Technically I’m getting fluids here… but close enough!

Last Thursday (June 19th) I had dose 17, week 60 of the Merck MK-3475 trial drug. (AKA Pembrolizumab, formerly known as Lambrolizumab, anti-pd1, melanoma immuno-therapy, my miracle drug)

I had a CT scan and saw Dr. Cranmer last week for scan results, which looked fabulous. Everything continues to shrink! We spent most of the visit geeking out and comparing notes about ASCO (American Society of Clinical Oncology) Annual Conference and the melanoma conference I’d attended in May. Nice to just chat about shared frustrations in the need for patients to see melanoma specialists and not being given treatments in an order that seems logical (at least to us….)

This appointment, since we knew things were looking good, Daniel stayed home with the kids while I went to my appointment alone. Labs look great! My LDH has dropped again! I am well within the normal zone for this tumor marker in blood.

LDH Levels while on Anti-pd1 Trial. You can see when my immune system activated and a spike while on drug holiday.

I saw my nurse practitioner and the trial nurse coordinator. This was a quick visit since everything had been reviewed last week.

I headed upstairs for my liter of fluids and infusion. It was a quiet day in the research room. I did freeze sitting under an AC vent with the cold IV drip so I got my first heated blanket wrap in a while. Feels a little odd when it’s 103 degrees outside!

I went home and slept all afternoon which is unusual for me. Usually when I have fluids with treatment, I am not as wiped out. Perhaps the heat just wiped me out. Getting into a 130 degree car is probably enough to suck most of that liter of fluid right back out of me! The weekend was tolerable, although the post infusion thirst is insane. I also am fighting my usual rash and a slight headache. My one new symptom this month is dry eye and some slight redness since the infusion. It’s always an adventure, but SO worth it for amazing results!