MRF-Logo2019-Horizontal-RGB
Infusions Done, Surgery Done!
REGISTER
The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Content within the patient forum is user-generated and has not been reviewed by medical professionals. Other sections of the Melanoma Research Foundation website include information that has been reviewed by medical professionals as appropriate. All medical decisions should be made in consultation with your doctor or other qualified medical professional.

Infusions Done, Surgery Done!

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Infusions Done, Surgery Done!

  • Post
    • November 16, 2017 at 4:19 am
    jennunicorn
    Participant

      Hi friends! Wanted to give a little update:

      Last week I had my last infusion of Nivo, woo! Today I had surgery to remove the last armpit tumor that didn't respond to treatment. And the most exciting part today was the fact that the anesthesiologist at ucsf actually listened to me when I said I get super sick after and that was the main thing I was worried about. We devised a plan and I didn't get nauseous or sick at all!! 

      Should get pathology back to see what that lymph node tumor shows, live cells, dead cells, who knows in about 10 days. They had to take 3 because they were clumped together, three musketeers were going down together I guess.

      Hoping all of you are doing alright and welcome to the new friends. This is a great place for support and resources, has certainly been a great place for me the past couple of years. 

      Fingers crossed I can use those magical 3 letters soon… will probably have to wait for the official NED status until after my next scan at the end of the year.

      Hugs to all,

    Viewing 12 reply threads
    • Replies
        • November 16, 2017 at 5:49 am
        MelanomaMike
        Participant
          Im so happy for you sister! Im right behind you, im still gettin all my scans done before my Onco starts me on Pembro, did my bone scan today, MRI is tomarrow and the CT scan in on the 28th so, wish she could start me now!! NED NED!NED! For life for you Jen! To all of us…
            • November 16, 2017 at 5:53 am
            jennunicorn
            Participant

              Thank you Mike! Many well wishes on your treatment journey!

            • November 16, 2017 at 12:33 pm
            Bubbles
            Participant

              Glad you got it ALL done!!!  That's great.  Fingers crossed for a great path result.  But, either way…that particular mess…is GONE!!  Have a great weekend!  celeste

              • November 16, 2017 at 1:08 pm
              J.bun
              Participant

                Best wishes for you Jenn!!!  Hope you have an easy recovery from surgery.

                • November 16, 2017 at 2:27 pm
                TexMelanomex
                Participant

                  Awesome Jenn!! I'm really happy for you and I'm praying that this last surgery is the crushing blow to your Mel once and for all!! Warrior on, Jenn!!

                   

                    • November 16, 2017 at 4:58 pm
                    jennunicorn
                    Participant

                      Thanks Tex, sending good vibes your way during your treatment!

                    • November 16, 2017 at 3:56 pm
                    sister of patient
                    Participant

                      That's great Jenn!! I hope this is "it" too – you have all those exciting life's events waiting for you!! Wishing you the speediest recovery ever!!!! You know we can't send you enough good wishes 🙂  !!!!!!

                      Barb

                      • November 16, 2017 at 4:36 pm
                      liberty04281
                      Participant
                        I think you have to do radiation under armpit to prevent recurrences. I had the same problem and after radiation no more recurrence under armpit.
                          • November 16, 2017 at 4:59 pm
                          jennunicorn
                          Participant

                            I asked my oncologist if I should do radiation and she said there is no evidence to prove that radiation will do much other than kill off the rest of the good working lymph nodes in that area. She's a researcher in the melanoma field so I trust her. Very happy to hear it worked for you.

                          • November 16, 2017 at 4:47 pm
                          Scooby123
                          Participant

                            So pleas d for you Jenn, glad it's all finished with I wish you NED xx . Go and celebrate you deserve it.

                            Scooby123

                              • November 16, 2017 at 5:00 pm
                              jennunicorn
                              Participant

                                Thank you Scooby! Hope you are doing well.

                              • November 16, 2017 at 5:28 pm
                              Casitas1
                              Participant

                                Great to hear! Good luck on path report

                                Best, Paul

                                • November 16, 2017 at 8:33 pm
                                Prd10
                                Participant

                                  Yay!  Congrats Jenn.  Such great news.

                                  I hope I don't have any more surgeries but if I do I'll have to ask what they did to help you.  They always tell me that it's really common for women in our age group to have a hard time with the anesthesia and yet I still get super sick every freaking time – def the worst part.

                                  Hope you are celebrating! 

                                  Caitlin 

                                    • November 17, 2017 at 12:58 am
                                    jennunicorn
                                    Participant

                                      After explaining to the anesthesiologist that my previous surgery I was only given a low dose of anesthesia and still got sick, she figured maybe the nausea was coming more from the narcotics they put into you during surgery, so she had the surgeon use a ton of local anesthetic and less narcotic meds along with anti-nausea meds in the IV and a scopalamine patch behind my ear. I also did not drink or eat anything right after surgery, I waited a couple of hours before doing so just to be safe.

                                      Hope you don't have to have anymore surgeries either! Thank you!

                                    • November 17, 2017 at 2:24 am
                                    Mark_DC
                                    Participant

                                      Well done Jenn! Hope you will have a good recovery from surgery and then wish great path results and that they remove it all. Thanks for your help and support to many of us here on this board. Good luck, Mark

                                        • November 17, 2017 at 4:28 am
                                        jennunicorn
                                        Participant

                                          Thank you Mark, sending my best to you as well!

                                        • November 17, 2017 at 7:15 am
                                        GeoTony
                                        Participant

                                          Great news Jenn, the end of year will be here in no time, then you can officially use those 3 magical letters

                                            • November 17, 2017 at 4:15 pm
                                            jennunicorn
                                            Participant

                                              Can't wait! Thanks Tony!

                                            • November 17, 2017 at 6:27 pm
                                            Polymath
                                            Participant

                                              Hey Jenn,

                                              Great news, and hopefully the end of it for you.  The team at UCSF is top-notch.

                                              Sorry I've MIA.  I'll be delivering an update on my status next month.

                                                • November 17, 2017 at 6:31 pm
                                                jennunicorn
                                                Participant

                                                  Thank you Gary, as usual I was very pleased at how wonderful the surgery department and everyone who works there is. Hope you're doing well, will keep an eye out for your update.

                                                  • November 18, 2017 at 3:54 am
                                                  Mark_DC
                                                  Participant

                                                    Gary, hope you are doing well, your bravery and positive approach has encouraged me too

                                                    hope your surgery worked

                                                    best wishes Mark

                                                  • November 18, 2017 at 1:38 pm
                                                  MichelleRHG
                                                  Participant
                                                    Congratulations!!!
                                                Viewing 12 reply threads
                                                • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
                                                About the MRF Patient Forum

                                                The MRF Patient Forum is the oldest and largest online community of people affected by melanoma. It is designed to provide peer support and information to caregivers, patients, family and friends. There is no better place to discuss different parts of your journey with this cancer and find the friends and support resources to make that journey more bearable.

                                                The information on the forum is open and accessible to everyone. To add a new topic or to post a reply, you must be a registered user. Please note that you will be able to post both topics and replies anonymously even though you are logged in. All posts must abide by MRF posting policies.

                                                Popular Topics