Cycle 4 - Message from Malcolm
2 February 2015
Well that’s another 3 weeks gone so we now head into Cycle 4 of the Yervoy (Ipilimumab) infusions. This is the last one so we then have a 6 week wait before a scan to establish what success there has been.
It will be a long 6 weeks and we will still need to be on the lookout for any ‘immune-related toxicities’ (I flogged that from a letter from Pharmac). All seems to be OK on that front currently but every ache and pain sends up red flags to the brain.
Today (Monday 2nd) was blood test day, tomorrow (Tuesday 3rd) is pre infusion appointment with oncologist (external exam) and Wednesday 4th is infusion day. Always get some nice lunch (yep bet it’s added to the bill).
There is a Facebook support group that I subscribe to – it’s a good platform to communicate with others who are either in the same boat or in boats with a slower leak. As someone on the site described ‘it’s like living in a parallel universe’. People I meet up with say there is nothing wrong with me – I would be happy to trade places but I wouldn’t wish this on anyone.
I broke 2 teeth over Christmas and now dentist bills are in perspective – when I said to the dentist as cheap as possible and told him why he wanted to say a prayer with me – I am not religious but what a nice thought.
March is Melanoma March so it’s great that it’s getting some profile. I think the 28th is Spotty day so that’s a chance for Rob to hunt out the spotty shirt (he must have one) in his wardrobe. Millsy most probably has a spotty tie as that’s something a bean counter would have.
For those looking to a career in medicine this treatment is the new frontier in the fight against some cancers however that said it was FDA (Federal Drug Administration) approved in March 2011. I also read with interest that 3 cups of coffee a day will help keep Melanoma away so how come I used to drink 8 or 9 cups and it didn’t help