I got up around 6:30 am to prepare for the new trial. I was quite a nervous. We both got ready and went down to the kitchen to make some coffee and breakfast. Dee and I were still full from our night out at Ritter’s Dinner. Breakfast consisted of oatmeal, coffee, and crumb cake. I love my sweets!!!!!! We then went back up stairs to pack and get ready to check out. We needed to strip our beds, clean the bathroom and take out the garbage. It did not take long because we were there for a very short stay.
I need to be back at Hillman about 9:30 am to get the CTLA-4 Treatment. The antibodies are frozen and have to be thawed slowly at room temperature. It takes about 2 hours. So guess what time I get there. Not 7:00, not 7:30 and not even 8:00 am, but at 8:30. I hate to be late!!!!! So, Bev and Heather greets me and shows me to the bed where I will be staying in for the next 6 hours. Heather also introduces me to a woman in the next room named Clair from Ohio. Clair has started the CTLA-4 Trial three months earlier. Heather is hoping this will calm my nervousness. We introduce each other and our spouses. I began to ask many questions. Ahhhh!!!!!! Someone with melanoma like me and is fighting the same battle. They first detected melanoma 2 ½ years ago on her feet. It started from a mole. She had 3 toes removed but it had spread to her lymph nodes and than to here liver. She had gone through interferon, interleukin, and dicabazine. She is now trying the CTLA-4 Trial and has been on it for about 3 months with minimal side effects. She now at the point that she will have a CT scan to see if the gotten the cancer under control. I pray that it is working. They are dairy farmers and they just sold off all of the cows. I did not have the courage to ask if it was a retirement move or a financial move. I am hoping for the best for them.
We say our good byes and I retire back into my room. Dee sets up her computer and begins to work. I get my IV put by Bev. The room is a shared room and in the other bed is an older gentleman (80 yrs) with ocular melanoma from Pa.
Ocular melanoma is melanoma of the eye. Melanoma is a cancer that develops from cells called melanocytes. Melanocytes produce the dark-coloured pigment melanin, which is responsible for the colour of our skin. These cells are found in many places in our body including the skin, hair, and lining of the internal organs, including the eye.Most melanomas begin to grow in the skin, but it is also possible for a melanoma to begin in other parts of the body, such as the eye. Ocular melanoma is the most common type of cancer to affect the eye, although, generally, it is still quite rare. Most cases are diagnosed in people in their 50s.
He was diagnosed with it 12 years ago but it has spread to his liver. He owns a construction firm and was out on the sites everyday. His support team consisted of his daughter and husband who is a retired family physician . They were very friendly group of people.
I started my CTLA-4 treatment at 9:15 am at 100 ml/hr and I had 500 mls hanging on my rack (Miss Daisy). I call the rack Miss Daisy because I have to take it with me where ever I go which includes the bathroom. I am driving Miss Daisy!!!!! This will take us to 3:15 pm and then they draw blood of a pk study an hour later. Sooooooooo, we won’t get out until about 4:30 pm and home until 10:00 pm
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