After a long wait period for the biopsy  results, Lori and I attended several doctor appointments this week. Although we didn’t receive the news we would have preferred, Lori’s medical team has an aggressive treatment plan for her Stage IV lung cancer. 

THE TESTING WAS NOT ABSOLUTE, which we understood beforehand was a possibility. However, Lori’s doctors based the Stage IV on the proximity and timing to the oral cancer, as well as that it is also the exact type - squamous cell carcinoma.

Lori’s treatment plan will be twofold: a combination of immunotherapy using Keytruda, which will be given once every 6 weeks indefinitely . Additionally, she will have 3 to 5 SBRT (stereotactic body radiation therapy) sessions, which consist of very high doses of precise targeting of the tumor.

Lori was measured for a body shield, see attached picture. It will be ready in approximately two weeks, at which time the SBRT sessions will begin. Her schedule will likely be Monday, Wednesday, Friday, followed by two additional days the following week (provided she tolerates it well).

Each Thursday, prior to the Keytruda infusions (once every six weeks), she’ll have blood work done to ensure they can do the infusion. The medical team was optimistic that the Keytruda would be effective, as the Caris testing showed the cancer had the PDL1 marker. In fact, because the PDL1 marker was positive, indicating Keytruda will be effective, Lori had the option of not doing the SBRT at this time. The major benefit of doing the combination is that if the lung cancer is new, SBRT is a curable treatment for Stage 1.

We asked about other lung cancer drugs and why Keytruda was selected; the others we’ve seen marketed are sister drugs, meaning they’re the same but a different brand. We also asked about clinical trials; unfortunately the IR Physician did not feel he could properly inject her because the center of tissue was dead and therefore the injection being used in the clinical trial wouldn’t be helpful.

On a positive note, Lori saw her oral surgeon and he was very pleased with how her mouth and jaw are healing. She previously had TMJ, which is now getting worse and causing discomfort because she’s favoring that side.  She has found a wonderful new dentist…she’ll be getting her upper teeth within the next week or so, hopefully that will help with the TMJ.

On a personal note, as Lori has been dealing with the new diagnosis, she had to find a new apartment. Her landlord of the past six years went above & beyond throughout the past year, as well as helping her financially save for a new place. Lori & Family cannot express our gratitude enough for the compassion you’ve shown to Lori throughout! 

We’d also like to shoutout a big thanks to Lori’s close circle of friends for helping her with the packing, moving, and setting-up her new place! (Too many to mention, but you know who you are.) Please reach out to Lori privately if you need her new address.

Family, friends and love are the foundation of a happy life. Much thanks to those who are Lori’s foundation.

Team Lori

🙏🙏❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹🙏🙏