Keytruda for NSCLC: What's your experience?

Welcome @jrlvsgolf,
I think @cindylb @lisamb @2onlow8 and @ta52 may have some experiences with Keytruda (pembrolizumab) to share with you. You may be encouraged by this post started by Tom,
- A Keytruda Patient Running the 2022 Chicago Marathon https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/a-keytruda-patient-running-the-2022-chicago-marathon/

@jrlvsgolf, when are you scheduled to start Keytruda? What questions or concerns do you have?

Thanks, @colleenyoung
@jrlvsgolf A lot of Keytruda's success depends on your PD-L1 expression. The higher the percentage the better but even at 100% (like I was) there is still chemotherapy involved. It is a version (mine was Altimta) that is designed to work with Keytruda. If, for example, your PD-L1 expression is 50% that means Keytruda will only be effective on half your cancer cells and the other half will need to be treated with some other therapy like chemo and/or radiation. I did go from inoperable Stage IV NSCLC to NED in six months but, again, my PD-L1 expression was 100% which is extremely rare. Keytruda is a great stride forward and even in my early days with treatment every three weeks with Keytruda, Alimta and carboplatin I had virtually no side effects. Find out as much as you can but your PD-L1 expression is key!