Dana R.

In 2001, Dr Sewa Legha was doing trials at MDA on a bio chemo protocol: cisplatin, vinblastine, dacarbazine, high dose IL-2, and interferon. It was brutal. We elected to do this off-study, because our youngest was 2 years old at the time, and we wanted as much time together as a family as possible. At that time, we were told that 5 year survival was about 3-5%. After 4 cycles, Steve's lungs were clear. Our onc then recommended an immunotherapy protocol that was in trials at JWCI. It was specifically for bio chemo follow-up. More IL-2, GM-CSF, more interferon…monthly cycles, 12 months worth. Quality of life was pretty good after the initial blast of high dose IL-2. We even traveled some during that year. Did a cross-country "see America" trip with our 4 kids with a cooler of IL-2 and interferon for daily injections. 

Praying that melanoma finds you to be a disagreeable host and LEAVES!

 

In 2001, Dr Sewa Legha was doing trials at MDA on a bio chemo protocol: cisplatin, vinblastine, dacarbazine, high dose IL-2, and interferon. It was brutal. We elected to do this off-study, because our youngest was 2 years old at the time, and we wanted as much time together as a family as possible. At that time, we were told that 5 year survival was about 3-5%. After 4 cycles, Steve's lungs were clear. Our onc then recommended an immunotherapy protocol that was in trials at JWCI. It was specifically for bio chemo follow-up. More IL-2, GM-CSF, more interferon…monthly cycles, 12 months worth. Quality of life was pretty good after the initial blast of high dose IL-2. We even traveled some during that year. Did a cross-country "see America" trip with our 4 kids with a cooler of IL-2 and interferon for daily injections. 

Praying that melanoma finds you to be a disagreeable host and LEAVES!

 

In 2001, Dr Sewa Legha was doing trials at MDA on a bio chemo protocol: cisplatin, vinblastine, dacarbazine, high dose IL-2, and interferon. It was brutal. We elected to do this off-study, because our youngest was 2 years old at the time, and we wanted as much time together as a family as possible. At that time, we were told that 5 year survival was about 3-5%. After 4 cycles, Steve's lungs were clear. Our onc then recommended an immunotherapy protocol that was in trials at JWCI. It was specifically for bio chemo follow-up. More IL-2, GM-CSF, more interferon…monthly cycles, 12 months worth. Quality of life was pretty good after the initial blast of high dose IL-2. We even traveled some during that year. Did a cross-country "see America" trip with our 4 kids with a cooler of IL-2 and interferon for daily injections. 

Praying that melanoma finds you to be a disagreeable host and LEAVES!

 

I join you in that prayer. If you ever get to meet Dr. O’Day, tell him there is a family in Texas that is grateful for his efforts in the battle with this nasty cancer!

I join you in that prayer. If you ever get to meet Dr. O’Day, tell him there is a family in Texas that is grateful for his efforts in the battle with this nasty cancer!

Linda, I posted (long) to Robert about the follow-up.

Warmly,
Dana

Linda, I posted (long) to Robert about the follow-up.

Warmly,
Dana

In 2001, there was a doc at John Wayne doing trials on a biochemo follow-up regimen. I think his name was O’Day. Steve was not enrolled in the study, but O’Day was kind enough to communicate with our oncologist. For six months, Steve was admitted to the hospital for a quick, high dose “blast” of IL-2 each month. They did decrescendo doses, so the first few hours were the worst. It would take about 24 hrs, and they would observe him for another 24 hours. Then home, and daily shots of GM-CSF and IL-2. (thank God our insurance covered it 100%- I remember that the bill for the IL-2 that was delivered to our house was $12,000 each month). Anyway, after the first 6 months, the inpatient “blasts” were every other month.
The best thing was that, after biochemo and 12 weeks of feeling awful every day, with neuropathy that was so bad that he had double vision and could barely feel his feet, during this follow-up treatment he felt great! We took our four kids on a 28 day trip to visit family and all of the Civil War historical sites that Steve had always wanted to see. (we were in Manhattan on 9-1-01) We carried a special cooler for Steve’s “inectables”. We made wonderful memories.
May God bless those of you on the front lines….We think of you often and pray for you. This experience changed both of us, and our kids- and while I would not wish it on anyone, neither would I wish to be the person I was before 2001. Love with abandon, keep short accounts.

In 2001, there was a doc at John Wayne doing trials on a biochemo follow-up regimen. I think his name was O’Day. Steve was not enrolled in the study, but O’Day was kind enough to communicate with our oncologist. For six months, Steve was admitted to the hospital for a quick, high dose “blast” of IL-2 each month. They did decrescendo doses, so the first few hours were the worst. It would take about 24 hrs, and they would observe him for another 24 hours. Then home, and daily shots of GM-CSF and IL-2. (thank God our insurance covered it 100%- I remember that the bill for the IL-2 that was delivered to our house was $12,000 each month). Anyway, after the first 6 months, the inpatient “blasts” were every other month.
The best thing was that, after biochemo and 12 weeks of feeling awful every day, with neuropathy that was so bad that he had double vision and could barely feel his feet, during this follow-up treatment he felt great! We took our four kids on a 28 day trip to visit family and all of the Civil War historical sites that Steve had always wanted to see. (we were in Manhattan on 9-1-01) We carried a special cooler for Steve’s “inectables”. We made wonderful memories.
May God bless those of you on the front lines….We think of you often and pray for you. This experience changed both of us, and our kids- and while I would not wish it on anyone, neither would I wish to be the person I was before 2001. Love with abandon, keep short accounts.