Tis the season again. Last year we did a mentalist during cocktails at our holiday party. Any suggestions on other entertainment? It’s a small sit down dinner of 30 so would be best to have entertainment during cocktail hour when everyone is up and mingling. This is in NYC.
Hi everyone. I’m really struggling with this decision and would love to hear from anyone who has been in a similar situation.
I had surgery for clear cell renal cell carcinoma and my pathology came back as Stage III, Grade 2, pT3a. Right now I’m NED, and the question is whether to do adjuvant Keytruda or just continue with surveillance scans.
The complication is that I have mild rheumatoid arthritis, limited to one wrist. I’m already on medication for my RA, and I also only have half of my thyroid and take Synthroid every day, so I already have thyroid issues.
My oncologist initially wasn’t on board with Keytruda because of my RA. More recently he’s agreed that I can try it, but he’s also made me very aware that the side effects especially the possibility of triggering autoimmune problems which could be significant. Now I’m second-guessing everything.
Part of me feels like I should at least give it a try, knowing I can stop if I develop serious side effects. The other part of me wonders if I’m taking on unnecessary risk when I’m currently cancer-free after surgery.
I’m scheduled for my first infusion on August 13, assuming I don’t chicken out before then.
Has anyone here had pre-existing rheumatoid arthritis or another autoimmune disease and gone on Keytruda? How did you do? If you had to make this decision, what helped you decide?
I know everyone’s situation is different, but I’d really appreciate hearing your experiences the good, the bad, and everything in between.
Looking to bring my daughter to a November comp. Very early for my studio. Can anyone recommend a costume company that ships ASAP? She’s had Patrick J the last two year and can wear hers from last year but any other suggestions? She’s not into a lot of beading simple is more. She’s doing lyrical.
I’ve had 3 opinions on my Stage 3 Grade 2 RCC that was removed in June and 2 doctors suggested scans/Surveillance and one said if I’m the type of person who can’t sit and not take action I could do Keytruda. I already have some RA and I think I’m going with scans and surveillance. Even though my brain noise is making me second guess everything in life.
My question for the woman here is if you do scans and surveillance do you also get your pelvis/abdomen scanned or do you ask for an MRI of the lady parts? Right now my first scan in October is just a Kidney and Chest CT Scan, I’m wondering if I should message the surgeon and see if those should be added or does your OB monitor that?
Does anyone know when registration opens for Press Play 26-27 season? My daughter wants to go so trying to give my studio as much info as I can.
I finally met with the oncologist today for my stage three grade 2 RCC. I’m 4 weeks post op. Since I have Rheumatoid Arthritis already we decided it best to not do Keytruda and just monitor with scans. My scans will be every 4 months for now, then move to every 6 months and then at some point yearly for 5 years. I’m happy to have a plan as the waiting was really taking a toll on me and feel like we made the best decision for now.
My surgeon saw me as well today and he is a very well known surgeon at MSK and also teaches and said I was already discussed at a conference for having such a small tumor (1.7 cm). He said the students and follows all said they would have waited and watched and then he told them my pathology and they were all shocked. He said he’s glad I removed it. That little tumor really packed the punch!
Anyone have back flank pain after open surgery? I’m day 11 post op and yesterday and today have some back pain and hurts when I breathe. I messaged the doctor but haven’t heard back.
Just wondering for those who were stage 3 and offered immunotherapy after surgery was active surveillance/monitoring also presented as an option instead?
If you chose monitoring, what did that schedule actually look like? CT scans every 3–6 months? Chest imaging too? How long were you followed that closely before it spaced out?
My pathology was stage 3 clear cell RCC, grade 2, so it seems like I’m kind of right on the cusp where I’m not sure what direction my oncologist may recommend yet. Just trying to hear real-world experiences from others who were in a similar spot.
So the surgeon called and my very small tumor was Stage 3 Grade 2 (PT3A) Malignant Renal Clear Cell Carcinoma. What made it stage 3 is that it is going into small veins and vessels so I’m being referred to an oncologist. Any words wisdom?
I’m 4 days out from an open partial nephrectomy and having a rough mental day. Please tell me this gets better.
I knew recovery would be painful, but I was not prepared for how swollen my stomach would get. My entire belly is huge and hard and honestly I barely recognize my body right now. Add in a full blown Betadine rash all over my stomach and I just feel miserable and disgusting. Nothing fits me. Even loose clothes hurt or look awful.
I know this sounds vain considering I just had major surgery and should be focused on healing, but today I’m having a full pity party over how bad I look and feel. Did anyone else swell this much after open abdominal surgery? Did your stomach eventually go back to normal? How long did it take for the swelling and bloating to calm down?
Would really appreciate hearing from anyone who’s been through this because right now it feels like I’m going to look like this forever. I know a cancer free body is the most important thing but today I’m not doing ok mentally.
Can anyone suggest a catering/restaurant near East Islip High School for Mothers Day? Stuck at a dance comp all weekend and trying to salvage our Mothers Day in a theater!
My partial surgical nephrectomy is approaching, just wondering what you packed in your hospital bag? I know to bring a pillow for the car ride home, but are you able to wear pants with elastic waist while recovering? I'm unsure of where the incision line will be but wondering what I need aside of comfy pants or shorts at home. I also have GasX on my list and Peppermint Tea!