› Forums › General Melanoma Community › My oncologists don’t want to see me any more *Happy Dance*
- This topic has 39 replies, 12 voices, and was last updated 7 years, 11 months ago by
DZnDef.
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- May 12, 2016 at 7:16 am
In one month I will be 6 years stage IV – NED post surgery and IL-2. Both my oncologists fired me as a client because I was soooooo boring, they had nothing to do. Basically said, you know where you can find us should any issues arise but we really don't have to see you any more.
This is one of my best graduations yet! I get to die from heart disease, stroke, or being stupid, or getting killed by "blue ice", or a pack of flying monkyes instead.
I am haning my hat on the long term survivorship of complete responders from IL-2. We are still setting the survival curve. Charlie, you better damn well join me you curmudgen… I miss our hot tub parties with Barth, StanN, Don W, Carole K and the gang.
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- May 12, 2016 at 1:48 pm
We still like to see your happy dance! Congrats! Celeste
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- May 12, 2016 at 5:55 pm
Hey Kim,
What an awesome milestone, to get fired from your doctors. As a fellow warrior from Hawaii, we know the special hardships that must be endured to simply see a specialist. It requires a 5-hour plane ride, and thousands of dollars spent just to visit the doctor, and get a shot at living. And living is what you are doing! Congratulations and we hope you continue to be an inspiration on this board, giving everyone hope that the one treatment they need will finally be found, and we can beat back the beast.
Aloha, Gary
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- May 12, 2016 at 5:55 pm
Hey Kim,
What an awesome milestone, to get fired from your doctors. As a fellow warrior from Hawaii, we know the special hardships that must be endured to simply see a specialist. It requires a 5-hour plane ride, and thousands of dollars spent just to visit the doctor, and get a shot at living. And living is what you are doing! Congratulations and we hope you continue to be an inspiration on this board, giving everyone hope that the one treatment they need will finally be found, and we can beat back the beast.
Aloha, Gary
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- May 12, 2016 at 5:55 pm
Hey Kim,
What an awesome milestone, to get fired from your doctors. As a fellow warrior from Hawaii, we know the special hardships that must be endured to simply see a specialist. It requires a 5-hour plane ride, and thousands of dollars spent just to visit the doctor, and get a shot at living. And living is what you are doing! Congratulations and we hope you continue to be an inspiration on this board, giving everyone hope that the one treatment they need will finally be found, and we can beat back the beast.
Aloha, Gary
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- May 12, 2016 at 8:31 pm
Doing the happy dance with you!! Can't be happier for you!
Julie
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- May 12, 2016 at 8:31 pm
Doing the happy dance with you!! Can't be happier for you!
Julie
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- May 12, 2016 at 8:31 pm
Doing the happy dance with you!! Can't be happier for you!
Julie
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- May 13, 2016 at 12:02 am
Jeeze, Kim , I didn't think you would disclose all of the hot tub details.
Aren't you bound by some kind of HIPPa rules, or because you only treat animals, that does not apply to humans? Smirk.
It is great that you are where you are; I know it has been a hard fought battle for you.
But if you would, just consider this: fire us all they want, but we are the future because of what worked or did not work in the past , firing you is the shortcoming of cancer research , because it implies ,in my opinion ,you and (we) no longer matter..
This idea that IL2 people no longer matter in the eyes of an oncologist, and to be dismissive of those who did it are no lomger "worthy" of additional followup is a bunch of crap.
NOBODY keeps track of us and I think they should,
And I do agree, wr are drawing the curve,
Cheerts,
Charlie S
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- May 13, 2016 at 12:02 am
Jeeze, Kim , I didn't think you would disclose all of the hot tub details.
Aren't you bound by some kind of HIPPa rules, or because you only treat animals, that does not apply to humans? Smirk.
It is great that you are where you are; I know it has been a hard fought battle for you.
But if you would, just consider this: fire us all they want, but we are the future because of what worked or did not work in the past , firing you is the shortcoming of cancer research , because it implies ,in my opinion ,you and (we) no longer matter..
This idea that IL2 people no longer matter in the eyes of an oncologist, and to be dismissive of those who did it are no lomger "worthy" of additional followup is a bunch of crap.
NOBODY keeps track of us and I think they should,
And I do agree, wr are drawing the curve,
Cheerts,
Charlie S
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- May 13, 2016 at 12:02 am
Jeeze, Kim , I didn't think you would disclose all of the hot tub details.
Aren't you bound by some kind of HIPPa rules, or because you only treat animals, that does not apply to humans? Smirk.
It is great that you are where you are; I know it has been a hard fought battle for you.
But if you would, just consider this: fire us all they want, but we are the future because of what worked or did not work in the past , firing you is the shortcoming of cancer research , because it implies ,in my opinion ,you and (we) no longer matter..
This idea that IL2 people no longer matter in the eyes of an oncologist, and to be dismissive of those who did it are no lomger "worthy" of additional followup is a bunch of crap.
NOBODY keeps track of us and I think they should,
And I do agree, wr are drawing the curve,
Cheerts,
Charlie S
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- May 13, 2016 at 8:52 am
Actually I think we give the docs hope. How many times have they fought the good fight with their patients only for them to be the case that never responds to anything. I think we keep them going because every once and a while, we actually LIVE!
