Tonya's update 18 July 2016 Tanya had 6 infusions (every 3 weeks) and has now recommenced on Keytruda every 3 weeks. The cost has reduced slightly since she was last on it, however still costing her $1,000s instead of being on our PBS for free. Tonya had a 5 month reprieve from finishing her 6 infusions of Keytruda with her immune system boosted, however a new Tumour developed in oesophagus so she is now back on Keytruda. As all other protocol treatments for Mesothelioma have stopped working for Tonya, Keytruda is her lifeline now! It is hoped that it will continue to stimulate her immune system and shrink this new tumour giving Tonya further quality and quantity of life. Tonya's update 5 June 2016 Hi Lou Just a quick email to let you know that it's been about 3 months or so since I have not been on Keytruda! As advised previously I had six rounds of Keytruda at the standard dose every three weeks! Since then my first ct scan showed improvement of tumours and one small tumour on right lung had disappeared! Before starting on the Keytruda in October 2015, my health was really bad, I had a very poor prognosis and was in quite a bit of pain, fatigue and was coughing up blood and had really bad blood work! I am happy to report that thanks to Keytruda, I am now feeling so much better, I have my appetite back (my weight was around 43kilos) I am eating a full meal and keeping it down first time in so long , I have almost weened of all my pain medication From a rather large dose down to Small dose of a morning , but I expect that to be cut right out if my health continues to improve . I have another scan in the next few weeks so I will keep you posted ! But I am expecting positive results ! I can't stress enough how important keytruda was in my treatment regime, Without it I wouldn't be here today! Just to have a chance to feel normal and well and not be nauseated so that I can enjoy my time however long that will be with my family is amazing For me , I didn't think it would be possible ! To the pharmaceutical Company I urge you to please push forward and put keytruda on the PBS Let people have a fighting chance to tackle this awful cancer, unlike other cancers there is pretty much no successful treatment for this rare disease! Thank you In anticipation of hopefully seeing keytruda on the PBS and help stop the financial suffering and pain of so many Tonya Fenton Update on Tonya 10 April 2016. Tonya has had 6 infusions of keytruda and recently scans that showed stability and shrinkage of tumours. Well done Tonya! My name is Tonya Fenton I am a 55 year old female that was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma 18 months ago ( 3rd June 2014) my cancer was difficult to diagnose and I was treated at first with NSCLC. I was given several rounds of radiation and chemotherapy, unfortunately the chemo didn't work as it was not the right treatment, after progression of the disease, I had a pluerodisis, to help with the fluid around the lungs, biopsies were again taken at this point and after much involved pathology malignant mesothelioma was diagnosed and subsequently confirmed by a number of medical oncologists and professors who specialise in this area of cancer! I was then treated with pemetrexed (alimta) as I could not tolerate the carboplatin and cisplatin . Unfortunately after several rounds of chemotherapy the ct scan and my obvious decline in health showed the cancer had spread and the treatments hadn't worked! It was then I started on Keytruda, I have had three rounds so far and latest scans show improvement and I feel so much better within myself! My energy level has improved and so has my breathing! Unfortunately the keytruda is putting financial strain on my family as I no longer work and even though I have private health insurance it is not covered by the fund! I urge you to please consider giving approval for keytruda to be accepted on the PBS. So that people with this awful disease are given a chance at a better quality of life as there is very little treatment currently available for mesothelioma . This drug is the only hope that we have however, sadly it is not, in the financial reach of the average person!