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

Open doors

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 educated decision in regards to medicines and so forth?
I am not quiet sure how to make this happen or if it is even possible. Please pray for me as i start this new venture.

As Always Let the Day Have a Great and Blessed You!!
Melinda De Bartolo (Muncy)

NovoLog

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

Lantus

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

Merck recalls combination cholesterol drug Liptruzet

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