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mother-to-be

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      • September 1, 2011 at 8:16 pm
      mother-to-be
      Participant

        Hi, thank you for thinking of me.  I gave birth to a healthy, beautiful baby boy on Aug. 20. Prior to delivering the baby, I had my left anxilla removed.  It showed one additional node with possible micrometz.   It looks like my treatment options remain the traditional interferon or the peg interferon.  I'm dissatisfied with my oncologist, so I'm looking to start treatment with a new oncologist.  My oncologist won't pick up the phone and let me know what the recommended treatment plan is…rather, I have to wait to see him until mid-Sept.  Unacceptable!  I'm worried about starting the interferon in that I'm an emotional wreck–I cry at the drop of hat–which is very unlike me.  I've stayed away from the boards because of this.  I know it's the pregnancy hormones and lack of sleep, but it's been quite difficult.  Again, thank you for your well wishes.  Michelle  

        • September 1, 2011 at 8:16 pm
        mother-to-be
        Participant

          Hi, thank you for thinking of me.  I gave birth to a healthy, beautiful baby boy on Aug. 20. Prior to delivering the baby, I had my left anxilla removed.  It showed one additional node with possible micrometz.   It looks like my treatment options remain the traditional interferon or the peg interferon.  I'm dissatisfied with my oncologist, so I'm looking to start treatment with a new oncologist.  My oncologist won't pick up the phone and let me know what the recommended treatment plan is…rather, I have to wait to see him until mid-Sept.  Unacceptable!  I'm worried about starting the interferon in that I'm an emotional wreck–I cry at the drop of hat–which is very unlike me.  I've stayed away from the boards because of this.  I know it's the pregnancy hormones and lack of sleep, but it's been quite difficult.  Again, thank you for your well wishes.  Michelle  

          • July 31, 2011 at 7:18 pm
          mother-to-be
          Participant

            Elisa,

            Thank you for posting all the articles on pegylated interferon.  I'm also considering pegylated and was hoping to hear from folks that followed this treatment.  I'm 3B, micrometz to 2 lymph nodes, high mitotic rate, 1.1 breslow, and ulcerated.  I'm in southern California and, so far, haven't found any trials for stage 3 folks.  Good luck on your decision–let us know!  Michelle

            • July 31, 2011 at 7:18 pm
            mother-to-be
            Participant

              Elisa,

              Thank you for posting all the articles on pegylated interferon.  I'm also considering pegylated and was hoping to hear from folks that followed this treatment.  I'm 3B, micrometz to 2 lymph nodes, high mitotic rate, 1.1 breslow, and ulcerated.  I'm in southern California and, so far, haven't found any trials for stage 3 folks.  Good luck on your decision–let us know!  Michelle

              • July 3, 2011 at 6:39 pm
              mother-to-be
              Participant

                Hi Mary,

                Thank you for your earlier post.  I needed a couple of days away because it's all been overwhelming.  I'm seeing Dr. Jakowatz on Wednesday.  I've heard lots of good things about him as well.  I'm definitely considering seeing some more specialists, so I will look into your referral.  Thank you for proving his contact information.  If I may ask, why did you have a bad experience with Dr. Jakowatz?  Hope you have a nice 4th of July weekend. Michelle

                • July 3, 2011 at 6:39 pm
                mother-to-be
                Participant

                  Hi Mary,

                  Thank you for your earlier post.  I needed a couple of days away because it's all been overwhelming.  I'm seeing Dr. Jakowatz on Wednesday.  I've heard lots of good things about him as well.  I'm definitely considering seeing some more specialists, so I will look into your referral.  Thank you for proving his contact information.  If I may ask, why did you have a bad experience with Dr. Jakowatz?  Hope you have a nice 4th of July weekend. Michelle

                  • June 26, 2011 at 8:11 pm
                  mother-to-be
                  Participant

                    My doctor's just referred me on Friday to see Dr. O'Day as soon as possible. I called and left a message but have not heard back yet.  If I learn anything, I will let you know.  Does anyone have another suggestion for a melanoma specialist, either at Los Angeles Clinic or elsewhere in Southern California?  I'm going to see Dr. Jakowatz at UCI.

                    • June 26, 2011 at 8:11 pm
                    mother-to-be
                    Participant

                      My doctor's just referred me on Friday to see Dr. O'Day as soon as possible. I called and left a message but have not heard back yet.  If I learn anything, I will let you know.  Does anyone have another suggestion for a melanoma specialist, either at Los Angeles Clinic or elsewhere in Southern California?  I'm going to see Dr. Jakowatz at UCI.

