11 Comments
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Jill Blum's avatar

Hi Ben,

You are an unbelievably fantastic writer and of course wonderful person! Thank you for the clear tour of what a patient can expect (more/less) of the miracle of Immunotherapy. Sending love and light to you. I'm neither pregnant or young, so let's make a plan to lunch. Jill

Ben Nathanson's avatar

Thank you so much, Jill!

Jeff Wood's avatar

Hey Ben

Thanks for the information and the update.

Let me know how your pursuit of joy is going.

Sincerely,

jeff

Ben Nathanson's avatar

Good to hear from you, Jeff.

The pursuit of joy really is a pursuit. I thought it would be sitting still waiting for me.

Len Sierra-Scacalossi's avatar

Ben, thank you for this fascinating story. I had no idea how complicated the whole process was. Much good luck!

Ben Nathanson's avatar

Thanks, Len! Yeah, I'm grateful for those complications -- not all centers have the skill or equipment to administer it with maximum safety to the patient.

Anthony Figueiredo's avatar

Thank you for the Grand Tour of a Pluvicto treatment. Many people will greatly benefit from reduced anxiety and stress by viewing your post. It is tempting to get a couple of colored Sharpie pens and go visit the pictured bathroom. Of course we would sign your name to anything drawn or written.

Ben Nathanson's avatar

I love it! Thanks, Tony -- got a big laugh from that!

J. P. Dwyer's avatar

Hi Ben, Good for you. Did they suggest anything with the use of cold packs to mitigate saliva gland SE's? I've read about their use in the EU but not much in the states. Good luck.

Ben Nathanson's avatar

Thanks, JP. I wasn't offered cold packs. I want to discuss it here in case others have questions about it.

I'd love to believe cold packs could help prevent dry mouth, but even on paper it doesn't look like their benefit will transfer over -- chemotherapy and radioligand therapy are toxic in different ways.

The studies I found showed no benefit. Cooled and uncooled glands had essentially identical uptake curves. Cold packs may well be offered in Europe, but it's not because they're known to work. People here can ask for them but should not feel deprived if they can't get them, and if they do get them, they shouldn't seriously hope they'll work.

As a side note, the packs need to stay on for something like 5 hours. It takes the ligands a long time to clear from the body (unrelated to the lutetium-177 half-life).

J. P. Dwyer's avatar

Hi Ben, That is good info. Thank you. I should have known that Ben would have done his home work!