I was diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer with mets to the brain in September 2023. A total shock. After five rounds of radiotherapy to the brain, my oncologist started me on carboplatin, pemetrexed and Keytruda. I did four cycles of the carboplatin, five of the pemetrexed and am just on the Keytruda alone now.
The three drugs together were a bit rough. I personally became very anemic, tired, nauseous and short of breath but after blood transfusions (l ended up with five over those 21 weeks) felt better. It wasn’t anything I couldn’t handle. I am 75, not young by any means. I did a lot of sleeping and basically didn’t go anywhere (WBC count was dangerously low) but I would be damned if I was going to give in. Being only on the Keytruda for the last three cycles has been easy. Slightly nauseous occasionally, still a bit short of breath and an occasionally tired but a this is a cake walk. I feel fortunate that these drugs have given me a fighting chance.
Hang in there and wishing you both success.

Three sticks before they found a good vein. So glad my oncologist had me have a mediport put in. It gets a little uncomfortable occasionally but unsuccessful vein hunting reminds me that the occasional pulling outweighs a phlebotomist trying to find my veins. Kudos to the inventor of that device.

Prayers for positive scan results!!

I also am waiting to see doctor on Monday to explain results of scan after radiation. Wake up at 3;00am and find it hard to go back to sleep. Hope you have better nights sleep.

Sorry Dee9, I am just starting that exact treatment and my first infusion is Monday, April 22.