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Happy New Year: Status Update
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Happy New Year: Status Update

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Happy New Year: Status Update

  • Post
    • January 12, 2015 at 9:29 pm
    TSchulz
    Participant

      It has been a long time since I have posted here but my life has been touched by people dealing with melanoma several times in recent weeks and I thought I'd share my status.   

      I received the "standard" protocol of TIL at NIH in May of 2012.  I had an amazing response to treatment and was declared NED about a year after that.  My wonderful NED status has continued without a bump in the road.  Because things had progressed so well following treatment, my wife and I (being encouraged by my doctors saying that I should expect to be around awhile) decided to try to a second child.  We welcomed a beautiful baby boy into our family in early November. 

      Almost every day I think about my time dealing with melanoma -along with all those dealing with it today.  I wish you all the best year in whatever phase you are in: Having it sucks, loving someone who has it sucks and getting over having it isn't easy either.  And to all those who are supporting someone out there – you rock! 

      Happy 2015.

      Troy

    Viewing 14 reply threads
    • Replies
        • January 12, 2015 at 10:18 pm
        Mat
        Participant

          Troy, congratulations–and thanks for the message of hope!  You are truly living the dream.

          • January 12, 2015 at 10:18 pm
          Mat
          Participant

            Troy, congratulations–and thanks for the message of hope!  You are truly living the dream.

              • January 12, 2015 at 10:35 pm
              Maureen038
              Participant

                Congratulations Troy for still being NED and more wonderfully for having another child!! I don't know if you remember me and my husband Bill, but you were kind enough to visit us when my husband was going through the TIL trial. It meant a lot to us! Bill is back at NIH and is about to have VATS surgery on one nodule not responding to Opdivo. They will take the tissue and make TIL cells and freeze them in case he needs them again. I've seen on the news that Dr. Rosenberg has changed the process of making TIL cells somewhat so it is more personalized to that person. There will be a PBS show coming on in the spring on cancer where his work will be highlighted. 

                We are wishing you the best!! Please keep checking in because you give all of us hope!!

                Maureen

                • January 12, 2015 at 10:35 pm
                Maureen038
                Participant

                  Congratulations Troy for still being NED and more wonderfully for having another child!! I don't know if you remember me and my husband Bill, but you were kind enough to visit us when my husband was going through the TIL trial. It meant a lot to us! Bill is back at NIH and is about to have VATS surgery on one nodule not responding to Opdivo. They will take the tissue and make TIL cells and freeze them in case he needs them again. I've seen on the news that Dr. Rosenberg has changed the process of making TIL cells somewhat so it is more personalized to that person. There will be a PBS show coming on in the spring on cancer where his work will be highlighted. 

                  We are wishing you the best!! Please keep checking in because you give all of us hope!!

                  Maureen

                  • January 13, 2015 at 6:32 am
                  TSchulz
                  Participant

                    Maureen, 

                    Of course I remember you both. I am sorry to hear you are still struggling with this stuff. It sounds as if you are close to getting a handle on it though.  Thank you for the update and the info about the pbs program – I'll look for it. All the best to you both. Troy 

                    • January 13, 2015 at 6:32 am
                    TSchulz
                    Participant

                      Maureen, 

                      Of course I remember you both. I am sorry to hear you are still struggling with this stuff. It sounds as if you are close to getting a handle on it though.  Thank you for the update and the info about the pbs program – I'll look for it. All the best to you both. Troy 

                      • January 13, 2015 at 6:32 am
                      TSchulz
                      Participant

                        Maureen, 

                        Of course I remember you both. I am sorry to hear you are still struggling with this stuff. It sounds as if you are close to getting a handle on it though.  Thank you for the update and the info about the pbs program – I'll look for it. All the best to you both. Troy 

                        • January 13, 2015 at 12:11 pm
                        Maureen038
                        Participant

                          Thanks Troy!! We feel we are in a good place finally! After surgery, Bill will continue his infusions with Opdivo and hopefully we won't ever have to use the frozen TIL cells. Give your beautiful children big hugs and enjoy and cherish each day!! 

