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Latest X-Ray- Stage 3B Patient
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Latest X-Ray- Stage 3B Patient

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Latest X-Ray- Stage 3B Patient

  • Post
    • July 29, 2015 at 5:27 pm
    mike_nj
    Participant

      Hello All,

      Skipped a year but went for X-Ray and all came out clear for chest.  They switched me to X-Rays after many years of Ct & PET scans.  About 8 years ago, I set off radiation detectors after a PET at the Port Authority bus terminal in NYC on my way home.  Three police officers converged and I explained that I had a PET and I was released to go.

      Stage 1A in 1999 and then progresed to stage 3B in 2004 with macro sized node in right axilla.  Had the surgery, radiation, and clinical trial with mel-43 vaccine (Dr Slinghoff from UVA) in Pittsburgh.

      Lymphedema in right arm since then with limited mobility.

      I feel very fortunate and am grateful to God for my good run but I know that follow ups will be endless with this disease.

      My hope is that all new patients understand that even if one progresses (as I did), there are still options and hope for decent outomes.

      Next on agenda is colonoscopy and cardio checkup and a diet to shed some weight.

      My younger sister was recently treated for melanoma in-situ and I gave her bad advice but luckily Janner came to our rescue with sound and correct advice.  Thank you Janner.

      Mike from New Jersey

       

       

    Viewing 5 reply threads
    • Replies
        • July 30, 2015 at 10:25 am
        stars
        Participant

          That is great news about your xrays. Your post is probably good for Josh to read as he has also been warned of radiation dose build up with PET/CT. So funny (in a morbid way) that you set off those radiation detectors at a bus terminal!

          I'm sorry that you were one of the few % of 1A pts who progress to 3B, but so grateful that you have posted with a good news update. All the best to you.

          • July 30, 2015 at 10:25 am
          stars
          Participant

            That is great news about your xrays. Your post is probably good for Josh to read as he has also been warned of radiation dose build up with PET/CT. So funny (in a morbid way) that you set off those radiation detectors at a bus terminal!

            I'm sorry that you were one of the few % of 1A pts who progress to 3B, but so grateful that you have posted with a good news update. All the best to you.

            • July 30, 2015 at 10:25 am
            stars
            Participant

              That is great news about your xrays. Your post is probably good for Josh to read as he has also been warned of radiation dose build up with PET/CT. So funny (in a morbid way) that you set off those radiation detectors at a bus terminal!

              I'm sorry that you were one of the few % of 1A pts who progress to 3B, but so grateful that you have posted with a good news update. All the best to you.

              • July 30, 2015 at 1:31 pm
              Janner
              Participant

                Good news, Mike.  Glad your sister is doing well, also!

                  • July 30, 2015 at 3:07 pm
                  JC
                  Participant

                    always scary to hear the stories of thin 1A's that progress to 3 or 4.  everyone says "low risk", "you're worrying too much," etc….  but then the examples like this.  glad for you.

                    • July 30, 2015 at 4:49 pm
                    Janner
                    Participant

                      Low risk is not NO risk.  But worrying doesn't solve any problems.  Worry if you progress, but why take away from life now if you are low risk?  The way the field is changing (in terms of treatment), worrying and keeping up with knowing what works now is useless because it might be obsolete in a few months.  Worry if you progress and research then what treatments are available IF THAT EVER HAPPENS.  Until then, live life.

                      • July 30, 2015 at 4:49 pm
                      Janner
                      Participant

                        Low risk is not NO risk.  But worrying doesn't solve any problems.  Worry if you progress, but why take away from life now if you are low risk?  The way the field is changing (in terms of treatment), worrying and keeping up with knowing what works now is useless because it might be obsolete in a few months.  Worry if you progress and research then what treatments are available IF THAT EVER HAPPENS.  Until then, live life.

                        • July 30, 2015 at 4:49 pm
                        Janner
                        Participant

                          Low risk is not NO risk.  But worrying doesn't solve any problems.  Worry if you progress, but why take away from life now if you are low risk?  The way the field is changing (in terms of treatment), worrying and keeping up with knowing what works now is useless because it might be obsolete in a few months.  Worry if you progress and research then what treatments are available IF THAT EVER HAPPENS.  Until then, live life.

                          • July 30, 2015 at 4:52 pm
                          Janner
                          Participant

                            And just so you understand, stage 1a when Mike was diagnosed is different from stage 1a now.  The club is more exclusive after adding mitosis as a staging criteria at the end of 2010.

                            • July 30, 2015 at 4:52 pm
                            Janner
                            Participant

                              And just so you understand, stage 1a when Mike was diagnosed is different from stage 1a now.  The club is more exclusive after adding mitosis as a staging criteria at the end of 2010.

                              • July 30, 2015 at 4:52 pm
                              Janner
                              Participant

                                And just so you understand, stage 1a when Mike was diagnosed is different from stage 1a now.  The club is more exclusive after adding mitosis as a staging criteria at the end of 2010.

                                • July 30, 2015 at 3:07 pm
                                JC
                                Participant

                                  always scary to hear the stories of thin 1A's that progress to 3 or 4.  everyone says "low risk", "you're worrying too much," etc….  but then the examples like this.  glad for you.

                                  • July 30, 2015 at 3:07 pm
                                  JC
                                  Participant

                                    always scary to hear the stories of thin 1A's that progress to 3 or 4.  everyone says "low risk", "you're worrying too much," etc….  but then the examples like this.  glad for you.

                                  • July 30, 2015 at 1:31 pm
                                  Janner
                                  Participant

                                    Good news, Mike.  Glad your sister is doing well, also!

                                    • July 30, 2015 at 1:31 pm
                                    Janner
                                    Participant

                                      Good news, Mike.  Glad your sister is doing well, also!

                                  Viewing 5 reply threads
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