karenulijohn

As we anticipate the fourth radiation treatment tomorrow, we are beginning to notice some side effects. Harvey has some reddening over the nose and cheek area and down his neck. He is also complaining of minor pain in his cheek, as if someone had punched him. I didn’t do it. Really!! Otherwise, his spirits are good and he has told many friends that he is regarding this as something of an adventure. He has always taken an interest in high tech equipment, and I dare say, one can’t get much more high tech than some of the machines they are using on him.

Tomorrow is also the day when he signs the application as a potential subject in a research study. The title of the study is: “A Phase III Randomized Study of Adjuvant Ipilimumab…Therapy Versus High-Dose Interferon…for Resected High Risk Melanoma.” The purpose is to determine which drug is better at treating melanoma. The computer will choose which therapy the patient will receive. If it turns out that he is eligible, his participation will last for 1 to 1 1/2 years. If he does not qualify for the study, then he will most likely be given Interferon, which is currently the standard treatment. As you can imagine, the possible side effects are legion, and not very nice, but the alternatives may not be very nice either.

More details tomorrow.