A Sister's Love

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 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

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

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

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 t...

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-...

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....

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...

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 Oncolog...

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 ab...

Good Evening Bloggers, Long time no blog. I am extremely sorry for the loss of time with you my viewers. I have been dealing with my husband medical issues over the past year or so. Please forgive me for my time away  Here is a brief update on my life and thoughts. I have spent a lot of time with my husband in and out of the hospital with my husband for different procedures that he has had to have due to his diabetes. Needless to say I have come across many patients throughout our stays in the hospital who do not necessarily know the right forms of questions to ask the medical Doctors that are treating their loved ones. So today I come to you my readers looking for some input on where I would like to go next with this blog.  What would you say if there were a non profit organization that would walk along side with you?While you are either a patient or while your loved one is in the hospital that would help you ask the right questions. So that you would be able to make an e...

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of insulin allergy: Itching skin rash over the entire body Wheezing Trouble breathing Fast heart rate Sweating Or feeling like you might pass out. Call your doctor if you have a serious side effect such as: Swelling in your hands or feet Low potassium:      confusion      uneven heart rate      extreme thirst      increased urination      leg discomfort      muscle weakness      limp feeling

Get immediate attention by a physician if you have any of the side effects below. They may be caused by an allergic reaction. Itching skin rash over the entire body Wheezing Trouble breathing Fast heart rate Sweating Or feeling like you might pass out. This type of insulin is a man made kind of insulin. If you would like to read up more please go to the link below http://www.drugs.com/lantus.html You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

According to the associated press on Published January 15, 2014 the pharmaceutical makers of the drug Liptruzet has recalled all forms of this medication. They state that some of the foil pouches that are suppose to protect against air hitting the pills are defective and allow the air to effect the pills. This is just an  FYI to anyone using this cholesterol drug. If you are concerned and would like to read more about this please refer to the below link for the full article. http://www.foxnews.com/health/2014/01/15/merck-recalls-combination-cholesterol-drug/ As always I love you and God bless! Melinda

Common Side Effects Disturbance in the Ability of the Eye to Focus Blurred Vision Problems with Eyesight Head Pain Sexual Problems Dry Mouth Incomplete or Infrequent Bowel Movements Drowsiness Dizzy Chronic Trouble Sleeping Excessive Sweating Involuntary Quivering Taste Problems Loss of Appetite Feel Like Throwing Up Throwing Up Stomach Cramps Nervous Numbness and Tingling Feeling Weak Anxious Problem with Ejaculation Infrequent Side Effects Feeling Restless Depression Ringing in the Ears High Blood Pressure Itching A Feeling of Restlessness with Inability to Sit Still Rash Fast Heartbeat Chest Pain Cannot Empty Bladder Frequent Urination High Cholesterol Confused Loss of One's Own Sense of Reality or Identity Feeling Anger Toward Something Migraine Headache Abnormal Dreams Bronchitis Indigestion Inability to have an Erection Inflammation or Infection of Vagina Neck Pain Chills Twitching Visible Water Retention Weight Gain Weig...

Less Serious Side Effects mild nausea, vomiting, bloating, stomach cramps breast pain, swelling, or tenderness dizziness freckles or darkening of facial skin increased acne or hair growth changes in weight vaginal itching or discharge skin itching or rash changes in your menstrual periods, decreased sex drive; or mild headache Serious Side Effects sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body sudden headache, confusion, pain behind the eyes, problems with vision, speech, or balance pain or swelling in one or both legs migraine headache swelling in your hands or feet, rapid weight gain symptoms of depression (sleep problems, weakness, mood changes) severe pelvic pain chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling; or nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice

Hello Bloggers, Over the past year since i have started this blog many doors have closed on me. The truth is no one wants to hear the truth. However thanks to many in the christian and catholic community have been opening various doors for me to get the word out there. I would like first off thank my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ for always taking care of me. I would also like to thank those of you who have partnered with me to help get this word out. The truth is over just the past month or so many door have open to my cause. I won't lie that it has been an obstacle but i have never lost faith. I am not done with this mission. I feel with all that I am that this is just the begining of an amazing ride that God is allowing me to go on. Soon I will have some shirts and pamplets that will be available. Love always God Bless you Let the day have a great and blessed you!!! Melinda

Hello Bloggers, While on the internet today I found an article that just supports why I started this blog. I believe the title of that article which i have used as the title of this post will just help with my cause. I will provide the link just below so you can read the article and see someone else's view. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/236627.php As always love you God Bless and Let the evening have a great and blessed you!!! Melinda

This drug is a weight loss drug So far all i could find on this drug is the fact that the common side effects are headache, nausea, and dizziness. However some of those that took this medication were 2 times more likely to neuropsychiatric and cognitive side effects.