Update 3/29/24

Update 04/02/24

Paul completed a full Bone Scan today. The results showed everything looked normal. No potential cancer.

Both Paul and I completed a two hour Chemotherapy class today. it was a lot of important information to take in..  

Update 04/08/24

Today was the first day of a fun week. Paul went in at 630am and completed a CT-Scan. Surgery to install his port for his Thursday Infusion treatments was scheduled at 11am. He went into surgery and I was able to pick him up at 3pm. All went well with the procedure. He has two incisions one for the port on the upper right chest and another was made for the catheter placement. All under the skin. As of right now 743pm he is very tired.. A long day. We will go back in on Wednesday at 5pm to check for how everything is healing.

Update 04/11/24

Paul had his bandage removed yesterday to look for any indication of any infection but thankfully there weren't any. The procedure began promptly at 10:30am this morning under the supervisions of a nurse who noticed that she wasn't getting enough blood flow from one port attachment and therefore decided to remove it causing some discomfort to him. At 10;45 they tried it again and it was successful. The infusion started at 10;50am and finished at 12;18pm the only side effects are nausea. Paul is home resting.

Update 04/20/24

It has been over a week since the infusion treatment. Everything has gone well with little to no side effects. Started using the treadmill this past Monday and have slowly stepped up my pace. I have also improved on my daily hydration by purchasing a Ninja Thirsti machine. Typically I do not drink much water on a daily basis but this is a game changer. I will be tracking my blood work to see how it changes over time. 

4/26/24 Appointment with my Oncologist Dr. Bahl

5/02/24 My second infusion appointment at 10am. I will continue for two more appointments with the two drug cocktail at three week intervals then move to a single drug of Opdivo at two week intervals.

Update 05/03/24

My apology for the delay in my update. I had my second infusion yesterday. This time with the installation of the IV into the port as well as coming out was zero pain. Very happy with that outcome. As far as symptoms I was feeling fatigued which has gone away as of today. My only other issue is feeling itchy all over. Driving me nuts. Taking Claritan to hopefully resolve the issue. My blood work was done on Wednesday with my white and red blood cell counts a little worse that the previous blood draw. 

5/23 is my third drug infusion.

6/13 my fourth and last dual drug infusion then will move to the single drug Opdivo at two week intervals.

6/20 Phone appointment with my Dr. Bahl.

About mid July will be my next CT Scan which will hopefully show my enlarged lymph nodes shrinking somewhat.

Update 05/18/24

Well its time for an update. After 5 weeks of no side effects which was making me happy that ship has sailed. Over the past 7 days I have moved to a itching rash issue over the majority of my body. One of the side effects listed with the drugs they are putting in my body. Oly has bought every medication on the list from sprays, to creams , to pills. They are somewhat working. I pushed with my doctor to get something that will help. They have prescribed Prednisone 1 mg. A very low dose. Anything higher will counteract the Opdivio & Yervoy they are putting in my system to help attack the cancer. This is not fun with my next infusion coming this Thursday. I am trying not to whine but I am. It is what it is. I appreciate everyones support...Paul

Update 05/30/24

My apologies for the delayed update. It has been a tough couple of weeks for myself and family. My oldest sister Gail went in to Hospice care on 5/20/24 after a 20 year battle with cancer and passing on 5/24/24. When those things come out of nowhere it becomes a wow moment. To update my treatments we cancelled my 3rd infusion treatment that was scheduled for 5/23 due to the rash that was out of control. Working with my Oncologist and staff they upped my dosage from the 1mg to 10 mg tablets with 60mg per day. The first input was it would dilute the drugs that ere fighting the cancer. After meeting with a direct nurse practitioner to my Dr. that is not the case and appears to be doing the job of minimizing the rash issues at the higher dose We added another drug Atarax which will help tone down the rash issues and let me sleep at night. Both drugs can work together with no issues. Getting back on track with the treatments.

6/5/24 I have a phone appointment with my oncologist to make sure things are continuing in a positive direction.

6/13/24 My third infusion treatment. 

My forth treatment will be three week from there. We will then move too the every two week Opdivo for the long term.

Some time the end of July a CT Scan to see if my lymph nodes are moving in the right direction.

I am keeping a positive outlook feeling fortunate my job is allowing my work from home.

I appreciate the support from everyone. Thank you so much.  Paul