Hi

Mistybum said:

It sounds like they are just keeping me alive for the duration of the treatment.

No. Immunotherapy is hugely expensive. If your oncologist didn’t think you might benefit then you would just be in standard chemo. Do give it a go. Some people do really well on IT. I have a friend who is stable on Nivolumab which he has had for five years. 
We have a forum member here Crofterlad  who is NED after two years of Pembrolizumab 

He’s a personal friend of RadioactiveRaz  who can probably attest to how well he is doing. 

So sorry you are facing this again but don’t give up. 

Hi Mistybum I've really sorry to hear about the return of your cancer. As Beesuit  mentioned, if you are offered immunotherapy, and you have the right biomarkers, it is certainly worth giving it a go. In comparison to chemo, the side-effects are generally not as severe, although there is always a caveat in that serious reactions can occur, but you would be well briefed on the warning signs beforehand. I had two years of Pembrolizumab for Stage 4 head & neck cancer, and thankfully responded really well. I'm currently not on any treatment. 

If you want any more information, don't hesitate to contact me here. Like others I've also kept a blog on my experiences with CRT and then immunotherapy that may help you with information. https://ansmackay.wixsite.com/uclgeography/blog 

All the best, Anson

Thanks Anson for responding 

We all help each other 

Hazel x

Crofterlad said:

if you are offered immunotherapy, and you have the right biomarkers, it is certainly worth giving it a go.

Thanks Crofterlad 

I hope you didn’t mind me tagging you. It isn’t always as hopeless as some imagine. 

I'm glad you did!