Immunotherapy Easier Than Chemo?

I think this is the trial at Mdanderson that was before mine.
I am the first patient in this trial just for pancreatic cancer patients. The trial is still enrolling people.

Here is more about it.
https://biotuesdays.com/tag/soricimed/

HI Daisy, I'm supposed to start Keytruda in a few weeks to keep my mucosal melanoma at bay after my bladder removal surgery. I'm in the process of seeing the oncologist next Tuesday. I'm hoping that he will cooperate with Dana Farber with the prescription. It is impossible for me to go to DF every three weeks from Long Island. I still have to go there every three months for check-ups. I'm just trying to keep a little closer to home.Do you think this is a wise action?

I'll take your advice and do that today! Thanks for the info. Gerry

Gerry, I think it makes perfect sense. As Marilyn stated the Dr's should be able to coordinate on your treatment plan. Traveling can be stressful in general, needless to say while on treatment. Keytruda has kept my melanoma in check almost 4 years now. Keep us posted.
Daisy

Gerry, it makes perfect sense to me and your local oncologist should be happy to help. I had a similar situation and found the best thing you can do to confirm cooperation is ask your DF doc to send a letter requesting local on cooperation in following the treatment plan DF has started and treating you at his/her local center. It is very common for doc's to do that and then both doc's can talk or write and stay in touch. This way you can relax more and take treatment and still make your 3 month FU at DF. Your local doc might feel more at ease with DF that way. Definitely worth doing. Best wishes on this journey. Marilyn

I went to DF for a second opinion when originally diagnosed (Stage IV Lung Cancer), but chose to have all my treatments at my local hospital with a local Oncologist. As much as I liked DF and value their expertise, I felt very much like a "number" there and LOVE the care I have a my smaller community hospital.

They were totally on board with doing the exact same treament, so it was an easy choice for me to have my care close to home. Making commute to Boston for all my care would be far to taxing and would make my fatigue far worse. I'm very happy they both had the same treatment plan.

What has your local Oncologist advised? You may find, they also would do the same. I would think they would be happy to do whatever YOU want (as you the the patient, and ultimately it's your choice). You can also ask the team at DF to forward their findings and report to you local Oncologist.

They were very helpful and provided all the details to my local Oncologist as well as my Primary Care MD>
The second opinion appointment at DF was set up by my Primary Care MD.

I would talk to your local Oncologist and explain which options they suggested and make sure they are willing to do that same. I would think they would be happy to do whatever you choose. IF NOT, I would look for a new Oncologist that was willing to do the treatments I wanted and felt most confident were best for me.

Best wishes,
Lisa

Best wishes.
Lisa

This illustrates an important point. Large research centers can be uncomfortable for some of us yet that is where the treatment advances happen. A key reason I advocate for getting a second opinion is that in addition to learning if there may be something "better" you can confirm that the treatment being offered closely to your home and support network is appropriate. Best C

I'll be interested in knowing how you're doing on the immunotherapy. What chemo regimen had you received previously? I'm watching the immunotherapy trials and drilling down into the data (patient/research advocate) to see how far along it's coming.

My surgical and medical oncologists are at MDA but I'm being treated locally by an oncologist under their guidance. All my imaging and testing will be done at MDA intermittently.

I am currently taking Tecentriq. First, it was every 3 weeks, and, now, it’s every four weeks. At first, my body had to get used to it—blisters in mouth, joints hurt, nausea, tired for about a week.

Now, I really have no side effects, like I did with chemo. I am tired for about a week. I have come to the realization. I won’t be able to live like I did before the diagnosis. I have learned I have to listen to my body.

I hope this helps.

Very true! It's a new "normal" and our bodies are fighting hard. We need extra rest and healing time.

I've been off treatment for over three years, but I still have fatigue and days where I have no energy. I've learned that naps are my friends and now I enjoy them.