Thursday, February 21, 2013

4th Ipi Infusion COMPLETE!

Steve had his 4th and final Ipi (Yervoy) infusion today!!  Yay!!!

Before the infusion, Steve had an appointment with his doctor (Dr. Kim).  It was pretty short and sweet.  The doctor felt Steve's neck and also was unable to find the lymph node that we could previously easily find.  Dr. Kim seemed pretty confident overall in how Steve's treatment is progressing.  He gave us the choice to wait 3, 4 or 5 weeks for scans.  Even though waiting is nerve racking, I kind of wanted to wait 5 weeks because some of the effects of Yervoy are delayed.  Dr. Kim said to just go ahead and come in 3 weeks.  So, we will see how everything looks in 3 weeks.

When we get the results in 3 weeks we will know more of "What's next?".  If the scans come back with no new disease and/or things are stable and/or gone, Dr. Kim's plan would be to come every 3 months for scans.  I am not so sure this will be OUR plan though (shhhh, I haven't told Steve yet!).  There are a few trials that are maintenance programs for Stage 4 NED (no evidence of disease) or Stage 4 stable patients.  I may look into one of those depending if they say he is NED or just stable.  I don't expect scans to show any new disease since the last scans a few weeks ago showed no new disease and current disease had shrank by @ 50%.  But one thing I have learned.....don't "expect" anything from melanoma except for it to take you by surprise!!!  So, new disease is always a possibility unfortunately.  That's why I don't really like the "sit and wait" approach.  Maybe with NED, but not with "stable".  To me "stable" means that we need to keep fighting till we hear NED!!

Anyhow, I'm super tired and heading off to sleep!  Here are a few pictures I snapped today....

This is how we pass our time while we wait.
 More waiting!! Planning on wrapping the room next time.......kidding D!

 Ipilimumab is HERE - 4th and final!
 Getting his drugs and playing on the Ipad
 All finished up.....ready to eat!
 Ooops, we forgot the before picture.....we were starving!!!  Ahi Tuna appetizer

 Fish taco and cajun chips
French Dip and a salad