Finished IL-2 treatments!

foxhd
foxhd Member Posts: 3,181 Member

It's finally over. I'm home after completing my 4th round of IL-2. I'll say it again, "This has been the hardest thing I've EVER had to go through." All of my muscle has wasted away. I've lost the fluid retention and I'm nothing but wrinkles. The world of psychosis is someplace I never want to go to again. It has beat the living crap out of me. So, let's surmize the cancer is running scared with no where to hide. My kidney shut down for 2 days and that is a strange feeling not having an urge to pee. This time I developed some cardiac complications and my enzymes were going off the chart. Let's also hope I've had no cardiac damage. For those unfamiliar with my story, I've been in tremendous shape for 61. Life history of weight training and running. Now I can barely get up from a chair. Can't lift my arms over my head. I had no skin  redness or skin peeling this time. But dryness is extreme. I walk and leave a cloud of dust in my path like Pig Pen in Charlie Brown. Everything hurts. My knee is swollen and hurts just as if I've had major knee surgery. It barely supports me. If I never vomit or have diarrhea again it will be too soon.

The good news is that I will not have to do this again. I don't know if I could. I see my Dr. wednesday and will take a look at my blood work. Scans in probably 6 weeks after it's had it's chance to do it's thing. So I'll have a long deserved break. It will feel good. I wonder when I will be able to begin exercising? It won't be for a while. That I know. For those that have endured this, we have our own exclusive club. For anyone who is going to do this, I pray it will be easier for you.

For almost everyone the wait for treatment or scans can drive you crazy. The fear of disease progression. But I am in no hurry for scan results or next treatment plan. I need down time. I will have to even limit my computer time. Total veg out. I just don't want to know. I don't even want to answer the phone. I think I deserve a nice long sabatical. I'll get my a$$ back in gear when it's time. Thanks for listening. This site is still the best for getting concerns and worries off our chests. I love you all. I pray we all do well. Don't ever give up. Fox.

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Comments

  • angec
    angec Member Posts: 924 Member
    You Da Man!

    Well, Foxy, so glad it is over! It sounds horriffic!  When I see all of the struggles everyone goes through with cancer, I often wonder why it has to be so rough! Mutilate, burn, freeze, poison, like if they aren't already going through enough! There just has to be a better way, a better answer, a simplier answer to this! One day, just one day, the right person will stumble upon it, if it isn't already out there, held back by greed!  

     

    But, in, any case... we move forward! You have had two wonderful opportunites to beat this, and there is more in the mix if needed! I cried when i read your post, because it just seems unreal to suffer so much! But, I hope to cry tears of joy in six weeks time! So, now, you rest and take a sabatical.  Do things you enjoy!  I am hoping you will recover faster this time and with no permanent side affects to mention! We love you Fox and are so proud of you!  Feel better, my friend, have a beer for me as soon as you are able! Play that guitar, ride the cycle, eat pizza and just enjoy each day!

     

  • srbelle1
    srbelle1 Member Posts: 123
    Hoping and praying for your

    Hoping and praying for your rapid recovery and for a good result in 6 weeks. 

    Sarah

  • garym
    garym Member Posts: 1,647
    And the Hell's Angels think they're tough...

    Take that well deserved rest my friend.  As always, you are an inspiration and a living example of positive attitude, energy, and karma, I have little doubt what will be reported in six weeks. Pizza and beer all around!!!  ELY

  • Djinnie
    Djinnie Member Posts: 945 Member
    Welcome back Fox!

    Welcome back Fox! I am so glad this ordeal is over for you at last, describing it as hard sounds like an  understatement!! You always amaze me! No matter what you go through, and all the suffering your body endures, nothing ever breaks that indomitable spirit of yours! Our prayers for you are constant! Heal well, take care of yourself!

     

    Djinnie xx

  • danbren2
    danbren2 Member Posts: 311
    Amazing!!

    Fox,

        You are just amazing for what you have had to endure! Get some well deserved rest and I wish and pray for a speedy recovery with nothing but good news!

             Love and prayers for a healthy you!

             Brenda

  • toolman1
    toolman1 Member Posts: 44
    danbren2 said:

    Amazing!!

    Fox,

        You are just amazing for what you have had to endure! Get some well deserved rest and I wish and pray for a speedy recovery with nothing but good news!

             Love and prayers for a healthy you!

             Brenda

    Finished

    Fox, you Da Man! I really can't believe that another human being can subject anyone to this barbaric treatment. I did 2 rounds and I thank God, the Onc. didn't recommend any more. That was enough for me. And I particularly enjoy your take on the peeling, with the statement " I walk and leave a cloud of dust in my path like Pig Pen in Charlie Brown"! It's perfect and Sooo true! My wife had the vacuum stationed just outside of the bath, so that each evening I took a shower, and disrobed, she could easily vacuum the fallout. Hang in there. We're all here for ya, and it sounds like your scans will be more encouraging than mine were.  Gary

  • BDS
    BDS Member Posts: 172
    IL-2 treatments

    “The cancer is running scared with nowhere to hide”.

