Long overdue update

First I'd like to apologize for not updating sooner!!  The summer just flew by!  So I think I left off on the last post waiting for insurance approval to start the Nivolumab (Opdivo).  They approved it, pretty quickly.  I was very surprised!  I just had my fifth infusion earlier this week... time really flies!  So, basically... the Opdivo is a 1 hour infusion every other week (initially I thought it was only 30 min, but apparently I was wrong, lol).  It's supposed to be easier than chemo, since it works with the immune system to strengthen it to fight the cancer.  Of course where I'm concerned, if there are side effects I'll end up getting them!  The first infusion kind of sucked, to put it bluntly.  I was nauseous, exhausted, had a skin rash, extreme back and neck pain for a few days, pain in my tumor site, lack of appetite, severe cramping in my legs and feet, etc.  Though I do have to say, it was still much easier than chemo.  Luckily, the first infusion was the worst, and they've gotten easier since.  The main issues I'm dealing with are muscle cramps, fatigue, tumor site pain and occasional nausea.  Not too bad overall.  Oh yeah, and my poor, poor thyroid.  It's pretty much shot already from the infusions, so they started me on synthroid yesterday.  Awesome.  

I had a CT scan done last week after the 4th infusion to see how things were progressing.  Apparently there is some one dimensional growth on the scan, but my doctor said that it's essentially stable with no new disease.  From others I've talked to that are on this regimen, it's not unusual to have things flare up slightly... the "growth" on the scan may just be inflammation from the Opdivo doing what it's supposed to.  For now we're going to keep on truckin' with the infusions.  I'm not sure when they'll scan me again.  One thing I did learn after my CT, is that I'm absolutely done with having an IV started for contrast.  I had a horribly painful site reaction to the injection, and still have a hard lump there over a week later.  Next time I'm going to the cancer center first and having them access my port so they can use it for the contrast.  My arms are totally over needles.  I have a reaction every time I have a butterfly used... not sure if I'm allergic to something in the plastic catheter or what, but it sucks, lol.  So anyway, all in all, I feel pretty good most days.  I'm lucky that I'm tolerating the Opdivo well, and hope it works.  Thanks again to everyone that's rooting for me!!  You rock!  XOXO