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ybnorml
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« on: August 15, 2021, 01:45:14 PM » |
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After 86 injections, the specialists at Dana Farber are concerned with 'long term health issues' associated with my chemo medicine. With these injections my immune system has been programmed to detect melanoma cancer cells and immobilize them before they can do any damage...
What started out as a 2 year / 48 injection fight quickly turned into a 3 year / 72 injection fight, which turned into a 'for the rest of your life' of injections / twice a month fight. The reason being Dana Farber said the longer I was on the chemo medicine the longer it would benefit me....
With my last chemo treatment I met with my oncologist, Dr. Brooks...He has been in constant contact with Dr. Elizabeth Bachbinder at Dana Farber. She specializes in melanoma cancer, immunotherapy, and target medicines...all 3 right up my alley. She has been working on my case since day 1.
Dr. Bachbinder notified Dr. Brooks that she and the melanoma cancer doctors are concerned with long term use, as there is a strong possibility I could develop heart issues and diabetes.
Laurel and I talked it over and have decided to stop my injections....I will continue to have appointments with Dr. Brooks, continue to have blood drawn and tested, and will have more frequent PET scans to detect any melanoma cells trying to invade my system.
Soooooo, my days of being an active guinea pig for Opdivo and Yervoy are behind me, as I am now officially retired from the chemo chair....
What the future has in store concerning cancer, only time will tell.
In Round 1 of this lifelong batter against cancer....I came out the victor.
Let's hope there isn't a Round 2 !!!
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Karen
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« Reply #1 on: August 15, 2021, 02:29:29 PM » |
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Congratulations on your graduation from guinea pig school! So far, so good! Please try to stay away from heart problems and diabetes! (I got those covered) You are still here, and I'm praying for you for no more melanoma! Sounds like your Doctors are on top of this ( I would expect nothing less from a Brooks ) Go on and reap those benefits from being on the chemo so long... relax and enjoy life  |
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GaryC
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« Reply #2 on: August 15, 2021, 02:44:41 PM » |
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I'm sure there was a lot of thought going into you decision. Tough I'm sure. We hope things work out for you and you continue staying cancer free.
We wil continue to keep you in our thoughts.
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holmes
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« Reply #3 on: August 15, 2021, 06:02:27 PM » |
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Eat more oysters! ;-)
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ybnorml
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« Reply #4 on: August 16, 2021, 03:31:40 AM » |
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Congratulations on your graduation from guinea pig school! So far, so good! Please try to stay away from heart problems and diabetes! (I got those covered) You are still here, and I'm praying for you for no more melanoma! Sounds like your Doctors are on top of this ( I would expect nothing less from a Brooks ) Go on and reap those benefits from being on the chemo so long... relax and enjoy life Thanks Karen...Only change I will be making is, not walking into Oncology once every 2 weeks !! Other than that, it will be Same Ol' Song and Dance my dee'yah !! |
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RonBou
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« Reply #5 on: August 16, 2021, 03:32:25 AM » |
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Not sure what to say except good luck and a long life.
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Ronbou "Keep the faith!"
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ybnorml
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« Reply #6 on: August 16, 2021, 03:41:58 AM » |
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I'm sure there was a lot of thought going into you decision. Tough I'm sure. We hope things work out for you and you continue staying cancer free.
We wil continue to keep you in our thoughts.
Thanks Gary....This wasn't a decision we took lightly. The opinions of Dr. Brooks and Dr. Bachbinder weighed heavily in our decision making. We are comfortable with road we have chosen. Onward and upward from here...smooth sailing on the horizon !! |
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ybnorml
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« Reply #7 on: August 16, 2021, 03:43:15 AM » |
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Eat more oysters! ;-)
I am elbow deep into this very endeavor holmie...Even have a shirt to prove it !!! |
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ybnorml
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« Reply #8 on: August 16, 2021, 03:45:24 AM » |
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Not sure what to say except good luck and a long life.
Thanks Ron....The future looks bright, cause we ain't looking in our rear view mirrors !! |
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Tony C.
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« Reply #9 on: August 16, 2021, 04:33:16 AM » |
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So happy for both you and Laurel! What a journey you've had. Thank God for smart people and modern medicine. Celebrate and enjoy life!  |
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idaida98
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« Reply #10 on: August 16, 2021, 07:28:28 AM » |
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Hey YB glad to hear the news, AL from R.I.  |
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ybnorml
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« Reply #11 on: August 16, 2021, 05:42:54 PM » |
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So happy for both you and Laurel! What a journey you've had. Thank God for smart people and modern medicine. Celebrate and enjoy life! Thanks Tony....And all along I figured it would be the emergency room surgeons that saved me and not modern medicines !! |
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ybnorml
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« Reply #12 on: August 16, 2021, 05:43:42 PM » |
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Hey YB glad to hear the news, AL from R.I. Thanks Al...It's always nice to hear some good news every so often !! |
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RickT2004
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« Reply #13 on: August 17, 2021, 06:34:06 AM » |
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Cancer SUCKS!!!! Be well!! As Spock would say "Live long and prosper!"  |
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ybnorml
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« Reply #14 on: August 17, 2021, 03:23:41 PM » |
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Cancer SUCKS!!!! Be well!! As Spock would say "Live long and prosper!" Thanks Rick....That's our goal !! |
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Wall
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« Reply #15 on: August 18, 2021, 05:31:45 PM » |
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So very happy my brother. Kathy has appointment with surgeon August 31. Decisions will be made then on next step
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Sometimes you only get 2.7 seconds, make it count.
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ybnorml
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« Reply #16 on: August 19, 2021, 03:36:41 AM » |
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So very happy my brother. Kathy has appointment with surgeon August 31. Decisions will be made then on next step
Thanks Paul....We hoping for the best for you and Kathy... |
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