Update as we approach Christmas!

[Jackpine]

Boy have gotten through another year of treatments which I call successful since I’m still here.

I just had new scans which show most of my metastasis is stable or resolving however two lymph have increased uptake and in size. Also showed a new area of metastasis at the base of my skull which we may need to further investigate. So we’ll be doing some radiation on the lymph nodes and continue on.

Lastly I just had my 8th Keytruda infusion and still have not had any side effects that I can identify, so I feel very fortunate knowing that many have experienced serious side effects. To recap the Keytruda treatment I started with a PSA of 34 which dropped to a low of 11 and has just reached 20 after the 7th infusion. I consider this dramatic slowing in my PSA doubling rate which had been 2-3 weeks.

So as the year ends I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas! We need to spend time with family and friends, and while we’ll be asked how we’re doing numerous times and we’ll respond saying we’re doing well even when we may feel like crap. But try not to let this disease ruin the holidays, instead look forward to new treatments that can help us keep this beast at bay.

[Kaliber]

Love your attitude brother .. I hope the holidays are great with family and that you get additional time in upcoming years to enjoy many more holidays.

💪💪💪❤️❤️❤️

[Hidden]

Good job slogging through it all . Time with loved ones is precious . I’m thinking that the Psa is fluctuating right now a bit but then it will drop down . 🥳🥂👍

[DMohr011]

Merry Christmas Jackpine!

[Faith1111]

Merry Christmas to you Jack Pine and your family! My brother hadbeen on Keytruda for eight months with good results and no side effects. His last scan showed his AL P dropping to 109 within normal limits and bones stable. However, his lymph nodes have greatly increased and his PSA went up. I asked his MO how she knows that it’s cancer in the lymph nodes and not a response from the Keytruda. I always assumed lymph nodes would swell in response to immunotherapy. I don’t think they could really know without doing a biopsy. Anyway, because of lymph nodes and PSA rising she took him off Keytruda. He is on nothing now until he enters a clinical trial which I will post more about later. It’s going to be a while without treatment which is a bit scary. So I’m not an oncologist but I question those swollen lymph nodes. Regardless, we are still here like you said and we are going to put cancer out of our mind over the Christmas holiday. Enjoy and once again happy holidays to everyone!

[Jackpine in reply to Faith1111]

Faith,

I had read your post about your brother and was sad to hear the news, I do wish him the best with the new treatment. I hope you and your family were able to have a wonderful Christmas and look forward to the New Year and the hope it always brings.

[j-o-h-n]

Jack you were never one to pine....... Keytruda is working for my lung melanoma..... Happy Christmas to you, your family and friends....

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor

j-o-h-n Thursday 12/23/2021 6:31 PM EST