DaveNB

Interesting indeed!

Why does he(???) try so hard?

Dave.

Good news Mike! Keep up the positive thoughts! Whatever got bigger could very well be pseudo-progression. Especially because some have shrunk. I made it through 10 bags of Pembro (Feb. '17- Aug. '17) and then I couldn't handle the joint pain. My original 2 lung nodules  (about 10 mm.)  resolved. But then in Nov. '17 a scan showed a HUGE 34mm. nodule. A needle biopsy showed it was benign! A CT scan last week showed the mass is shrinking!  I have read some cases of pseud-progression 6 mos. into treatment.

Hopefully you will be back to just Mike!

Prayers always! God is great!

I agree with SABKLYN. This is the second time i've seen this complaint. I sure would not waste a second of time to post a complaint. This board is a great resource! I'm sure there are those that are happy to give some support ($$$$).

Battling stage 4 has given me the perspective not to get excited over these tiny things.

JUST LET IT ROLL OFF YOUR BACK!

Thank you to all that have gotten past a little pop-up and contributed valuable information!!!

LET IT JUST ROLL OFF YOUR BACK!

Hello! I experienced the same side effects. I made it through 10 Keytruda infusions Feb. '17 through Aug. and then I had to take a break. I had swelling of fingers, knees, and ankles. Severe joint pain also. However I  managed with ibuprofen and tylenol. I was able to still work. For me it was about 10 wks. before I started to feel better after the last infusion. I would say I am back to about 85-90%. I also had very low hemoglobin number.

I had lug mets which which are now gone! I would do it all over again if I have to. My Nov. scan showed new nodules after seeing reductions in my May and Aug. scans. A needle biopsy of the "new" mets proved benign (pseudo-progression?). I thank God always that I responded to the Keytruda!

I  hope your husband's pain subsides. I wish him and everyone here success against this disease!

Great news! I am in the same boat. Keytruda is my first treatment since making it to stage 4. After 4 infusions my 3 mo. scan shows 1 lung nodule shrunk by 1/2 & another shrunk by 2/3! The only side effects are occasional joint pain and maybe fatigue. Nothing to affect my work schedule or daily activities. Yes, despite the dissapointment of progressing to stage 4 there is always hope! I am approaching 3yrs. since my first diagnosis at stage 3 (unknown primary). I thank God for every day! I know I have had an easier journey than many on this board. My thoughts and prayers go out to all in this fight!

Dave.

 Hi Kathy, sorry for the late response. I just got a  login  settled.  Froedert & Medical College has a great skin cancer center. I have been under their care for about 18 months when I went to stage four. My doctor is Amy Harker- Murray.

Dave

Hello Miaka! In SE WI I have been under the care of Dr. Amy Harker-Murray at Froedert & Medical College. I am extremely pleased with the treatment I have received. I switched to Froedert when I went to stage 4 about 18 mos. ago. They have an entire skin cancer department at their facility.  However they are not Aurora.

Hi Mike! Regarding ghost nodules, is pseudo-progression the term you are thinking of? I experienced pseudo-progression after 6 mos. of Keytruda. All of my lung nodules resolved but there was a new 3.4 cm. nodule. A needle biopsy determined it was benign! What appears as growth sometimes is the immune cells clustered together fighting these mutant cells!

This came to mind as I read your results last week. Some of yours shrunk and some new growth.

 I am not trying to create false hope, only sharing what I experienced.

My thoughts and prayers are for all of us to win!!!.

Dave