› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Just saying hello :)
- This topic has 39 replies, 9 voices, and was last updated 11 years, 10 months ago by Irish girl.
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- June 25, 2012 at 11:34 am
I finally registred an account on melanoma.org and I thought I would say hello and give a quick update. I've been NED since my last surgery and radiation treatment sometime in 2003. For those of you who don't know, I was originally diagnosed as either Stage IIIC or Stage IV — I had a total of 16 of 19 lymph nodes from my right axilla test positive for melanoma.
I finally registred an account on melanoma.org and I thought I would say hello and give a quick update. I've been NED since my last surgery and radiation treatment sometime in 2003. For those of you who don't know, I was originally diagnosed as either Stage IIIC or Stage IV — I had a total of 16 of 19 lymph nodes from my right axilla test positive for melanoma.
I had 3 surgeries: a surgical biopsy, a WLE, and a final surgery (I had a recurrence about a year after original dx). I did the high dose interferon for the first month, but did not do the 1 year long treatment.
I feel extremely fortunate to be alive and to also have a great quality of life. Other than a few scars, I haven't had any complications, except that lymphedema in my right (also dominant) arm showed up last year — over 7 years after final surgery and radiation. It was a bit surprising, but I won't complain, given that I had a canteloupe sized mass removed on my 2nd surgery, plus radiation treatment, I was lucky to not have it right away.
I'm back in Austin, TX and a full time student at the University of Texas — studying Psychology and Computer Science — with about 1 year left. I have a girlfriend of a little over 3 years now, who has a 9 year old daughter. I adore them both. I've also started a new company, Predictable Data, and it is going well.
OK, just wanted to say hello to old friend and give an update.
-Dwayne
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- June 25, 2012 at 1:22 pm
Sehr gut. Always love to read posts like this. They help show so many others that there is hope! -
- June 25, 2012 at 1:22 pm
Sehr gut. Always love to read posts like this. They help show so many others that there is hope! -
- June 25, 2012 at 1:22 pm
Sehr gut. Always love to read posts like this. They help show so many others that there is hope! -
- June 25, 2012 at 6:12 pm
Life is good,Consider yourself one of the lucky ones.Praying that everyone here is twice as lucky as you are.There are so many tough stories posted that it always gives inspiration to the rest of us there there is hope .The people here are always on my mind .Till we are all NED all the best tou you. Al
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- June 25, 2012 at 6:12 pm
Life is good,Consider yourself one of the lucky ones.Praying that everyone here is twice as lucky as you are.There are so many tough stories posted that it always gives inspiration to the rest of us there there is hope .The people here are always on my mind .Till we are all NED all the best tou you. Al
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- June 25, 2012 at 6:12 pm
Life is good,Consider yourself one of the lucky ones.Praying that everyone here is twice as lucky as you are.There are so many tough stories posted that it always gives inspiration to the rest of us there there is hope .The people here are always on my mind .Till we are all NED all the best tou you. Al
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- June 25, 2012 at 6:16 pm
Guten Morgen, Guten Tag! Nice to see you posting. It's been a while since we've heard from you! Glad things seem to be going well – both melanoma-wise and life-wise!!!
Best wishes,
Janner
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- June 25, 2012 at 10:02 pm
Dwayne! It's great to see you – so happy to hear everything is going well with you. Good luck with your studies and your new company – stay in touch!
DebbieH
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- June 26, 2012 at 12:20 am
Oh my goodness……………YOU JUST MADE THIS GIRL'S DAY !
I give many thanks for your NED report for sooooo long ! OH MY – thanks a MILLION for
coming back to visit and tell some of us oldies, but newbies again that there is HOPE for
long term health !
WOW……..I hope you get a go-zillion years. π
Nancy (devoted wife of #3 X Warrior Wayne)
Thank you – thank you – thank you………………!!! π
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- June 26, 2012 at 12:20 am
Oh my goodness……………YOU JUST MADE THIS GIRL'S DAY !
I give many thanks for your NED report for sooooo long ! OH MY – thanks a MILLION for
coming back to visit and tell some of us oldies, but newbies again that there is HOPE for
long term health !
WOW……..I hope you get a go-zillion years. π
Nancy (devoted wife of #3 X Warrior Wayne)
Thank you – thank you – thank you………………!!! π
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- June 26, 2012 at 12:20 am
Oh my goodness……………YOU JUST MADE THIS GIRL'S DAY !
I give many thanks for your NED report for sooooo long ! OH MY – thanks a MILLION for
coming back to visit and tell some of us oldies, but newbies again that there is HOPE for
long term health !
WOW……..I hope you get a go-zillion years. π
Nancy (devoted wife of #3 X Warrior Wayne)
Thank you – thank you – thank you………………!!! π
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- June 27, 2012 at 2:41 am
Hey Dwayne ! Seems like forever since seeing you in Dallas now six years ago. Glad to hear you are doing well.
Now, about that girfriend, guess this one of three is not the same one six years ago? (chuckle)
Either way, my best to you.
Charlie S
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- June 27, 2012 at 2:42 am
Thank you so much for taking the time to tell us about your amazing journey! This give us all strength to fight and to be positive.
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- June 27, 2012 at 2:42 am
Thank you so much for taking the time to tell us about your amazing journey! This give us all strength to fight and to be positive.
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- June 27, 2012 at 2:42 am
Thank you so much for taking the time to tell us about your amazing journey! This give us all strength to fight and to be positive.
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- June 28, 2012 at 7:49 am
Angelica,
I'm glad if in any small way I can help. I have been so fortunate. Even when it was hard, I've always kept a positivie attitude and I do believe my attitude has helped keep me alive and kicking for so long.
I mean, I could either make the best of it or be miserable; it's not a hard choice. π
-Dwayne
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- July 1, 2012 at 6:55 pm
As a newly diganosed melanoma warrior, its such an inspiration to read your story. Thank you for taking the time to share…
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- July 1, 2012 at 6:55 pm
As a newly diganosed melanoma warrior, its such an inspiration to read your story. Thank you for taking the time to share…
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- July 1, 2012 at 6:55 pm
As a newly diganosed melanoma warrior, its such an inspiration to read your story. Thank you for taking the time to share…
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- June 28, 2012 at 7:49 am
Angelica,
I'm glad if in any small way I can help. I have been so fortunate. Even when it was hard, I've always kept a positivie attitude and I do believe my attitude has helped keep me alive and kicking for so long.
I mean, I could either make the best of it or be miserable; it's not a hard choice. π
-Dwayne
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- June 28, 2012 at 7:49 am
Angelica,
I'm glad if in any small way I can help. I have been so fortunate. Even when it was hard, I've always kept a positivie attitude and I do believe my attitude has helped keep me alive and kicking for so long.
I mean, I could either make the best of it or be miserable; it's not a hard choice. π
-Dwayne
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