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Finally made a 5 year milestone . ..
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Finally made a 5 year milestone . ..

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Finally made a 5 year milestone . ..

  • Post
    • September 19, 2013 at 12:00 am
    MaryD
    Participant

      This coming January, 2014, it will be 13 years since I was first diagnosed with melanoma on my upper left arms.  Five recurrrences, including progression to stage IV in 2007 via a solitary lung nodule, and five treatments later including interferon, radiation, peptide vaccines, Ipilumimab, and pulsed IL2, I am happy to say that today, I reached the milestone of being free of disease for 5 years.

      There was a time I could have never imagined reaching this point but with the help of some wonderful health care professionals that have supported me along this journey including Drs Jai Balkissoon, Jeffrey Weber, and David Minor,  I am here to validate that there is hope!

      But without a doubt, this MPIP family was the greatest source of support throughout the years providing invaluable information, education, and friendships that will last a lifetime.

      Please know there is hope – we have more ammunition to fight melanoma than ever before and there are more and more long term survivors out there.

      Mary

       

    Viewing 17 reply threads
    • Replies
        • September 19, 2013 at 12:08 am
        JoshF
        Participant
          Mary-
          Outstanding!!! I wish you many more years of NED! You certainly deserve it and offer hope for everyone here!

          Josh

            • September 19, 2013 at 12:54 am
            vivian
            Participant

              Mary,

              Thank you so much for posting this, and many, many congratulations for reaching 5 years!   It is always wonderful to be reminded that there is much hope, even at stage IV.  Every once in a while we all need a story like yours to bring a positive recharge!

              Lear 

              • September 19, 2013 at 12:54 am
              vivian
              Participant

                Mary,

                Thank you so much for posting this, and many, many congratulations for reaching 5 years!   It is always wonderful to be reminded that there is much hope, even at stage IV.  Every once in a while we all need a story like yours to bring a positive recharge!

                Lear 

                • September 19, 2013 at 12:54 am
                vivian
                Participant

                  Mary,

                  Thank you so much for posting this, and many, many congratulations for reaching 5 years!   It is always wonderful to be reminded that there is much hope, even at stage IV.  Every once in a while we all need a story like yours to bring a positive recharge!

                  Lear 

                • September 19, 2013 at 12:08 am
                JoshF
                Participant
                  Mary-
                  Outstanding!!! I wish you many more years of NED! You certainly deserve it and offer hope for everyone here!

                  Josh

                  • September 19, 2013 at 12:08 am
                  JoshF
                  Participant
                    Mary-
                    Outstanding!!! I wish you many more years of NED! You certainly deserve it and offer hope for everyone here!

                    Josh

                    • September 19, 2013 at 11:47 pm
                    hbecker
                    Participant

                      Mary, so glad to hear such good news!! Thanks for posting.

                      Hazel

                      • September 19, 2013 at 11:47 pm
                      hbecker
                      Participant

                        Mary, so glad to hear such good news!! Thanks for posting.

                        Hazel

                        • September 19, 2013 at 11:47 pm
                        hbecker
                        Participant

                          Mary, so glad to hear such good news!! Thanks for posting.

                          Hazel

                          • September 20, 2013 at 12:24 pm
                          kpcollins31
                          Participant

                            Always great to hear this type of news. Congratulations!

                            Kevin

                            • September 20, 2013 at 12:24 pm
                            kpcollins31
                            Participant

                              Always great to hear this type of news. Congratulations!

                              Kevin

                              • September 20, 2013 at 12:24 pm
                              kpcollins31
                              Participant

                                Always great to hear this type of news. Congratulations!

                                Kevin

                                • September 20, 2013 at 2:41 pm
                                Rebecca and Bob
                                Participant

                                  Hi Mary,

                                  I have a question for you. Bob just passed 4 years 2 months Stage IV and he is still on 4-6 month scan schedule from NIH. I thought people got moved out a little further after a certain amount of time. If you don't mind me asking what is your schedule like? I was curious if your doctors have said anything to you about chances of reoccurence or have moved you scan visits further out. I also see you did IL-2. I know this is a tricky desease so we want to stay viligent but I was also wondering if we are being too vigilent.

