16 Feb'17 : maxilliary sinus and nose surgery in Singapore to remove Melanoma from nose and left sinuses
1-19 Apr'17 : proton beam radiation (5 sessions) in Kashiwa Cancer Center Tokyo
1 May'17 : starting work again (part-time)
25 May'17 : MRI scan finds possible metastasis in the spine
1 July’17 : Move permanently to Tokyo for treatment.
7 Aug'17 : MRI/PET scan, cancer in sinus and nose is gone! Melanoma has metastasized in the spine and other bones
9 Aug'17 : Melanoma specialist in Tsukiji Cancer Center proposes treatment for bone metastasis: one-shot strontium drip, followed by check-up after 3 months and then decide on Opdivo. Admission tests: blood, X-ray, CT-scan, ECG test.
14 Aug'17 : Strontium IV is not suitable for me as I have no pain. Also because the short/long term side effects are bad for the bone marrow.
21 Aug'17 : Start 3 months immunotherapy. 6 infusions of Nivolumab (Opdivo)
30 Oct'17 : CT scan, priliminary diagnosis of treatment effect, continue with Opdivo as there are many tumors in brain artery, liver, left kidney, spleen, spine and other bones.
1 Nov'17 : Decided to start a new life. Erasing the past in my mind and focus on living life as it should be lived: once. Enjoy the small things.
13 Nov'17 : CT-scan shows all tumours have reduced in size: brain, liver, left kidney, spleen, spine, etc. Start 2nd set of 6 infusions.
25 Jan'18 : CT scan shows shrinking tumours, ongoing repair in bones and a new swollen lymph node. Start 3rd set of 6 infusions.
1 Feb'18 : Start working 6 hours/day, 4 days/wk.
5 Apr'18 : The detailed report of the CT-scan is not in yet but the oncologist said it looks good.
10 Apr'18 : My radiologist is very positive that primary site is clean. Metastasis is also shrinking continuously, so he is convinced I will make it.
19 Apr’18 : Detailed CT-scan report, infusion no18. Continue infusions for another 1.5 year (probably).
11 Jul’18 : CT-scan looks great. My radiologist is so happy to see us and says a miracle has happened.
18 Oct'18 : Blood is normal. CT-scan shows continuous shrinking of tumors, infusion no30. Keep on going!
Jan'19 : Blood is normal. CT-scan shows continuous shrinking of tumors.
Apr’19 : Blood is normal. CT-scan showing same continued progress. Some spots in the lung will need confirmed in the next scan.
May’19 : PET/CT scan shows that all activity in the body has cleared except for a spot in the maxillary sinus.
Jul'19 : CT scan shows all is clear. The detailed report is also all clear, only some remaining traces in the bones.
Sep'19 : Start Opdivo with 4 weeks interval. Next scans in Oct'19 and Jan'20 to check the impact.
Oct’19 : CT scan shows all is again clear. The detailed report talks about remaining traces of tumors but not if they are active or not.
Nov’19 : Blood test is normal, infusion #52. Start taking iron supplements to recover from chronic anemia.
Dec’19 : Doctor decides that infusion #53 is the last one. Next CT scan in planned in Jan’20. Anemia is recovering.
Sep'19 : Start Opdivo with 4 weeks interval. Next scans in Oct'19 and Jan'20 to check the impact.
Oct’19 : CT scan shows all is again clear. The detailed report talks about remaining traces of tumors but not if they are active or not.
Nov’19 : Blood test is normal, infusion #52. Start taking iron supplements to recover from chronic anemia.
Dec’19 : Doctor decides that infusion #53 is the last one. Next CT scan in planned in Jan’20. Anemia is recovering.
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