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Update For My Peeps
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Update For My Peeps

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Update For My Peeps

  • Post
    • September 23, 2017 at 12:54 am
    jennunicorn
    Participant

      Thank you to everyone who helped me out on my last post. I just got a call from my onc. The tumor board reviewed my case and agree that surgery is a good option right now to get rid of this last stable stubborn armpit tumor. I will schedule a surgery consult next week and continue on with Nivo infusions for a while longer. But, now, I feel like I see a light at the end of this long tunnel and it is so nice!

      I did ask her thoughts on adjuvant radiation, but she said while it may help keep that one area from recurring, it will also destroy all my good lymph nodes in there, and I'm a big fan of keeping as many lymph nodes as I can… as I sit here with double ear infections and a chest cold… I need all the fighting power in my body I can keep. And, if the mel wants to show up elsewhere down the line, radiation to one small area isn't going to do much anyway. So, surgery, little bit more Nivo, and hopefully I can have a more "normal" life for a while… whatever normal is anymore 🙂

      Wishing everyone a good weekend and sending big hugs to anyone that needs one!

    Viewing 11 reply threads
    • Replies
        • September 23, 2017 at 1:29 am
        SABKLYN
        Participant

          Thanks for the update Jen and I think that's great news!  Use all the tools available and it sounds to me like surgery is a great option for that stubborn little weasel!  Good luck and best wishes

          • September 23, 2017 at 2:45 am
          TexMelanomex
          Participant

            Awesome Jenn, kick that last bastard to the curb and be NED!!! I said this in my thread but I'll say it here too: You are a Warrior. Your posts have been inspriring since I first found this board back in January. Wishing you an amazing weekend and much peace!

            Tex

              • September 23, 2017 at 4:48 am
              jennunicorn
              Participant

                Thanks Tex! You are also a warrior and will show mel who is boss of your body soon enough! 

              • September 23, 2017 at 2:54 am
              Mark_DC
              Participant

                HI Jenn, I think its good news and a good plan too.

                Did you/they consider tvec? Am thinking of this since I am facing a difficult surgery on my leg (removal surgery then reconstruction, long time and painful) so we are considering giving tvec a chance first, then going back to surgery if this fails. In your case is the surgery relatively easy? Or do they see problems with tvec?

                Good luck, i think this will go well, and thanks for writing in

                Mark

                  • September 23, 2017 at 4:47 am
                  jennunicorn
                  Participant

                    I haven't asked about tvec nor has it been brought up, but I think due to the fact that the tumor is not easily felt from the outside, it's a little further in the armpit, that maybe tvec injections wouldn't be very easy. I don't suspect surgery will be too bad, it's on my non dominant arm side, and I heal up pretty quick. Thanks Mark 🙂

                  • September 23, 2017 at 10:50 am
                  Mat
                  Participant

                    Sounds like the right choice.  Good luck!

                    • September 23, 2017 at 12:31 pm
                    Bubbles
                    Participant

                      Sounds like a good plan and hopefully will be minimally invasive.  I wish you have a swift recovery!!!  celeste

                      • September 23, 2017 at 2:22 pm
                      dmturner
                      Participant

                        That is great news!  I have been following you since I was diagnosed last July 2016.  I had also opted out of CLND. 

                          • September 23, 2017 at 3:26 pm
                          jennunicorn
                          Participant

                            Hope you are doing well 🙂

                            • September 23, 2017 at 5:25 pm
                            dmturner
                            Participant

                              Well not as successful as you.  I started a clinical trial May 1st and actually showed response in the first couple 6 weeks scans.  The last scan showed mixed results and that was 3 weeks ago.  My tumors have grown or the ones that I can physically feel/see.  Groin, under collar bone and the intransit lesions on my right foot.  So I will be heading to MD Anderson in Houston next weekend.  To evaluate, brain MRI and harvest a tumor for TIL. Plus, talked about a some other options will the tumor hopefully grows TILs.

                              Be Brave!!

                              • September 23, 2017 at 5:31 pm
                              jennunicorn
                              Participant

                                Dang it, sorry mel is being a huge pest to you! Sending many good thoughts your way for billions of TILs!

                              • September 23, 2017 at 9:17 pm
                              J.bun
                              Participant

                                Best of luck on this next “phase” of treatment. Every step forward is a step forward and hopefully kicks this to the curb for good!

                                 

                                • September 24, 2017 at 4:48 pm
                                BrianP
                                Participant

                                  Good plan Jenn! 

                                  I don't know if "normal" ever returns.  That can be a good thing also.

                                    • September 24, 2017 at 5:33 pm
                                    jennunicorn
                                    Participant

                                      Thanks Brian! I agree, I'll never have "normal" as it once was, but going to less doctor appts and no more infusion appts will be soooo nice! 🙂

                                    • September 25, 2017 at 12:44 am
                                    Jahendry12
                                    Participant

                                      Thanks for the update Jenn.  Wishing you all the best.  Let us know how the surgery goes.

                                      • September 25, 2017 at 6:23 pm
                                      jbronicki
                                      Participant

                                        So glad to hear that there is light at end of tunnel Jenn, if anyone deserves it, it is YOU!  You provide so much support to others on this board, it's really unquantifiable the amount of good you do.  Hope the surgery goes great and you heal quickly! 

                                          • September 25, 2017 at 9:15 pm
                                          jennunicorn
                                          Participant
                                            Thank you so much Jackie, that made my day! 🙂
                                          • September 26, 2017 at 12:38 am
                                          Ridingaroundwith27Jennifers
                                          Participant

                                            Thanks for the update Jenn.  Good wishes for an easy surgery and a quick recovery.  Here's to feeling better and living the "normal" life!

                                            Best,

                                            Jennifer

                                            • September 28, 2017 at 5:56 pm
                                            WithinMySkin
                                            Participant

                                              Its always such a relief to have a plan! If I remember correctly, you have lots of nausea after surgery — remember to tell the anesthesia team that you have SEVERE  "post op nausea vomiting" or P.O.N.V. Speak up and make sure you get the treatment you need!! Wishing you a super speedy recovery!

                                              Lauren

                                                • September 28, 2017 at 9:01 pm
                                                jennunicorn
                                                Participant

                                                  Last night I went back to your post from a while ago to find those letters. That is the #1 thing I will be telling EVERYONE, starting with the surgeon at my consult tomorrow. Last time my surgery was done only 5 minutes from my house, so altough I was miserable and sick, I got to my bed quickly. This time it will be 45 minutes from home, so I definitely don't want the ride home to be full of me puking everywhere!  Thank you so much for giving me the right verbage to tell the team! 🙂

                                                  • October 7, 2017 at 3:02 am
                                                  TexMelanomex
                                                  Participant

                                                    Did you get it done Jenn? Or still waiting on the surgery date?

                                                    • October 7, 2017 at 3:02 am
                                                    TexMelanomex
                                                    Participant

                                                      PS I want your hat!! Where did you get it????

                                                       

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