› Forums › General Melanoma Community › 3YEARS NEM!!!!!!
- This topic has 18 replies, 9 voices, and was last updated 13 years, 6 months ago by
Vermont_Donna.
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- March 14, 2011 at 2:47 pm
If my scans in April are negative that is….NEM means no evidence of melanoma by the way, although I suppose NERD no evidence of recurrent disease (coined by Sharon in Reno) would be a more accurate description
If my scans in April are negative that is….NEM means no evidence of melanoma by the way, although I suppose NERD no evidence of recurrent disease (coined by Sharon in Reno) would be a more accurate description
I am a very lucky man-never thought I would say that. Reading my profile you will see that my last surgery where melanoma was detected was March 11 2008. I have had 2 brain surgeries since-last one in September, but they have both been necrotic material secondary to radiation in my noggin-which can cause a dirty mind(that's my excuse anyway-I have less and less dirty thoughts as this material is removed). My life is slowly coming back to normal(well maybe a new normal). Despite all of the bumps in the road, (6 rounds of (hospitalized) biochemotherapy,4 rounds of interleukin 2(hospitalized), 2 skin surgeries, 2 lung surgeries, and 6 brain surgeries epilepsy and loss of driving privileges for 1 year) my life is coming back to the way it used to be, I have learned to walk on the I beams of a sky scraper and not look down-even with loss of feeling/function in my left leg from during one of my brain surgeries-still would probably have a hard time passing a DWI test sober .
Good things have happened along the way too,got engaged on New Years Eve in Nantucket, got married, bought a house, worked in a lot of interesting places every NYC borough except Staten Island-not of my own but beats sitting at home watching Springer and Maury, started my own business with my wife doing mobile veterinary housecall work-We are in negotiations with a company to purchase a custom built mobile practice unit-beats working out of the back of your car. We have traveled most of the United States-a giant cross country trip on our honeymoon-now just a few remaining national parks to go see, but we have seen all of the big ones that I know of, and just this weekend, 3 years to the day after my last brain tumor removal, Merry underwent embryo transfer (keeping fingers crossed and saying prayers hoping that it works)-I honestly think the thought of being a dad is scarier then having melanoma.
I am thankful to:
God
my wife and family
my doctors
all of the people on this board that I have met over the years.
I wish all of the people struggling with this disease the best, Hang in there, do your best, and keep on living.
God Bless
John
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- March 14, 2011 at 3:32 pm
Congratulations John. It's wonderful news! 3 years, quite the feat with all you've been through!
I'm also very happy to hear about your's and mary's newest venture and will keep my fingers crossed that you will have a new little tax deduction by the end of the year!
Hope you are having a great, celebratory day!!
dian
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- March 14, 2011 at 3:32 pm
Congratulations John. It's wonderful news! 3 years, quite the feat with all you've been through!
I'm also very happy to hear about your's and mary's newest venture and will keep my fingers crossed that you will have a new little tax deduction by the end of the year!
Hope you are having a great, celebratory day!!
dian
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- March 14, 2011 at 3:34 pm
John,
All 250 lb of me is happy dancing for you and Merry.
The mobile practice van sounds great.
Being a Dad is even better. It's the most scary fun you will ever have. My baby is just about to turn 25 and I cherish every minute, the oldest just turned 41… YIKES…..
Jerry
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- March 14, 2011 at 3:34 pm
John,
All 250 lb of me is happy dancing for you and Merry.
The mobile practice van sounds great.
Being a Dad is even better. It's the most scary fun you will ever have. My baby is just about to turn 25 and I cherish every minute, the oldest just turned 41… YIKES…..
Jerry
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- March 14, 2011 at 4:22 pm
Now you see I have not read this….so its great I won't have to sweat secrets hahah. Not that you ever said anytthing was. I am so very happy and glad to read NEM rather than NED sort of like Monty Python Knights of NIM? Oh Gee John I am so happy.
Jerry: hmmmmm I cannot see you dancing about. you talk about your 250 pound self….. You could stop the stuffing of the birds, and do more brussel sprouts.
I expect soon you to say you are NEM or NED too…. that is also an order. How on earth can I continue here, about Lob-isters, and I will never understand a person living on the EAST COAST (that is so far away for me) does not just go ape over lobbies. but prefers grass fed four footed hoofed or gobblers in the grasses.
So John…..will Merry be your assistant? will you have a nother vet on board to do surgerys with you? or what….What a grand idea.
