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More Good News – Hopefully the New Trend

Forums General Melanoma Community More Good News – Hopefully the New Trend

  • Post
    dvd
    Participant

      A little less than a year ago I was trying to understand the meaning of being diagnosed with advanced Stage 4 melanoma. It was difficult to comprehend the possibility of time running out, of not having to plan for the future, of the world moving on without me. With meditative focus, I ultimately prepared, intellectually and emotionally, to leave – a difficult and almost surreal task. The investigational drug trial was something to do in the meantime.

      But I, like others in this forum, have been given a gift of more time. Yesterday, the results of my fourth CT scan over the past six months were consistent with the rest — no evidence of recurrent disease.

      The radiologists are still arguing whether or not the small sclerotic bone lesions are mets or just "bone scarring,", but they are few, small and haven't changed in 6 months, so I'm optimistic.

      It's been a little rough climbing back up after being in a deep valley for a while, but I feel like I'm nearing the top. My strength is coming back, my weight is back, surgical scars have all healed, radiation burns are but a memory and there are days that I truly feel energetic. Bicycling, swimming, hiking, tennis – they're all a part of my life again. I'm taking advantage of the extra time I've been given.

      Hopefully, this trend of good news from melanoma survivors will continue to grow. I'm a retired physician, and when I was in medical school, my diagnosis would have been a death warrant, but not now. The trend is a welcome change, and a very hopeful one.

       

      DVD

    Viewing 17 reply threads
    • Replies
        ed williams
        Participant

          Thanks for sharing your experiences DVD!!!!  It is great to hear such great news ( good scans). I had my follow up MRI of my brain yesterday and I hope the radiologist have the same problem as yours did. Two months ago the radiologist didn't agree with the person who wrote the scan report. They had changed to a newer MRI machines on the scan in July which has a higher resolution. I find out on Tuesday if everything is still clear. One year ago I had 3 little mets in the brain which they zapped with the Cyberknife ( love that name). So anyway I am glad to hear that you are having such great success against the beast. Ed

          ed williams
          Participant

            Thanks for sharing your experiences DVD!!!!  It is great to hear such great news ( good scans). I had my follow up MRI of my brain yesterday and I hope the radiologist have the same problem as yours did. Two months ago the radiologist didn't agree with the person who wrote the scan report. They had changed to a newer MRI machines on the scan in July which has a higher resolution. I find out on Tuesday if everything is still clear. One year ago I had 3 little mets in the brain which they zapped with the Cyberknife ( love that name). So anyway I am glad to hear that you are having such great success against the beast. Ed

            ed williams
            Participant

              Thanks for sharing your experiences DVD!!!!  It is great to hear such great news ( good scans). I had my follow up MRI of my brain yesterday and I hope the radiologist have the same problem as yours did. Two months ago the radiologist didn't agree with the person who wrote the scan report. They had changed to a newer MRI machines on the scan in July which has a higher resolution. I find out on Tuesday if everything is still clear. One year ago I had 3 little mets in the brain which they zapped with the Cyberknife ( love that name). So anyway I am glad to hear that you are having such great success against the beast. Ed

              JerryfromFauq
              Participant

                Doc, they told me about the death sentence in 2007.  That was the statistics then.  We're not statistics yet, but we're sure changing the futures statiscs!  Love it.

                JerryfromFauq
                Participant

                  Doc, they told me about the death sentence in 2007.  That was the statistics then.  We're not statistics yet, but we're sure changing the futures statiscs!  Love it.

                  JerryfromFauq
                  Participant

                    Doc, they told me about the death sentence in 2007.  That was the statistics then.  We're not statistics yet, but we're sure changing the futures statiscs!  Love it.

                    BrianP
                    Participant

                      Awesome news DVD.  I know how you feel about being in the valley and clawing your way back out.  My oldest had just turned 3 when my journey down this awful path began.  I couldn't help wonder how many more of her "life events" I would get to see.  Today she had her 6th birthday and I'll never take such special days forgranted for as long as I live.

                        ed williams
                        Participant

                          My daughter is turning 6 this Friday Brian and I remember last fall when my Oncologist said to me " Ed you should be around for x-mas." My out look has changed since then. I am looking forward to giving boy's a hard time when she starts to date, when she is like 16 or even better 18. Best Wishes Ed

                          ed williams
                          Participant

                            My daughter is turning 6 this Friday Brian and I remember last fall when my Oncologist said to me " Ed you should be around for x-mas." My out look has changed since then. I am looking forward to giving boy's a hard time when she starts to date, when she is like 16 or even better 18. Best Wishes Ed

                            ed williams
                            Participant

                              My daughter is turning 6 this Friday Brian and I remember last fall when my Oncologist said to me " Ed you should be around for x-mas." My out look has changed since then. I am looking forward to giving boy's a hard time when she starts to date, when she is like 16 or even better 18. Best Wishes Ed

                            BrianP
                            Participant

                              Awesome news DVD.  I know how you feel about being in the valley and clawing your way back out.  My oldest had just turned 3 when my journey down this awful path began.  I couldn't help wonder how many more of her "life events" I would get to see.  Today she had her 6th birthday and I'll never take such special days forgranted for as long as I live.

                              BrianP
                              Participant

                                Awesome news DVD.  I know how you feel about being in the valley and clawing your way back out.  My oldest had just turned 3 when my journey down this awful path began.  I couldn't help wonder how many more of her "life events" I would get to see.  Today she had her 6th birthday and I'll never take such special days forgranted for as long as I live.

                                oldblue
                                Participant

                                   

                                  So glad to hear this and other good news stories. Thank you DVD (and all) for sharing them.

                                  Nigel.

                                  oldblue
                                  Participant

                                     

                                    So glad to hear this and other good news stories. Thank you DVD (and all) for sharing them.

                                    Nigel.

                                    oldblue
                                    Participant

                                       

                                      So glad to hear this and other good news stories. Thank you DVD (and all) for sharing them.

                                      Nigel.

                                      sweetaugust
                                      Participant

                                        With each great scan we hear about, each of us breathes a little bit easier.  So glad for you, and so glad for all of us that the map is changing for the better.

                                        All the best, Laurie

                                        sweetaugust
                                        Participant

                                          With each great scan we hear about, each of us breathes a little bit easier.  So glad for you, and so glad for all of us that the map is changing for the better.

                                          All the best, Laurie

                                          sweetaugust
                                          Participant

                                            With each great scan we hear about, each of us breathes a little bit easier.  So glad for you, and so glad for all of us that the map is changing for the better.

                                            All the best, Laurie

                                            DZnDef
                                            Participant

                                              What wonderful news!  I'm so very happy for you and for all of us to be living in an era when this disease can be beat!

                                              DZnDef
                                              Participant

                                                What wonderful news!  I'm so very happy for you and for all of us to be living in an era when this disease can be beat!

                                                DZnDef
                                                Participant

                                                  What wonderful news!  I'm so very happy for you and for all of us to be living in an era when this disease can be beat!

                                              Viewing 17 reply threads
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