I finally registred an account on melanoma.org and I thought I would say hello and give a quick update. I've been NED since my last surgery and radiation treatment sometime in 2003. For those of you who don't know, I was originally diagnosed as either Stage IIIC or Stage IV — I had a total of 16 of 19 lymph nodes from my right axilla test positive for melanoma.
I finally registred an account on melanoma.org and I thought I would say hello and give a quick update. I've been NED since my last surgery and radiation treatment sometime in 2003. For those of you who don't know, I was originally diagnosed as either Stage IIIC or Stage IV — I had a total of 16 of 19 lymph nodes from my right axilla test positive for melanoma.
I had 3 surgeries: a surgical biopsy, a WLE, and a final surgery (I had a recurrence about a year after original dx). I did the high dose interferon for the first month, but did not do the 1 year long treatment.
I feel extremely fortunate to be alive and to also have a great quality of life. Other than a few scars, I haven't had any complications, except that lymphedema in my right (also dominant) arm showed up last year — over 7 years after final surgery and radiation. It was a bit surprising, but I won't complain, given that I had a canteloupe sized mass removed on my 2nd surgery, plus radiation treatment, I was lucky to not have it right away.
I'm back in Austin, TX and a full time student at the University of Texas — studying Psychology and Computer Science — with about 1 year left. I have a girlfriend of a little over 3 years now, who has a 9 year old daughter. I adore them both. I've also started a new company, Predictable Data, and it is going well.
OK, just wanted to say hello to old friend and give an update.
-Dwayne
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