Draino

I agree with the IL2 approach.  I completed 54 bags of the stuff  and this coming February 5th will celebrate 5 years NED.  I was Stage 4, 39, healthy, only 2 intestinal METS.  It was a very tough treatment.  Without my family being there with me everyday, I would not have done so many.

I knew the odds were low for success when I decided on the treatment option, but I wanted that homerun and it looks like I got it.  The odds with melanoma are improving, but in the end don't we all want to hit that homerun and win the game.  Beat Melanoma and live happily ever after!  Until they develop a true cure for melanoma, patients have to keep choosing the between treatments.  IL2 is the only one that can prove long term NED.

I think if you are young, healthy, you need to do the IL2 and swing for the fences.

I am glad I made that choice.

I agree with the IL2 approach.  I completed 54 bags of the stuff  and this coming February 5th will celebrate 5 years NED.  I was Stage 4, 39, healthy, only 2 intestinal METS.  It was a very tough treatment.  Without my family being there with me everyday, I would not have done so many.

I knew the odds were low for success when I decided on the treatment option, but I wanted that homerun and it looks like I got it.  The odds with melanoma are improving, but in the end don't we all want to hit that homerun and win the game.  Beat Melanoma and live happily ever after!  Until they develop a true cure for melanoma, patients have to keep choosing the between treatments.  IL2 is the only one that can prove long term NED.

I think if you are young, healthy, you need to do the IL2 and swing for the fences.

I am glad I made that choice.

I agree with the IL2 approach.  I completed 54 bags of the stuff  and this coming February 5th will celebrate 5 years NED.  I was Stage 4, 39, healthy, only 2 intestinal METS.  It was a very tough treatment.  Without my family being there with me everyday, I would not have done so many.

I knew the odds were low for success when I decided on the treatment option, but I wanted that homerun and it looks like I got it.  The odds with melanoma are improving, but in the end don't we all want to hit that homerun and win the game.  Beat Melanoma and live happily ever after!  Until they develop a true cure for melanoma, patients have to keep choosing the between treatments.  IL2 is the only one that can prove long term NED.

I think if you are young, healthy, you need to do the IL2 and swing for the fences.

I am glad I made that choice.

Tough one.  Food tasted horible during IL2.  A thought from when I had my jaw wired shut (not melanoma related) was carnation instant breakfast.  Mix with milk and provided nutrition.  Eat as much as you can  early on in the week, by end of the week I was not eating much.

My favorite remedy during the rigors (other than demerol) was the heated blankets.  Pile on 2-3 of those and shake away. 

Good luck!

Matt

Tough one.  Food tasted horible during IL2.  A thought from when I had my jaw wired shut (not melanoma related) was carnation instant breakfast.  Mix with milk and provided nutrition.  Eat as much as you can  early on in the week, by end of the week I was not eating much.

My favorite remedy during the rigors (other than demerol) was the heated blankets.  Pile on 2-3 of those and shake away. 

Good luck!

Matt

Tough one.  Food tasted horible during IL2.  A thought from when I had my jaw wired shut (not melanoma related) was carnation instant breakfast.  Mix with milk and provided nutrition.  Eat as much as you can  early on in the week, by end of the week I was not eating much.

My favorite remedy during the rigors (other than demerol) was the heated blankets.  Pile on 2-3 of those and shake away. 

Good luck!

Matt

Dian,

I did 6 weeks of IL2 – staight up – no mixer.  total of 54 doses.  I just had my 4 year NED celebration in early February.  Very tough, but very doable if you have a strong support system.  I am not a good patient and it took someone to be with me nearly 24 a day while in hospital.

I am a stage 4 survivor and hope to remain NED thanks to IL2.

Dian,

I did 6 weeks of IL2 – staight up – no mixer.  total of 54 doses.  I just had my 4 year NED celebration in early February.  Very tough, but very doable if you have a strong support system.  I am not a good patient and it took someone to be with me nearly 24 a day while in hospital.

I am a stage 4 survivor and hope to remain NED thanks to IL2.

Dian,

I did 6 weeks of IL2 – staight up – no mixer.  total of 54 doses.  I just had my 4 year NED celebration in early February.  Very tough, but very doable if you have a strong support system.  I am not a good patient and it took someone to be with me nearly 24 a day while in hospital.

I am a stage 4 survivor and hope to remain NED thanks to IL2.

Brad,

So happy for your daughter and her engagement as well as the joy you will have walking her down the aisle.  My experience with the holidays was good.  I saw two consecititive New Years from a hospital bed. One at Northwestern in Chicago for IL2 and I got the A team, didn't feel a difference in care level.

let us know how we can help.

