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6 years NED with stage 3b Melanoma
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6 years NED with stage 3b Melanoma

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › 6 years NED with stage 3b Melanoma

  • Post
    • August 18, 2015 at 4:07 pm
    jtheisen29
    Participant

       

       

      Hello All,

       

      It's been such a long time since I have logged in or have thought about cancer. Almost 6 years ago I came on in search of support and information for my twin sister who was just diagnosed with stage 3b melanoma while 5 months pregnant. When I first came on I saw some may stories of loss. It weighed so heavy on my heart, and I mourned people and their stories. I prayed that my sister would be one of the survivors. I searched everyday for survivor stories to share with her, and to give myself some hope that she would be able to have a chance to fight and win. I promised myself early on that I would try to come back on the forums and update so that others searching for survivors would have the same hope that I needed 6 years ago. Each year that goes on I have the blessing of thinking about my sister's cancer less and less. I ususally feel a little pang of stress during her annual scans. Annual Scans! I remember when they were every 3 months, and then 6 months! We have lost many melanoma friends along the way and the beauty of this life and our gift of it is not wasted on us. My sister is doing fabulous and travels plenty, plays volleyball 3 times a week and loves life. Her son who she was pregnant with will turn 6 in January and is a true miracle. 

       

      I remember thinking why are there not a lot of survivor stories on forums. Does anyone beat this disease, and someone said that they are out living life not posting on forums. If you are newly diagnosed and searching for the same hope that I needed 6 years ago I hope you read this and it brings you some comfort. Keep fighting and be your own best advocate! 

    Viewing 2 reply threads
    • Replies
        • August 18, 2015 at 4:30 pm
        dentholla
        Participant

          Thank you for taking the time to share your story.  I am a mother of twin boys (5) and you and your sister certainly share a unique bond.  God bless your family – and congrats on her remaining NED!  Wonderful news!

            • August 18, 2015 at 4:46 pm
            jtheisen29
            Participant

              Thank You Dentholla! Yes twins do share a very special bond! I was fortunate to have such a understanding husband. He let me take off of work and basically move in with my sister. She said something that forever touched me, that if she couldn't take care of her newborn %100 she wanted the next best thing… her identical twin sister. I see that your husband was diagnosed, hang in there it's a tough road but there are people who survive it. 

               

               

              • August 24, 2015 at 7:51 pm
              jogo
              Participant

                How wonderful for your sister, your nephew, and you!  I am two years NED and have just "graduated" to CT scans every six months.  My daughter flew in to be with me four times: for the surgery, before I entered a clinical trial, while I was hospitalized because of an adverse reaction to treatment, and to cook an early Thanksgiving dinner when I came home.  Last Christmas when I was visiting her and the grandchildren, while walking the dogs, my 11 year old grandson took me aside and asked, "Grandma do you still have the cancer?"  I said that I have CT scans every three months and I am NED, no evidence of disease, not expecting to die!  We did a happy dance-conga in the street with the dogs all the way home.

                May you always have something to dance about!  Good luck!smiley

                • August 24, 2015 at 7:51 pm
                jogo
                Participant

                  How wonderful for your sister, your nephew, and you!  I am two years NED and have just "graduated" to CT scans every six months.  My daughter flew in to be with me four times: for the surgery, before I entered a clinical trial, while I was hospitalized because of an adverse reaction to treatment, and to cook an early Thanksgiving dinner when I came home.  Last Christmas when I was visiting her and the grandchildren, while walking the dogs, my 11 year old grandson took me aside and asked, "Grandma do you still have the cancer?"  I said that I have CT scans every three months and I am NED, no evidence of disease, not expecting to die!  We did a happy dance-conga in the street with the dogs all the way home.

                  May you always have something to dance about!  Good luck!smiley

                  • August 24, 2015 at 7:51 pm
                  jogo
                  Participant

                    How wonderful for your sister, your nephew, and you!  I am two years NED and have just "graduated" to CT scans every six months.  My daughter flew in to be with me four times: for the surgery, before I entered a clinical trial, while I was hospitalized because of an adverse reaction to treatment, and to cook an early Thanksgiving dinner when I came home.  Last Christmas when I was visiting her and the grandchildren, while walking the dogs, my 11 year old grandson took me aside and asked, "Grandma do you still have the cancer?"  I said that I have CT scans every three months and I am NED, no evidence of disease, not expecting to die!  We did a happy dance-conga in the street with the dogs all the way home.

                    May you always have something to dance about!  Good luck!smiley

                    • August 18, 2015 at 4:46 pm
                    jtheisen29
                    Participant

                      Thank You Dentholla! Yes twins do share a very special bond! I was fortunate to have such a understanding husband. He let me take off of work and basically move in with my sister. She said something that forever touched me, that if she couldn't take care of her newborn %100 she wanted the next best thing… her identical twin sister. I see that your husband was diagnosed, hang in there it's a tough road but there are people who survive it. 

                       

                       

                      • August 18, 2015 at 4:46 pm
                      jtheisen29
                      Participant

                        Thank You Dentholla! Yes twins do share a very special bond! I was fortunate to have such a understanding husband. He let me take off of work and basically move in with my sister. She said something that forever touched me, that if she couldn't take care of her newborn %100 she wanted the next best thing… her identical twin sister. I see that your husband was diagnosed, hang in there it's a tough road but there are people who survive it. 

                         

                         

                      • August 18, 2015 at 4:30 pm
                      dentholla
                      Participant

                        Thank you for taking the time to share your story.  I am a mother of twin boys (5) and you and your sister certainly share a unique bond.  God bless your family – and congrats on her remaining NED!  Wonderful news!

                        • August 18, 2015 at 4:30 pm
                        dentholla
                        Participant

                          Thank you for taking the time to share your story.  I am a mother of twin boys (5) and you and your sister certainly share a unique bond.  God bless your family – and congrats on her remaining NED!  Wonderful news!

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