I found out how Opdivo works.

Apparently, cancer tumors put out a chemical which makes the tumor run in stealth mode, invisible to one's immune system.

The Opdivo blocks that chemical and this allows one's immune system to recognize tumors and cancer cells and attack them.
I was told I have a good immune system based on what the recent scan showed after using Opdivo for 3 months.
That scan showed more improvement that most do at 3 months.

So, basically, Opdivo lifts the curtain cancer cells hide behind and then the immune system attacks them.

quote:

Originally posted by Jimbo54:
Fantastic news lbj. If you're anything like me, it will be awhile for that great news to fully sink in.

After fighting cancer myself for the better part of this past year and the process nearly killing me twice, literally, that when my Oncologist told me that he is declaring me to be cancer free recently, I couldn't fully absorb that news for a number of days at least. My whole mindset had to change and it came slowly.

It is wonderful that you will probably be around to see your first grandchild born. What a blessed gift that is.

I pray that you continue getting good news into the far future.

Jim

Yes, similar feelings and thoughts.
ARGH!

quote:

Originally posted by lbj:
I was told today that based on the scan I had last August that showed improvement, that I should make the most of the next year.
They do not know the long term future however.

They may very well tell you to make the most of next year again.

I have a friend that has Stage 4 cancer, they continue to come up with new chemotherapy medicines for her to use, since a drug only works for three to four months. By then another two or three are developed and tried, sometimes the first one prescribed doesn't work or has side effects to tough to handle so they move to the next one. She has lost her hair three times, up to this point, doesn't care, she is just simply going to continue the fight. I am sure that you are going to do the same. Continue the fight, that is, not lose the hair.

That's really good news. Giving thanks for that. Happy to hear it. Brought a smile to my face today, and it's been a long day.

This is my first chime in. I've been following this from the beginning. LBJ, pulling hard for you. Glad to see that recent news has been good.

I hope to see many more updates on the great side. I'd like to see that Blue Shelby on I-25 too.

lbj,

I have been following this thread from the beginning. One of my best friend's wife was diagnosed with treatable cancer.

I related many of your experiences as you have shared them. I wanted you to know that your thoughts have helped them keep a better outlook by your openness.

Thank you on behalf of their family. We are all one day closer to dying but your unfolding story is making daily life better for others.

You show the dignity of living one day at a time with a medical problem in your life without letting it become the only thing in your life.

I read the link.
The nivolumab is Opdivo which I am taking currently.
The other one ipilimumab, Yervoy, which I am not taking. I have heard about it though.

Thanks.

I hope the Good News keeps getting better for ya.

Thanks.

next up are some photos from our trip to Hawaii.

Here are some photos of our vacation to the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel in Hawaii.
I do not take very good photos, sorry.

Hotel entrance:


The view from the front door of our room. The white shown is actually the ocean.


The view from our deck:


We ended up with pet lizards we would feed bananas every day.
Here is one of them.



More photos:






The beach:



This one is of the manta ray outlook where one goes to see the mantas at night.


And what one sees there at night. These mantas are 4 or 5 feet wingtip to wingtip.




Here is Mrs LBJ and I in the helocopter:


Looking into a crater with fresh hot lava:


Landing in a valley:

Tom,

So happy to hear the results of your CT scan.
This has happened recently to a fellow in our little church in Maui--tumors on an MRI disappeared. Was it all the prayers, effective medicine, or "just" a miracle?
We never know.
I spent a career treating people with conventional medicine, but I have been healed immediately from the prayers of believers, to the extent I never needed the shoulder surgery that was scheduled.
So yes, I believe in modern medicine--and the healing power of Jesus Christ.
I would like to think that your faith has made you well--together with good doctors and the best medical science.
God bless.
Stan

I am pleased to learn that the treatments appear to be working.

flashguy

It looks like the Kahala wasn't very crowded? We're always trying to get away from the crowds...

It was not too bad.
The hotel was 60% full for the first week and about 90% the second week.

I didn't find the big island to be as crowded as I expected.

I think you took great photo's of/from your hotel.

Thanks but for every good one, there is a bad one.

Nice looking lizard, eh?

Very nice photos and I loved the lizard.

He beats the crap out of the Geico lizard.

I hope your memories are as vivid as the lizzurd.

Are you regaining strength and weight with the new medication?

Less fog and fatigue?