Matt

Brad,

So happy for your daughter and her engagement as well as the joy you will have walking her down the aisle.  My experience with the holidays was good.  I saw two consecititive New Years from a hospital bed. One at Northwestern in Chicago for IL2 and I got the A team, didn't feel a difference in care level.

let us know how we can help.

Matt

Brad,

So happy for your daughter and her engagement as well as the joy you will have walking her down the aisle.  My experience with the holidays was good.  I saw two consecititive New Years from a hospital bed. One at Northwestern in Chicago for IL2 and I got the A team, didn't feel a difference in care level.

let us know how we can help.

Matt

I agree with Kim, I know I would do it again.  Yes there are many more options today, and they are easier to handle and tolerate.  But this is Melanoma and it's aggressive.  I consider myself lucky that I only had 2 intestinal METS.  It made the decision easier.  We waited to surgically remove them until after the IL2 treatments.  leaving them in gave us something to measure.  I could tell after the first two weeks that the IL2 was working and chose to continue.

It was scary to leave them in there, knowing how Melanoma travels Thru the body.  I wanted to know that it was dying and when they removed them, that they were the last of the cancer in my body.

the fact that I could visually see the METS shrink on the screen was an unbelievable mental lift.

Kim K description of her experience is a scary read, but accurate.  we could paint the same picture.  My strength came from my wife who was pregnant at the time of my treatments.  Having that goal to be there for my son was what made the pain and itching worth it.

In my rambling way, I agree that I would do it again.  IL2 has the ability to make you NED for a very long time.  If you are healthy and can tolerate the treatment do it while you can.  What happens if you don't respond to IPI or PD-1, by that time your tumor burden could make it difficult to receive IL2.  With no clear treatment path, only options, it is difficult.  

I hope you make your decision and commit to the treatment path, no second guesses.  If I can be of any help, please let me know if you want a phone conversation.  I am in Illinois and willing to answer any questions I can.

I agree with Kim, I know I would do it again.  Yes there are many more options today, and they are easier to handle and tolerate.  But this is Melanoma and it's aggressive.  I consider myself lucky that I only had 2 intestinal METS.  It made the decision easier.  We waited to surgically remove them until after the IL2 treatments.  leaving them in gave us something to measure.  I could tell after the first two weeks that the IL2 was working and chose to continue.

It was scary to leave them in there, knowing how Melanoma travels Thru the body.  I wanted to know that it was dying and when they removed them, that they were the last of the cancer in my body.

the fact that I could visually see the METS shrink on the screen was an unbelievable mental lift.

Kim K description of her experience is a scary read, but accurate.  we could paint the same picture.  My strength came from my wife who was pregnant at the time of my treatments.  Having that goal to be there for my son was what made the pain and itching worth it.

In my rambling way, I agree that I would do it again.  IL2 has the ability to make you NED for a very long time.  If you are healthy and can tolerate the treatment do it while you can.  What happens if you don't respond to IPI or PD-1, by that time your tumor burden could make it difficult to receive IL2.  With no clear treatment path, only options, it is difficult.  

I hope you make your decision and commit to the treatment path, no second guesses.  If I can be of any help, please let me know if you want a phone conversation.  I am in Illinois and willing to answer any questions I can.

I agree with Kim, I know I would do it again.  Yes there are many more options today, and they are easier to handle and tolerate.  But this is Melanoma and it's aggressive.  I consider myself lucky that I only had 2 intestinal METS.  It made the decision easier.  We waited to surgically remove them until after the IL2 treatments.  leaving them in gave us something to measure.  I could tell after the first two weeks that the IL2 was working and chose to continue.

It was scary to leave them in there, knowing how Melanoma travels Thru the body.  I wanted to know that it was dying and when they removed them, that they were the last of the cancer in my body.

the fact that I could visually see the METS shrink on the screen was an unbelievable mental lift.

Kim K description of her experience is a scary read, but accurate.  we could paint the same picture.  My strength came from my wife who was pregnant at the time of my treatments.  Having that goal to be there for my son was what made the pain and itching worth it.

In my rambling way, I agree that I would do it again.  IL2 has the ability to make you NED for a very long time.  If you are healthy and can tolerate the treatment do it while you can.  What happens if you don't respond to IPI or PD-1, by that time your tumor burden could make it difficult to receive IL2.  With no clear treatment path, only options, it is difficult.  

I hope you make your decision and commit to the treatment path, no second guesses.  If I can be of any help, please let me know if you want a phone conversation.  I am in Illinois and willing to answer any questions I can.