First, I want to say Happy New Year to all. I am incredibly grateful to be alive here at the beginning of 2014. When I entered stage IV in 2005, that was a pretty unlikely scenario, so I thank God for each day I am gifted with.
I started Merck's PD1 back in July, initial scans showed a whopping 67% shrinkage! Next scans 6 weeks later were stable with no changes. I will be having scans again on the 12th of January. I am feeling pretty well overall. Biggest issue has been when my thryroid quit entirely, and that has caused some major fatigue, but synthroid is bringing levels back up, and I am def doing better. I do have quite a bit of vitiligo on face and arms; halos around many moles.Eyelashes and brows turning white. I am trusting the Lord with the outcome, but do feel a little anxious about the upcoming scans since the previous ones had no shrinkage at all. My days are in His hands, and I am thankful… so very thankful for all the years He has blessed me with. I will turn 50 this year in April and there never was a woman more happy to be hitting the big five-o.
When I was diagnosed with breast cancer in Jan 2002, and melanoma in March of 02 … our kiddos were still so young ( 2,5,10,11 and 14) and I was only 37. When I had that first mel recurrence in 2005, I knew my days could be short with my precious family. Thanking the Lord that now our children are 14,17,22,23 and 26 and I am glad for each extra day with them and with my wonderful hubby of 30 years. May each day of this New Year be one you cherish, and make memories with loved ones. Some days are much more trying than others for each of us, and this is not an easy road… but, as I look back, I have so many amazing wonderful memories of blessed days by the scores over these past 12 years since my initial diagnosis.
With a thankful heart, and wishes for a blessed New Year for each of you,
Tina
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