I'm up in Portland for my second infusion of Yervoy, and just was told my pathology tested positive for the c kit mutation. It's potentially good news as it means if the Yervoy doesn't slow the growth significantly or reduce the melanoma or get rid of it or make me finally manage to burp the alphabet non stop, then I can take a pill originally developed for Leukemia called Gleevec.
Nothing is a sure deal, but this really does mean I have very improved solid options for treatment, and it's been shown to work with melanoma that has this specific mutation. It's not really as cool as shooting lasers from my eyes or sprouting wings or even giving me the ability to change dirt to chocolate... But if it keeps me alive it's very welcome news!
I really needed to hear something good this week on the health front. The lengthy treatment time with Yervoy kind of snuck up on me earlier this week and I slipped and got a bit fearful. This should be super helpful and makes my outlook more based on actual medical results rather than completely self will focused.
In the meantime I have everything crossed to not need the stash of immodium To stave off side effects...
"Man performs and engenders so much more than he can or should have to bear. That's how he finds that he can bear anything."
ReplyDeleteAwesome news, Doss. You are in our thoughts.