Therapy starts (again)

In case you're just landing here, and have no idea what this is all about, here's a link to a post I did a while ago that brings you up to speed.

I have my first (of many, many) Keytruda/Padcev treatments on Tuesday, June 17. This will be done at a private clinic, since the therapy is part of a drug trial sponsored by Merck and Pfizer.

As far as I'm aware, this combination is standard therapy for metastasised bladder cancer in the USA. One of the drugs (Padcev or Enfortumab Vedotin or EV) is approved and standard of care in BC, but the combination of the two is not yet approved or paid for by BC Medical.

Very recent clinical trials show that the combination of the drugs give better overall results/responses than either of them on their own.

So I'll see how things go. Mike and Brenda have a friend who's on the same regimen (we're pretty sure), and had some nasty side effects at first, but has managed to get them all under control and is doing quite well. As long as water doesn't taste like metal, I'm sure I'll be OK too.

Onward and upward. 

UPDATE: June 17: Had my first session (both drugs) today. Took about 2.5 hours (Padcev for 30 min, 15 minute saline rinse, 30 minute break, Keytruda for 30 minutes, 15 minute saline rinse, 30 minute monitor to see if there's any reaction). So far, nothing.....