In a couple of a days, I will be at nine years, stage IV NED. It's wierd, but I feel a bit guilty, ( I have lost 5 dear people to cancer in the last few years). I feel like I am bragging when so many here are in the midst of struggling with the mental and physical effects of the disease…..However, I want to offer HOPE. There are long term NED survivors and long term stable disease status survivors of melanoma. Most of us just rarely check in here anymore.
My daughters grew up, I went back to work as a preschool teacher and am working at my dream school- best job I have ever had. I met a wonderful person who accepts my uncertain health and is a suportive partner. I have SO much to be grateful for, but, I struggle with exhastion, worry over possible symptoms of reccurrence, and the fact that others see me as "cured" when I know I can't ever really use that term.
My history: I had a met to my mediastinum, biopsied in an open thoracotamy, that could not be removed because it accluded my pulmonary artery, so I did 11 rounds, over a year, of Temodar ( temozolamide) and have not done any preventative treatment. The only major change has been following a strict vegan diet. I try to deal with stress well, but, stress is always there in one form or another!
So, I wish ALL of you the very best of luck and health and peace of mind. Every one of you are BRAVE and are my HEROES. Much love, fellow warriors.
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