goldfidler

Hi Brian….

Thank you for the guidance.  As you can imagine, the last 24 hours have been a whirlwind for me.  I am digesting so much information and even getting better with all of the acronyms (SNB, TMA, NED).  I am definitely going to research clinical trials but that is still some time away for me. 

As you mention, right now I am 100% NED.  If my foot would not have hurt, I would have never gone to the hospital.  That day seems like 8 weeks and 20 lifetimes ago.  My next decision is whether to proceed with the groin dissection or not.  Given how I feel, there might be 1-2 nodes with something in them but have not fully developed yet.  It seems that my best bet is to remove them now while I actually am healthy.  My primary concerns with that operation are recovery time and lymphedema.  It almost seems so petty to write it but I want to be active again.  I want to move around and at least be able to take a walk.  The idea of more surgery, more bed rest, more recovery time, etc. is just overpowering me right now.  And since the TMA and SNB, I have already experienced some leg swelling and fluid retention.  From what I can see, the groin dissection is going to be even more invasive, with an even longer recovery, and even higher probability of lymphedema. 

It is just so much to process in 24 hours.  Maybe I need to just watch some re-runs for a day and think more about it later.  My groin dissection is scheduled for Sept 11th.  I have some more time to think about it. 

Thank you again.  I truly mean it.  Everyone on this discussion forum has been so helpful and genuine.  It has been a wonderful thing to find this group to share my thoughts and concerns.  And to hear from people who have really been through it, not just from a doctor who studied it.  It is a much different set a fellings when you are on the other end of the scalpal. 

I wish you the best in your efforts.  May we all end up on the good side of this…..

Matt

Shera…

Thank you so much for sharing your story.  What an adventure this has been for you and your family.  It gives me hope to hear about your situation.  It makes me challenge my thoughts and try to summon the courage to make the difficult decisions.  After reading some of these stories, I actually feel weak.  There are some many soldiers here, fighting the fight, day in and day out.  And I am whining about a little groin surgery.  I am sure there are many others who would be happy to trade places with me. 

Thank you again for your words.  They truly mean a lot to me.  Thank you!

Thank you so much, Mary.  Your input and experience is very appreciated.  I am just trying to figure all of this out.  it has literally been 24 hours since I was informed about the positive SNB.  I just need to process it all.  Thank you again1

Hi Cindy…

Thank you for your response.  It gives me hope that your first occurrence was so long ago. 

I have decided to have the groin biopsy.  I have started to educate myself on smart foods to help fight the disease.  I have not decided on the interferon or not.  It seems to be a mixed review from the group.  I am just taking one step at a time right now.  I can make that decision in a couple weeks. 

I appreciate you taking the time to share. 

Matt

Hi Cindy…

Thank you for your response.  It gives me hope that your first occurrence was so long ago. 

I have decided to have the groin biopsy.  I have started to educate myself on smart foods to help fight the disease.  I have not decided on the interferon or not.  It seems to be a mixed review from the group.  I am just taking one step at a time right now.  I can make that decision in a couple weeks. 

I appreciate you taking the time to share. 

Matt

Hi Cindy…

Thank you for your response.  It gives me hope that your first occurrence was so long ago. 

I have decided to have the groin biopsy.  I have started to educate myself on smart foods to help fight the disease.  I have not decided on the interferon or not.  It seems to be a mixed review from the group.  I am just taking one step at a time right now.  I can make that decision in a couple weeks. 

I appreciate you taking the time to share. 

Matt

Hi Shera…

As per my other post, I took the weekend off, so to speak, and tried my best to not think about my situation.  I made every attempt to distract myself with other activities.  However, I wanted to thank you again for your reply to my message.  I must admit that your story really hit me where I needed it.  I even shared your story with my wife.  I told her how I felt like a real wimp while reading your history.  And I think it gave me the push I needed to get tough and fight. 

I have decided I am going to move forward with the groin dissection.  The advice in this group has been priceless.  I am going to push for the compression sleeve and the massage therapy to minimize the occurrence and effects of the lymphedema.  I will make the decisions on clinical trials later.  One step (and decision) at a time. 

I just want you to be sure that you know that your efforts to take the time to write to me have helped me.  I guess I do like so many others here, and fight. 

Thank you so much!

Matt

Hi Shera…

As per my other post, I took the weekend off, so to speak, and tried my best to not think about my situation.  I made every attempt to distract myself with other activities.  However, I wanted to thank you again for your reply to my message.  I must admit that your story really hit me where I needed it.  I even shared your story with my wife.  I told her how I felt like a real wimp while reading your history.  And I think it gave me the push I needed to get tough and fight. 

I have decided I am going to move forward with the groin dissection.  The advice in this group has been priceless.  I am going to push for the compression sleeve and the massage therapy to minimize the occurrence and effects of the lymphedema.  I will make the decisions on clinical trials later.  One step (and decision) at a time. 

I just want you to be sure that you know that your efforts to take the time to write to me have helped me.  I guess I do like so many others here, and fight. 

Thank you so much!

