October 1, 2020 – Today I started a new treatment regimen: immunotherapy. For those of you following my blog, a lot has happened since my last post (
The Verdict Is In). Needless to say, we’ve taken a new path in my melanoma journey; hence, the title of this post.
A Quick Recap
After confirmation that melanoma had spread to my right adrenal gland, we were faced with a couple of options: remain on Gleevec and receive radiation therapy or try something new – immunotherapy (described below).
A New Twist
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| Waiting on treatment. |
Initially, we opted to try radiation therapy. The idea was to target the adrenal gland, which would be – we assumed – less invasive that starting an entirely new regimen. After meeting with the radiation oncologists and consulting with some other folks, we decided against that route. There were too many outcome variables and too many negatives (potential damage to surrounding tissue and organs).
We just couldn’t get comfortable with that option.
Cabin in the Woods
Up until we left on our Blue Ridge vacation (see Facebook), we continued to struggle with our first option. Several online consultations, emails with others in the melanoma community, and, simply, time to reflect brought us to a new decision: no radiation therapy, stop the current oral chemotherapy, and start immunotherapy once we returned from vacation.
I feel good about the decision. Vicki feels better about the decision to go with immunotherapy. And our oncologist assures us that if immunotherapy doesn’t work, we can always go another route.
Immunotherapy Explained
According to the American Cancer Society, immunotherapy medicines stimulate a person’s own immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells more effectively. Several types of immunotherapy can be used to treat melanoma.
Immunotherapy medicines are given intravenously, so that’s another turn in my treatment. Today, I started Keytruda (pembrolizumab), which will help my body fight the melanoma without destroying any existing, healthy (normal) cells.
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| A new turn in my journey. |
What About Your Lungs?
Another positive aspect of our decision is that Keytruda will also fight the tiny melanoma tumors in my lungs. There’s no guarantee that they will be completely gone, but our hope is that they continue to stay small, or even shrink a little more.
Thanks, Again
Thanks, once again, for your thoughts and support. We truly appreciate it. As my treatment journey continues, there will likely be more frequent updates.
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| Everyone should have a view like this. |
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September 26, 2019 – Melanoma has also left an imprint on Ken’s family. “Vicki has been my rock throughout this entire process,” says Ken. “She goes with me to every appointment. She also tackles all of the insurance forms and doctor’s bills so I can focus on getting better. Most importantly, she’s the ultimate glass-half-full person.”
The above quote is from an online article – that I co-wrote and edited – about my melanoma journey recently published by the Melanoma Research Alliance (CureMelanoma.org).
The article highlights an important aspect of battling cancer – support. I wouldn’t be here now without the love and support of my family and close friends. And I have no closer friend than my best friend, Vicki. She is truly my rock and the glue that hold our family together.
It’s also important to understand that not everyone has this loving support. That’s a horribly sad aspect of having a potentially fatal disease. It’s also, unfortunately, part of our cultural and, in some ways, part of human DNA. That’s why the work of organizations like the MRA and the American Cancer Society and so many others are so necessary in the fight against cancer. All cancers, not just melanoma.
Here’s the link to the MRA article:
https://www.curemelanoma.org/blog/article/living-life-with-melanoma
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Over the past several months, I have shared – online – my melanoma journey story. The posts have appeared on Facebook, Twitter, this blog, Skincancer.net, and even LinkedIn. Each post has a slight variation to it. Some of these I have authored myself and some – like this one from the Melanoma Research Alliance (MRA) – were written by the organization. As I said in several of the lead-ins to the posts, I am humbled by the responses and the support I have received. I am truly fortunate.
Thanks, as always, for listening.
Note: If you want to leave a comment, just choose “Anonymous” from the Profile Selection drop down bar right below the Comment box. (It’s the very last choice.) Sorry for any confusion.
Also, please make sure you leave your name or sign-in somewhere in your comment. Thanks.
Writer’s Note – I’ll continue to update my blog on a periodic basis. No set schedule. So, I want to thank everyone who continues to stop by and check out my blog. Please leave a comment or message; I’d love to hear from you.