                                  Thanks,

                                  Rebecca

                                  • September 20, 2013 at 2:41 pm
                                  Rebecca and Bob
                                  Participant

                                    Hi Mary,

                                    I have a question for you. Bob just passed 4 years 2 months Stage IV and he is still on 4-6 month scan schedule from NIH. I thought people got moved out a little further after a certain amount of time. If you don't mind me asking what is your schedule like? I was curious if your doctors have said anything to you about chances of reoccurence or have moved you scan visits further out. I also see you did IL-2. I know this is a tricky desease so we want to stay viligent but I was also wondering if we are being too vigilent.

                                    Thanks,

                                    Rebecca

                                      • September 20, 2013 at 2:43 pm
                                      Rebecca and Bob
                                      Participant

                                        Mary,

                                        I also meant to congratulate you on your terrific milestone! Thanks for speading hope.

                                        Rebecca

                                        • September 20, 2013 at 2:43 pm
                                        Rebecca and Bob
                                        Participant

                                          Mary,

                                          I also meant to congratulate you on your terrific milestone! Thanks for speading hope.

                                          Rebecca

                                          • September 20, 2013 at 2:43 pm
                                          Rebecca and Bob
                                          Participant

                                            Mary,

                                            I also meant to congratulate you on your terrific milestone! Thanks for speading hope.

                                            Rebecca

                                            • September 20, 2013 at 10:21 pm
                                            MaryD
                                            Participant

                                              Hi Rebecca,

                                              I have been on a six m-nth scan schedule but now that I have made the 5 year mark, we are going to be moving to a yearly scan.    Have to admit, it will feel a little strange because I've been at this for a long time but I have had a great deal of radiation and all my doctors feel that this makes sense – and I agree at this point.

                                              No one can really predict what my chances of recurrence will be since my case was always somewhat slow moving (my local onc is ultra positive and says "I bet it won't come back"  – not sure about that!!) .   So , I'll just be as vigilant as I always have been and try and stay as healthy as possible.

                                              I did a "pulsed" version of IL-2 which is more of a maintenance dose (like they do after biochemo) as I used it as an adjuvant therapy to prevent a recurrence.   It seems to have really kept mel in check.

                                               

                                              Good luck to Bob!

                                               

                                              Mary

                                              • September 20, 2013 at 10:21 pm
                                              MaryD
                                              Participant

                                                Hi Rebecca,

                                                I have been on a six m-nth scan schedule but now that I have made the 5 year mark, we are going to be moving to a yearly scan.    Have to admit, it will feel a little strange because I've been at this for a long time but I have had a great deal of radiation and all my doctors feel that this makes sense – and I agree at this point.

                                                No one can really predict what my chances of recurrence will be since my case was always somewhat slow moving (my local onc is ultra positive and says "I bet it won't come back"  – not sure about that!!) .   So , I'll just be as vigilant as I always have been and try and stay as healthy as possible.

                                                I did a "pulsed" version of IL-2 which is more of a maintenance dose (like they do after biochemo) as I used it as an adjuvant therapy to prevent a recurrence.   It seems to have really kept mel in check.

                                                 

                                                Good luck to Bob!

                                                 

                                                Mary

                                                • September 20, 2013 at 10:21 pm
                                                MaryD
                                                Participant

                                                  Hi Rebecca,

                                                  I have been on a six m-nth scan schedule but now that I have made the 5 year mark, we are going to be moving to a yearly scan.    Have to admit, it will feel a little strange because I've been at this for a long time but I have had a great deal of radiation and all my doctors feel that this makes sense – and I agree at this point.

                                                  No one can really predict what my chances of recurrence will be since my case was always somewhat slow moving (my local onc is ultra positive and says "I bet it won't come back"  – not sure about that!!) .   So , I'll just be as vigilant as I always have been and try and stay as healthy as possible.

                                                  I did a "pulsed" version of IL-2 which is more of a maintenance dose (like they do after biochemo) as I used it as an adjuvant therapy to prevent a recurrence.   It seems to have really kept mel in check.

                                                   

                                                  Good luck to Bob!

