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Need a pep talk
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Need a pep talk

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Need a pep talk

  • Post
    • July 30, 2015 at 1:43 am
    AshleyS
    Participant

      Hey guys,

      I had my fourth Opdivo dose today (after 3 ipi/Opdivo doses and 1 dose of ipi alone). I have 1 more dose here in ND before I head down to TX for scans at MD Anderson. 

      I feel like I've been handling everything so well, but then this morning I felt a lump where a former tumor was located. Ugh. It's pea sized, but it's got my head spinning. 

      I've also been dealing with lots of fatigue and stomach issues (cramping/diarrhea) from the treatments. I can handle that, but I hate that I'm "out of commission" for my kids (2 1/2 and 8 months) and my husband. This gets me more than anything. 

      Thanks for letting me vent. 

      Ashley 

    Viewing 20 reply threads
    • Replies
        • July 30, 2015 at 2:01 am
        DianaD
        Participant

          I am so sorry.  Hang in there.  Best of luck with your scans.  Please keep us posted.  

          • July 30, 2015 at 2:01 am
          DianaD
          Participant

            I am so sorry.  Hang in there.  Best of luck with your scans.  Please keep us posted.  

            • July 30, 2015 at 2:01 am
            DianaD
            Participant

              I am so sorry.  Hang in there.  Best of luck with your scans.  Please keep us posted.  

              • July 30, 2015 at 2:38 am
              jvictoria
              Participant

                We're with you… keep your chin up and strong…

                Big Hugs

                • July 30, 2015 at 2:38 am
                jvictoria
                Participant

                  We're with you… keep your chin up and strong…

                  Big Hugs

                  • July 30, 2015 at 2:38 am
                  jvictoria
                  Participant

                    We're with you… keep your chin up and strong…

                    Big Hugs

                    • July 30, 2015 at 3:20 am
                    JoshF
                    Participant

                      Hang in there Ashley…I know it;s not always easy to do…we're all pulling for you!!

                      • July 30, 2015 at 3:20 am
                      JoshF
                      Participant

                        Hang in there Ashley…I know it;s not always easy to do…we're all pulling for you!!

                        • July 30, 2015 at 3:20 am
                        JoshF
                        Participant

                          Hang in there Ashley…I know it;s not always easy to do…we're all pulling for you!!

                          • July 30, 2015 at 9:56 am
                          stars
                          Participant

                            Hi Ashley – like Dory in the movie Finding Nemo, just keep swimming. You're doing all the right things, discuss that lump with your doc and get some peace of mind. You're a mother of two very young kids – your plate is full. You need to look after yourself mentally and physically. No more unnecessary worry – work with the facts and only the facts – you have a tiny lump that may be nothing or it may be something,no amount of worry will change what it is, and a trip to the doc will bring you some certainty.  I hate to think of another mum (I have 2 kids too) coping will all this – I wish I could drop by and have a cuppa but please accept a virtual hug instead.

                            Stars

                            • July 30, 2015 at 9:56 am
                            stars
                            Participant

                              Hi Ashley – like Dory in the movie Finding Nemo, just keep swimming. You're doing all the right things, discuss that lump with your doc and get some peace of mind. You're a mother of two very young kids – your plate is full. You need to look after yourself mentally and physically. No more unnecessary worry – work with the facts and only the facts – you have a tiny lump that may be nothing or it may be something,no amount of worry will change what it is, and a trip to the doc will bring you some certainty.  I hate to think of another mum (I have 2 kids too) coping will all this – I wish I could drop by and have a cuppa but please accept a virtual hug instead.

                              Stars

                              • July 30, 2015 at 9:56 am
                              stars
                              Participant

                                Hi Ashley – like Dory in the movie Finding Nemo, just keep swimming. You're doing all the right things, discuss that lump with your doc and get some peace of mind. You're a mother of two very young kids – your plate is full. You need to look after yourself mentally and physically. No more unnecessary worry – work with the facts and only the facts – you have a tiny lump that may be nothing or it may be something,no amount of worry will change what it is, and a trip to the doc will bring you some certainty.  I hate to think of another mum (I have 2 kids too) coping will all this – I wish I could drop by and have a cuppa but please accept a virtual hug instead.

                                Stars

                                • July 30, 2015 at 12:57 pm
                                273c
                                Participant

                                  ((((Hugs)))))

                                   

                                  One of the medical oncologists we spoke with said in some patients on IPI, the tumors grew a bit before they shrunk and eventually went away.

                                   

                                  Crossing my fingers for you!

                                  • July 30, 2015 at 12:57 pm
                                  273c
                                  Participant

                                    ((((Hugs)))))

                                     

                                    One of the medical oncologists we spoke with said in some patients on IPI, the tumors grew a bit before they shrunk and eventually went away.

                                     

                                    Crossing my fingers for you!

                                    • July 30, 2015 at 12:57 pm
                                    273c
                                    Participant

                                      ((((Hugs)))))

                                       

                                      One of the medical oncologists we spoke with said in some patients on IPI, the tumors grew a bit before they shrunk and eventually went away.

                                       

                                      Crossing my fingers for you!

