Getting back to normal

I have been taken off interferon and my chemotherapy has been discontinued.

One of the side effects of interferon is depression and suicide ideation. The interferon messes with the serotonin in the brain and roughly 25% of patients on interferon end up being treated for depression.

I became dangerously depressed and had to be hospitalized for a week. I have been out of the hospital for a week now and I am doing MUCH better. I think the combination of being off interferon combined with proper antidepressant and anti-anxiety medications has helped tremendously. As well I have been attending outpatient therapy groups and seeing a psychiatrist. All of these things have combined to improve my mental state.

I made it through the most important part of the treatment - the 4 weeks of every day intravenous regimen - as well as 2 months of maintenance and I will continue to have regular skin checks and scans for the next 5 years. I will also continue to see my psychiatrist until I have recovered from this depression.

I am pleasantly surprised at how rapidly my energy is returning. I am no longer experiencing the debilitating fatigue, lack of strength and stamina and shortness of breath on exertion. I am also eating and sleeping normally again.

I'm feeling well enough to return to work and I am going to start back half days starting the first week of March.
Overall, I am really glad to have the treatment over with. I'm looking forward to getting my life back :)

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A very good doctor's appointment

Mearrik had an appointment on Monday with the pediatrician specialist who has been monitoring Mearrik's development for signs of Dandy-Walker impairments.  This doctor specializes in neurological issues - he was Brent's pediatrician and treated him for ADD - so we know and trust him.

So far there has been no signs whatsoever that the Dandy-Walker defect is causing any cognitive or physical problems for Mearrik.  He is reaching his developmental milestones appropriately.  The doctor would like to see Mearrik once more three months from now and if they don't see any issues by that time then they will give Mearrik the "all clear".  He will continue to be monitored by his family doctor but he won't need to see the specialist any more.  We are so pleased and relieved...but not terribly surprised.  We have known he is an amazing boy all along, as you can see by the video.  *big grin*