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skousal
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skousal

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      • February 23, 2017 at 2:39 am
      skousal
      Participant

        I would ask for an ultrasound of the area just to be sure it's nothing to worry about. 

        • February 23, 2017 at 2:29 am
        skousal
        Participant

          I am also stage 3a and I had to make these hard decisions. I wanted to do the "watch and wait" yet I decided to have the clnd on 2/8/16 and I'm still recovering with the drain in my groin. The surgery was not as bad as I anticipated and I am healing fairly quickly with no swelling, just some pain with walking as I think I can feel the end of the drain in my leg. While I had the surgery, I don't think I will opt for any adjunct therapy, side effects are horribly scary with the chance of no benefit or real need. I am only 25 and I don't want to create so many health problems from immunological agents unless there is active disease. But it is your choice. I don't know if I helped at all, but good luck!

          • February 21, 2017 at 12:06 am
          skousal
          Participant

            Thank you everyone for your advise and thoughts!

            • February 23, 2017 at 5:30 am
            skousal
            Participant

              Jenn,

              It is great to hear that you don't have side effects. I wouldn't say I have made up my mind 100% yet about avoiding Ipi, as I still have to meet with another oncologist at MDA but I don't know, I just fear that I would not tolerate it well. 

              • February 21, 2017 at 12:05 am
              skousal
              Participant

                Thank you for your advise and video!

                • January 10, 2017 at 3:29 am
                skousal
                Participant

                  Mark,
                  Are you also stage IIIa? The medical oncologist I saw at home in Albuquerque, NM wants me to participate in that trail to receive ipi vs. pembro. I also think that the doctor being proactive is great, but then again my mind wonders and I consider that the doctor is more concerned with having research participants then my actual well-being, at least that is the vibe I got from the appointment. How are you tolerating the ipi? Thanks for your post.
                  Shawna

                  • January 10, 2017 at 3:29 am
                  skousal
                  Participant

                    Mark,
                    Are you also stage IIIa? The medical oncologist I saw at home in Albuquerque, NM wants me to participate in that trail to receive ipi vs. pembro. I also think that the doctor being proactive is great, but then again my mind wonders and I consider that the doctor is more concerned with having research participants then my actual well-being, at least that is the vibe I got from the appointment. How are you tolerating the ipi? Thanks for your post.
                    Shawna

                    • January 10, 2017 at 3:29 am
                    skousal
                    Participant

                      Mark,
                      Are you also stage IIIa? The medical oncologist I saw at home in Albuquerque, NM wants me to participate in that trail to receive ipi vs. pembro. I also think that the doctor being proactive is great, but then again my mind wonders and I consider that the doctor is more concerned with having research participants then my actual well-being, at least that is the vibe I got from the appointment. How are you tolerating the ipi? Thanks for your post.
                      Shawna

                      • January 10, 2017 at 3:23 am
                      skousal
                      Participant

                        So I don't have a detailed plan for systemic therapy yet, just surgical plans, but I will try to keep you updated. 

                        Shawna 

                        • January 10, 2017 at 3:23 am
                        skousal
                        Participant

                          So I don't have a detailed plan for systemic therapy yet, just surgical plans, but I will try to keep you updated. 

                          Shawna 

                          • January 10, 2017 at 3:23 am
                          skousal
                          Participant

                            So I don't have a detailed plan for systemic therapy yet, just surgical plans, but I will try to keep you updated. 

                            Shawna 

                            • January 10, 2017 at 3:21 am
                            skousal
                            Participant

                              Thank you for replying. It is all very new and scary, but reading everyone’s story makes you feel less alone.  I have been researching some on my own, but it is overwhelming, and that is why I went to MD Anderson, hoping they could help with the hard decisions.  I hope your husband is recovering well!
                              Shawna

                              • January 10, 2017 at 3:21 am
                              skousal
                              Participant

                                Thank you for replying. It is all very new and scary, but reading everyone’s story makes you feel less alone.  I have been researching some on my own, but it is overwhelming, and that is why I went to MD Anderson, hoping they could help with the hard decisions.  I hope your husband is recovering well!
                                Shawna

                                • January 10, 2017 at 3:21 am
                                skousal
                                Participant

                                  Thank you for replying. It is all very new and scary, but reading everyone’s story makes you feel less alone.  I have been researching some on my own, but it is overwhelming, and that is why I went to MD Anderson, hoping they could help with the hard decisions.  I hope your husband is recovering well!
                                  Shawna

                                  • January 10, 2017 at 3:17 am
                                  skousal
                                  Participant

                                    From my understanding Dr. Ross felt that a total dissection and adjunct therapy would be best as I am so young and I have many years for a possible reoccurrence.  And if more positive nodes were identified I would also be a candidate for a clinical trial. How long ago was your surgery for the total dissection, if you don’t mind me asking?

                                    Shawna

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