A Melanoma Success Story
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A Melanoma Success Story

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › A Melanoma Success Story

  • Post
    • May 31, 2011 at 3:03 pm
    Julie Griffiths
    Participant
    I haven’t been on the board for a LONG time — I used to be julieincanada but I can’t figure out how to sign in under that with the brand new site!!!

    Briefly my husband Peter was dx Stage 3 in August 2001. He was given the very dismal px of the time and had a node dissectrion, another surgery for a regional recurrence, a year of IFN and radiation. The treatment took a huge toll on him and our family. Peter ( we think because of having IFN and radiation at the same time) had severe brain fog and was off work for 7 years ( unable to drive for 3). He still has peripheral neuropathy , some bone necrosis in his rib from the radiation, and scarring from the radiation.

    BUT he is here to tell about it. Was it easy ….no way….

    the reason I decided to reconnect was a result of a conversation I had with our daughter yesterday. She was dx with a Brain Tumour 18 months ago.. the short term is wait and see post surgery and the long term in not very promising … she is 40. She has connected through a similar board for BT with a 16 year survivor … how great is that! Then I was thinking that there are probably many out there – they just get on with their lives and the “Board” time dwindles.

    Soooo there is a survivor in BC In Canada who is 9 years post dissection, IFN, radiation and more that one bump in the road. He has a life, he has seen two grandchildren born and he has been back working for 3 years. Are we terrified everytime he goes for his annual check – you have to believe it …. He recently qualified for life insurance!!!

    Soooo have the faith, focus on the success stories and in your darkest moments ( you have to believe we have had many) remember there is hope.

    Julie

Viewing 17 reply threads
  • Replies
      • May 31, 2011 at 3:46 pm
      ValinMtl
      Participant

      Thanks Julie,  needed to hear this right now…much appreciated.  Val

      • May 31, 2011 at 3:46 pm
      ValinMtl
      Participant

      Thanks Julie,  needed to hear this right now…much appreciated.  Val

        • May 31, 2011 at 7:45 pm
        ValinMtl
        Participant

        Yes, I will pray for your daughter.  A good friend was diagnosed and operated on for brain tumor over 40 years ago….she is still with us today.  God bless.  Val xx

        • May 31, 2011 at 7:45 pm
        ValinMtl
        Participant

        Yes, I will pray for your daughter.  A good friend was diagnosed and operated on for brain tumor over 40 years ago….she is still with us today.  God bless.  Val xx

      • May 31, 2011 at 5:26 pm
      nicoli
      Participant

      Thank you so much Julie, I really needed this too. Dx 12/09 and have had only 6 months with no treatment since. Just finishing up radiation tomorrow and now there is another spot my doctor has to look at. Will this ever end?

      Nicki, Stage 3b

      • May 31, 2011 at 5:26 pm
      nicoli
      Participant

      Thank you so much Julie, I really needed this too. Dx 12/09 and have had only 6 months with no treatment since. Just finishing up radiation tomorrow and now there is another spot my doctor has to look at. Will this ever end?

      Nicki, Stage 3b

      • May 31, 2011 at 5:57 pm
      jimjoeb
      Participant

      Thank you I really needed to hear this to! Looks like I'll be stage III as well, I have a node dissection on June 10th with unknown follow up treatment.

      • May 31, 2011 at 5:57 pm
      jimjoeb
      Participant

      Thank you I really needed to hear this to! Looks like I'll be stage III as well, I have a node dissection on June 10th with unknown follow up treatment.

      • May 31, 2011 at 5:58 pm
      Carol Taylor
      Participant

      Beautiful Julie! Thanks for sharing and all the best to your Peter! Prayers for your daughter.

      Lord, in Your mercy, make a way and make it so. Amen.

      Grace and peace,

      Carol

      • May 31, 2011 at 5:58 pm
      Carol Taylor
      Participant

      Beautiful Julie! Thanks for sharing and all the best to your Peter! Prayers for your daughter.

      Lord, in Your mercy, make a way and make it so. Amen.

