Dad's Keytruda journey update

 Good Afternoon All,

It is my absolute pleasure to share with all my faithful readers. My Dad is now in Remission and Cancer free. The journey seemed long however it has been better than I thought. I am amazed at the advancements in Cancer treatment today. If it wasn't for Immunotherapy I would not have the privilege's of having more time with my Dad. 

To all those who are worried I say this "always have Faith, God my surprise you".

With all my love,

Melinda

Update on Dad's journey with Immunotherapy

Good Afternoon,

Just taking a moment to update you all on my Dad and his journey on Immunotherapy. In case you didn't read all my other posts. My Dad was diagnosed with stage 4 non small cell lung cancer the ending of last year. My Dad qualified to take a drug called Keytruda. Since I last updated my Dad has taken 4 treatments that had mild side effects. I am please to say my Dad was informed yesterday that the treatment is working. His tumors decreased in size by almost 50%. We have just been approved for him to take another 4 treatments. THANK GOD!!!! This is a really big win for our family. I will continue to updated as I find some time. I hope this helps someone else struggling.

As always Let the day have a great and blessed you!
Melinda

6 Days and going strong (After Immunotherapy)

Good Evening All,

It has been 6 days since my Dad had his first treatment of Keytruda and Zometa. So far so good as far as side effects from the drugs. The really only side effects that he has really encountered were extreme tiredness, the runs, and slight body aches. (side note: side effects will vary based on each individual patient) If you have any question in regards to the side effects you are feeling from your treatment I would highly suggest to call you physician first. I will continue to touch base with you all periodically to give you updates on his progress with this treatment.

Tonight I leave you with this. Below are some websites that may be helpful in you hunt for financial assistance for funding for Cancer treatments.

https://www.verywellhealth.com/finding-financial-help-for-cancer-patients-514488

https://cancercarenews.com/more-cancer-freebies/grants/

As always let the day have a great and blessed you!
Melinda

Immunotherapy Day after treatment

Hello All,

Well it has been a full 24hrs since his treatment. The two drugs that he is taking is Keytruda and Zometa. Keytruda is the immunotherapy for his lung cancer. Zometa is a bone treatment to help keep his bones strong. So far the only side effects he has experienced has been a tiredness, fever and body aches. I did call the doctors and they stated that they believe the side effects he has encountered are those from the Zometa (which is the bone treatment). Those particular side effect are common with that drug. I have a positive outlook that these drugs will help my Dad. I can say his eating has picked up a bit. Which all seems to be leading in the right direction.

The whole process for his first treatment seemed to go extremely smooth. We checked in at the Oncologist front desk. Then were called back to an education office. They went over the drugs being administered, what they do and all of the side effects that can potentially occur. Then of course you have to sign off that they went over all the information. Once that has all been done then you go to the room where they give the treatment. This room consist of a nurses station with what looks like Lazyboy recliners that go around the room in a circle formation. Each patient station is quiet comfortable with a chair for a family member at each one. The nurses that work at my Dads particular treatment center were amazing. They were very entertaining to say the least. They made us feel comfortable and were very helpful with answering questions for us. (mainly my questions as I am very inquisitive)

I will say that the fact my Dad had a port put in has made this process a lot more seamless. For those of you that know me know that in the late 80's early 90's my Mom had breast cancer. Well back then the process of putting in a port was a lot different a bit more complicated. The doctors back then tried to place a port in my Mom. However, we are not sure if it was done incorrectly or if her body rejected it. She had to have her port removed so we did not have her treatments go as smoothly as my Dads has so far. Unfortunately, in 1991 my mom passed away due to her cancer. Enough of that lets get back to todays medical advancements and the fact that my Dad has fighting chance.  Once the nurses assessed my Dads situation they then put a mask on them and my Dad then proceeded to cleaned the port area and inserted the needle. the first drug they started was the Keytruda drip. That particular IV last about only 30 minutes. Then when that one finished they started the Zometa drip which only last 15 minutes total. Once the Zometa is done they flush the port. After every treatment they pull blood from the port to make sure all the levels are ok.

Well unfortunately I am out of writing time for today. I must get back with my Dad. Please feel free to send me a note or comment so I know that there are readers.

As always let the day have a great and blessed you!
Melinda

The day has come let the Immunotherapy begin

Hi All,

Today is an exciting day in our household. We go into begin the first session of Keytruda and Zometa for my Dads Non small cell lung cancer. Our office appointment begins with a patient education for the drugs with the family that they say will last approximately 30 minutes. Then they hook up my Dad and administer the treatment that will last one hour. I did ask the doctor if he can drink or eat before the treatment and they said that it was fine. So we shall see. Thanks to all those who have supported us in pray and continue to do so. It is much appreciated. For now I leave you with reading materials.

https://news.yahoo.com/cancer-deaths-decline-us-advances-133147434.html


Below is a link about Keytruda please watch it has more info

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/immunotherapy-keytruda-lung-cancer-study/

Below are links with info on Immunotherapy and Breast Cancer

https://www.firstcoastnews.com/article/news/health/donna/new-vaccine-aims-to-keep-cancer-from-returning-to-triple-negative-breast-cancer-survivors/77-f56547cb-c2fe-46fe-9492-89cec55071e2

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322041.php#1

I have to start getting ready for todays appointment. I will touch base later tonight with how all went.
Again Let the day have a great and blessed you!
Melinda

