Jacqueline

Hi Julie,

I have a somewhat similar story.  I weathered interferon and battle lymphedema in my right leg as well.  I live in Orlando where the humidity can increase swelling but the good news is that there are many days where I don't even wear a stocking and experience little swelling.  I had to have all of the lymph nodes in my right groin and pelvis removed, so I am one of the worst case scenarios.  However, exercising does help.  Put your stocking on and do some cardio.  It will encourage the natural movement of the lymph fluid and I am sure you will see improvement.

Good Luck!

P.S.  I had srugery and intereron four years ago and have had NED ever since!

Hi Julie,

I have a somewhat similar story.  I weathered interferon and battle lymphedema in my right leg as well.  I live in Orlando where the humidity can increase swelling but the good news is that there are many days where I don't even wear a stocking and experience little swelling.  I had to have all of the lymph nodes in my right groin and pelvis removed, so I am one of the worst case scenarios.  However, exercising does help.  Put your stocking on and do some cardio.  It will encourage the natural movement of the lymph fluid and I am sure you will see improvement.

Good Luck!

P.S.  I had srugery and intereron four years ago and have had NED ever since!

Hi ChristineL,

I realize this reply is a little late but I was on a peg interferon trial in 2007. I was told that the symptoms are less severe than the standard dose…can't testify to that though! Good news is that I am still cancer free. I was at stage III when diagnosed. I had a total lymphandectomy in my right groin and pelvis.  7 lymph nodes were positive. I was only on interferon for one year and also had radiation.  But again, I am cancer free.  The treatment was a beast, however. I was in the first semester of my doctoral program when diagnosed.  I had to take time off to complete the treatment.  I was extremely fatigued, cold, could not drink anything with ice(everything was room temp), I lost my appetite and weight, and there were days that I was extremely achy…to the point of not wanting to be touched. However, these were not consistent symptoms.  I am just telling the worst. Overall, it was a necessary part of my treatment and most importantly I survived to tell the tale.

Good luck in your treatment and best wishes for a cancer free existence!

Jacqueline

Hi ChristineL,

I realize this reply is a little late but I was on a peg interferon trial in 2007. I was told that the symptoms are less severe than the standard dose…can't testify to that though! Good news is that I am still cancer free. I was at stage III when diagnosed. I had a total lymphandectomy in my right groin and pelvis.  7 lymph nodes were positive. I was only on interferon for one year and also had radiation.  But again, I am cancer free.  The treatment was a beast, however. I was in the first semester of my doctoral program when diagnosed.  I had to take time off to complete the treatment.  I was extremely fatigued, cold, could not drink anything with ice(everything was room temp), I lost my appetite and weight, and there were days that I was extremely achy…to the point of not wanting to be touched. However, these were not consistent symptoms.  I am just telling the worst. Overall, it was a necessary part of my treatment and most importantly I survived to tell the tale.

Good luck in your treatment and best wishes for a cancer free existence!

Jacqueline

Hello there,

I was on Peginterferon when it was in the clinical trial stage (this was in 2007).  Unfortunately, I did not complete five years of treatment…I didn't even complete one year. I was not prepared for the side effects (mind you I was in my 20s at the time).  However, considering you are coming off the standard course of interferon, the symptoms might not be as bad for you. I was in the process of trying to return to school to complete my doctoral program and realized there was no way that would happen while I was on peg-intron. Good news…I did complete a course of radiation and couple with the six months of pegylated intereron I have been NED since 2007.

My advice: give it a try. The worse thing that can happen is you pull out early.

Keep smiling and looking to tomorrow,

Jacqueline

Hello there,

I was on Peginterferon when it was in the clinical trial stage (this was in 2007).  Unfortunately, I did not complete five years of treatment…I didn't even complete one year. I was not prepared for the side effects (mind you I was in my 20s at the time).  However, considering you are coming off the standard course of interferon, the symptoms might not be as bad for you. I was in the process of trying to return to school to complete my doctoral program and realized there was no way that would happen while I was on peg-intron. Good news…I did complete a course of radiation and couple with the six months of pegylated intereron I have been NED since 2007.

My advice: give it a try. The worse thing that can happen is you pull out early.

Keep smiling and looking to tomorrow,

Jacqueline

Hello there,

I was on Peginterferon when it was in the clinical trial stage (this was in 2007).  Unfortunately, I did not complete five years of treatment…I didn't even complete one year. I was not prepared for the side effects (mind you I was in my 20s at the time).  However, considering you are coming off the standard course of interferon, the symptoms might not be as bad for you. I was in the process of trying to return to school to complete my doctoral program and realized there was no way that would happen while I was on peg-intron. Good news…I did complete a course of radiation and couple with the six months of pegylated intereron I have been NED since 2007.

My advice: give it a try. The worse thing that can happen is you pull out early.

Keep smiling and looking to tomorrow,

Jacqueline

It would be best to consult your son's medical oncologist.  I suggest following their recommendations.  With cancer, there is always uncertainty.  We never know how successful our treatment will be but we can always hope and have faith! I know that is not much reassurance but you have to trust your doctors and yourself to chose the correct treatment.  Good luck!

It would be best to consult your son's medical oncologist.  I suggest following their recommendations.  With cancer, there is always uncertainty.  We never know how successful our treatment will be but we can always hope and have faith! I know that is not much reassurance but you have to trust your doctors and yourself to chose the correct treatment.  Good luck!