MRF-Logo2019-Horizontal-RGB
Four down, one to go
REGISTER
The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Content within the patient forum is user-generated and has not been reviewed by medical professionals. Other sections of the Melanoma Research Foundation website include information that has been reviewed by medical professionals as appropriate. All medical decisions should be made in consultation with your doctor or other qualified medical professional.

Four down, one to go

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Four down, one to go

  • Post
    • February 27, 2021 at 4:18 pm
    Polymath
    Participant
      It’s good to share good news, as it gives hope to some who may feel a bit hopeless.  If you are in the thick of battle, hang in there as the future remains unpredictable.

      I just reached an important and surprising milestone.  Four years since my last major surgery and end of all drug therapies.  I just got my annual scan results and I remain stable.  Apparently once you reach 5-years, your overall survival chances start really going up.  I’ll keep knocking on wood and try to keep the stress levels down.

      This is especially interesting for me as my battle, with seemingly non-stop progression, through every drug, surgical, and radiation treatment was also 4-years, until I had my final surgery, and chose to go drug-free after that and take my chances.  I was just done, tired, after the hardest four years of my life, and coming precariously close to the edge at least twice.

      I now accept my war wounds, from scars, lymphedema, and vitiligo as constant reminders.  Yet I remain focused on today, tomorrow, and with some luck, retirement to someplace less sunny and playing with grandkids.

      This forum brought both sorrow and invaluable help, and I owe much to you all who are willing to share, and bare your souls in the name of helping others.  To all the warriors I wish you strength in battle.  If I can make it, so can you.

      Aloha, A hui ho, Gary

       

    Viewing 7 reply threads
    • Replies
        • February 28, 2021 at 3:04 pm
        kentuckycat
        Participant
          Congrats Gary and thanks for the hope!

           

          • February 28, 2021 at 3:13 pm
          Bubbles
          Participant
            Glad you have continued good news, Gary!!!  Much deserved!!!  Sorry for the daily residuals, I know they are unfun – but better than some options, right?  Thanks for sharing.  Enjoy!!! love, les
            • February 28, 2021 at 8:24 pm
            Mark_DC
            Participant
              Thanks Gary – am glad you are doing well.

              Your case helped keep me going years ago – as you know, I always remember your grapefruit sized tumour, and how you had it removed, pretty grim for you, but that seemed to do it. I was dealing with continued steady progression at the same time, and your experience and posts gave me much hope, and helped keep me going,

              Best wishes Mark

               

              • March 2, 2021 at 2:17 pm
              JudiAU
              Participant
                Thank you for sharing. There is nothing I enjoy more than reading survivor reports. Enjoy life.
                • June 20, 2021 at 9:59 pm
                RhondaF
                Participant
                  Aloha,  It was brought to my attention that you live in Hawaii. My husband & I live on Maui. I’m glad to know you are doing well. Wanted to see if you found a Melanoma specialist in Hawaii. Our Dr isn’t.  I just joined this forum this week as my husband had a severe reaction to the Immunotherapy after 9 months of treatments. They were treating him for an infection and I told the Dr I thought it was from the immunotherapy. Anyway, they got it figured out, but I thought we were going to lose him. Would be nice to connect with you to learn more.

                  Mahalo,

                  Rhonda

                  • June 24, 2021 at 2:31 pm
                  RhondaF
                  Participant
                    This reply has been marked as private.
                    • June 24, 2021 at 8:15 pm
                    AMcReader
                    Participant
                      Gary your story of battle and survival has brought me hope many times as I continue on my battle through melanoma. Thank you for continuing to share with us! I wish you decades of a joyous retirement filled with lots of time spent with your grandkids — no doubt you deserve it!
                      • June 25, 2021 at 1:59 pm
                      jbronicki
                      Participant
                        Aloha Gary, I agree with JudiAU, there is absolutely nothing better than hearing these updates.  It is true joy!  So happy for you and may the retirement years be more relaxing!
                    Viewing 7 reply threads
                    • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
                    About the MRF Patient Forum

                    The MRF Patient Forum is the oldest and largest online community of people affected by melanoma. It is designed to provide peer support and information to caregivers, patients, family and friends. There is no better place to discuss different parts of your journey with this cancer and find the friends and support resources to make that journey more bearable.

                    The information on the forum is open and accessible to everyone. To add a new topic or to post a reply, you must be a registered user. Please note that you will be able to post both topics and replies anonymously even though you are logged in. All posts must abide by MRF posting policies.

                    Popular Topics