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10years and going strong
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10years and going strong

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › 10years and going strong

  • Post
    • November 28, 2018 at 2:30 am
    jag
    Participant

      Hello Everybody,

      My name is John and I am sorry I haven’t posted in a while long time.  Back in the 00s and early 10s, I lived on this board, one look at my patent and you can see why,  Anyway, I feel guilty coming here with good news but I remember desperately searching for hope given my dire circumstances.  In the battles there is nothing worse than being “an inspiration” that just means you are surviving a lot of sh*t,  Nobody wants to be an inspiration.  Life is too good for me now to be an inspiration.  The real inspirations are all of the people posting here daily just trying to stay alive financially struggling and still giving to others despite their pain and circumstances and amazingly living mostly normal lives.  I’ve become another squirrel trying to get a nut, pay the mortgage, get dinner ready, put the kid to bed etc,

      But, then there are always stories of hope, so here’s a little bit of hope for you.

      https://www2.vet.cornell.edu/news/20181031/john-gallagher-95-dvm-00-and-meredith-re-00-dvm-04-take-their-practice-road

      Stay strong, keep breathing and fight like hell.  People want you to stay around for a bit.  God doesn’t need more melanoma patients, he has enough.

      All the best!

    Viewing 9 reply threads
    • Replies
        • November 28, 2018 at 3:04 am
        lkb
        Participant

          Good news always welcome! Congratulations and thank you for posting.

          • November 28, 2018 at 3:22 am
          caman
          Participant

            Wow, amazing story!!.  Im just waiting to see what will happens with me.  Newly diagnosed  on 4/18,  probably little over 4 Breslow.  SNB didnt work for me… So I don't know.  Im getting scanned every 3 months,  so far its been negative.  Your story has given me hope.   You been through a lot. 

            Congrats!!

             

            • November 28, 2018 at 3:24 am
            BrianP
            Participant

              Hey John.  I remember you.  Congrats on living life and the new practice.  Seems like a great concept.  Just looking at your profile.  Looks like you started your jouney with a Slingluff cocktail at UVA early on.  Thanks for the post.  Glad to hear you are doing well.

              Brian

              • November 28, 2018 at 10:45 am
              Johnjk04
              Participant

                What a nice story John, I loved the happy ending. Thank you for sharing and giving everyone the one item that defeats fear : hope. Have a marvelous life.

                • November 28, 2018 at 3:02 pm
                Janner
                Participant

                  Congrats john!  Jedd doing well?  🙂

                  • November 28, 2018 at 3:56 pm
                  mandyjill
                  Participant

                    Such an inspirational story.  

                    • November 28, 2018 at 11:52 pm
                    AMcReader
                    Participant

                      Your description of being inspirational really made me laugh because isn’t that the truth! Another favorite is people who say they couldn’t be as positive…I always wonder what the alternative would be. 

                      Anyways, thank you for sharing! Your story is an inspiration. My dream is to go back to being a squirrel trying to get a nut. Take care and enjoy every minute!

                      • November 29, 2018 at 7:53 pm
                      sing123
                      Participant

                        Love the stories of hope. Thanks for sharing. 

                        • November 30, 2018 at 8:53 pm
                        MelanomaMike
                        Participant

                          Hello to you Jag! im Mike, pleasure to hear your going strong! to me, its good to hear of success stories, what else gives us "Hope"? can i ask, is the name Jag because you may be involved with Military Law? hmmm, just wondering…And kudos to you for being a part of Animal`s lives! im {wife & i actually} are advocates for Animal Welfare especially are lil fur babies like cats & dogs…Any ways Jag, great to meet ya & keep up the awesome health!…

                          • December 1, 2018 at 2:05 pm
                          MelMel
                          Participant

                            Regardless of how you look at it, you are definitely an inspiration!  I am sure many would choose to be squirrels chasing nuts any day rather than being the rats running through the tunnels in this melanoma maze. Your success gives us hope that one day there is light at the end of our tunnel. 

                            Congratulations on all your accomplishments and successes!

                            Melanie 

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