He would have to get 2 chemo treatments and some form of radiation treatment. Our oncologist is checking with the radiation team on that although probably about 4 weeks radiation. From what I understand the chemo and radiation are FDA requirements and also it makes the cancer more receptive to the immunotherapy. It's not much (if my husband will agree at all to the chemo and radiation)......so that's why I'm trying to get as much information for him so we can make an educated decision.
First they said he'd be dead in months, then a year and now they say they have no idea......it might just go on like this for a very long time. The cancer tumor isn't growing but a new nodule has appeared that is very small in the same lung and might be another cancer or nothing at all.
My husband hasn't been feeling well for the last 3 months or so though. He has other health issues, COPD and peripheral neuropathy (which is quite bad in his feet from an accident many years ago). The neuropathy is another reason the doctors and my husband aren't looking too hard at chemo.
The decision now is..........could this immunotherapy hold off or even cure his cancer? Or would it be a year of more 'picky pokey' (that's what my husband calls this medical intervention) and no real upside. No one knows really.
We also don't know if the reason it hasn't grown is because it may never advance, it's being held off by the high doses of CBD and THC from the medical marijuana or if it might just go crazy some day soon.
We have no percentages, no protocols, etc. But at this follow up appointment the doctor seemed excited about this immunotherapy and I think, if side effects are reasonable or mild, that's the way to go. We'll have to wrestle with the chemo and radiation portions though.
Thanks for all your help!
Hugs