@janis-b
Forum Replies Created
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- June 18, 2011 at 12:44 am
I agree with the other replies – such a personal choice. After my 2d recurrance, I chose interferon because watch and wait status was so difficult for me, and as others have said, the constant monitoring while on treatment was a comfort. That said, I could only complete the induction phase because I became too ill. However, my onc. said that, if interferon was going to work, it would most likely be due to the initial phase and not the ongoing. Long story short, I'm back with the disease a year and one half later, but I've never regretted trying the treatment. The point is, after making a decision, it's so important to accept that decision and not look back.
Best of luck to you and your mom.
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- June 18, 2011 at 12:44 am
I agree with the other replies – such a personal choice. After my 2d recurrance, I chose interferon because watch and wait status was so difficult for me, and as others have said, the constant monitoring while on treatment was a comfort. That said, I could only complete the induction phase because I became too ill. However, my onc. said that, if interferon was going to work, it would most likely be due to the initial phase and not the ongoing. Long story short, I'm back with the disease a year and one half later, but I've never regretted trying the treatment. The point is, after making a decision, it's so important to accept that decision and not look back.
Best of luck to you and your mom.
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- June 13, 2011 at 1:49 am
I'm currently on the Oncovex trial, but if it fails, my dr. said that this would be the next step for me. I did some research on the peg-interferon – it appears to be less toxic and more effective than the traditional interferon, which to me, is a very good thing since I was taken off interferon after one month due to rampant illness. Anyway,per my MD, it has been approved by the FDA.
Wishing you the very best at your visit!
Janis
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- June 13, 2011 at 1:49 am
I'm currently on the Oncovex trial, but if it fails, my dr. said that this would be the next step for me. I did some research on the peg-interferon – it appears to be less toxic and more effective than the traditional interferon, which to me, is a very good thing since I was taken off interferon after one month due to rampant illness. Anyway,per my MD, it has been approved by the FDA.
Wishing you the very best at your visit!
Janis
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- May 23, 2011 at 4:16 am
Hi Gtown,
The interferon dose for melanoma is about 6 times the amount given for Hep C. It's administered intravenously 5 consecutive days a week during the induction or initial phase, then the self-dosing as you noted for 1 year (maintenance phase). Adjuvant treatment like interferon, because of its toxicity and relatively minor impact on the disease, is rarely (if ever??) offered after an initial local excision w/o metastasis.
I received interferon after a second recurrence and metastasis to one lymph node. All respond differently, but one should not expect any where near the same level of tolerance you had w/ the Hep C weekly injections. I was pretty much laid up after the 2nd week of the induction phase and had to discontinue after the 4 weeks due to illness. Many, many do complete the entire year, but that first month is no walk in the park.
Hope this helps.
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- May 23, 2011 at 4:16 am
Hi Gtown,
The interferon dose for melanoma is about 6 times the amount given for Hep C. It's administered intravenously 5 consecutive days a week during the induction or initial phase, then the self-dosing as you noted for 1 year (maintenance phase). Adjuvant treatment like interferon, because of its toxicity and relatively minor impact on the disease, is rarely (if ever??) offered after an initial local excision w/o metastasis.
I received interferon after a second recurrence and metastasis to one lymph node. All respond differently, but one should not expect any where near the same level of tolerance you had w/ the Hep C weekly injections. I was pretty much laid up after the 2nd week of the induction phase and had to discontinue after the 4 weeks due to illness. Many, many do complete the entire year, but that first month is no walk in the park.
Hope this helps.
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- May 10, 2011 at 3:13 am
Hi Melanoma Mom-
Hawaii Bob mentioned green tea, which I completely believe in. You can read about the research being done on this on PubMed, which is the part of the NIH website. Some really positive results, very interesting.
Thanks so very much for sharing your story and your findings re nutrition. Strong prayers for you and your brave son.
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- May 10, 2011 at 3:13 am
Hi Melanoma Mom-
Hawaii Bob mentioned green tea, which I completely believe in. You can read about the research being done on this on PubMed, which is the part of the NIH website. Some really positive results, very interesting.
Thanks so very much for sharing your story and your findings re nutrition. Strong prayers for you and your brave son.
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- June 18, 2011 at 12:32 am
Nikki, that is a tough situation to deal with and I thank you so much for writing and sharing. And I know exactly what you mean – no one seems to understand the depth and breadth of our illness, until it's visible. We are not usually on chemo or radiation, we generally don't lose our hair, and we often look fairly healthy until … well, we aren't. I've never been a whiner or a complainer. but I love to be able to share my feelings here and to give support where I can. So, here's to you – to your strength and your courage to get up and suit up and put on your scarf and write on this board!!
Janis
IIIC, Cycle 2, Oncovex Trial
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- June 18, 2011 at 12:32 am
Nikki, that is a tough situation to deal with and I thank you so much for writing and sharing. And I know exactly what you mean – no one seems to understand the depth and breadth of our illness, until it's visible. We are not usually on chemo or radiation, we generally don't lose our hair, and we often look fairly healthy until … well, we aren't. I've never been a whiner or a complainer. but I love to be able to share my feelings here and to give support where I can. So, here's to you – to your strength and your courage to get up and suit up and put on your scarf and write on this board!!
Janis
IIIC, Cycle 2, Oncovex Trial
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- June 13, 2011 at 1:41 am
It is always heartbreaking to remember those from this board who did not survive. I do remember Sharyn, and I wrote down her last post because of the courage and even joy that she showed as she went to hospice (I believe this is the Sharyn you're refering to).
Anyway, I thank you for researching and responding. Hair loss is minor next to all else we face, but it's just something I wanted to check out.
Good luck to all of us, whether we're sweating out a clinical trial, intolerable treatment, or the ever-present watching and waiting!!
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- June 13, 2011 at 1:41 am
It is always heartbreaking to remember those from this board who did not survive. I do remember Sharyn, and I wrote down her last post because of the courage and even joy that she showed as she went to hospice (I believe this is the Sharyn you're refering to).
Anyway, I thank you for researching and responding. Hair loss is minor next to all else we face, but it's just something I wanted to check out.
Good luck to all of us, whether we're sweating out a clinical trial, intolerable treatment, or the ever-present watching and waiting!!
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- May 10, 2011 at 2:58 am
Just started last week. As the trial progresses, hopefully my new tumor will shrink and disappear! One thing I can confirm – after interferon, the side effects (2 days of flu-like symptoms) are a piece of cake, a walk in the park. Fell free to e-mail me if you have any questions!
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