The immunotherapy proceeds in 6-week cycles with treatments on days 1 and 22 of each cycle. Today is day 1 of cycle 5. (For those scoring at home, this means Penny has had 8 treatments -- one every three weeks -- since September.)
Last Friday was a scan day. We were able to look over the scan report (and the images) online, and today we were able to talk to the doctor about them. Here are the main take-aways from our conversation.
There is no measurable change in the abdomen. This is the most important thing and a good sign. Dr. Lakhani would prefer to see things actually improve/shrink, but 6 months with no real progression is a good thing.
There are a couple new (small) spots in the lungs, and couple spots that are slightly larger (~2 mm larger than before, but still less than 10mm). Several others are unchanged. This was enough to require Penny to sign a release for "treatment beyond progression" as part of the clinical trial protocol. But Dr Lakhani doesn't seem particularly concerned. It is not possible to tell from the scan which of these are cancer (but likely at least some of them are), they are still too small to biopsy, and there are no related symptoms. In short, this doesn't seem to be a short-term concern, but we'll continue to monitor this going forward.
So today's treatment will begin shortly with no changes.
Other things from our conversation:
Negative symptoms from the treatment remain minimal. The treatments remain much more pleasant than chemotherapy.
After a couple adjustments to the dose (first up, then down a bit), we seem to have found a good dose of thyroxine, and the symptoms related to that are under control now.
In the last couple months, Penny's eyesight has gotten worse. This could be related to the immunotherapy, it could be related to the prior chemotherapy, or it could be unrelated to either. She's being referred to an opthalmologist who is familiar with immunotherapy. One possibility is cataracts, which can be a result of long-term chemotherapy.
Pre-meds are about to start. The benadryl-induced nap will begin a bit after that.
Comments
Sandra Kay Navis: We continue to pray for healing, low side effects from the treatment, and we will add eyesight to the list. Thanks for the update.
Alisa Tigchelaar: Very thankful with you, Penny and your family for the good news that's here, Randy. It's a blessing, too, to join those named here (and others) praying as a community for specific things, both large and small.
Jane Warners: Thanks for the detailed update, Randy. I’ll definitely be praying for a good response to treatment and trust God’s mercy and healing will be Penny’s experience. Blessings!❣️
Mia Hunefeld: Thanks for the update; praying for comfort while going through this next phase of treatment. Also praying for clarity and also healing for the problem with her eyes.
Herm De Vries: Thank you for sharing this, Randy. Thank God for the encouraging news of this report. Thank you also for sharing the items of concern that we can lift up in prayer. Blessings and strength to Penny, to you, and to the whole family!
George Monsma, Jr.: Thanks for the update. I thank God for the lack of progression in the abdomen, and pray that the spots may not become a problem, and that there will be a way to deal with the problems with her eyesight. George
Susan Langeland: I’m thankful for Penny being able to continue treatment. We pray for it to be effective and that some shrinkage may eventually occur in the abdomen and the spots in the lungs. . In the meantime we are so grateful to hear there’s no progression in the abdomen!
Pamela Plantinga: Thanks for the update. I join the others in thanking God for the lack of progression, and praying for reduced spots and improved vision.
Marie VanderLinde : Thank you for the update, Randy. Scott and I will continue to pray for lack of progression and for good tolerance of the therapy. Hope the vision issues are easily treated!
Tony Holmes Curran: I feel so grateful for the two of you. What a gift you are to our church family. I continue to pray.