      Grace and peace,

      Carol

      • May 31, 2011 at 6:06 pm
      TracyLee
      Participant

      Julie,

       

      Awesome, wonderful news! I'm especially excited that he actually got life insurance, since that was my fatal flaw not getting it before my dx last year…

      TracyLee

      Stage IV as of May 16 – scalp/neck/lungs

      • May 31, 2011 at 6:06 pm
      TracyLee
      Participant

      Julie,

       

      Awesome, wonderful news! I'm especially excited that he actually got life insurance, since that was my fatal flaw not getting it before my dx last year…

      TracyLee

      Stage IV as of May 16 – scalp/neck/lungs

      • May 31, 2011 at 7:46 pm
      debandmike
      Participant

      What wonderful news. Every success story we read certainly helps to keep us positive. My husband and I are new to this journey but we are hopeful and pray that we will receive the same kind of news  someday in our future

      Thank you and God bless,

      Debby

        • May 31, 2011 at 7:58 pm
        boot2aboot
        Participant

        me too, i needed to hear that…thank you

        • May 31, 2011 at 7:58 pm
        boot2aboot
        Participant

        me too, i needed to hear that…thank you

      • May 31, 2011 at 7:46 pm
      debandmike
      Participant

      What wonderful news. Every success story we read certainly helps to keep us positive. My husband and I are new to this journey but we are hopeful and pray that we will receive the same kind of news  someday in our future

      Thank you and God bless,

      Debby

      • June 1, 2011 at 1:27 am
      King
      Participant

      Julie,

      Hi…remember me.  We were both friends with Patrick and Rejane (who I am still in contact with).  Thanks for the post.  So many people (especially the newbies) need to hear these stories.  I am so sorry to hear about your daughter.

      One day at a time.

      Stay Strong
      King (Kathie)

      Stage IV 7/05 Liver mets

      • June 1, 2011 at 1:27 am
      King
      Participant

      Julie,

      Hi…remember me.  We were both friends with Patrick and Rejane (who I am still in contact with).  Thanks for the post.  So many people (especially the newbies) need to hear these stories.  I am so sorry to hear about your daughter.

      One day at a time.

      Stay Strong
      King (Kathie)

      Stage IV 7/05 Liver mets

      • June 1, 2011 at 5:22 am
      JoanR
      Participant

      Hi julie and Peter…so wonderful to hear from you again, I am not on often anymore, but hope to contribute more in the future. I saw Michael O'toole last week and he is another longterm BC survivor…lots of reasons to give Melanoma people encouragment. Also my friend her is in her 7th year after being told she had 2 months,.,,so for all you warriors keep up the good fight, there are lots on longterm survivors..and lots of hope for all of you….Cheer Joan

      • June 1, 2011 at 5:22 am
      JoanR
      Participant

      Hi julie and Peter…so wonderful to hear from you again, I am not on often anymore, but hope to contribute more in the future. I saw Michael O'toole last week and he is another longterm BC survivor…lots of reasons to give Melanoma people encouragment. Also my friend her is in her 7th year after being told she had 2 months,.,,so for all you warriors keep up the good fight, there are lots on longterm survivors..and lots of hope for all of you….Cheer Joan

      • June 1, 2011 at 5:22 am
      JoanR
      Participant

      Hi julie and Peter…so wonderful to hear from you again, I am not on often anymore, but hope to contribute more in the future. I saw Michael O'toole last week and he is another longterm BC survivor…lots of reasons to give Melanoma people encouragment. Also my friend her is in her 7th year after being told she had 2 months,.,,so for all you warriors keep up the good fight, there are lots on longterm survivors..and lots of hope for all of you….Cheer Joan

      • June 1, 2011 at 5:22 am
      JoanR
      Participant

      Hi julie and Peter…so wonderful to hear from you again, I am not on often anymore, but hope to contribute more in the future. I saw Michael O'toole last week and he is another longterm BC survivor…lots of reasons to give Melanoma people encouragment. Also my friend her is in her 7th year after being told she had 2 months,.,,so for all you warriors keep up the good fight, there are lots on longterm survivors..and lots of hope for all of you….Cheer Joan

Viewing 17 reply threads
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