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Diagnosed at age 17 – Don’t ever give up
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Diagnosed at age 17 – Don’t ever give up

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Diagnosed at age 17 – Don’t ever give up

  • Post
    • December 14, 2018 at 6:58 pm
    KyleS
    Participant
      Hey all,

      I have lurked here for many years and this is my first time posting.

      I was diagnosed a few days after my 17th birthday which was in 2006. Since then, I have had various treatments, 5 surgeries and 4 recurrences / metastasis.

      I have had the following treatments:

      Interferon (one month), Chemobiotherapy trial – Cisplatin, vinblastine, dacarbazine, il2, interferon – (3 cycles 1 week each), IMRT (Radiation one month), High Dose Il2 (2 courses 2 weeks each), Dabrafenib (1.5 years), Ipi/nivo (2 cycles) + nivo (13 cycles) + SBRT (Radiation 1 week).

      The point that I am trying to make is that if one treatment fails, there are many options out there. Treatment choices have come a long way since I was diagnosed. I wont lie, there were times where I felt hopeless, but I managed to keep chugging along. I am happy to report that I have been NED since June. Always stay positive and let’s hope that we find a cure for 100% of the patient population. Merry (early) Christmas everyone!

    Viewing 5 reply threads
    • Replies
        • December 14, 2018 at 7:32 pm
        AMcReader
        Participant

          Oh, Kyle, what wonderful news!!! I have been dealing with Melanoma since I was 8 in 1994 but I was Stage 1 until just this year. I can’t imagine managing Stage 4 at 17. Your story brings so much hope. Thank you for taking the time share. I hope beyond hope that life grants you a looooooong, rest-of-life reprieve from this terrible disease. Happy holidays to you!!

          • December 15, 2018 at 2:08 pm
          Johnjk04
          Participant

            Kyle many thanks for leaving your uplifting report. I know there where times that I felt the end was so close by. Reading your positive news should give hope to all us. Have a Happy Ned Year !!!!

            • December 15, 2018 at 4:04 pm
            WithinMySkin
            Participant
              Congrats, Kyle!!! Its hard to stay positive when you’ve been through so much but I’m sure it made you a stronger person. Life tastes so much sweeter on the other side!! Wishing you a happy and healthy 2019!

              Lauren

              • December 18, 2018 at 5:33 am
              MelMel
              Participant

                Kyle thank you for sharing your journey. Every time I have a meltdown, I ask myself …live or die? And quickly, I find there is no way out of the skin I am in but to continue carrying on. This recharges my batteries till the next time.

                Merry Christmas and a Healthy New Year!

                Melanie

                • January 13, 2019 at 1:55 pm
                Momofjake
                Participant

                  Okay!! Where have you been??? My son was also diagnosed at 17. He is 21 now, but you are 30!!! This is awesome! Jake has also done all those treatments and they were TOUGH!! He is doing okay! Not clear but plugging along. I am curious how life is going for you?? Career, when did you leave home or did you? Any relationships? These are all things Jake wants but stupid Mel gets in his way! 

                  So happy you are NED!! Enjoy!!!

                  Kerri B

                    • January 14, 2019 at 3:05 am
                    KellyH
                    Participant

                      Kerri I am so happy to hear Jake is doing ok and hanging in there….I think of you and Jake often.  Happy New Year to you and your family!!!! Best wishes that 2019 is the year for Jake!!!!!  I will keep praying for Jake and for all the melanoma peeps and their families!!!!!!! 

                      Kelly : ) 

                       

                      • February 7, 2019 at 4:30 pm
                      KyleS
                      Participant

                        Hi Kerri!  Sorry for the long delay responding back to you.  I'm married with 2 kids (ages 8 and 4) so that keeps me busy most of the time.  I moved out when I was 19.  I completed my Bachelor's degreee (took longer than most, thanks melanoma!) and I am working full time.  I know it's easier to say than do, but I just kept chugging along knowing that one day I would beat this disease.  Don't let melanoma stop you from doing the things that you want to do.  Hang in there and stay positive!!!

                      • January 14, 2019 at 2:50 am
                      KellyH
                      Participant

                        Kyle thank you!!!!! My son was also diagnosed at age 17 in February 2018….he was Stage 3b at diagnosis. He is NED after surgery and 6 months of Nivo adjuvant therapy…we have 5 more months of treatment to go….I try to stay positive, I know things could always be worse…and I am forever grateful for all the awesome people caring for my son and for everyone on this board helping to keep me sane.  He is 18 now and his life has changed dramatically but he is in college, and we take one day at a time. He had to give up playing college baseball which was something he had worked so hard to achieve, it just proved  to be too much with school and treatments. But again, this is a little change in plan, yes, but we are so lucky to have that as a “problem” on this journey…he’s still in school, and working towards his future!!!!!  Something that In February at time of diagnosis I was so unsure and so scared of what his future would hold….I know we don’t have a crystal ball but stories like yours keep me going!!!!!  

                        Congratulations on your NED and enjoy those three little letters to the fullest!!!!!  

                        Kelly 🙂 

                         

                          • February 7, 2019 at 4:45 pm
                          KyleS
                          Participant

                            Hi Kelly.  Yes, melanoma does like to throw curve balls at us (had to use a baseball reference 🙂 ).  I couldn't play varsity golf my senior year in high school and I remember being pretty upset.  Hang in there, only a few more months of treatment to go!  

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