     

    Give it HELL Fox and Godspeed. - BDS

     

  • DMike
    DMike Member Posts: 259
    Thinking about you

    Hey Fox,

    I thought about you all last week. I would say it's Wednesday, he's well into it by now and I know he's feeling awful. I was sending good karma your way all week. Enjoy your "no treatment" time, I understand completely. Veg out and rest up!

    11 days on Votrient and I'm breathing a lot better. I hope that means something.

    David

  • GSRon
    GSRon Member Posts: 1,303 Member
    DMike said:

    Thinking about you

    Hey Fox,

    I thought about you all last week. I would say it's Wednesday, he's well into it by now and I know he's feeling awful. I was sending good karma your way all week. Enjoy your "no treatment" time, I understand completely. Veg out and rest up!

    11 days on Votrient and I'm breathing a lot better. I hope that means something.

    David

    I echo BDS.. Glad it is now

    I echo BDS.. Glad it is now over. Ron

  • Darron
    Darron Member Posts: 310 Member
    Peace

    it has been a tough fight, let te peace begin.

  • TillieSOK
    TillieSOK Member Posts: 252
    I've already told

    I've already told you...you're my HERO.  I'm against using that word for every Tom, ****, and Harry, but I will use it for a FOX.  Relax, chill out and take a well deserved sabbatical from all things RCC.  You ARE the man!  You ARE my HERO.  Hugs my friend.

  • Alexandra
    Alexandra Member Posts: 1,308
    Veni, Vidi, Vici... cancer

    Dear Fox,

    After everything you've been through in the last few months you deserve any kind of R&R you desire. And all the beer and pizza you can handle. And much-much more.

    I hope in 6 weeks your scans come back as clear as crystal. And the IL-2 treatment and nasty side effects will be a fuzzy bad memory.

    Your long-time admirer,

    Alexandra

  • Minnesota Girl
    Minnesota Girl Member Posts: 119
    As much as it sucked...

    ... This is really good news! You are a inspiration to me. If I ever have to do down that road, I want to fight like a fox!! Rest, relax and do whatever the heCK you want. You've earned it.

  • Gordon Charles
    Gordon Charles Member Posts: 91
    Fox lives the motto....

    You are the prime example of "Take No Prisoners!"

  • alice124
    alice124 Member Posts: 896 Member
    Thrilled it’s done. Now we

     

    Thrilled it’s done. Now we anxiously wait for the good news as  you  take some well deserved R&R. You’ve endured the worst treatment out there.  I don’t think anyone who has undergone IL-2 or watched someone they love endure IL-2 would argue that point. But you’ll recover because you are you. You’ll get stronger, add that bounce to your step,  and say “bring it on” to whatever is in your future.  That’s why we love you Fox. 

    Last Thursday we met with John’s doc. During our visit, John asked him how many people remained in his arm of the trial (Nivolumab/Votrient).Dr. Hammers response,  as specific as always, was “not many” quickly followed by “you’re my best responder.” For those of you unfamiliar, John has been in the trial for 17 months and seen 58% shrinkage followed by stability.  As he was saying this, Dr. Hammers was flipping through John’s chart recalling John’s IL2 experience. John underwent the IL2 regime prior to beginning the trial with only a mixed response to the IL2 at scan time. It could have been my imagination but I could almost see Dr. Hammers analytical mind connecting John’s IL2 experience with his sustained response.  I’m betting the hell you’ve endured over the past two months will prove to be time and pain well spent.

     

  • mrs_blkjak
    mrs_blkjak Member Posts: 103
    I'm glad you're done and

    I'm glad you're done and hoping for great scans in a few weeks!

  • rae_rae
    rae_rae Member Posts: 300 Member

    I'm glad you're done and

    I'm glad you're done and hoping for great scans in a few weeks!

    You are amazing

    So happy it's over - now time to rest. You (and everyone here) are always in my thoughts and prayers. I had a slice of pizza tonight in your honor (saved the beer for you).

     

    All my best,

    Rae

  • todd121
    todd121 Member Posts: 1,448 Member
    Glad It's Over and Glad to See You Back

    You deserve the RR. Really look forward to your posts and wishing you the best fox.

    Todd

  • cran1
    cran1 Member Posts: 139
    Enjoy the down time Fox. It's

    Enjoy the down time Fox. It's well deserved.

  • Baaa-bs
    Baaa-bs Member Posts: 50
    You are truly amazing

    I can't imangine how elated you are to be done with this for the moment. You have endured so much, and I can't tell you what an insiration you have been to all of us. 

    Enjoy rediscovering how "you" feel, and not the drugs.

    In 3 weeks, we start talking about how I'm reacting to the votrient.