hurt. But after a few days I was back to my regular normal self. I was able to work and if I timed it right, travel. The thing I learned pretty quickly is to report everything that was out of normal for me to the nurse. They were a wealth of information and help in dealing with the treatment. The other thing I learned is that it takes immunotherapy drugs a little while to work and it's possible that you will see pseudo-progression, that it it looks like your tumors are getting bigger rather than shrinking - that's your body at work killing those suckers! - before the tumors start to melt. Be patient with the patient is what I've heard. So prepare yourself for the long game, and not necessarily the short game. In melanoma land, I have melahomies that did not respond to a PDL-1 drug (Opdivo or Keytruda) until months after they stopped the drug. But they've had complete response. May you too have a complete response with minimal side effects. Hoping Opdivo kicks your LC to the curb! Shalom, Julie

Jeffery, Well, that is good news! Stay the course. Tom

So finally! NO BRAIN CANCER , WOOT! Surgery is scheduled for the 12th same plan , remove right lung. VA physiatrist (yep) says headaches are stress related . Still looking for a home for Amy , my room mate.

Hey, Dave! You have a few newbies following in your treatment plan and we (I) have made the military travels that you have, so please stay in touch! Sent from my SM-T350 using Tapatalk

Hi, Dave, How did your treatment go? Please post an update when you can. We are here for you! Lauren -- Digital Community Manager LUNGevity Foundation

Well Dave - Tuesday has arrived. Hope all goes well with the radiation starting today, and with your weekly chemo tomorrow. That is how I started my treatments. Later I was able to have surgery and then more chemo. I am still here nearly 20 years later (diagnosed December 1997). Keep us posted. Donna G