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Another Year
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Another Year

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Another Year

  • Post
    • December 27, 2019 at 4:01 am
    Polymath
    Participant
      Seasons greetings to all you!

      This is anniversary time for me, and I’m way overdue to check in.

      For some reason, Christmas always brings some kind of event for me, and back in 2012 it was a melanoma diagnosis.
      It’s now been three years since my final December 2016 surgery removing a 14cm tumor that engulfed my spleen.
      Mine was a stubborn case, and I progressed through every drug therapy, mixed with multiple surgeries and radiation treatments.

      In what has been a surprise to everyone, I have remained stable, totally drug-free, ever since the splenectomy and am down to annual scans now (next month)
      and only quarterly visits to my onc. Besides several lasting side effects from treatment, I appear normal and healthy now. A miracle indeed.

      I owe so much to the people on this board. It was because of what I learned here, that lead me to the specialist that ultimately
      saved my life. I wake up each day now in new appreciation of a sunrise. After some devastating losses of people here
      I felt so close to, it has been tough to check in often, and I even feel a bit guilty sometimes as I wonder why me, why am I still here
      when such beautiful people have succumbed to the beast?

      To be truthful, I mostly want to forget. There was so much pain, in so many ways. I’ll continue check into the board from time to time.
      In the meantime I remain so thankful, and hopeful, that each and every one of you find a way back to health.

      Don’t lose hope, I am proof that against all odds, you can survive, and thrive. Best wishes to everyone in 2020 and may you all win the fight.
      .

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    • Replies
        • December 27, 2019 at 6:02 am
        sister of patient
        Participant
          So glad to see your post and even better to learn you’re doing great 3 years later!! Happy Anniversary and wishing you many more, always!!

          Barb

          • December 27, 2019 at 12:57 pm
          Affected
          Participant
            Hi Polymath,

            Thank you very much for posting. My husband was diagnosed with melanoma in June and had his tumor from his parotid gland removed in July. It is so helpful to hear about miracles, especially at this time of the year. He has finished his radiotherapy and is on adjuvant immunotherapy for a year. He will have his first CAT scans since his operation on January 8th, and I am praying that there will be no sign of metastasis as there was some lymph node involvement. ie. I am praying for a miracle. Again thank you so much for posting. I wish you good health for many many years to come. Sincerely, Affected

            • December 27, 2019 at 7:02 pm
            Bubbles
            Participant
              Hey Gary!!!

              Good to hear from you and so glad that you are doing well. I think in truth we’d all like to forget – easier for some than others I suppose. Wishing you every happiness and a zillion fun adventures in 2020.

              Yours, celeste

              • December 27, 2019 at 11:22 pm
              Mark_DC
              Participant
                Hi Gary — thanks for checking in. i had wondered where you were. I was always impressed by your story, your grapefruit sized tumour, how the meds did not seem to work but surgery somehow did. your story inspired me and helped give me strength. As did your calm attitude. i am glad you are fine, was fearing maybe not.
                i seem to be recovering too, but i am insufficiently appreciative of the small things in life – having this illness made me value each day. Now as i think i get better i tend to forget this simple truth. But each day i try to remember how much j have to be grateful for and how incredible life is.
                Thanks for your help in the past
                mark
                  • January 4, 2020 at 8:54 pm
                  Polymath
                  Participant
                    Very good to hear from you Mark, and especially glad your hanging in there too. The road to recovery can have potholes, yet we must press on.
                    We think the immunotherapy drugs , had a sort of delayed effect. They could not impact the heavy tumor load, but perhaps now, it’s working on a microscopic level preventing new growth.
                    I too relate with the fact that yes, we relish every day, and I find especially milestones like birthdays and holidays mean much more now. At the same time, I still yell (to myself anyway)
                    about the person driving slow in the left lane, but the difference is now I catch myself. I ask, maybe they have their own battle they are waging? Maybe I should just cut them some slack.?
                    This battle has brought me new understanding of the human condition, and the unseen burdens we all carry. Best to you in 2020 and beyond.
                    and a dose of empathy for others.
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