Re: Do People Survive This?

Hi Monica,

My mel started in my leg too, but from an unknown primary. The first metastatic lesion I found was on my upper back calf. I was Stage IIIB at diagnosis, and advanced to Stage IV in March 2009. I've had mets to my uterus (had hysterectomy), breast (had mastectomy), lung (it's still there), brain (had whole brain radiation and stereotactic radiation surgery), about 25 excisions from my leg, an Isolated Limb Perfusion in my leg, did 2 clinical trials in PA (PV-10 and OncoVEX), and I am about to start another clinical trial in Montreal in a few weeks from now. I know that sounds like a lot of treatment, but I'm none the worse for wear. I still look like the picture of health, feel fine, and am living a full life. I've far outlived my original prognosis of 3 yrs, and of 6 mos once I developed brain mets almost a year ago. This doesn't have to be a death sentence. I prefer to think of it as a chronic disease. I search relentlessly for treatments and trials,I keep up to date on new research, I stay positive, I eat well, take supplements, and ignore statistics. And I plan on being here for a long time to come. My point is that you have the power to take control of your own destiny by learning about this disease, know what to expect and what to look for, use this board as your source for information, ask questions, etc. You can read my profile, just search my name. Feel free to email me anytime.

Hugs

Sharyn

Stage IV