Saturday, August 31, 2013

IL-2 - Check!

Madeleine’s Blog

August 31, 2013
So do not fear, for I am with you
Do not be dismayed, for I am your God
I will strengthen you and help you
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand
Isaiah 41:10


So glad to be heading this direction!
Whew! Madeleine has now finished her last dose of IL-2 and is ready to work on her recovery! She made it through 5 doses, but her lungs were beginning to get fluid in them, so it was time to stop. She is short of breath when she tries to get up, and is still experiencing several of the side effects from the medications she's received.

Now it's time to recover and get stronger again. The doctors expect that her counts will start to come back up some time around Thursday, and that should also help with how she feels. Her general "puffiness" from the IL-2 should begin to go away, as well as the redness of her skin and other lingering side effects.

We are just glad that she has made it safely through the treatment! The doctors are very pleased with how she did. It be will nice to be able to come home again, but that is still a way off. She is not scheduled to be ready to travel home until September 12th, which will mean a long time of recovery in the hospital.

Please continue to pray that the TIL cells she received would go after every cell of the melanoma, and that she would be completely healed.

7 comments:

Dave Cindy said...

Dave and I are sending you lots of BIG HUGS!!! Love you Our Sweet Girl! We are so proud of you and your amazing strength!!! You inspire us every day!! XXXXOOOO

Auntie Leslie and gang said...

So proud of you and getting through these past weeks! Now onto recovery and gaining strength!
I think your Grandmothers are in heaven with all
the ANGELS doing cheers!!!
And we continue to cheer you on from Minnesota and now
Rhode Island!
Love, love, love YOU!!!

PK HREZO said...

Hi there! I stumbled onto this blog by mistake ( or was it) in looking for my friend Madeline's blog. Glad I did. Wow, Madeleine, you are amazing! What a beautiful young woman you are. I'll be adding you to my prayers for sure. Keep the faith.
((hugs))

Anonymous said...

This is such good news!

Anonymous said...

Dear Madeleine, What you have been through boggles the mind and touches the heart. Blessings on you and your family. Love from California Ave, B&L

Anonymous said...

I can't believe you held in there for 5 doses of IL2. W-O-W! Great job, Madeleine!Iam so proud and inspired by you.

We are all praying for your strength to continue into a full recovery.

Big hugs,
Donna (NIH Nurse)

Auntie Leslie said...

Hoping and praying that each day you are feeling better and getting stronger!
Think about you always!
LOVE AND HUGS to you and Mom.