Carlene Strickland Carlene Edge

Hey everybody.  It’s Carlene.  I was diagnosed with lung cancer in December of 2018.  I started treatment in a clinical trial for a drug called Keytruda in January of this year.  Keytruda and I was a match made in heaven for four months or so.  Keytruda had shrunk my cancer to where it was no longer visible on scans.  I was feeling on top of the world.  I was still working and my life was relatively unaffected by my cancer or my treatment. Unfortunately all of that changed when I started suffering side effects that made my super dizzy and unable to keep my balance just before Easter.  I had to stop working which has been my anchor for my whole life.  It’s been very difficult being stuck at home living with my diagnosis with no outlet.  At work, my coworkers were there for me when I needed help with a tray or just a pick me up. I miss everyone and their pep talks terribly.

 

I will not be able to continue on Keytruda and have had no cancer treatment for the last four months.  I am waiting results of a CT scan to find out if my cancer is growing again because I have been unable to take treatments until my side effects have cleared.  Based on what the scan reveals and the doctors say, I will be starting a new treatment plan within a couple of weeks.

 

I just wanted to take a minute to let everyone know what was happening to and for me.