                                                   

                                                  Mary

                                                • September 20, 2013 at 2:41 pm
                                                Rebecca and Bob
                                                Participant

                                                  Hi Mary,

                                                  I have a question for you. Bob just passed 4 years 2 months Stage IV and he is still on 4-6 month scan schedule from NIH. I thought people got moved out a little further after a certain amount of time. If you don't mind me asking what is your schedule like? I was curious if your doctors have said anything to you about chances of reoccurence or have moved you scan visits further out. I also see you did IL-2. I know this is a tricky desease so we want to stay viligent but I was also wondering if we are being too vigilent.

                                                  Thanks,

                                                  Rebecca

                                                  • September 23, 2013 at 4:51 pm
                                                  HopefulOne
                                                  Participant

                                                    Congratulations, Mary. That's fantastic news!! Continued blessings to you!

                                                    • September 23, 2013 at 4:51 pm
                                                    HopefulOne
                                                    Participant

                                                      Congratulations, Mary. That's fantastic news!! Continued blessings to you!

                                                      • September 23, 2013 at 4:51 pm
                                                      HopefulOne
                                                      Participant

                                                        Congratulations, Mary. That's fantastic news!! Continued blessings to you!

                                                        • September 24, 2013 at 9:20 pm
                                                        JerryfromFauq
                                                        Participant

                                                          Just found this.  and GLAD I did.  So happy for you Dear Lady.  Do  you still make  it to Kris's fund raisers?

                                                          • September 24, 2013 at 9:20 pm
                                                          JerryfromFauq
                                                          Participant

                                                            Just found this.  and GLAD I did.  So happy for you Dear Lady.  Do  you still make  it to Kris's fund raisers?

                                                              • September 25, 2013 at 4:28 am
                                                              MaryD
                                                              Participant

                                                                Thanks Jerry!   Haven't made it to the golf tournament in a couple of years (timing wasn't right) but was back there at  different times to visit Kathie and Kris   – and to visit Dr. Weber of course  🙂

                                                                Hope all is well,

                                                                Mary

                                                                • September 25, 2013 at 4:28 am
                                                                MaryD
                                                                Participant

                                                                  Thanks Jerry!   Haven't made it to the golf tournament in a couple of years (timing wasn't right) but was back there at  different times to visit Kathie and Kris   – and to visit Dr. Weber of course  🙂

                                                                  Hope all is well,

                                                                  Mary

                                                                  • September 25, 2013 at 4:39 am
                                                                  JerryfromFauq
                                                                  Participant

                                                                    My timing has been off to, but still follow.  I  will aalways remember Dean and Kris.  He went to stage 4 a month or 2 after I did.  I wanted to meet him so baddly.  He died the while I was  on my way to Florida  that year.  I'm still "doing amazingly well" for a dead man that  was told he'd never even walk again! the told melanoma had him and the thought hed was gooing to ride a  horse!

                                                                    • September 25, 2013 at 4:39 am
                                                                    JerryfromFauq
                                                                    Participant

                                                                      My timing has been off to, but still follow.  I  will aalways remember Dean and Kris.  He went to stage 4 a month or 2 after I did.  I wanted to meet him so baddly.  He died the while I was  on my way to Florida  that year.  I'm still "doing amazingly well" for a dead man that  was told he'd never even walk again! the told melanoma had him and the thought hed was gooing to ride a  horse!

                                                                      • September 25, 2013 at 4:39 am
                                                                      JerryfromFauq
                                                                      Participant

                                                                        My timing has been off to, but still follow.  I  will aalways remember Dean and Kris.  He went to stage 4 a month or 2 after I did.  I wanted to meet him so baddly.  He died the while I was  on my way to Florida  that year.  I'm still "doing amazingly well" for a dead man that  was told he'd never even walk again! the told melanoma had him and the thought hed was gooing to ride a  horse!

                                                                        • September 25, 2013 at 4:28 am
                                                                        MaryD
                                                                        Participant

                                                                          Thanks Jerry!   Haven't made it to the golf tournament in a couple of years (timing wasn't right) but was back there at  different times to visit Kathie and Kris   – and to visit Dr. Weber of course  🙂

                                                                          Hope all is well,

                                                                          Mary

                                                                        • September 24, 2013 at 9:20 pm
                                                                        JerryfromFauq
                                                                        Participant

                                                                          Just found this.  and GLAD I did.  So happy for you Dear Lady.  Do  you still make  it to Kris's fund raisers?

                                                                      Viewing 17 reply threads
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