                      • June 26, 2011 at 7:59 pm
                      mother-to-be
                      Participant

                        Thank you all for sharing your thoughts and your stories.  I appreciate it very much.  I met with the tumor board on Friday.  While there was consensus that I should forego additional lymph node removal, there was no consensus on whether to undergo the interferon treatment.  All the doctors agreed that I should see two melanoma specialists in California.  I have an appointment set with one for July 6 and I'm waiting to hear back from the other.  While I left Friday's meeting a bit more optimistic, I'm in limbo as to where my treatment is headed.  Thank you for your support.  Michelle

                        • June 26, 2011 at 7:59 pm
                        mother-to-be
                        Participant

                          Thank you all for sharing your thoughts and your stories.  I appreciate it very much.  I met with the tumor board on Friday.  While there was consensus that I should forego additional lymph node removal, there was no consensus on whether to undergo the interferon treatment.  All the doctors agreed that I should see two melanoma specialists in California.  I have an appointment set with one for July 6 and I'm waiting to hear back from the other.  While I left Friday's meeting a bit more optimistic, I'm in limbo as to where my treatment is headed.  Thank you for your support.  Michelle

                          • June 23, 2011 at 11:28 pm
                          mother-to-be
                          Participant

                            UPDATE….it's  been 24 hours of meeting with doctors.  My oncologist recommends delivering the baby early and beginning interferon, 20 days of high doses followed by a year of shots 3x a week.  I'm almost 30 weeks and my OB wants to hold off delivering the baby until 36 weeks.  Tomorrow the cancer boards meets to discuss and provide their recommendations.  I've also gotten a referral to a melanoma specialist but don't have an appt date yet.

                            So, the doctors explain that the cancer found in the sentinel node is microscopic.  In the not so recent past, they would not have been able to detect the cells in the path.  it looks like my options include 1) watch and wait, 2) remove more lymph nodes (although the doctors say that the cells could have gone anywhere, not necessarily the closest nodes) and/or 3) do interferon. 

                            I've done some reading on interferon and it sounds horrible, especially with a new born.  However, I want my baby to know me so I'm willing to do anything to make that happen.

                            Your experience, insights are so appreciated.  

                            Erin–I will reach out to you.  Thank you for the offer.

                            Michelle

                            • June 23, 2011 at 11:28 pm
                            mother-to-be
                            Participant

                              UPDATE….it's  been 24 hours of meeting with doctors.  My oncologist recommends delivering the baby early and beginning interferon, 20 days of high doses followed by a year of shots 3x a week.  I'm almost 30 weeks and my OB wants to hold off delivering the baby until 36 weeks.  Tomorrow the cancer boards meets to discuss and provide their recommendations.  I've also gotten a referral to a melanoma specialist but don't have an appt date yet.

                              So, the doctors explain that the cancer found in the sentinel node is microscopic.  In the not so recent past, they would not have been able to detect the cells in the path.  it looks like my options include 1) watch and wait, 2) remove more lymph nodes (although the doctors say that the cells could have gone anywhere, not necessarily the closest nodes) and/or 3) do interferon. 

                              I've done some reading on interferon and it sounds horrible, especially with a new born.  However, I want my baby to know me so I'm willing to do anything to make that happen.

                              Your experience, insights are so appreciated.  

                              Erin–I will reach out to you.  Thank you for the offer.

                              Michelle

                              • June 22, 2011 at 6:27 pm
                              mother-to-be
                              Participant

                                TracyLee, Mary, thank you for your quick replies to my post.  I'm so appreciative; I can't express it well enough.  

                                Mary: can you tell me a bit more about the recovery for removing the lymph nodes?  I suspect that's where I'm headed first.  Also, I'm thinking they'll want to do a scan of some sort to determine whether there are any other sites in the body but the scans may not be safe for the baby. 

                                • September 21, 2011 at 9:29 pm
                                mother-to-be
                                Participant

                                  Tari,

                                  Thank you so much for your post.  I'm going to start peg interferon, probably next week, and appreciate you sharing your daughter's experience.  I'm glad to hear your daughter is doing well on the peg, but so sorry to hear that she and your family have to deal with this terrible disease.  She's obviously a very strong girl.   

                                  I'm on the same page as you….my other option is to watch and wait and, with a newborn, it's just not an option for me.

                                  Did you have any problems with your insurance covering the interferon?  I have BCBS PPO and my co pay is $5000 a month!  Needless to say, we're asking BCBS to reclassify the drug from a Tier 4 non formulary medication to another tier so that I will have a normal copay.

                                  Thank you! Michelle

                                  • September 21, 2011 at 9:29 pm
                                  mother-to-be
                                  Participant

                                    Tari,

                                    Thank you so much for your post.  I'm going to start peg interferon, probably next week, and appreciate you sharing your daughter's experience.  I'm glad to hear your daughter is doing well on the peg, but so sorry to hear that she and your family have to deal with this terrible disease.  She's obviously a very strong girl.   

                                    I'm on the same page as you….my other option is to watch and wait and, with a newborn, it's just not an option for me.

                                    Did you have any problems with your insurance covering the interferon?  I have BCBS PPO and my co pay is $5000 a month!  Needless to say, we're asking BCBS to reclassify the drug from a Tier 4 non formulary medication to another tier so that I will have a normal copay.

                                    Thank you! Michelle

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