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5 Years NED
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5 Years NED

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › 5 Years NED

  • Post
    • July 18, 2014 at 2:08 pm
    Becky
    Participant

      5 years ago, just before his 21st birthday my son Ben was diagnosed with melanoma. His was a very rare oral melanoma ( on his tongue) that had spread to one lymph node. He did a year of interferon during his senior year of college.

      Yesterdays petscan showed NED! Feeling very relieved.

      I share this in part to give others hope. Oral melanoma tends be be very aggressive with a grim prognosis. I know, in the melanoma world, 5 years does not mean cured, but I feel like it is a huge milestone.

      I am so grateful to this board and those that have given support .There are probably a lot of people who never post, but read to gather information and feel connected.

      Keep on fighting

      Becky

    Viewing 8 reply threads
    • Replies
        • July 18, 2014 at 7:04 pm
        Phil S
        Participant

          Becky,  I am thrilled to see this post on your son.  I remember the "old days" when Ben was doing interferon, my husband was a little behind him.  Phil was diagnosed 4 1/2 years ago with another form of mucosal melanoma but also weathered the year of interferon.  So I always look for your posts and hope so much to hear continued good news on Ben.  Didn't he move to the East coast for a job, really moving on with his life, it's great to hear the positive stories!  All the best to your family, Valerie (Phil's wife)

          • July 18, 2014 at 7:04 pm
          Phil S
          Participant

            Becky,  I am thrilled to see this post on your son.  I remember the "old days" when Ben was doing interferon, my husband was a little behind him.  Phil was diagnosed 4 1/2 years ago with another form of mucosal melanoma but also weathered the year of interferon.  So I always look for your posts and hope so much to hear continued good news on Ben.  Didn't he move to the East coast for a job, really moving on with his life, it's great to hear the positive stories!  All the best to your family, Valerie (Phil's wife)

            • July 18, 2014 at 7:04 pm
            Phil S
            Participant

              Becky,  I am thrilled to see this post on your son.  I remember the "old days" when Ben was doing interferon, my husband was a little behind him.  Phil was diagnosed 4 1/2 years ago with another form of mucosal melanoma but also weathered the year of interferon.  So I always look for your posts and hope so much to hear continued good news on Ben.  Didn't he move to the East coast for a job, really moving on with his life, it's great to hear the positive stories!  All the best to your family, Valerie (Phil's wife)

              • July 19, 2014 at 1:59 am
              lbkimball
              Participant

                Fantastic news! Congrats to you and your son! It's hard enough having cancer as a parent, can't fathom my child dealing with it. It must have been a dreadful time for you – what a relief to know it's behind you.

                laura – stage IV metastic melanoma with lots of brain mets

                • July 19, 2014 at 1:59 am
                lbkimball
                Participant

                  Fantastic news! Congrats to you and your son! It's hard enough having cancer as a parent, can't fathom my child dealing with it. It must have been a dreadful time for you – what a relief to know it's behind you.

                  laura – stage IV metastic melanoma with lots of brain mets

                  • July 19, 2014 at 1:59 am
                  lbkimball
                  Participant

                    Fantastic news! Congrats to you and your son! It's hard enough having cancer as a parent, can't fathom my child dealing with it. It must have been a dreadful time for you – what a relief to know it's behind you.

                    laura – stage IV metastic melanoma with lots of brain mets

                    • July 19, 2014 at 2:25 am
                    BrianP
                    Participant

                      Great news Becky.  Thanks for sharing.

                        • July 19, 2014 at 2:48 pm
                        Becky
                        Participant

                          Thanks everyone

                          Yes, Valerie ,he moved 3000 miles away (insert sad Mom face) to NYC and is about to start his first year of teaching high school math for an inner city school. He just went off our insurance and so hopefully can find a good oncologist there. His doctor here (not a melanoma speicalsit) said no more scans unless there are symptoms. This makes me nervous and him happy.

                          I rememeber your husband also has mucosal melanoma and did interferon. Wishing you the best as well

                          • July 19, 2014 at 2:48 pm
                          Becky
                          Participant

                            Thanks everyone

                            Yes, Valerie ,he moved 3000 miles away (insert sad Mom face) to NYC and is about to start his first year of teaching high school math for an inner city school. He just went off our insurance and so hopefully can find a good oncologist there. His doctor here (not a melanoma speicalsit) said no more scans unless there are symptoms. This makes me nervous and him happy.

                            I rememeber your husband also has mucosal melanoma and did interferon. Wishing you the best as well

                            • July 19, 2014 at 2:48 pm
                            Becky
                            Participant

                              Thanks everyone

                              Yes, Valerie ,he moved 3000 miles away (insert sad Mom face) to NYC and is about to start his first year of teaching high school math for an inner city school. He just went off our insurance and so hopefully can find a good oncologist there. His doctor here (not a melanoma speicalsit) said no more scans unless there are symptoms. This makes me nervous and him happy.

                              I rememeber your husband also has mucosal melanoma and did interferon. Wishing you the best as well

                            • July 19, 2014 at 2:25 am
                            BrianP
                            Participant

                              Great news Becky.  Thanks for sharing.

                              • July 19, 2014 at 2:25 am
                              BrianP
                              Participant

                                Great news Becky.  Thanks for sharing.

                            Viewing 8 reply threads
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