Keepingyourchinup

Hi Bill, 

Thank you for sharing your story! I think it really helps to hear the paths everyone else has traveled. I am in Baltimore as well but am being treated at Mercy, who is working with Hopkins as they collaborate with the melanoma specialists. I see my surgeon on Monday and will discuss next steps regarding follow up. Ipi was one of the drugs I was really interested in for treatment but I am 3A so I don't qualify for that. Apparently I didn't have "enough cancer in my lymph node". On one hand I am glad; however, it was really aggravating to hear that statement. I am glad the side effects of ipi were much better than the interferon! Honestly, I think we are all playing the waiting game once you have the diagnosis. I know that I try not to worry too much about it as it really does create a lot of stress. 

I wish you all the best! 

Kathy

Hi Bill, 

Thank you for sharing your story! I think it really helps to hear the paths everyone else has traveled. I am in Baltimore as well but am being treated at Mercy, who is working with Hopkins as they collaborate with the melanoma specialists. I see my surgeon on Monday and will discuss next steps regarding follow up. Ipi was one of the drugs I was really interested in for treatment but I am 3A so I don't qualify for that. Apparently I didn't have "enough cancer in my lymph node". On one hand I am glad; however, it was really aggravating to hear that statement. I am glad the side effects of ipi were much better than the interferon! Honestly, I think we are all playing the waiting game once you have the diagnosis. I know that I try not to worry too much about it as it really does create a lot of stress. 

I wish you all the best! 

Kathy

Hi Bill, 

Thank you for sharing your story! I think it really helps to hear the paths everyone else has traveled. I am in Baltimore as well but am being treated at Mercy, who is working with Hopkins as they collaborate with the melanoma specialists. I see my surgeon on Monday and will discuss next steps regarding follow up. Ipi was one of the drugs I was really interested in for treatment but I am 3A so I don't qualify for that. Apparently I didn't have "enough cancer in my lymph node". On one hand I am glad; however, it was really aggravating to hear that statement. I am glad the side effects of ipi were much better than the interferon! Honestly, I think we are all playing the waiting game once you have the diagnosis. I know that I try not to worry too much about it as it really does create a lot of stress. 

I wish you all the best! 

Kathy

Thank you so much for the replies! I truly appreciate your words of advice. 

Ed: I have to share something… I do talk a bit but the anti-depressants I was on made me talk even more the week they finally kicked in. I couldn't stop complimenting strangers or talking and boy was it annoying! Even my family would ask me when I was going to bed… The following week I was back to feeling exhausted but still talking… I Can totally relate to not feeling like yourself as aggression started setting in. So I was a tired, talking, exhausted female…. Talk about scary 😉 

have a great weekend everyone! 

Kathy

Thank you so much for the replies! I truly appreciate your words of advice. 

Ed: I have to share something… I do talk a bit but the anti-depressants I was on made me talk even more the week they finally kicked in. I couldn't stop complimenting strangers or talking and boy was it annoying! Even my family would ask me when I was going to bed… The following week I was back to feeling exhausted but still talking… I Can totally relate to not feeling like yourself as aggression started setting in. So I was a tired, talking, exhausted female…. Talk about scary 😉 

have a great weekend everyone! 

Kathy

Thank you so much for the replies! I truly appreciate your words of advice. 

Ed: I have to share something… I do talk a bit but the anti-depressants I was on made me talk even more the week they finally kicked in. I couldn't stop complimenting strangers or talking and boy was it annoying! Even my family would ask me when I was going to bed… The following week I was back to feeling exhausted but still talking… I Can totally relate to not feeling like yourself as aggression started setting in. So I was a tired, talking, exhausted female…. Talk about scary 😉 

have a great weekend everyone! 

Kathy

Congrats Mary! That is great news and thanks for sharing that! I start my treatment tomorrow so we shall see….. I finally put my 'big girl pants" on and am ready…. I think. By the way, I love the statement under your name; it says alot! 

Kathy 

Congrats Mary! That is great news and thanks for sharing that! I start my treatment tomorrow so we shall see….. I finally put my 'big girl pants" on and am ready…. I think. By the way, I love the statement under your name; it says alot! 

Kathy 

Congrats Mary! That is great news and thanks for sharing that! I start my treatment tomorrow so we shall see….. I finally put my 'big girl pants" on and am ready…. I think. By the way, I love the statement under your name; it says alot! 

Kathy 

Thank you for sharing your story! I think I know my decision so I will at least try it. The "traditional" Interferon was a big no for me but I will try the pegylated version and see what happens. I hope your scans are clear and you find that clinical trial! It is a hunt for all of us, I think. 

Kathy 

Thank you for sharing your story! I think I know my decision so I will at least try it. The "traditional" Interferon was a big no for me but I will try the pegylated version and see what happens. I hope your scans are clear and you find that clinical trial! It is a hunt for all of us, I think. 

Kathy 

Thank you for sharing your story! I think I know my decision so I will at least try it. The "traditional" Interferon was a big no for me but I will try the pegylated version and see what happens. I hope your scans are clear and you find that clinical trial! It is a hunt for all of us, I think. 

Kathy