                          Maureen

                          • January 13, 2015 at 12:11 pm
                          Maureen038
                          Participant

                            Thanks Troy!! We feel we are in a good place finally! After surgery, Bill will continue his infusions with Opdivo and hopefully we won't ever have to use the frozen TIL cells. Give your beautiful children big hugs and enjoy and cherish each day!! 

                            Maureen

                            • January 13, 2015 at 12:11 pm
                            Maureen038
                            Participant

                              Thanks Troy!! We feel we are in a good place finally! After surgery, Bill will continue his infusions with Opdivo and hopefully we won't ever have to use the frozen TIL cells. Give your beautiful children big hugs and enjoy and cherish each day!! 

                              Maureen

                              • January 12, 2015 at 10:35 pm
                              Maureen038
                              Participant

                                Congratulations Troy for still being NED and more wonderfully for having another child!! I don't know if you remember me and my husband Bill, but you were kind enough to visit us when my husband was going through the TIL trial. It meant a lot to us! Bill is back at NIH and is about to have VATS surgery on one nodule not responding to Opdivo. They will take the tissue and make TIL cells and freeze them in case he needs them again. I've seen on the news that Dr. Rosenberg has changed the process of making TIL cells somewhat so it is more personalized to that person. There will be a PBS show coming on in the spring on cancer where his work will be highlighted. 

                                We are wishing you the best!! Please keep checking in because you give all of us hope!!

                                Maureen

                              • January 12, 2015 at 10:18 pm
                              Mat
                              Participant

                                Troy, congratulations–and thanks for the message of hope!  You are truly living the dream.

                                • January 12, 2015 at 10:30 pm
                                Happy_girl
                                Participant

                                  Thanks for sharing ! You are right that it just sucks all the way around, but I think I have definately learned to be thankful and love others most of all!  My daughter  will turn 1 in February- I was actually diagnosed when she was 6 weeks old( hello emotional rolls roaster). Loving every minute with my daughter! Sounds like you are doing the same with your son! 

                                  Happy 2015

                                  oh… Go bucks!

                                  O-H! 🙂

                                  • January 12, 2015 at 10:30 pm
                                  Happy_girl
                                  Participant

                                    Thanks for sharing ! You are right that it just sucks all the way around, but I think I have definately learned to be thankful and love others most of all!  My daughter  will turn 1 in February- I was actually diagnosed when she was 6 weeks old( hello emotional rolls roaster). Loving every minute with my daughter! Sounds like you are doing the same with your son! 

                                    Happy 2015

                                    oh… Go bucks!

                                    O-H! 🙂

                                    • January 12, 2015 at 10:30 pm
                                    Happy_girl
                                    Participant

                                      Thanks for sharing ! You are right that it just sucks all the way around, but I think I have definately learned to be thankful and love others most of all!  My daughter  will turn 1 in February- I was actually diagnosed when she was 6 weeks old( hello emotional rolls roaster). Loving every minute with my daughter! Sounds like you are doing the same with your son! 

                                      Happy 2015

                                      oh… Go bucks!

                                      O-H! 🙂

                                      • January 12, 2015 at 11:08 pm
                                      DZnDef
                                      Participant

                                        Congratulations, Troy, on your NED status and the expansion of your family!  It is so nice to hear of people like yourself enjoying a healthy and full life after a melanoma diagnosis.  I wish you continued good health and happiness.  Thank you so much for sharing your status with us.

                                        Cheers!

                                        Maggie

                                        • January 12, 2015 at 11:08 pm
                                        DZnDef
                                        Participant

                                          Congratulations, Troy, on your NED status and the expansion of your family!  It is so nice to hear of people like yourself enjoying a healthy and full life after a melanoma diagnosis.  I wish you continued good health and happiness.  Thank you so much for sharing your status with us.

