I’m getting closer! Last week my liver function number was 67, and this week it’s down to 36! Normal is between 0 and 33, so I’m almost there. This week’s number is good enough to drop my prednisone dose to 10mg, and it puts me on track for infusion next week. The only changes I’ve made are taking 2 doses of Aleve each day to manage low-level pain, and I’ve been a complete teetotaler for the past few weeks instead of having an occasional glass of red wine or dark beer. I do miss my nightly glass of red wine! Oh well, small sacrifice if it’s making a difference. I’m hoping the lower prednisone ..read more

It has been over a month since my last post, and I could just write “ditto” and be done! My Opdivo infusions are still being withheld due to an elevated liver function, I’m still exercising, and the new Melanoma Support Group is still on track for its first meeting February 6th. I’ll fill in a little bit (or a lot!). The highest number for my liver function was 362 on November 16th. It dropped weekly until December 12th when it peaked again at 295, a lower peak. Then it dropped weekly until it peaked again on January 18th at 197, an even lower peak. Last Thursday, January 23rd, it dropped to 8 ..read more

My Opdivo infusions continue to be withheld due to my elevated liver function blood tests thanks to Yervoy causing autoimmune hepatitis (after colitis). I was down to 10mg of prednisone a day but my numbers jumped up a bit, so last Friday I had to start back on 60mg of prednisone a day for a week, then go to 40mg for a week, 20mg for a week, and then 10mg for a week (or longer), which will put me on track for infusion on January 4th. That was the plan till yesterday’s liver function bloodwork came back with an even higher number (295) than last week’s (152). So today I start five daily infusio ..read more

We met with my radiation oncologist on November 7th and discussed treatment options for my right hip. He recommended a 5-course treatment over 5 consecutive days that shouldn’t produce any major side effects. Since I was (and still am) recovering from my last combo infusion of Yervoy and Opdivo on October 12th (plus the flu shot), we decided to wait till I was fully recovered and at least until after Thanksgiving. So I’ll be calling him eventually to set up an appointment to sign the consent and get the simulation done. I was really impressed with the care I received from everyone at the Breas ..read more

Earlier this week I met with my surgeon to check on the skin graft’s healing. The “islands” of skin coverage are larger. He wants me to leave it exposed to the air as much as possible so it dries. I’m also supposed to gently wash it with Dove and a washcloth to debride some of the gunk. He’ll check again in a month. After that appointment I met with the Cancer & Exercise Specialist (exercise physiologist) working with solid tumor patients on a research study, “Exercise in All ChemoTherapy (EnACT)”. The purpose is to learn if one-on-one exercise counseling will help one become more active ..read more

On Thursday I had an x-ray series of my abdomen, looking for a blockage, and turned in my stool sample kit. I learned fairly early that there were no red flags in the x-rays, but the cultures would take a bit longer. Thursday night was a turning point: could I make it till morning and try to get an appointment with my primary physician, or should we make the trip to the ER? After a week of feeling ill with no relief I was getting scared. I try to not let every new ache or pain have me think the worst (spread of cancer), but this was wearing me down. I could see and hear the worry in my hubby t ..read more

From https://www.yervoy.com/side-Effects: “The most common side effects of YERVOY include tiredness, diarrhea, itching, rash, nausea, vomiting, headache, weight loss, fever, decreased appetite, and difficulty falling or staying asleep.” I’ve already had the itching and rash side effects, so I guess that left all the rest for after the 4th and final treatment. Luckily, knock on wood, I haven’t been vomiting. What I still have since Thursday night are tiredness, diarrhea, nausea, minor headaches that come and go, fever, decreased appetite (as in no appetite) with corresponding weight loss ..read more

This past Thursday the surgeon checked my skin graft and said that there are islands of the graft that have taken. I still have to redress it daily but can drop the wet-to-dry step. He also said to let it air out as I’m able so it dries a bit. I’ll see him again in almost three weeks. Thursday was my last Yervoy/Opdivo combo infusion (4th of 4). After this I’ll only get Opdivo every two weeks (easily tolerated and a much shorter infusion). I also got my flu shot. Although the only side effect I had experienced up till now was a slight decrease in appetite, that changed Thursday night with an e ..read more

I had my second appointment with the wound specialist yesterday (post-graft) to remove the modified bolster. The graft has taken! What a long road this was! Cue happy tears!! Now I need to do a daily dressing change: xeroform cut to fit in the wound, damp 4×4 fluffed, dry 4×4 fluffed, ABD pad, gauze wrap, compression sleeve. I need to send her a photo on Friday and then a week later just to be sure nothing funny is happening with the site. Next up will be a visit to the surgeon in two weeks or so. The pain level will continue to drop as the graft heals. I’m allowed to increase my activity leve ..read more

Yesterday was one week post skin graft and time for the bolster removal. My blood pressure reading did not reveal the nervousness I felt! Two years ago a bolster removal was so painful I felt faint, so I had them recline my head so I couldn’t watch. There was definitely white-knuckle pain as the staples were removed, but I got through it. Once the wound specialist said the graft looked really good, I asked to sit up so I could see it too. It looked great! The right edge was a bit loose, so a modified bolster dressing (no stitches or staples) was applied and is to stay in place till my appointm ..read more