› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Stage 4 is hard to believe sometimes
- This topic has 33 replies, 11 voices, and was last updated 14 years, 3 months ago by
kylez.
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- December 15, 2011 at 7:59 pm
It's been almost a year since I was diagnosed with Stage 4. I had great success with ipi on my lung mets and while on ipi, developed 2 brain tumours which were gamma knifed 6 weeks ago.
It's been almost a year since I was diagnosed with Stage 4. I had great success with ipi on my lung mets and while on ipi, developed 2 brain tumours which were gamma knifed 6 weeks ago.
Tomorrow, we're hosting a holiday open house, I've been dancing with my 2 year old, running around the house cleaning, preparing and decorating for the holidays, laughing and enjoying life like I don't have cancer.. It's hard to believe that I have Stage 4 as I've never had a symptom or side effect since being diagnosed. I know we never know what lays ahead in our future, but I do know I can't let this melanoma run my life. When my friends and family I havn't seen for awhile see me, they tell me I look unbelievably amazing. My hairdresser just told me my hair was as healthy as he's ever seen it! Attitude means alot in this battle. I think of someone like Lance Armstrong who had lung and brain mets and is still hear 10 years later without the cancer returning. Yes, he had a different cancer – but he had an advanced state of cancer and 2 brain mets which he knew was a bad prognosis. That guys attitude and willing to try and beat the odds is motivation for me.
I have scans at the end of January which I'll be nervous about, but I keep remaining positive that this could stay away for a long time. As for brain mets, some people on ipi got them during treatment, but havn't had another one come back for at least a year. This is what I hope for me as well.
Happy Holidays everyone. I hope the New Year is filled with hope, new treatments, better stats, and continued good news for those who are responding to ttheir reatment.
Lisa
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- December 15, 2011 at 8:19 pm
Lisa……you are living to the max! That is exactly what we are meant to do. You've already beat the odds. Get used to that success because with your energy and determination, nothing can stop you. Look at the chances of having your powerful attitude……those chances are slim too, and you've blown them out of your way. Keep dancing with that little angel of yours, enjoy the season to the fullest, and meet me here next year at this time so we can raise another toast!!!
I wish you the happiest of holidays!!!!!
Hope
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- December 15, 2011 at 8:19 pm
Lisa……you are living to the max! That is exactly what we are meant to do. You've already beat the odds. Get used to that success because with your energy and determination, nothing can stop you. Look at the chances of having your powerful attitude……those chances are slim too, and you've blown them out of your way. Keep dancing with that little angel of yours, enjoy the season to the fullest, and meet me here next year at this time so we can raise another toast!!!
I wish you the happiest of holidays!!!!!
Hope
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- December 15, 2011 at 8:19 pm
Lisa……you are living to the max! That is exactly what we are meant to do. You've already beat the odds. Get used to that success because with your energy and determination, nothing can stop you. Look at the chances of having your powerful attitude……those chances are slim too, and you've blown them out of your way. Keep dancing with that little angel of yours, enjoy the season to the fullest, and meet me here next year at this time so we can raise another toast!!!
I wish you the happiest of holidays!!!!!
Hope
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- December 16, 2011 at 12:35 am
Happy Holidays to you, too, Lisa. I'm fairly new to this….diagnosed stage 4 in August , starting IPI by end of month. I have followed some of your posts and you have been an inspiration to me. I hope that 2 year old of yours has half the energy you do! Keep up the good fight, keep on dancing and keep those posts coming.
Frank D
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- December 16, 2011 at 12:35 am
Happy Holidays to you, too, Lisa. I'm fairly new to this….diagnosed stage 4 in August , starting IPI by end of month. I have followed some of your posts and you have been an inspiration to me. I hope that 2 year old of yours has half the energy you do! Keep up the good fight, keep on dancing and keep those posts coming.
Frank D
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- December 16, 2011 at 12:35 am
Happy Holidays to you, too, Lisa. I'm fairly new to this….diagnosed stage 4 in August , starting IPI by end of month. I have followed some of your posts and you have been an inspiration to me. I hope that 2 year old of yours has half the energy you do! Keep up the good fight, keep on dancing and keep those posts coming.
Frank D
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- December 16, 2011 at 1:24 am
Lisa, I think that you are doing really well. Until recently, doctors wouldn't have expected too many stage 4 patients to be in good health a year after initial diagnosis. Your positive attitude has certainly helped you to keep melanoma under control.
