My dads first immunotherapy treatment

Hi I.dont and a very warm welcome to our corner of the online community.

I'm sorry to read how poorly your dad was feeling yesterday and I hope he's feeling better today. What type of skin cancer has he been diagnosed with and I can then have a look in the group to see if anyone else is on immunotherapy for it?

Anne

Hi hes having cemiplimab. Thank you for responding, yesterday was really awful but he looks alot better today although hes still low mood/energy. He was diagnosed with skin cancer, squasmous cell carcinoma. The cancer has spread into the nerves of his face which is why hes having immunotherapy. 

Hi again

I've done a search in the group for anyone else who's on cemiplimab and found ZOSO5cc125 , Follyfoot and EmmyGremlin have posted about being on this immunotherapy drug. I've 'tagged' them into this reply so hopefully they'll pop on and share their experiences with you. You can also click on their usernames to read their profiles.

Your dad should have been given a 24-hour number so that he can contact the hospital if he feels unwell. It's important that he contacts the hospital if he feels unwell as some side effects can become serious if not treated. Perhaps you could suggest he gives the number a call today.

It would be great if you could put something about your dad's diagnosis and treatment into your profile as it really helps others when replying to you and also when looking for someone on a similar pathway. It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself. To do this click on your username and then select 'Profile'. You can amend it at any time and if you're not sure what to write you can take a look at mine by clicking on my username.

Hi

sorry to hear about your dad.

My husband had the same treatment his cancer started on his face spread to his lymph nodes in his neck then his lymph nodes in his chest then his lungs.  

he received immunotherapy for two years and he is currently he is second year without treatment.

my husband was lucky not to have any side effects from the treatment but we have been told the treatment is very successful even if you have bad side affects.

at the moment my husband is well you wouldn’t even believe he has stage 4 cancer.  We are grateful for the extra time he has been given because of the treatment.  

he continues to have 3 monthly scans.

be positive.  X

One word of warning my husband was told he could only have the treatment for two years which is 36 treatments but if you miss any for what ever reason they still won’t let you go past the two years.

Thank you so much for your positive email, we really needed to hear that. Think the anti sickness tablets are working as hes managed to drink an ensure and said he'd have a soup later, baby steps but looking promising. Im really pleased to hear your husbands treatment has helped and telling my mum of your situation has given her more hope too. Thank you xxx

Im really surprised to hear this, the nurse on our orientation meeting (no idea what else to call it) said shes had a patient whose been on it for at least 4yrs. I suppose it depends on each persons situation or the consultants views. 

Hi

one thing that I just remembered after the first treatment my husband didn’t feel right but can’t remember why, he contacted the hospital and they told him to come in, he had a scan and do everyone’s amazement 4 of his tumours were already smaller!  So please tell your dad not to give up the treatment!

That’s interesting what hospital is it please.  My husband was at Mount Vernon.

Maidstone hospital in kent.