Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Baaammm!
restarted interferon injections last night after a break for week and couple days, took injection at eight and woke up at midnight with uncontrollable chills and shaking, now m y whole body hurts and i feel like i have been ran over. my legs are killing me...but ..i am going to work my six to six shift this morning and be positive and hope i make a difference in the lives of my patients.
Friday, August 26, 2011
The Beginning
My name is Rachel and I am 35 yrs old. I have been married for 13 yrs to a wonderful man named Jerry. We have three blessings...Megan 13, Dawson 12, and Amy 10. I am starting a blog in attempt to keep my sanity and hopefully find answers to some questions and meet others and hear their stories.
In Jan 2010 I had a smal "pimple" come up on my left upper arm. It wlas the same color as my skin and of no concern to me. My husband kept saying "that thing has been there a while, i think you should have it looked at." Being a nurse, I put it off and figured it will go away. It did not. First part of Feb I went to family doc. He had me use some cream for a couple weeks then took it off and stated it was prob a granulation, no worries.
A couple week later i get the call its Melanoma. So i went to surgery had wide excision they traced the lymph node and removed it. PET scan and MRI negative.
It came back with no spreading to the lymph nodes but was a little over the 4 cm mark.
It was discussed to do nothing or start Interferon. I started the treatment in May IV, then started sub Q in June. It has not been nice to me. As of Monday, I will be reducing the dose in almost half.
Here are some of my questions:
1. Did anyone think the Interferon gets easier after a certain point?
2. I am taking cymbalta in the mornings, as well as Ritalin. I take ativan and zofran on days of injections. Is there anything else i should take? And does anyone else have experience with Ritalin for fatigue?
3. When is this feeling of living in fear each day going to pass?
I am eager to hear your stories. Thank you.
In Jan 2010 I had a smal "pimple" come up on my left upper arm. It wlas the same color as my skin and of no concern to me. My husband kept saying "that thing has been there a while, i think you should have it looked at." Being a nurse, I put it off and figured it will go away. It did not. First part of Feb I went to family doc. He had me use some cream for a couple weeks then took it off and stated it was prob a granulation, no worries.
A couple week later i get the call its Melanoma. So i went to surgery had wide excision they traced the lymph node and removed it. PET scan and MRI negative.
It came back with no spreading to the lymph nodes but was a little over the 4 cm mark.
It was discussed to do nothing or start Interferon. I started the treatment in May IV, then started sub Q in June. It has not been nice to me. As of Monday, I will be reducing the dose in almost half.
Here are some of my questions:
1. Did anyone think the Interferon gets easier after a certain point?
2. I am taking cymbalta in the mornings, as well as Ritalin. I take ativan and zofran on days of injections. Is there anything else i should take? And does anyone else have experience with Ritalin for fatigue?
3. When is this feeling of living in fear each day going to pass?
I am eager to hear your stories. Thank you.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)