I think that you have the right way of dealing with melanoma. By being vigilant, decisive and proactive, you have had problems medically evaluated and then have had prompt treatment.
Wishing you and your family a truly happy Christmas and New Year.
Frank from Australia
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- December 16, 2011 at 1:24 am
Lisa, I think that you are doing really well. Until recently, doctors wouldn't have expected too many stage 4 patients to be in good health a year after initial diagnosis. Your positive attitude has certainly helped you to keep melanoma under control.
I think that you have the right way of dealing with melanoma. By being vigilant, decisive and proactive, you have had problems medically evaluated and then have had prompt treatment.
Wishing you and your family a truly happy Christmas and New Year.
Frank from Australia
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- December 16, 2011 at 1:24 am
Lisa, I think that you are doing really well. Until recently, doctors wouldn't have expected too many stage 4 patients to be in good health a year after initial diagnosis. Your positive attitude has certainly helped you to keep melanoma under control.
I think that you have the right way of dealing with melanoma. By being vigilant, decisive and proactive, you have had problems medically evaluated and then have had prompt treatment.
Wishing you and your family a truly happy Christmas and New Year.
Frank from Australia
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- December 16, 2011 at 2:34 am
More than once I have stood before an oncologist who saw me after reviewing my medical files, scans and all that; and they were slack jawed as I bee-bopped into the exam room.
It was a difficult concept for them to see somebody who looked sooooooooooooooo much like shit on paper to be well,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,not only alive but living.
Crap, one day I got out from doing IL-2 at 3 and at 9 I hit a blues bar and partied my ass off.
Ya know what? Melanoma just HATES that.
I like it that way and I think you do to !
(doesn't do much for people who say,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,she has cancer??????????"
Ha.
Keep going Lisa.
Cheers,
Charlie S
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- December 16, 2011 at 2:34 am
More than once I have stood before an oncologist who saw me after reviewing my medical files, scans and all that; and they were slack jawed as I bee-bopped into the exam room.
It was a difficult concept for them to see somebody who looked sooooooooooooooo much like shit on paper to be well,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,not only alive but living.
Crap, one day I got out from doing IL-2 at 3 and at 9 I hit a blues bar and partied my ass off.
Ya know what? Melanoma just HATES that.
I like it that way and I think you do to !
(doesn't do much for people who say,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,she has cancer??????????"
Ha.
Keep going Lisa.
Cheers,
Charlie S
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- December 16, 2011 at 10:36 am
Hi Lisa,
What a wonderful attitude! Of course you just have to keep celebrating life every day! We who have cancer have a new appreciation for life; it really puts things in pespective.
I get the same comments you do and what Charlie said…..people cant believe I look so good, that I am not bald and laying in my bed as I have cancer. No I am living and working and loving each day!
Happy Holidays Lisa!
Love Vermont_Donna, stage 3a, NED
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- December 16, 2011 at 10:36 am
Hi Lisa,
What a wonderful attitude! Of course you just have to keep celebrating life every day! We who have cancer have a new appreciation for life; it really puts things in pespective.
I get the same comments you do and what Charlie said…..people cant believe I look so good, that I am not bald and laying in my bed as I have cancer. No I am living and working and loving each day!
Happy Holidays Lisa!
Love Vermont_Donna, stage 3a, NED
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- December 16, 2011 at 10:36 am
Hi Lisa,
What a wonderful attitude! Of course you just have to keep celebrating life every day! We who have cancer have a new appreciation for life; it really puts things in pespective.
I get the same comments you do and what Charlie said…..people cant believe I look so good, that I am not bald and laying in my bed as I have cancer. No I am living and working and loving each day!
Happy Holidays Lisa!
Love Vermont_Donna, stage 3a, NED
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- December 16, 2011 at 2:34 am
More than once I have stood before an oncologist who saw me after reviewing my medical files, scans and all that; and they were slack jawed as I bee-bopped into the exam room.
It was a difficult concept for them to see somebody who looked sooooooooooooooo much like shit on paper to be well,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,not only alive but living.
Crap, one day I got out from doing IL-2 at 3 and at 9 I hit a blues bar and partied my ass off.
Ya know what? Melanoma just HATES that.
I like it that way and I think you do to !
(doesn't do much for people who say,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,she has cancer??????????"
Ha.
Keep going Lisa.
