There once was a girl from Nan...

Okay so that was my attempt at an "attention grabbing headline" and I realize many may not get the reference, but that's just fine :).

I had my 4th infusion of Yervoy this last Thursday, the last for the treatment cycle. My first follow up scan is slated for the 13th of October, and the results will be discussed with the oncologist on the 14th. With Yervoy, it's common to not see results until after a couple of months have passed, so my expectations for progress at this point are low, but I do expect to see good things on later scans.

That having been said, I feel pretty good, and have to keep reminding myself when I have chest pains, that they're most likely not inside of my lungs, since we don't really have nerve endings inside of our lungs... A nice fact pointed out by my med student partner and my oncologist. Funny how so many little niggly things seem to build up over time. Fortunately, none of those have been in the side effect category so far, and since none have manifested themselves, they're unlikely to.

I would definitely recommend Yervoy to IL2 treatments... Even though going through IL2 at least makes you feel like you're actively involved in the process to get better... Which to be honest helps the kind of mind that I seem to posses with regards to being more in charge of my healing.

Feeling a bit like a boat with less of an anchor is a weird place for me, but learning to think in a manner to make that so it isn't a negative thing is proving to be a good exercise. I truly feel that I'll overcome this with the treatment that is coursing through my veins, as well as the option for the Gleevec. Just need to cross whatever body parts will help so insurance approves that at an option, as well as my disability pay benefit... Worrying about finances has added such a major weight to my shoulders that I've had to accept that not everything is in my control, and that I have to hope for the best.

So many mantras about fear management have gone through my head over the last couple of weeks. Fear truly is the mind killer. I have to thank the author Frank Herbert for his perspective on that. And whoever had Babs Bunny from Tiny Tunes quote the first line from the girl from Nantucket... That always makes me smile. And being able to smile and laugh is the best mental medicine I have.

Please continue to send good vibes, and wish Ki the best of luck for his residency interviews coming up for the next few months. He's done a great job with his first interview (which was in Long Island at NUMC), and should really knock any of the coming interviews out of the park.