I went to Johns Hopkins this morning for the second round of treatment with nivolumab (Opdivo) through the clinical trial sponsored by Bristol-Myers Squibb. In the past few days, I had noticed that the swelling of the nodes in my neck had decreased. This morning Dr. Hahn palpitated my nodes and agreed that, not only were my nodes smaller, but they also were not as firm. He said that this suggested that the swelling was due to the nivolumab doing its thing, ramping up my immune system around my nodes, causing them to swell up, then decreasing in size as the effect of the drug wore off. Hopefully, each time the swelling goes down, the size of the nodes will decrease too.
Today's dose was the same as two weeks ago: 3 mg/kg of body weight. Each batch is custom-made based on the weight of the patient that morning. I can expect my nodes to again swell up, then decrease in size after 10 days or so. In two weeks, I'll do it again, then have a CT scan to see how things are going.
I have not had any noticeable side effects from the infusions. No GI issues, or hives, or other strange things. My neck and left shoulder is still a bit sore, but it is not debilitating. Yesterday I played five games of racketball with Garrett (who had the day off from school due to dangerously icy conditions in the morning), and felt fine. I'm hopeful that this drug works, but I'm also realistic in understanding that it's a long shot. I'm grateful for each extra day that I have with my family.
Speaking of which, later this week I'm flying to Utah for some grandpa time with Rose. There will be other family members and friends I'll also see, but seeing my granddaughter is the magnet that draws me out there. Being a grandparent is a good gig, and I'm looking forward to this trip.
Ken, it is now October.
ReplyDeleteHow is the treatment coming along, hope you are doing well.
ReplyDeleteGod bless Ken
ReplyDeleteI am glad to here that this is working for you, the oncologist wants my wife, Angelia, to stop chemo and start the Opdivo regimen, She has stage 4 non-small cell metastatic lung cancer, do you have any thoughts or advice that you could offer I would love to hear about all info I can and learn if this would be a good move for Angie to make. Thanks, Dave (davidbjork@rocketmail.com)
ReplyDeletemy brother has stage 4 lung cancer and he started optivo last July 2015---right now he is cancer free--last week he had a scan and the adrenal glands and lung seem to be free of cancer--we had our radiologist and also our local oncologist look at the scan and they were amazed --the cancer seems to be gone--his side effects have been a lot less than his chemo days.
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