                                          Cheers!

                                          Maggie

                                            • January 12, 2015 at 11:42 pm
                                            tschmith
                                            Participant

                                              Thank you for sharing your all around good news!   You are truly blessed!   

                                              Happy 2015!

                                              Terrie

                                              • January 12, 2015 at 11:42 pm
                                              tschmith
                                              Participant

                                                Thank you for sharing your all around good news!   You are truly blessed!   

                                                Happy 2015!

                                                Terrie

                                                • January 12, 2015 at 11:42 pm
                                                tschmith
                                                Participant

                                                  Thank you for sharing your all around good news!   You are truly blessed!   

                                                  Happy 2015!

                                                  Terrie

                                                • January 12, 2015 at 11:08 pm
                                                DZnDef
                                                Participant

                                                  Congratulations, Troy, on your NED status and the expansion of your family!  It is so nice to hear of people like yourself enjoying a healthy and full life after a melanoma diagnosis.  I wish you continued good health and happiness.  Thank you so much for sharing your status with us.

                                                  Cheers!

                                                  Maggie

                                                  • January 13, 2015 at 12:14 am
                                                  jenny22
                                                  Participant

                                                    Wonderful news…..congratulations on your new baby!!!!

                                                    There are SO MANY emotional highs and lows of this awful disease.  Your good news would defiinitely count as one of the high points.

                                                    Again, congrats…on your continued NED status and the new baby!

                                                    • January 13, 2015 at 12:14 am
                                                    jenny22
                                                    Participant

                                                      Wonderful news…..congratulations on your new baby!!!!

                                                      There are SO MANY emotional highs and lows of this awful disease.  Your good news would defiinitely count as one of the high points.

                                                      Again, congrats…on your continued NED status and the new baby!

                                                      • January 13, 2015 at 12:14 am
                                                      jenny22
                                                      Participant

                                                        Wonderful news…..congratulations on your new baby!!!!

                                                        There are SO MANY emotional highs and lows of this awful disease.  Your good news would defiinitely count as one of the high points.

                                                        Again, congrats…on your continued NED status and the new baby!

                                                        • January 16, 2015 at 4:37 am
                                                        Swanee
                                                        Participant

                                                          Hi Troy!

                                                          What a lovely night to see a post from you and especially followed with such wonderful news, continued NED and another beautiful baby…..Congratulations!

                                                          It is so important to read these uplifting posts to know that there is hope and melanoma can be  overcome and life goes on with new determination.  My heart is light hearing this news and I'm so happy for you and your sweet wife!

                                                          I'm hoping we will see you again at SCCA, perhaps we can have a bit of reunion in May! 

                                                          Best of everything to you Troy and your lovely family!

                                                          Swanee

                                                          • January 16, 2015 at 4:37 am
                                                          Swanee
                                                          Participant

                                                            Hi Troy!

                                                            What a lovely night to see a post from you and especially followed with such wonderful news, continued NED and another beautiful baby…..Congratulations!

                                                            It is so important to read these uplifting posts to know that there is hope and melanoma can be  overcome and life goes on with new determination.  My heart is light hearing this news and I'm so happy for you and your sweet wife!

                                                            I'm hoping we will see you again at SCCA, perhaps we can have a bit of reunion in May! 

                                                            Best of everything to you Troy and your lovely family!

                                                            Swanee

                                                            • January 16, 2015 at 4:37 am
                                                            Swanee
                                                            Participant

                                                              Hi Troy!

                                                              What a lovely night to see a post from you and especially followed with such wonderful news, continued NED and another beautiful baby…..Congratulations!

                                                              It is so important to read these uplifting posts to know that there is hope and melanoma can be  overcome and life goes on with new determination.  My heart is light hearing this news and I'm so happy for you and your sweet wife!

                                                              I'm hoping we will see you again at SCCA, perhaps we can have a bit of reunion in May! 

                                                              Best of everything to you Troy and your lovely family!

                                                              Swanee

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