Immunotherapy here we come Non-small cell lung cancer there you go

Good Morning World,

Today, what may seem like something small to many is like walking on the moon to us. We got the call to set the appointment for my Dad to finally get Immunotherapy for his stage 4 non-small cell lung cancer. It to us has seemed like a lifetime of waiting. There were countless appointments with ups & down, numerous battles with the insurance company but we stood the course waiting for some light. Not sure what this next bit of the journey holds for us but we are optimistic that it will be great. For me personally I believe in the unseen and hold to that bit of hope. I have been speaking with others who have already gone through this treatment and have asked if they would be willing to share their experiences with this kind of treatment in hopes of giving others a sense of understanding during this crazy hectic time in their lives. It is in times like this that we need to lean on others for understanding to help.
Below are some more helpful links on this topic.

https://www.cancerresearch.org/patients/free-resources-support-answers

As always let the day have a great and blessed you!
Melinda

Immunotherapy for Breast Cancer

Good Afternoon,

Today I have had a family friend on my heart. She was diagnosed with Stage 4 Metastatic breast cancer. I was explaining to the family that there are other treatments other than just chemo they may want to ask about. Again it is an immunotherapy that maybe able to help her with her situation. As you all know I am not here to say not to take meds. My blog is here to get you to be educated about your illness and ask the important questions so you can help your doctor. This journey we call Cancer is not an easy journey for the patient nor is it an easy one for the family. Just know that If I have the ability to help you I will. I am here to help you with the research and up to date reports on the newest information out there. I am also here to listen to anything that you may want to know more on or if you just need my assistance in retaining a plug in to prayer groups for any situation. Whether that be from the patient perspective or if it is from the family support perspective. It is my wish to help make this crazy, heartbreaking time in your life a little less hectic and more peaceful. Just know you all are not alone. There are a lot of others battling the same thoughts and questions. We need to work together to help one another.

Below I have attached some links that I think will help with your journey in the Breast Cancer arena. Please stay tuned for more post to come in the near future. 

https://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer/treatment/immunotherapy.html

https://www.enhertu.com/en?utm_source=microsoft

In closing remember 

Jeremiah 29:11 ¹¹For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Love Always,
Melinda

Our Journey with My Dad's Stage 4 Non-Small Cell Lung Caner

Hi to all my readers,

So yesterday was the day we had been waiting for. We went to the Oncologist to find out what form of treatment my Dad can have for his type of Lung Cancer. Today we had a little bit of light in the midst of all the darkness that we have been walking thru in this scary thing we call Lung Cancer. Ok so let me first start out by saying with non-small cell lung cancer you have the ability to have various types of treatment not just the plain ole chemotherapy that traditionally has been used to battle these invaders. Of course if you have a good Oncologist they will give you all the different types of treatments that you could potentially have even before you ask them. For my Dads non-small cell lung cancer we were told that they would check for genetic mutations and then something called PDL-1 sensitivity. Later in my discussion I will try to clarify what each of those are in the easiest terms possible but for now I will just say that both can be done in the Oncologists office as a simple blood test. It does however take 7 days for them to get the results back. I know for us this was the longest 7 days to wait because it will determine if that person has a genetic mutation that is causing the cancer. Which means a simple pill can help you fight the cancer. Now by all means it is still up to your body how well this drug does work but does give a ray of light amidst what seems to be a very dark place.

Now if the test for the Genetic mutation comes back negative. In that I mean there is no genetic mutation that is causing the cancer. The Oncologist stated that is when they check to see how sensitive the cancer is to the PDL-1. PDL-1 is short for Programmed death-ligand 1. Below is a link on PDL-1 to better help you understand. However, If you have any question please feel free to message me.

https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/pdl1-immunotherapy-tests/

So back to our journey remember I told you that there was some light in this dark tunnel we call Lung Cancer. Well my Dad's cancer did show a sensitivity for PDL-1. Which means he is a great candidate for something called IMMUNOTHERAPY. Instead of the usual Chemo he has been cleared to Partake in this form of treatment. (Which we have been told has less side affects than that of Chemo and is not as hard on the body. This type of therapy is used to make it to where your bodies natural immune system is used to fight the Cancer. Below are some links to with some more reading for this type of treatment. I hope this helps.

https://www.cancer.org/cancer/lung-cancer/treating-non-small-cell/immunotherapy.html

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24955707

Ok, My readers I have an appointment to go to. In the mean time please feel free to send me comment, questions or just let me know that this blog helps. Unless I hear from you all I don't know how to help. It is still my mission to educate those so that they can make the most informed and educated decisions for their health care.

Sincerely,
Melinda

Let there be one

Hi All,
Long time since I have last wrote on my blog. And for this I apologize. Lots has happened in my life since I was last on here. Somewhere along the way I lost what I was trying to accomplish and that was that no one would go uneducated in regards to medicine and the industry. Just to touch base I am again dealing with sickness in my family. This time it is the last remaining member of my immediate family of four. One time there was my mom who died of breast cancer in 1991. Then in 2008 as many of you know my sister who passed due to taking birth control for a medical condition (which sparked the passion for this blog) Now as of just recent my Dad was diagnosed with Stage 4 non small cell lung cancer at 78. (Leading me to the realization that I am it when he goes. I am the only one left to tell my families store and pass that down.) This is of course some scary but familiar territory for me. As I did with each one of them I have learned how important it is to be knowledgeable about what they are getting in the forms of treatment. I hope to help those in the same or similar situations. I am always available to research and if I cant get the info I will find out who can so that you can have the most up today information out there.

In the case of Non small cell lung cancer you will find that this is the slower form of lung cancer and can happen in smokers as well as non smokers. Unfortunately, by the time it is diagnosed it may already be in stage 3 or 4. However, there are various types of treatments available to patients other that just Chemo. I will attach some links about a type of therapy other than chemo therapy that seems to be taking the Non small cell cancer treatment to another level.

https://www.cancer.org/cancer/lung-cancer/treating-non-small-cell/immunotherapy.html

https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/918298