Cheers,
Charlie S
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- December 17, 2011 at 10:59 pm
Praying your scans come out clear! I am also thankful for being NED. To think I was told in June 2009 I had 6-9 months to live. I was so devastated. After falling apart and some soul searching and a lot of prayer I decided to reject the prognosis and took control of what my treatment was going to be….March 26 is 2 years NED. I am thankful and Blessed!
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- December 17, 2011 at 10:59 pm
Praying your scans come out clear! I am also thankful for being NED. To think I was told in June 2009 I had 6-9 months to live. I was so devastated. After falling apart and some soul searching and a lot of prayer I decided to reject the prognosis and took control of what my treatment was going to be….March 26 is 2 years NED. I am thankful and Blessed!
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- December 17, 2011 at 10:59 pm
Praying your scans come out clear! I am also thankful for being NED. To think I was told in June 2009 I had 6-9 months to live. I was so devastated. After falling apart and some soul searching and a lot of prayer I decided to reject the prognosis and took control of what my treatment was going to be….March 26 is 2 years NED. I am thankful and Blessed!
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- December 18, 2011 at 7:05 pm
Thanks everyone for their good wishes. It really means alot to me and I'm happy that other people feel the same energy and positive outlook as I do. Yeah, melanoma sucks – especially being at Stage 4, but the "stats" are going to change. I've never been told how long I have because my Dr. wouldn't even know. I'm "healthy" right now and that's what matters right now.
Keep the attitude strong!
I'm wishing you all a wonderful holiday season.
Lisa
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- December 19, 2011 at 3:40 am
Lisa you are amazing!
Ive been trying to cheer my dad up for awhile now and I cannot wait to share your post!
I’ve been praying for you all along
I know you will continue to respond. Your attitude is just awesome
Happy holidays to you and your family!Maggie
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- December 19, 2011 at 3:40 am
Lisa you are amazing!
Ive been trying to cheer my dad up for awhile now and I cannot wait to share your post!
I’ve been praying for you all along
I know you will continue to respond. Your attitude is just awesome
Happy holidays to you and your family!Maggie
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- December 19, 2011 at 3:40 am
Lisa you are amazing!
Ive been trying to cheer my dad up for awhile now and I cannot wait to share your post!
I’ve been praying for you all along
I know you will continue to respond. Your attitude is just awesome
Happy holidays to you and your family!Maggie
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- December 19, 2011 at 5:42 pm
That's great Lisa.
I also feel blessed to, for example, not be in any pain at stage IV. From the outside to other people I look (I think) pretty normal/healthy. I am careful to try not to push myself too much or let other people's perceptions define my actions — I know I need to take it easy. But I agree — it's awesome to be feeling OK even with a serious diagnosis like this.
Happy holidays!
Kyle
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- December 19, 2011 at 5:42 pm
That's great Lisa.
I also feel blessed to, for example, not be in any pain at stage IV. From the outside to other people I look (I think) pretty normal/healthy. I am careful to try not to push myself too much or let other people's perceptions define my actions — I know I need to take it easy. But I agree — it's awesome to be feeling OK even with a serious diagnosis like this.
Happy holidays!
Kyle
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- December 19, 2011 at 5:42 pm
That's great Lisa.
I also feel blessed to, for example, not be in any pain at stage IV. From the outside to other people I look (I think) pretty normal/healthy. I am careful to try not to push myself too much or let other people's perceptions define my actions — I know I need to take it easy. But I agree — it's awesome to be feeling OK even with a serious diagnosis like this.
Happy holidays!
Kyle
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- December 18, 2011 at 7:05 pm
Thanks everyone for their good wishes. It really means alot to me and I'm happy that other people feel the same energy and positive outlook as I do. Yeah, melanoma sucks – especially being at Stage 4, but the "stats" are going to change. I've never been told how long I have because my Dr. wouldn't even know. I'm "healthy" right now and that's what matters right now.
Keep the attitude strong!
I'm wishing you all a wonderful holiday season.
Lisa
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- December 18, 2011 at 7:05 pm
Thanks everyone for their good wishes. It really means alot to me and I'm happy that other people feel the same energy and positive outlook as I do. Yeah, melanoma sucks – especially being at Stage 4, but the "stats" are going to change. I've never been told how long I have because my Dr. wouldn't even know. I'm "healthy" right now and that's what matters right now.
Keep the attitude strong!
I'm wishing you all a wonderful holiday season.
Lisa
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