Matt

Hi Shera…

As per my other post, I took the weekend off, so to speak, and tried my best to not think about my situation.  I made every attempt to distract myself with other activities.  However, I wanted to thank you again for your reply to my message.  I must admit that your story really hit me where I needed it.  I even shared your story with my wife.  I told her how I felt like a real wimp while reading your history.  And I think it gave me the push I needed to get tough and fight. 

I have decided I am going to move forward with the groin dissection.  The advice in this group has been priceless.  I am going to push for the compression sleeve and the massage therapy to minimize the occurrence and effects of the lymphedema.  I will make the decisions on clinical trials later.  One step (and decision) at a time. 

I just want you to be sure that you know that your efforts to take the time to write to me have helped me.  I guess I do like so many others here, and fight. 

Thank you so much!

Matt

Shera…

Thank you so much for sharing your story.  What an adventure this has been for you and your family.  It gives me hope to hear about your situation.  It makes me challenge my thoughts and try to summon the courage to make the difficult decisions.  After reading some of these stories, I actually feel weak.  There are some many soldiers here, fighting the fight, day in and day out.  And I am whining about a little groin surgery.  I am sure there are many others who would be happy to trade places with me. 

Thank you again for your words.  They truly mean a lot to me.  Thank you!

Shera…

Thank you so much for sharing your story.  What an adventure this has been for you and your family.  It gives me hope to hear about your situation.  It makes me challenge my thoughts and try to summon the courage to make the difficult decisions.  After reading some of these stories, I actually feel weak.  There are some many soldiers here, fighting the fight, day in and day out.  And I am whining about a little groin surgery.  I am sure there are many others who would be happy to trade places with me. 

Thank you again for your words.  They truly mean a lot to me.  Thank you!

Hi Brian….

Thank you for the guidance.  As you can imagine, the last 24 hours have been a whirlwind for me.  I am digesting so much information and even getting better with all of the acronyms (SNB, TMA, NED).  I am definitely going to research clinical trials but that is still some time away for me. 

As you mention, right now I am 100% NED.  If my foot would not have hurt, I would have never gone to the hospital.  That day seems like 8 weeks and 20 lifetimes ago.  My next decision is whether to proceed with the groin dissection or not.  Given how I feel, there might be 1-2 nodes with something in them but have not fully developed yet.  It seems that my best bet is to remove them now while I actually am healthy.  My primary concerns with that operation are recovery time and lymphedema.  It almost seems so petty to write it but I want to be active again.  I want to move around and at least be able to take a walk.  The idea of more surgery, more bed rest, more recovery time, etc. is just overpowering me right now.  And since the TMA and SNB, I have already experienced some leg swelling and fluid retention.  From what I can see, the groin dissection is going to be even more invasive, with an even longer recovery, and even higher probability of lymphedema. 

It is just so much to process in 24 hours.  Maybe I need to just watch some re-runs for a day and think more about it later.  My groin dissection is scheduled for Sept 11th.  I have some more time to think about it. 

Thank you again.  I truly mean it.  Everyone on this discussion forum has been so helpful and genuine.  It has been a wonderful thing to find this group to share my thoughts and concerns.  And to hear from people who have really been through it, not just from a doctor who studied it.  It is a much different set a fellings when you are on the other end of the scalpal. 

I wish you the best in your efforts.  May we all end up on the good side of this…..

Matt

Hi Brian….

Thank you for the guidance.  As you can imagine, the last 24 hours have been a whirlwind for me.  I am digesting so much information and even getting better with all of the acronyms (SNB, TMA, NED).  I am definitely going to research clinical trials but that is still some time away for me. 

As you mention, right now I am 100% NED.  If my foot would not have hurt, I would have never gone to the hospital.  That day seems like 8 weeks and 20 lifetimes ago.  My next decision is whether to proceed with the groin dissection or not.  Given how I feel, there might be 1-2 nodes with something in them but have not fully developed yet.  It seems that my best bet is to remove them now while I actually am healthy.  My primary concerns with that operation are recovery time and lymphedema.  It almost seems so petty to write it but I want to be active again.  I want to move around and at least be able to take a walk.  The idea of more surgery, more bed rest, more recovery time, etc. is just overpowering me right now.  And since the TMA and SNB, I have already experienced some leg swelling and fluid retention.  From what I can see, the groin dissection is going to be even more invasive, with an even longer recovery, and even higher probability of lymphedema. 

It is just so much to process in 24 hours.  Maybe I need to just watch some re-runs for a day and think more about it later.  My groin dissection is scheduled for Sept 11th.  I have some more time to think about it. 

Thank you again.  I truly mean it.  Everyone on this discussion forum has been so helpful and genuine.  It has been a wonderful thing to find this group to share my thoughts and concerns.  And to hear from people who have really been through it, not just from a doctor who studied it.  It is a much different set a fellings when you are on the other end of the scalpal. 

I wish you the best in your efforts.  May we all end up on the good side of this…..

Matt

Thank you so much, Mary.  Your input and experience is very appreciated.  I am just trying to figure all of this out.  it has literally been 24 hours since I was informed about the positive SNB.  I just need to process it all.  Thank you again1

Thank you so much, Mary.  Your input and experience is very appreciated.  I am just trying to figure all of this out.  it has literally been 24 hours since I was informed about the positive SNB.  I just need to process it all.  Thank you again1