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Back home after surgery at NIH
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Back home after surgery at NIH

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Back home after surgery at NIH

  • Post
    • March 16, 2012 at 5:39 pm
    Angela C
    Participant

      Hi everyone.

      Hi everyone.

      I just got home yesterday after having surgery last Thursday. They removed a lymph node behind my pancreas and one on the side of the pancreas. They are currently working on growing TIL from those tumors. I was in the hospital for six days. It was a difficult surgery because the lymph node behind my pancreas was in between three big blood supplies. This is the longest and hardest surgery I've had to date and recovery is a little slower. I have about a 10 inch incision on my stomach that is stapled shut. Ouch! I think I'll be on the pain meds longer than I usually am.

      I should get a phone call next week with the status of my cell growth. If things look good, I should be headed back in 2-3 weeks for chemo and then to put the cells back in.

      I'm participating in the IL-12 TIL Study. I'll keep you guys updated as the process continues.

      http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/search/view?cdrid=689250&version=HealthProfessional&protocolsearchid=10236456

    Viewing 20 reply threads
    • Replies
        • March 16, 2012 at 6:02 pm
        jim Breitfeller
        Participant

          Angela,

          I wish all the best with the new trial. I believe Dr. Rosenberg is on the right track to get your immune system to recognize the melanoma.

           

          Warm regards,

           

          Jimmy B

          • March 16, 2012 at 6:02 pm
          jim Breitfeller
          Participant

            Angela,

            I wish all the best with the new trial. I believe Dr. Rosenberg is on the right track to get your immune system to recognize the melanoma.

             

            Warm regards,

             

            Jimmy B

            • March 16, 2012 at 6:02 pm
            jim Breitfeller
            Participant

              Angela,

              I wish all the best with the new trial. I believe Dr. Rosenberg is on the right track to get your immune system to recognize the melanoma.

               

              Warm regards,

               

              Jimmy B

              • March 16, 2012 at 7:58 pm
              Linny
              Participant

                Thank you for sharing your journey with us. I pray they are able grow lots and lots good cells for you and that they do their job for you.

                I've had surgeries done in the abdominal area (non-melanoma related) and what's helped me get around was holding a small pillow to the area to give it some support. I found that when did that I could get up out of a sitting position so that it didn't hurt as much. One hospital actually gave me a "huggie pillow" to take home with me. All that was, were some folded towels taped together in a square with a smiley face drawn on it. If the nurses can rig something like that up for you, it might ease the discomfort you're experiencing, as well.

                You should be feeling much better by the time you start the next step in the process. Hang in there.

                • March 16, 2012 at 7:58 pm
                Linny
                Participant

                  Thank you for sharing your journey with us. I pray they are able grow lots and lots good cells for you and that they do their job for you.

                  I've had surgeries done in the abdominal area (non-melanoma related) and what's helped me get around was holding a small pillow to the area to give it some support. I found that when did that I could get up out of a sitting position so that it didn't hurt as much. One hospital actually gave me a "huggie pillow" to take home with me. All that was, were some folded towels taped together in a square with a smiley face drawn on it. If the nurses can rig something like that up for you, it might ease the discomfort you're experiencing, as well.

                  You should be feeling much better by the time you start the next step in the process. Hang in there.

                  • March 16, 2012 at 7:58 pm
                  Linny
                  Participant

                    Thank you for sharing your journey with us. I pray they are able grow lots and lots good cells for you and that they do their job for you.

                    I've had surgeries done in the abdominal area (non-melanoma related) and what's helped me get around was holding a small pillow to the area to give it some support. I found that when did that I could get up out of a sitting position so that it didn't hurt as much. One hospital actually gave me a "huggie pillow" to take home with me. All that was, were some folded towels taped together in a square with a smiley face drawn on it. If the nurses can rig something like that up for you, it might ease the discomfort you're experiencing, as well.

                    You should be feeling much better by the time you start the next step in the process. Hang in there.

