Bones and lungs are clear!

Today was a stressful day as I went for a PET scan and had to wait hours for the results. The few hours seemed to take so long! Finally we met dr Namikawa and he smiled relieved and showed us the images of the lungs and bones. Almost clear!

All the activity in the bones could no longer be observed in the PET image. The spots in the lungs were not active on the PET image and had shrunk visibly on the CT image. That means it was a normal infection. 

We will have to wait for the detail PET/CT analysis report in 2.5 weeks. The doctor decided to continue with the Opdivo treatment and see the result of the next scan in July'19. We also agreed to sign-up for a clinical trial of a new drug as a back-up in case the CT scan in July is bad.

Great! The bones are clear, and I have options for treatment. I feel so relieved and prayed to my Father to thank Him.

Making sure

Yesterday I went to hospital to meet my oncologist and get my regular Opdivo infusion. It’s already #43, and it’s comforting to feel that my immune system keeps getting the support it needs to fight Melanoma. The Melanoma Facebook group family keeps loosing members who I shared fear and hope with.

This is a difficult sickness to fight, that is clear, but hope is growing as there are also cases of up to 7 years survival. I am now in the ‘2 year survival team’, and can be of help to many newly diagnosed patients. This family feeling helps so much, because what is shared is latest information and first hand experience.

My oncologist decided to take a PET scan and I opted to get it done ASAP, meaning today. The scan will be clear if the spots in my lung were a normal infection. It will also provide information on why the pain in my shoulders is not going away. Let’s see.

I started fasting 4 hrs before the contrast fluid will be injected at noon. The scan will be taken 90min after the injection, so that the cancer cells will have had ample time to munch on the sugar, and as a result will light up on the scan.

I will meet with my oncologist after that to discuss the result, and he informed us yesterday on the options available if it appears to be metastasis in the lungs: switch drug to YERVOY by end May, join a clinical trial with a new drug, or increase frequency/dose of OPDIVO.

I am grateful to live nearby the hospital with the best specialists and the most advanced treatments. Early diagnosis increases survival rate drastically. Pray for good results today!