[mockindignant]

I am set to start treatment with Keytruda on Friday. I was fortunate that my tumor marker burden (TMB) was/is sufficiently high enough to get me into the clinical trial. I was equally fortunate that 1.) my oncologist is knowledgeable about all of these cutting edge therapies and 2.) my insurance will actually cover the cost.

Without the possibility of trying this my options would probably be dying slowly over the next couple of years or doing a very risky surgery that involves opening up my abdomen, cutting out as much of the disease as they can see and flooding the cavity with broad spectrum chemo (HIPEC.) Obviously, immunotherapy is much more palatable as the chemo was not pleasant.

Overall I am hopeful. I guess I don't really have a reason to post any of this, other than it helps to get it out there, so please excuse my rambling! And thanks for reading.

[gjreda]

> I guess I don't really have a reason to post any of this, other than it helps to get it out there

I know that feeling well. Best of luck to you.

[Balgair]

My FIL has/had multiple melanoma. One of the tricks for him is his support group. They swap treatment research, good local doctors, emotional support, and when things get bad, they help out in the hospital with nurses, food-runs, etc. Please consider joining a support group. Some are better than others, so feel free to try more than one out and see which one works for you.

Oh, and Fuck Cancer.

[eyeundersand]

Thank you for sharing. All the best for your treatment. :)

[Sinidir]

Godspeed