renal cell carcinoma / kidney removed in 2010. was told no further treatment necessary. in 2016, found the RCC had metastasized to my hip bone & sacrum. had radiation, then again about 16 months later. was told that there was no medication available. they just gave me opioids for pain. in 2019, was put on votrient as I was told that immunotherapy was NOT an option. so I dealt with it, meanwhile constant diarrhea, and vomiting, lost sense of taste, hair turned white, lost about 60 pounds, was essentially " skin & bones". even as my dr was telling me I was "stable" family & friends were believing I was on my way to the final day. got my affairs in order, and waited. considering all options, moved wife to another state, I followed a year later after my dad passed. got new dr in new state, he reviewed my files suggested a different treatment plan, figuring I had nothing to lose, wife & I agreed. had biopsy done, confirmed RCC, sent a sample to a different lab, found that I had an active PD-L1 gene which is the main cause of RCC. had me go back to radiation oncology, found out while I had 2 radiation treatments, the total dosage was less than "palliative care standards" underwent radiation one more time at the full allowable dosage. upon completion, was immediately put on immunotherapy meds Yervoy & opdivo. had NONE of the side effects my former dr told me about other than being tired. after 4 treatments, was put on Opdivo only, been on it for as of this writing 23 months, all side effects disappeared, hair color restored, regained weight, appetite etc. no more vomiting / diarrhea. and best thing is with the addition of an injection of Xgeva, the damaged bone is repairing / filling back in. hopefully I will regain ability to walk without needing a walker or caneRead More Read Less