I still live in fear for when our two vets retire. you will have to immigrate to Canada. Be there loss our gain.
Love BOnnie
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- March 14, 2011 at 4:22 pm
Now you see I have not read this….so its great I won't have to sweat secrets hahah. Not that you ever said anytthing was. I am so very happy and glad to read NEM rather than NED sort of like Monty Python Knights of NIM? Oh Gee John I am so happy.
Jerry: hmmmmm I cannot see you dancing about. you talk about your 250 pound self….. You could stop the stuffing of the birds, and do more brussel sprouts.
I expect soon you to say you are NEM or NED too…. that is also an order. How on earth can I continue here, about Lob-isters, and I will never understand a person living on the EAST COAST (that is so far away for me) does not just go ape over lobbies. but prefers grass fed four footed hoofed or gobblers in the grasses.
So John…..will Merry be your assistant? will you have a nother vet on board to do surgerys with you? or what….What a grand idea.
I still live in fear for when our two vets retire. you will have to immigrate to Canada. Be there loss our gain.
Love BOnnie
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- March 14, 2011 at 4:41 pm
John,
So happy for you. You are such an inspiration and you deserve all the happiness that lies ahead with your new adventure. Congratulatons and saying a prayer that everything works out for you and your wife.
Rebecca
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- March 14, 2011 at 4:41 pm
John,
So happy for you. You are such an inspiration and you deserve all the happiness that lies ahead with your new adventure. Congratulatons and saying a prayer that everything works out for you and your wife.
Rebecca
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- March 14, 2011 at 11:02 pm
Dear John-
wow ! I'm just a rookie….Your trials, tribulations, and Triumphs! give us ALL hope and grace. Hope you never have another recurance and that you never consider yourself "normal", as that would be totally boring.
Best Wishes from Grady Bunch.
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- March 14, 2011 at 11:02 pm
Dear John-
wow ! I'm just a rookie….Your trials, tribulations, and Triumphs! give us ALL hope and grace. Hope you never have another recurance and that you never consider yourself "normal", as that would be totally boring.
Best Wishes from Grady Bunch.
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- March 14, 2011 at 11:43 pm
Hoping that the April scans have you continuing to be NEM!!
Sounds like in these last few years you have continued living and enjoying life! Also sending good wishes on Merry's embryo transfer. Being a parent brings excitement everyday! I'm a grandma now and that's even more fun!!
Linda
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- March 14, 2011 at 11:43 pm
Hoping that the April scans have you continuing to be NEM!!
Sounds like in these last few years you have continued living and enjoying life! Also sending good wishes on Merry's embryo transfer. Being a parent brings excitement everyday! I'm a grandma now and that's even more fun!!
Linda
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- March 15, 2011 at 10:20 am
well done John what ever your doing keep doing it!
Good luck mate.
Jmaes
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- March 15, 2011 at 10:20 am
well done John what ever your doing keep doing it!
Good luck mate.
Jmaes
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- March 15, 2011 at 10:39 am
John,
Wow. Congratulations. Your words on this board are both inspiring and uplifting. We can always count on you to bring out the lighthearted side of a situation. I'm so happy for you. I wish you many more years of NEM!!!
Amy S. in Michigan
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- March 15, 2011 at 1:10 pm
Hi John,
I am so very happy for you with your good news about the clear scans and then so very happy for you regarding the rest of your very wonderful life!! Congrats on the marriage, and it sounds like you had a wonderful honeymoon, and you have a really great idea for the mobile vet clinic. I used to work, in the 70's, as an outreach worker for a mobile dental clinic serving poor Vermont children. I am wishing you great success with the embryo transfer…….wow!!! Everything is going great and will continue to go great!
Happy NEM!
Vermont_Donna, stage 3a
currently stable after 4 infusions of Ipi
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- March 15, 2011 at 1:10 pm
Hi John,
I am so very happy for you with your good news about the clear scans and then so very happy for you regarding the rest of your very wonderful life!! Congrats on the marriage, and it sounds like you had a wonderful honeymoon, and you have a really great idea for the mobile vet clinic. I used to work, in the 70's, as an outreach worker for a mobile dental clinic serving poor Vermont children. I am wishing you great success with the embryo transfer…….wow!!! Everything is going great and will continue to go great!
Happy NEM!
Vermont_Donna, stage 3a
currently stable after 4 infusions of Ipi
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