Well here we are. It is just shy of my eight year anniversary of being diagnosed with ocular melanoma that cost me my left eye and about 18 months since it metastasized to my liver. Yet here I am. But God.
When I began the most recent phase of this journey I was to receive four doses of the two drug cocktail - kind of like vodka and vermouth but different - but I only made it through two. The hangovers -aka side effects - were insane. It was my understanding that I would then be getting the single drug cocktail in perpetuity. Fortunately but for a little fatigue no real side effects - they started to give me the good stuff.
Infusion Day
That has all changed. I will conclude my immunotherapy at years end. I guess the new protocol is two years of treatment pending no change. This is admittedly hard for me to wrap my head around. It is not like the cancer is gone. Anyway, I did like the analogy Dr Kim provided. He said to think of it like childhood vaccines such as polio, measles etc. You get one shot, maybe a booster and you are done and your immune systme takes care of the rest.
I decided not to ask about Plan B should it return. Hopefully, I am good for a few years and maybe Plan B will be a magic pill that cures cancer. Perhaps wishful thinking but that is what I need.
Current events……. My January, February and March blood work were all good and my MRI and CT Scan at the end of March were good as well. Life has been good so far this year. February was busy in a good way.
The gang at Death Valley
Luca’s 1st Birthday
Celebrated my birthday in Death Valley with my daughter Nicole and family. She flew up last year and surprised me for my birthday. Two years in a row I got to see her on my birthday. Maybe a new tradition. Mela and I went to Las Vegas and saw the Eagles at the Sphere. Crazy good. Everyone needs to see a show there. I bought a couple of overpriced clothing items. At my age and health if you get rid of four you get to buy one. We also celebrated our grandson’s, Luca, first birthday.
Dinner at Pisces in the Wynn in Las Vegas
We have a few things planned for the rest of they year. It helps me to have something to look forward to. As I have said before I am MOST grateful they found the cancer early, great medical care, great insurance to pay for this journey, friends and family and all the prayers that lift me up.
Stay, Strong, Be Humble, Be Kind and God Bless!