In the meantime I made some good $$$ doing all those surveys. If I can make some damned cash outta the deal, WTF, I'll take it LOL!
Those surveys need to know people like us exist. I'm just glad I don't have to take any more meds unlike some of the other NED successes. I can't imagine how people pay to stay alive. The greatest crime I think is when there is a cure that you just can't afford, even with the drug companies assistance. Every time I do one of those surveys I make sure to point that out.
What good is a miracle drug if it is priced way out of reach and will only bankrupt you and your family.
BTW – how's your peel coming along? I had the softest baby bottom skin for the longest time after my treatment.
There is and always will be a place for IL-2. It just scared the #&^%$! outta me to put myself through it.
At least for my docs, it was hard to get them to wean me off of follow ups. I think it basically boiled down to the fact my insurance won't cover any more scans since I am NED. I am glowing by now and by continuing, can increase my risk for radiation induced cancer. I know my surgical onc. would probably be happy seeing me for life. Same for the medical one. It is just hard this far out to justify visiting them when there is nothing to see.
That being said, I know the monster is capable of sneaking out of it's prison at any time. I respect my enemy and will sleep with one eye open.
Keep on kicking mel's A$$ Charlie.
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- May 13, 2016 at 8:52 am
Actually I think we give the docs hope. How many times have they fought the good fight with their patients only for them to be the case that never responds to anything. I think we keep them going because every once and a while, we actually LIVE!
In the meantime I made some good $$$ doing all those surveys. If I can make some damned cash outta the deal, WTF, I'll take it LOL!
Those surveys need to know people like us exist. I'm just glad I don't have to take any more meds unlike some of the other NED successes. I can't imagine how people pay to stay alive. The greatest crime I think is when there is a cure that you just can't afford, even with the drug companies assistance. Every time I do one of those surveys I make sure to point that out.
What good is a miracle drug if it is priced way out of reach and will only bankrupt you and your family.
BTW – how's your peel coming along? I had the softest baby bottom skin for the longest time after my treatment.
There is and always will be a place for IL-2. It just scared the #&^%$! outta me to put myself through it.
At least for my docs, it was hard to get them to wean me off of follow ups. I think it basically boiled down to the fact my insurance won't cover any more scans since I am NED. I am glowing by now and by continuing, can increase my risk for radiation induced cancer. I know my surgical onc. would probably be happy seeing me for life. Same for the medical one. It is just hard this far out to justify visiting them when there is nothing to see.
That being said, I know the monster is capable of sneaking out of it's prison at any time. I respect my enemy and will sleep with one eye open.
Keep on kicking mel's A$$ Charlie.
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- May 13, 2016 at 8:52 am
Actually I think we give the docs hope. How many times have they fought the good fight with their patients only for them to be the case that never responds to anything. I think we keep them going because every once and a while, we actually LIVE!
In the meantime I made some good $$$ doing all those surveys. If I can make some damned cash outta the deal, WTF, I'll take it LOL!
Those surveys need to know people like us exist. I'm just glad I don't have to take any more meds unlike some of the other NED successes. I can't imagine how people pay to stay alive. The greatest crime I think is when there is a cure that you just can't afford, even with the drug companies assistance. Every time I do one of those surveys I make sure to point that out.
What good is a miracle drug if it is priced way out of reach and will only bankrupt you and your family.
BTW – how's your peel coming along? I had the softest baby bottom skin for the longest time after my treatment.
There is and always will be a place for IL-2. It just scared the #&^%$! outta me to put myself through it.
At least for my docs, it was hard to get them to wean me off of follow ups. I think it basically boiled down to the fact my insurance won't cover any more scans since I am NED. I am glowing by now and by continuing, can increase my risk for radiation induced cancer. I know my surgical onc. would probably be happy seeing me for life. Same for the medical one. It is just hard this far out to justify visiting them when there is nothing to see.
That being said, I know the monster is capable of sneaking out of it's prison at any time. I respect my enemy and will sleep with one eye open.
Keep on kicking mel's A$$ Charlie.
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- May 13, 2016 at 5:21 pm
Congrats! I'm just about a month away from my 8 year Stage IV NED anniversery. I was fired from my oncologist at about 5-1/2 years NED. Enjoying the best and the most anxious years since. Still leary about not having any monitors, but at least recently, I had some CT scans for kidney stones. They showed all clear for cancer still, so…..What a relief!
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- May 13, 2016 at 5:21 pm
Congrats! I'm just about a month away from my 8 year Stage IV NED anniversery. I was fired from my oncologist at about 5-1/2 years NED. Enjoying the best and the most anxious years since. Still leary about not having any monitors, but at least recently, I had some CT scans for kidney stones. They showed all clear for cancer still, so…..What a relief!
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- May 13, 2016 at 5:21 pm
Congrats! I'm just about a month away from my 8 year Stage IV NED anniversery. I was fired from my oncologist at about 5-1/2 years NED. Enjoying the best and the most anxious years since. Still leary about not having any monitors, but at least recently, I had some CT scans for kidney stones. They showed all clear for cancer still, so…..What a relief!
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