20th Infusion of Nivolumab & Counting

I began my clinical trial in October of 2014. Every two weeks my son drops me off at the infusion center, I have my blood drawn, and then I see a nurse who takes my vitals, a research coordinator who asks me questions about side effects (I have had little to none- but there have been challenges) and then the doctor comes in who has always told me I am doing great. And, I am! I have been stable with some improvement for almost ten months on Nivolumab – a new immunotherapy drug. Here have been the side effects. Rash in the beginning that slowly receded, a cough that has receded, shortness of breath, not as bad, runny nose. In the beginning I had slight flu like symptoms- but that didn’t last at all. All in all pretty good quality of life for a Stage IV lung cancer patient. I have frequent CT scans so that I am monitored on a regular basis for progression. There has been none. After my infusion is over, my daughter comes to pick me, we drive over to Wendy’s and I get a hamburger and fries, sometimes a Frosty. Then I go home and fall asleep. The next day I feel pretty good. And life goes on.