ValJaneMB

Hi Chet,

After I have my CT scans back in Winnipeg, If there is no change, or tumors/lymph nodes grow, I will not return to Pittsburgh for further IL-2 treatment.  Funny thing, I don't think anyone has mentioned complete response  – maybe it would be too early to tell or they don't want to give me false hope.  But if there is partial response, they want me back for another couple of rounds.  I am not sure if I will be offered IPI in Winnipeg at that point.

All the best with your scans on March 14th.

ValJane

Hi Chet,

After I have my CT scans back in Winnipeg, If there is no change, or tumors/lymph nodes grow, I will not return to Pittsburgh for further IL-2 treatment.  Funny thing, I don't think anyone has mentioned complete response  – maybe it would be too early to tell or they don't want to give me false hope.  But if there is partial response, they want me back for another couple of rounds.  I am not sure if I will be offered IPI in Winnipeg at that point.

All the best with your scans on March 14th.

ValJane

Kim,

My experience seems like it was a walk in the park compared to yours.  My blood platelet count was low and I had reached that maximum weight gain that the Dr. set at the beginning of the treatment, that is why they stopped my treatments.  I had some loose stools and one bout of vommiting, I am hoping that enough toxicity has left my body that I can last through 14 bags during round 2.

I pray that you remain NED.

ValJane

Kim,

My experience seems like it was a walk in the park compared to yours.  My blood platelet count was low and I had reached that maximum weight gain that the Dr. set at the beginning of the treatment, that is why they stopped my treatments.  I had some loose stools and one bout of vommiting, I am hoping that enough toxicity has left my body that I can last through 14 bags during round 2.

I pray that you remain NED.

ValJane

Hi Anniepans,

Wow!  Your husband certainly did well with 13 bags then 11.  I  hope his ability to 'go the distance' with the treatments shows with good results from his bloodwork tomorrow.  Thank goodness for that chest x-ray he had.  Melanoma is so  misunderstood.  Take care both of you.

Hi Anniepans,

Wow!  Your husband certainly did well with 13 bags then 11.  I  hope his ability to 'go the distance' with the treatments shows with good results from his bloodwork tomorrow.  Thank goodness for that chest x-ray he had.  Melanoma is so  misunderstood.  Take care both of you.

Thanks EmilyandMike,

The sheet looks very informative and easy to understand.  I will be printing it out when I get home.

ValJaneMB

Thanks EmilyandMike,

The sheet looks very informative and easy to understand.  I will be printing it out when I get home.

ValJaneMB

Hi Vermont_Donna,

When I had the mole removed in 2007 the surgical oncologist sat me down and told me it was stage 4 and would probably come back elsewhere.  In Canada they don't give you a lot of the details and at the time I guess I was in shock and never thought to ask.  Since then my pathologies have been sent here to Pittsburgh and Dr. Kirkwood has indeed told me that it is stage 3 (sorry can't remember  the a,b or c)  On my last CT scan in Winnipeg they did see two tiny spots in my lungs but again Dr. Kirkwood here saw nothing when he read the same scan.  I also have a 2 cm bump which developed near the scar tissue where I had the lymph node disection.  Whether that changes the staging or not I am not sure.  I hope this clears up the mystery a bit.  As far as IPI goes, I qualify for it if I fail this treatment.

Thanks again.

ValJane

Hi Vermont_Donna,

When I had the mole removed in 2007 the surgical oncologist sat me down and told me it was stage 4 and would probably come back elsewhere.  In Canada they don't give you a lot of the details and at the time I guess I was in shock and never thought to ask.  Since then my pathologies have been sent here to Pittsburgh and Dr. Kirkwood has indeed told me that it is stage 3 (sorry can't remember  the a,b or c)  On my last CT scan in Winnipeg they did see two tiny spots in my lungs but again Dr. Kirkwood here saw nothing when he read the same scan.  I also have a 2 cm bump which developed near the scar tissue where I had the lymph node disection.  Whether that changes the staging or not I am not sure.  I hope this clears up the mystery a bit.  As far as IPI goes, I qualify for it if I fail this treatment.

Thanks again.

ValJane