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5 year stage 4 anniversary!!

Forums General Melanoma Community 5 year stage 4 anniversary!!

  • Post
    lhaley
    Participant

      Yesterday at my mel specialist appointment I told him that I wanted so badly to celebrate this day as NED. He winked and said he could ask Dr White to remove the tumor this afternoon and then I could proclaim that I was!  Didn't happen, but I knew it wouldn't.  Instead he did a FNA on the new site on my arm below what was supposed to be radiated.

      My scans were clean!!!!  2 Lung nodules remain stable, that's about 9 months now.  The lump on the arm didn't show up but it was deemed to small to show on a PET, hence the FNA. 

      Yesterday at my mel specialist appointment I told him that I wanted so badly to celebrate this day as NED. He winked and said he could ask Dr White to remove the tumor this afternoon and then I could proclaim that I was!  Didn't happen, but I knew it wouldn't.  Instead he did a FNA on the new site on my arm below what was supposed to be radiated.

      My scans were clean!!!!  2 Lung nodules remain stable, that's about 9 months now.  The lump on the arm didn't show up but it was deemed to small to show on a PET, hence the FNA. 

      If it comes back as mel then my options were discussed. I will be leaving it and going systemic since it would just be used as a marker.  If it comes back clean then they will most likely remove it just to be sure.

      New trial that has come on board. I had heard but I guess new sites are now getting it. For resected stage 3 and stage 4.  This is great since stage 4 NED have had no options except if you have the positive hla factor!!!  One arm is Yervoy at an increased dosage. Normal protocal but then after the 3 months it's once a quarter to finish the year. The other arm is interfuron – 12 months.  So as normal they give a good option along with one that we don't want to get, especially at stage IV.  Dr and I discussed it, if this new spot ends up being ok but neither of us think I could handle the 5 hours round trip every day for a month if I ended up with the interfuron arm. 

      I am excited about reaching this milestone! Have been dealing with mel with multiple primaries since 79 and now 5 years stage IV.

      Waiting for the phone call with the results. Can't believe how quickly this has been acted upon. Called office on Thursday afternoon. Friday morning oncologist talked to radiologist and stopped treatments till further info was gathered. Holiday weekend. Tuesday Pet/ct, results, dr appointment and then they talked my surgeon into staying after his other appointments to do the FNA!  phew.

      Linda

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    • Replies
        Kimmer
        Participant

          Congratualtions on your FIVE YEAR mark, Linda!

          I hope this is just a small bump in the road… but I know you can handle anything!  Are you seeing docs in Charlotte?  Dr. Salo was my first onc at Blumenthal.

          Best of luck to you and sooo glad those scans are clean!

          Take good care, k.

          Kimmer
          Participant

            Congratualtions on your FIVE YEAR mark, Linda!

            I hope this is just a small bump in the road… but I know you can handle anything!  Are you seeing docs in Charlotte?  Dr. Salo was my first onc at Blumenthal.

            Best of luck to you and sooo glad those scans are clean!

            Take good care, k.

            nicoli
            Participant

              Even though you didn't hit this anniversary NED, you DID hit it ALIVE. That's remarkable.

              Never give up, never surrender. Don't stop fighting. You are an encouragement to me.

              Nicki, Stage 3b
               

                Lisa13
                Participant

                  Congrats!  Surviving 5 years with Stage 4 Melanoma is HUGE and something to be celebrated. Even though you arn't NED, you have beaten the odds and that says alot! 

                  I hope and pray that this trend continues for you!

                  Lisa – Stage 4

                  Lisa13
                  Participant

                    Congrats!  Surviving 5 years with Stage 4 Melanoma is HUGE and something to be celebrated. Even though you arn't NED, you have beaten the odds and that says alot! 

                    I hope and pray that this trend continues for you!

                    Lisa – Stage 4

                  nicoli
                  Participant

                    Even though you didn't hit this anniversary NED, you DID hit it ALIVE. That's remarkable.

                    Never give up, never surrender. Don't stop fighting. You are an encouragement to me.

                    Nicki, Stage 3b
                     

                    Carol Taylor
                    Participant

                      Linda and I are Facebook buddies and she knows how excited I am by her news. What I want you all to know is that her celebration has been added to my 3rd year celebration (there's a link somewhere down below on the bulletin board)…July 9th is also Linda's birthday…so we'll celebrate Linda's b'day, her 5 year ned status at stage 4, and my own celebration at once….yes, she knows her name is on this.

                      Thanks.

                      Grace and peace,

                      Carol

                      Carol Taylor
                      Participant

                        Linda and I are Facebook buddies and she knows how excited I am by her news. What I want you all to know is that her celebration has been added to my 3rd year celebration (there's a link somewhere down below on the bulletin board)…July 9th is also Linda's birthday…so we'll celebrate Linda's b'day, her 5 year ned status at stage 4, and my own celebration at once….yes, she knows her name is on this.

                        Thanks.

                        Grace and peace,

                        Carol

                        shellebrownies
                        Participant

                          Congrats on 5 years, Linda! That's wonderful and a great inspiration to those of us coming up behind you. 🙂

                          Michelle, wife of Don

                          shellebrownies
                          Participant

                            Congrats on 5 years, Linda! That's wonderful and a great inspiration to those of us coming up behind you. 🙂

                            Michelle, wife of Don

                            You are doing great! Are an inspiration to us all, I am so happy for you.
                              boot2aboot
                              Participant

                                that's a big deal…congratulations on important birthday…

                                boot2aboot
                                Participant

                                  that's a big deal…congratulations on important birthday…

                                You are doing great! Are an inspiration to us all, I am so happy for you.
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