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Change in treatment plans – AGAIN!
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Change in treatment plans – AGAIN!

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Change in treatment plans – AGAIN!

  • Post
    • August 8, 2011 at 1:56 pm
    MariaH
    Participant

      Dave was scheduled to start IL-2 on Monday, the 15th.  He went to our local hospital after having a "tightness" in his chest and they did a CT scan.  The scan showed significant growth in his lymph nodes in his chest, now pressing on a major vessel.  They called today and are scheduling him to start radiation prior to IL-2 (they worry that the swelling during IL-2 may cause the vessel to be compromised).  IL-2 has been postponed until the 22nd now.  I'm not sure what type of radiation they are doing, as they mentioned maybe 1-2 sessions of high dose.

      Dave was scheduled to start IL-2 on Monday, the 15th.  He went to our local hospital after having a "tightness" in his chest and they did a CT scan.  The scan showed significant growth in his lymph nodes in his chest, now pressing on a major vessel.  They called today and are scheduling him to start radiation prior to IL-2 (they worry that the swelling during IL-2 may cause the vessel to be compromised).  IL-2 has been postponed until the 22nd now.  I'm not sure what type of radiation they are doing, as they mentioned maybe 1-2 sessions of high dose.

      I hate this damn disease, and my frustration level is through the roof right now…

    Viewing 5 reply threads
    • Replies
        • August 8, 2011 at 1:58 pm
        MariaH
        Participant

          Correction, he will start the 29th.

            • August 9, 2011 at 1:08 pm
            Phil S
            Participant

              Maria     I hope that the radiation will shrink those tumors so you can get onto your IL2 plan.  I have been following your posts as you seem like a wonderful advocate for your husband's care.  My husband also recently got diagnosed as Stage IV, and its down right scary for them and for us. Take care of yourself, and keep us posted! We will be thinking of you and your husband and hoping for the very best.  Valerie (Phil's wife)

              • August 10, 2011 at 11:32 am
              MariaH
              Participant

                Thank you Valerie.  We will keep you posted.  Radiation went well yesterday, he termed it a "piece of cake".  Hope it continues that way.

                Maria

                • August 10, 2011 at 11:32 am
                MariaH
                Participant

                  Thank you Valerie.  We will keep you posted.  Radiation went well yesterday, he termed it a "piece of cake".  Hope it continues that way.

                  Maria

                  • August 9, 2011 at 1:08 pm
                  Phil S
                  Participant

                    Maria     I hope that the radiation will shrink those tumors so you can get onto your IL2 plan.  I have been following your posts as you seem like a wonderful advocate for your husband's care.  My husband also recently got diagnosed as Stage IV, and its down right scary for them and for us. Take care of yourself, and keep us posted! We will be thinking of you and your husband and hoping for the very best.  Valerie (Phil's wife)

                  • August 8, 2011 at 1:58 pm
                  MariaH
                  Participant

                    Correction, he will start the 29th.

                    • August 8, 2011 at 3:29 pm
                    CarolA
                    Participant

                      Oh, #$@!!!     Oh, Maria.   ( I keep erasing what I'm writing, as what I want to say is redundant to what you are feeling)   I am frustrated for you and Dave, too.   I can't imagine the level of frustration, having a plan in place, only to have a damned obstacle in its course.   I'm sorry.    Maybe, maybe the silver lining is this unplanned radiation?   Maybe it will give a boost to start the battle?   I pray for good results in this plan.   My thoughts are with you.   You are doing a great job caretaking and researching.

                      CarolA-Stage III

                      Amherst, NY

                        • August 9, 2011 at 2:09 am
                        MariaH
                        Participant

                          Hi Carol,

                          Dave's appointment was today at 2.  He starts radiation tomorrow at Roswell.  The tumors in his chest (being matted lymph nodes) are now measuring 9 x 3.8 x3.9 cm and 5.8 x 4.5 x 6.4 cm.  Yes, that is a 9 cm for the longest one.  He will do 10 treatments and be given a week of rest before IL-2.  They also have put him on steroids to reduce the swelling, which have to be out of your system two weeks prior to starting IL-2.  Given IL-2 results improve after radiation (although that is high dose, given the Friday before IL-2), I am really hoping that this is the silver lining.  I have never heard of such a large tumor – that's what scares me.

                          #$@!!!

                          I'll keep you posted –

                          Maria

                          • August 9, 2011 at 2:09 am
                          MariaH
                          Participant

                            Hi Carol,

                            Dave's appointment was today at 2.  He starts radiation tomorrow at Roswell.  The tumors in his chest (being matted lymph nodes) are now measuring 9 x 3.8 x3.9 cm and 5.8 x 4.5 x 6.4 cm.  Yes, that is a 9 cm for the longest one.  He will do 10 treatments and be given a week of rest before IL-2.  They also have put him on steroids to reduce the swelling, which have to be out of your system two weeks prior to starting IL-2.  Given IL-2 results improve after radiation (although that is high dose, given the Friday before IL-2), I am really hoping that this is the silver lining.  I have never heard of such a large tumor – that's what scares me.

                            #$@!!!

                            I'll keep you posted –

                            Maria

                          • August 8, 2011 at 3:29 pm
                          CarolA
                          Participant

                            Oh, #$@!!!     Oh, Maria.   ( I keep erasing what I'm writing, as what I want to say is redundant to what you are feeling)   I am frustrated for you and Dave, too.   I can't imagine the level of frustration, having a plan in place, only to have a damned obstacle in its course.   I'm sorry.    Maybe, maybe the silver lining is this unplanned radiation?   Maybe it will give a boost to start the battle?   I pray for good results in this plan.   My thoughts are with you.   You are doing a great job caretaking and researching.

                            CarolA-Stage III

                            Amherst, NY

                            • August 9, 2011 at 1:23 pm
                            FormerCaregiver
                            Participant

                              Maria, melanoma is certainly a frustrating disease as it can be so unpredictable. Sorry to read that the scan has shown that the tumours have grown. Hopefully, the radiotherapy will control any further growth until IL-2 has a chance to work.

                              Take care

                              Frank from Australia

                                • August 10, 2011 at 11:37 am
                                MariaH
                                Participant

                                  Thank you for the encouragement Frank.  I am at the point where if mel was a person, I'd kick the snot out of it.  Hoping that IL-2 can work it's magic at the end of the month.

                                  Take care,

                                  Maria

                                  • August 10, 2011 at 11:37 am
                                  MariaH
                                  Participant

                                    Thank you for the encouragement Frank.  I am at the point where if mel was a person, I'd kick the snot out of it.  Hoping that IL-2 can work it's magic at the end of the month.

                                    Take care,

                                    Maria

                                  • August 9, 2011 at 1:23 pm
                                  FormerCaregiver
                                  Participant

                                    Maria, melanoma is certainly a frustrating disease as it can be so unpredictable. Sorry to read that the scan has shown that the tumours have grown. Hopefully, the radiotherapy will control any further growth until IL-2 has a chance to work.

                                    Take care

                                    Frank from Australia

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