nlavine925
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nlavine925

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      • March 9, 2015 at 6:42 pm
      nlavine925
      Participant

      I saw Dr. Infante as my second opinion and thought he was great. I would have switched my care to him if it wasn't tricky being seen in an HCA hospital, which my insurance wouldn't cover. He spent lots of time with my husband and me, answered all of our questions, and came up with some other treatment options to think about. His advice was the reason that I ultimately decided against Interferon, and I'm so grateful that he helped me get to that conclusion.

      I hope this is helpful. Feel free to let me know if you have any other questions!

      • March 9, 2015 at 6:42 pm
      nlavine925
      Participant

      I saw Dr. Infante as my second opinion and thought he was great. I would have switched my care to him if it wasn't tricky being seen in an HCA hospital, which my insurance wouldn't cover. He spent lots of time with my husband and me, answered all of our questions, and came up with some other treatment options to think about. His advice was the reason that I ultimately decided against Interferon, and I'm so grateful that he helped me get to that conclusion.

      I hope this is helpful. Feel free to let me know if you have any other questions!

      • March 9, 2015 at 6:42 pm
      nlavine925
      Participant

      I saw Dr. Infante as my second opinion and thought he was great. I would have switched my care to him if it wasn't tricky being seen in an HCA hospital, which my insurance wouldn't cover. He spent lots of time with my husband and me, answered all of our questions, and came up with some other treatment options to think about. His advice was the reason that I ultimately decided against Interferon, and I'm so grateful that he helped me get to that conclusion.

      I hope this is helpful. Feel free to let me know if you have any other questions!

      • January 22, 2015 at 10:36 pm
      nlavine925
      Participant

      Mike,

      I was staged at 3a with 20 additional lymph nodes taken from my right underarm after the first showed positive, so very similarly to yours. After at least a month of going back and forth on the interferon decision, I decided that it just wasn't for me. I have a young son at home and didn't want to risk not being there for him if I experienced the side effects that so many do. For me, there was also the knowledge that interferon can cause or worsen depression and I already fight that on a daily basis. So it just wasn't worth the risk. I read a lot of the posts on here where people expressed their opinions for and against interferon. I got a second opinion from another oncologist in town. And ultimately, decided that close monitoring would be ok. It's a tough decision and if you do have an option of a clinical trial, it's definitely worth looking in to, especially if you want to feel like you are actively doing something rather than waiting and watching.

      Hopefully you find clarity and can move forward. Best of luck!!

      Nathalie

      • January 22, 2015 at 10:36 pm
      nlavine925
      Participant

      Mike,

      I was staged at 3a with 20 additional lymph nodes taken from my right underarm after the first showed positive, so very similarly to yours. After at least a month of going back and forth on the interferon decision, I decided that it just wasn't for me. I have a young son at home and didn't want to risk not being there for him if I experienced the side effects that so many do. For me, there was also the knowledge that interferon can cause or worsen depression and I already fight that on a daily basis. So it just wasn't worth the risk. I read a lot of the posts on here where people expressed their opinions for and against interferon. I got a second opinion from another oncologist in town. And ultimately, decided that close monitoring would be ok. It's a tough decision and if you do have an option of a clinical trial, it's definitely worth looking in to, especially if you want to feel like you are actively doing something rather than waiting and watching.

      Hopefully you find clarity and can move forward. Best of luck!!

      Nathalie

      • January 22, 2015 at 10:36 pm
      nlavine925
      Participant

      Mike,

      I was staged at 3a with 20 additional lymph nodes taken from my right underarm after the first showed positive, so very similarly to yours. After at least a month of going back and forth on the interferon decision, I decided that it just wasn't for me. I have a young son at home and didn't want to risk not being there for him if I experienced the side effects that so many do. For me, there was also the knowledge that interferon can cause or worsen depression and I already fight that on a daily basis. So it just wasn't worth the risk. I read a lot of the posts on here where people expressed their opinions for and against interferon. I got a second opinion from another oncologist in town. And ultimately, decided that close monitoring would be ok. It's a tough decision and if you do have an option of a clinical trial, it's definitely worth looking in to, especially if you want to feel like you are actively doing something rather than waiting and watching.