                                      • July 30, 2015 at 2:38 pm
                                      arthurjedi007
                                      Participant

                                        The pea sized lump could just be dead tissue that your body hasn't disposed of yet and it moved to a position you can feel it. I have a 14 by 12 cm lump in my shoulder. Looks like the hunchback of Norte dame. But 90% is dead tissue so it is going to take a really long time for my body to dispose of it.

                                        Imodium helped me with diarrhea and a warm cup of water with jello powder in it helped when my stomach hurt. Fatigue I haven't found anything that helps. Too much rest, not enough rest, resting when it's the strongest, pushing myself to get up when the fatigue is weighing me down. Nothing seems to help. Just something fortunately minor compared to other things we have to deal with.

                                        Hang in there.

                                        Artie

                                        • July 30, 2015 at 2:38 pm
                                        arthurjedi007
                                        Participant

                                          The pea sized lump could just be dead tissue that your body hasn't disposed of yet and it moved to a position you can feel it. I have a 14 by 12 cm lump in my shoulder. Looks like the hunchback of Norte dame. But 90% is dead tissue so it is going to take a really long time for my body to dispose of it.

                                          Imodium helped me with diarrhea and a warm cup of water with jello powder in it helped when my stomach hurt. Fatigue I haven't found anything that helps. Too much rest, not enough rest, resting when it's the strongest, pushing myself to get up when the fatigue is weighing me down. Nothing seems to help. Just something fortunately minor compared to other things we have to deal with.

                                          Hang in there.

                                          Artie

                                          • July 30, 2015 at 2:38 pm
                                          arthurjedi007
                                          Participant

                                            The pea sized lump could just be dead tissue that your body hasn't disposed of yet and it moved to a position you can feel it. I have a 14 by 12 cm lump in my shoulder. Looks like the hunchback of Norte dame. But 90% is dead tissue so it is going to take a really long time for my body to dispose of it.

                                            Imodium helped me with diarrhea and a warm cup of water with jello powder in it helped when my stomach hurt. Fatigue I haven't found anything that helps. Too much rest, not enough rest, resting when it's the strongest, pushing myself to get up when the fatigue is weighing me down. Nothing seems to help. Just something fortunately minor compared to other things we have to deal with.

                                            Hang in there.

                                            Artie

                                            • July 30, 2015 at 5:34 pm
                                            Eileensulliv
                                            Participant

                                              Hello, my friend! It really does seem like we are neck-and-neck, right? Like Artie, Immodium helps me. I also practice the BRAT diet when the diarrhea strikes… Bananas, rice, applesauce, toast! It does seem to help. Also, I was a little low on iron and slightly anemic, so my doc had me start taking an iron supplement, and that seems to have helped with the diarrhea, as well! Fatigue… It comes and goes… I did start doing some exercises and walking on the treadmill, and that seems to have given me a little more energy, and keeps the circulation in my legs and feet moving. I have been getting some pain and swelling in my legs and feet, and I think the extra walking is helping with that. 

                                              I've had a couple of pea sized nodules pop up in my arm and ear lobe, but right now we are just seeing if they decrease in size with the opdivo. My next scan is one week from today, so I'm starting a little scanxiety now! I hope and pray everything goes well for you!

                                              • July 30, 2015 at 5:34 pm
                                              Eileensulliv
                                              Participant

                                                Hello, my friend! It really does seem like we are neck-and-neck, right? Like Artie, Immodium helps me. I also practice the BRAT diet when the diarrhea strikes… Bananas, rice, applesauce, toast! It does seem to help. Also, I was a little low on iron and slightly anemic, so my doc had me start taking an iron supplement, and that seems to have helped with the diarrhea, as well! Fatigue… It comes and goes… I did start doing some exercises and walking on the treadmill, and that seems to have given me a little more energy, and keeps the circulation in my legs and feet moving. I have been getting some pain and swelling in my legs and feet, and I think the extra walking is helping with that. 

                                                I've had a couple of pea sized nodules pop up in my arm and ear lobe, but right now we are just seeing if they decrease in size with the opdivo. My next scan is one week from today, so I'm starting a little scanxiety now! I hope and pray everything goes well for you!

                                                • July 30, 2015 at 5:34 pm
                                                Eileensulliv
                                                Participant

                                                  Hello, my friend! It really does seem like we are neck-and-neck, right? Like Artie, Immodium helps me. I also practice the BRAT diet when the diarrhea strikes… Bananas, rice, applesauce, toast! It does seem to help. Also, I was a little low on iron and slightly anemic, so my doc had me start taking an iron supplement, and that seems to have helped with the diarrhea, as well! Fatigue… It comes and goes… I did start doing some exercises and walking on the treadmill, and that seems to have given me a little more energy, and keeps the circulation in my legs and feet moving. I have been getting some pain and swelling in my legs and feet, and I think the extra walking is helping with that. 

                                                  I've had a couple of pea sized nodules pop up in my arm and ear lobe, but right now we are just seeing if they decrease in size with the opdivo. My next scan is one week from today, so I'm starting a little scanxiety now! I hope and pray everything goes well for you!

                                              Viewing 20 reply threads
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