1991 – First melanoma removed from back
2005 – 2nd melanoma, brain surgery (on dura of brain, that’s a good thing..)
2006-2009 – one or so melanomas per year, surgically removed
2010-present – two or more per year, inoperable ones radiated via Varian TrueBeam aka stereotactic radiation
So totals are over 20, 3 requiring craniotomies, 5 sites radiated, rest removed surgically. Major organs affected brain(3), lung(1) and heart(pericardium)(1).
1st clinical study GSK 2118436 (2011) No side effects, well, my straight hair got a little thinner and a lot curlier.
2nd clinical study BMS-982470 (2012) Side effect is mostly fatigue, especially first two weeks of each cycle.
Next week is my last (4th) cycle. While I am still working at a large corporation, I have been taking most of the week off each of the starting cycle weeks. No need to fight the fatigue, it wins.
Exercise helps…but easier said than done. nap time …
Currently I have two small mets that are being evaluated.
Looking forward to a few more scans.