      Hopefully you find clarity and can move forward. Best of luck!!

      Nathalie

      • September 10, 2014 at 5:04 pm
      nlavine925
      Participant

      Artie,

      Thanks for the information. I drink some of the Naked juices but haven't tried bolthouse. I'll have to look for those. They are on the expensive side, but they're definitely worth it for the time they save. And we've always got OJ in the fridge for vitamin C!

      I'll be thinking about you and hope that you keep doing well. Thanks again for the help!

      • September 10, 2014 at 5:04 pm
      nlavine925
      Participant

      Artie,

      Thanks for the information. I drink some of the Naked juices but haven't tried bolthouse. I'll have to look for those. They are on the expensive side, but they're definitely worth it for the time they save. And we've always got OJ in the fridge for vitamin C!

      I'll be thinking about you and hope that you keep doing well. Thanks again for the help!

      • September 10, 2014 at 5:04 pm
      nlavine925
      Participant

      Artie,

      Thanks for the information. I drink some of the Naked juices but haven't tried bolthouse. I'll have to look for those. They are on the expensive side, but they're definitely worth it for the time they save. And we've always got OJ in the fridge for vitamin C!

      I'll be thinking about you and hope that you keep doing well. Thanks again for the help!

      • September 10, 2014 at 5:02 pm
      nlavine925
      Participant

      Rick,

      Thanks for the great information. I hope your little one is doing well. I found my guy to be a great distraction for the worst of the melanoma days! Babies definitely make your priorities shift a bit. I'm noting all of the supplements and vitamins and will take the list to my doctor. I have (unrelated) heart issues and like to double check everything before I move forward.

      I realize that there's probably not, but please let me know if there's any way I can help you or your wife. This is definitely not what anyone expects for the first year of their child's life!

      All the best!

      • September 10, 2014 at 5:02 pm
      nlavine925
      Participant

      Rick,

      Thanks for the great information. I hope your little one is doing well. I found my guy to be a great distraction for the worst of the melanoma days! Babies definitely make your priorities shift a bit. I'm noting all of the supplements and vitamins and will take the list to my doctor. I have (unrelated) heart issues and like to double check everything before I move forward.

      I realize that there's probably not, but please let me know if there's any way I can help you or your wife. This is definitely not what anyone expects for the first year of their child's life!

      All the best!

      • September 10, 2014 at 5:02 pm
      nlavine925
      Participant

      Rick,

      Thanks for the great information. I hope your little one is doing well. I found my guy to be a great distraction for the worst of the melanoma days! Babies definitely make your priorities shift a bit. I'm noting all of the supplements and vitamins and will take the list to my doctor. I have (unrelated) heart issues and like to double check everything before I move forward.

      I realize that there's probably not, but please let me know if there's any way I can help you or your wife. This is definitely not what anyone expects for the first year of their child's life!

      All the best!

      • September 10, 2014 at 4:59 pm
      nlavine925
      Participant

      Thanks to both of you for the recommendations. I definitely have wet wipes (or at least baby wipes) on hand with me all the time, as well as hand sanitizer. Just had my first round of blood work and everything looks ok.

      I hope you both keep doing well!

      • September 10, 2014 at 4:59 pm
      nlavine925
      Participant

      Thanks to both of you for the recommendations. I definitely have wet wipes (or at least baby wipes) on hand with me all the time, as well as hand sanitizer. Just had my first round of blood work and everything looks ok.

      I hope you both keep doing well!

      • September 10, 2014 at 4:59 pm
      nlavine925
      Participant

      Thanks to both of you for the recommendations. I definitely have wet wipes (or at least baby wipes) on hand with me all the time, as well as hand sanitizer. Just had my first round of blood work and everything looks ok.

      I hope you both keep doing well!

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