Posted 1/21/2018 12:28 PM (GMT 0)
It's been a long time since I checked in here... I'm doing well. Just found out some information that I think is an interesting addition in my Hep C/cancer journey. In August of 2014, when diagnosed with Stage 4 melanoma, I was able to skip over the protocol treatment and start on Keytruda because of my liver damage from Hep C. I just found something out recently when talking to the PA following my most recent scan.
When I started on keytruda, my first scan (9 weeks in) showed no change. My next scan (18 weeks) showed my tumors growing. What I just found out last week was that there was much consult about that regarding stopping the treatment at that time. Why they continued the treatment is because I had Hep C, and they considered it might be interfering with my response. My next scan (27 weeks) was clear and I have been cancer free for close to three years. In my case Hep C probably saved my life. Go figure.
For those suffering the ravages of the disease please don't read this the wrong way. I am not trying to minimize the horror of the disease. Just sharing my story.