After Keytruda, what's next?

I called Doctor office this morning and the nurse called me back advised I will go Monday for a talk about my Taxotere & Cyramza she said that this type chemo is less hard on the body compared to Taxol & Carbo, I also asked about the ct scan, did they also take a look at the liver and she said that came back with no trace she said when I first started chemo my right lung had a 6.7 cm mass and my liver showed two different places one was small and other was bigger can not remember size but ct scan showed small one undetectable and bigger one shrunk down to a 2 cm well this last ct she said it showed no trace kinda of confused about this the tech that did my ct scan said oh were doing a scan on your lung and I was like and the liver also oh he did not know about that. Okay so at dr office he showed me the scan of my lung and yes I could see where it had grown last scan it had shrunk down to a 2 and now it is at 2.7 sense last scan but he did not show any ct scan of liver just said it said no trace. so I am having them print off my ct results to pick up Monday when I go and talk to the lady about my chemo treatment. He then told me the Keytruda is not working so we have to try another approach said they will draw more blood do a Garden 360 and to start this new chemo treatment next Wednesday. I heard that Insurance company's do not like to keep people Keytruda to long due to cost anyone else heard that sorry this is so long but we have to keep up with what is going on even if we trust our team, We have to stay strong and read everything to keep us involved in our own bodies. I am not one to sit and let someone tell me what is going on and not ask alot of questions ! Then to ice the cake of this whole situation my cataracts in my left eye are acting up which I had surgery done 3 yrs ago have to watch this also so it does not detach

Hello, at age 78 just beginning this journey with stage 4a adenocarcinoma NSCLC. T1N1M1 to pleura. Never smoker bio marker testing now being done, meanwhile just finished 1st chemo of Keytruda, Alimta and Carboplatin which is to be done every 3 weeks for four rounds at start up. Minor weakness after first week, second week getting stronger. I’m trying to take things one day at a time, this week my goal is to use my elliptical at least 5 minutes every day. Reaching out as I’m a social person wishing us all a good week.

Welcome Janna. I’m sorry that you are starting this journey with stage 4a non-small cell lung cancer. Allow me to introduce you to @richcolleen @loula @liz8716 @meka @lls8000 and others who are fellow journeymen and women.

Good for you with keeping up your physical activity on the elliptical as you’re able. During the first week when you feel some side effects, what brings you comfort? How do you stay social?

My iPad and cell phone are a big help and my husband has been wonderful, married to him 59 years yesterday. We had a nice visit to a San Diego park where we watched sail boats and took a nice walk logging 1 1/2 miles on my Fitbit. I’ve read it’s even more important to keep my lungs strong now. My tumor is .43 of an inch at diagnosis so that’s my least problem. Since this has spread to the pleura, I’ve needed to be drained of fluid 4 times. My Onc feels that will dry up with my chemo. I am grateful for the strides medicine have made for nsclc in recent years as they will buy me a little more time hopefully.

@jannad So sorry that you are having to go through this, it’s nothing that any of us ever wanted, but many are able to live happy fairly normal lives with lung cancer. Please keep me/us posted on the biomarker testing results! This can be a HUGE game changer in your treatment. A little of my story, diagnosed March 2020 at the age of 49, I’m a never smoker, and also an adenocarcinoma. Both are factors for a gene mutation. Through biomarker testing, I found that my cancer has the ALK positive mutation. I take a targeted therapy/pills, and that has reduced all of the tumors and my lymph nodes have returned to normal. I’m able hike and bike, but do deal with some side effects from the meds. The best part…I’m alive!
We learn to look at life differently, don’t sweat the small stuff. The first year is so hard.
Hoping the the pleura settles down for you soon and that you are able to get through this difficult period. Please keep us posted.

Thank you, I’m afraid to get too much hope on the bio markers as I don’t want to set myself up for disappointment if it doesn’t break that way. So for now I am trying to go one day at a time and enjoy my family and friends. Thank you for your encouragement.

Talked with God about my stage 4 tumor in right lung cancer which had spread nodules to kidney and cells to stomach and left long. And said no more pity parties my myself and live the rest of my life best I can. You’ll have good days (use them) and bad days. But whatever you do be pleasant as possible. Thank the Lord for the good life so far. Prayers to you and caregivers.🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

Certainly do whatever brings you happiness and peace during this time. One day at a time, is a great place to start! I’ll be thinking of you. Take care, Lisa

My husband was diagnosed with non small cell lung cancer over a year ago. He had platinum therapy; it spread to his bones; Keytruda & Taxol to give the Keytruda a boost. Per his oncologist here and at Duke, the Keytruda was not working so they took him off of everything & for 6 weeks had no treatments while they decided what to do next. I disagree with taking him off of the Keytruda. He had no new lesions with it and one small spot on his liver 4 months ago. He has had 3 radioisotope therapies; had scans on 4/15 and now has multiple lesions on his liver, a new lesion & has 1 lesion in his spine and one in his pelvic bone that needs pin point radiation. The radiologist said that the liver is not as big as a concern as the other 2 lesions as 8mm is 1/3 inch. He said he can continue the radioisotopes with radiation as it has helped some with his pain. I disagreed with taking him off of everything before his current treatments. We were told by his doctor at Duke that the Keytruda was working and that it was hardening the bones and slowing the growth of the tumors. He had not been on it for a year when they took him off of it. Could he go back on the Keytruda while another treatment option is checked on? They have mentioned clinical trials, but I do not want him to be taken completely off of everything while waiting. I am not a doctor, but common sense tells me that the Keytruda could at least keep it at bay while waiting and he had no side effects and it does boost the immune system. Would Opdivo+ Yervoy be an option? A clinical trial may take a while and I do not want to give it a chance to grow even more while we wait. It is so hard to see him with this terrible disease and I know others are dealing with it too.

I posted but no one responded: My husband has had platinum chemo; Keytruda with Taxol; Currently Radioisotopes: His oncologists took him off of Keytruda, said it was not stopping the progression. I feel that common sense should prevail. He tolerated it well, he was suppose to be on a 2 year plan. He was taken off of everything for 6 weeks & during that time he had a new lesion, has to have pinpoint radiation for 2 lesions and has multiple lesions on his liver. I am very concerned about the liver, but his radiologist said that the 8mm lesion is 1/3 inch and the other lesions in his bones are more concerning. I feel he should go back on Keytruda and have something done about his liver before it gets worse. Have an appointment with an oncologist on 5/9. Applied for 1 clinical trial, but did not get in. I do not want him taken off of his current treatments until something else is put in place. I do not believe that the Keytruda was not working at all as it was progressing but there were no new lesions and immunotherapy assists the immune system which he needs right now. Radiologist said he can do radioisotopes and radiation at the same time as he said it was not stopping the progression either, but it can be used for pain and I told him it was helping his pain.