Just Call me NED

I started on Opdivo the first time only a few months after FDA approval. I did a round of Yarvoy first, this was before concurrent Yarvoy & Opdivo treatment had been approved. Anyway after I had been on treatment for about a year, there was no evidance of disease. We continued treatment for a few more cycles. I was still working full time and told my Oncologist I was going to go ahead and retire as the fatigue was getting to me. He said he wanted to take me off the Opdivo anyway. At this time there was not much evidance on how long you should be on Opdivo once you were NED. Since I was not demonstrating any side effects other than fatigue and had such a strong positive resolution, he felt that if I came off and the melanoma came back, I could go back on the Opdivo. I had some organ issues when on the prior treatment program using Interferon and we were both concerned about the long term implications of that treatment plan. Well, about 6 to 8 months later it was back – in full force – involving several internal organs. So, I went back on the Opdivo and have had similar excellent results. However, this time I think we will stay the course until my body won't tolerate the Opdivo. In the interm, I did go ahead and retire, so I am able to work around the fatigue and not let it get in my way.