Yervoy update for Stage 4 after Keytruda

[missyrand]

My husband was scheduled for the final and 4th round of Yervoy on Friday, but because of the GI side effects and taking 80 mg of prednisone daily to control the inflammation our melanoma oncologist determined that 3 treatments would have to suffice.

At first we were surprised, having literally girded our loins for a fresh onslaught of GI misery, but now feel relieved that Wayne can now focus on feeling better each day. He also developed Thrush as a side effect, which was not expected by us. From a little research we learned that 20% of all cancer patients develop thrush, and some folks develop thrush from use of steroids. The anti-fungal oral medication is rapidly clearing the white spots in his mouth, and we trust he will lose the hoarseness in his voice shortly.

In the meantime, since starting Yervoy due to random small tumors showing up in completely unrelated places (shoulder, thigh) he has had a smaller spot appear on the shoulder in the same incision line and another on the shoulder blade. We understand Yervoy can take 6-9 months for full effectiveness to be determined, so we are back to watchful waiting and focusing on a joyous occasion: our youngest child is getting married at the end of October!

We are setting aside anxiety as best we can to soak in our refreshed senses following a trip to Montana where we were fortunate to be able to hike several days in Glacier National Park with Wayne feeling a bit better each day. I have become a fan girl of Glacier: low humidity, stunning plains to Rockies, glacier fed lakes and streams that are crystal clear, Lodgepole Pines that leave the heady scent of Christmas with each footstep, chipmunks/eagles/black bear and Grizzley mama with cup sightings, the sound of trains behind our historic 33 room stay at the town of Essex, MT population 60!, and the stunning and terrifying drive on the Going To The Sun Road which opened our last day after weeks of closure due to a fire.

There's time, and then there is geological time. We had a blessed reset outside together.

CT's with contrast can wait until after our girl has her day.

Feeling grateful in Virginia,

Missy

[HSsweetheart]

Missy, I appreciate your ability to celebrate the good in all situations. A grateful heart is a living & loving heart. Your husband is lucky to have you.

[missyrand Ambassador in reply to HSsweetheart]

thank you

[Sunny44]

Thanks for sharing your journey and the ups and downs. I feel the joy you have in your life even in tough circumstances and it inspires me to find the same. Blessings to you and your family and congratulations on the upcoming wedding!

[missyrand Ambassador in reply to Sunny44]

thank you very much

[strawberryjam]

You inspire me, missy rand, for seeing the beauty in each day despite your worries about Wayne. Living and loving each and every day we are given is important for everyone, whether dealing with cancer or not.

i do wish that I had appreciated the simplicity and wonder of my life a bit more before melanoma entered our lives but I am very grateful for all my blessings, above all my family. Enjoy a beautiful wedding. These special moments make life wonderful.

And thank you for always being there with your extensive knowledge to help others through this journey.

[missyrand Ambassador in reply to strawberryjam]

Having blessings, enjoying when they occur, and looking for what we are grateful for (small and large) help keep the balance in the world. Because there are definitely days when the dark is large, looming, and deep.

Soaking in the good days and remembering to call them up in the difficult days does seem to help. Thank you very much.