                    • March 16, 2012 at 8:56 pm
                    aldakota22
                    Participant

                      Glad the operation was sucessful to gather cells to boost the immune system.Can only imagine  how  much pain you are in.It will be worth it. as the trial is a great course of treatment.All the best along with my prayers .  Al

                      • March 16, 2012 at 8:56 pm
                      aldakota22
                      Participant

                        Glad the operation was sucessful to gather cells to boost the immune system.Can only imagine  how  much pain you are in.It will be worth it. as the trial is a great course of treatment.All the best along with my prayers .  Al

                        • March 16, 2012 at 8:56 pm
                        aldakota22
                        Participant

                          Glad the operation was sucessful to gather cells to boost the immune system.Can only imagine  how  much pain you are in.It will be worth it. as the trial is a great course of treatment.All the best along with my prayers .  Al

                          • March 17, 2012 at 3:12 am
                          BethA in VA
                          Participant

                            I'm sure you will feel much better just getting home.  I hope you recover faster than you expect and that the trial is successful.  Good luck!!  (The pillow suggestion posted above really does work.)  Keep us posted on how you are doing.  Beth 3/B

                            • March 17, 2012 at 3:12 am
                            BethA in VA
                            Participant

                              I'm sure you will feel much better just getting home.  I hope you recover faster than you expect and that the trial is successful.  Good luck!!  (The pillow suggestion posted above really does work.)  Keep us posted on how you are doing.  Beth 3/B

                              • March 17, 2012 at 3:12 am
                              BethA in VA
                              Participant

                                I'm sure you will feel much better just getting home.  I hope you recover faster than you expect and that the trial is successful.  Good luck!!  (The pillow suggestion posted above really does work.)  Keep us posted on how you are doing.  Beth 3/B

                                • March 17, 2012 at 12:17 pm
                                triciad
                                Participant

                                  Angela,

                                  Great news.  I hope you have a speedy recovery and those little cells grow, grow, grow!   Please keep us posted, and I will keep you in my prayers!

                                  Tricia

                                  • March 17, 2012 at 12:17 pm
                                  triciad
                                  Participant

                                    Angela,

                                    Great news.  I hope you have a speedy recovery and those little cells grow, grow, grow!   Please keep us posted, and I will keep you in my prayers!

                                    Tricia

                                    • March 17, 2012 at 12:17 pm
                                    triciad
                                    Participant

                                      Angela,

                                      Great news.  I hope you have a speedy recovery and those little cells grow, grow, grow!   Please keep us posted, and I will keep you in my prayers!

                                      Tricia

                                      • March 18, 2012 at 7:13 am
                                      FormerCaregiver
                                      Participant

                                        Angela, thanks for the update. Hopefully the surgery that you have had will give you in a much better prognosis.

                                        Good luck with the IL-12 TIL trial. It sounds very promising.

                                        Take care

                                        Frank from Australia

                                        • March 18, 2012 at 7:13 am
                                        FormerCaregiver
                                        Participant

                                          Angela, thanks for the update. Hopefully the surgery that you have had will give you in a much better prognosis.

                                          Good luck with the IL-12 TIL trial. It sounds very promising.

                                          Take care

                                          Frank from Australia

                                          • March 18, 2012 at 7:13 am
                                          FormerCaregiver
                                          Participant

                                            Angela, thanks for the update. Hopefully the surgery that you have had will give you in a much better prognosis.

                                            Good luck with the IL-12 TIL trial. It sounds very promising.

                                            Take care

                                            Frank from Australia

                                            • March 19, 2012 at 11:55 pm
                                            Angela C
                                            Participant

                                              Hey everyone.

                                              I got the call today that my cells are growing!!! I got back on April 4th for scans and start chemo on April 6th.

                                              I'm excited to get started. Seems strange to say that I'm excited to start chemo, but I actually am. lol

                                              ~Angela

                                              • March 19, 2012 at 11:55 pm
                                              Angela C
                                              Participant

                                                Hey everyone.

                                                I got the call today that my cells are growing!!! I got back on April 4th for scans and start chemo on April 6th.

                                                I'm excited to get started. Seems strange to say that I'm excited to start chemo, but I actually am. lol

                                                ~Angela

                                                • March 19, 2012 at 11:55 pm
                                                Angela C
                                                Participant

                                                  Hey everyone.

                                                  I got the call today that my cells are growing!!! I got back on April 4th for scans and start chemo on April 6th.

                                                  I'm excited to get started. Seems strange to say that I'm excited to start chemo, but I actually am. lol

                                                  ~Angela

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