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Stage IV at 10-year milestone
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Stage IV at 10-year milestone

› Forums › Caregiver Community › Stage IV at 10-year milestone

  • Post
    • February 19, 2013 at 5:43 pm
    ChrisB
    Participant

       

      Ten years ago today I had a CT scan that showed a lesion to my lung advancing me to Stage IV.  My status for the majority of these past ten years has been stable/manageable disease.

      While my journey has certainly had its moments of successes and disappointments I have been fortunate in that I am still able to live a somewhat normal life and continue to work full time.  I know that this might not be the average life of a stage IV patient but I’m hoping this post gives at least a glimmer of hopefulness to others.

       

      Ten years ago today I had a CT scan that showed a lesion to my lung advancing me to Stage IV.  My status for the majority of these past ten years has been stable/manageable disease.

      While my journey has certainly had its moments of successes and disappointments I have been fortunate in that I am still able to live a somewhat normal life and continue to work full time.  I know that this might not be the average life of a stage IV patient but I’m hoping this post gives at least a glimmer of hopefulness to others.

      My heart goes out to all of you, patients and caregivers alike.

      Chris

       

      Stage IV February 19th, 2003

      Manageable Disease since October 1st, 2004

      ChrisB~StageIV on MPIP

    Viewing 11 reply threads
    • Replies
        • February 19, 2013 at 7:18 pm
        Phil S
        Participant
          Chris, THANKS for sharing your great news of long term survival with Stage 4 melanoma, you a true warrior! Your story gives us all hope! Can you tell us if you still take Nexavar, if not how long did you take that drug? And, what is your mutation? My husband is fighting, almost 20 months since his Stage 4 diagnosis, and we are always looking for treatment ideas! Since, he is Braf negative, I feel we have to be more inventive in our approach! All the best to you, wishing you many, many years of healthy living! Valerie (Phil’s wife)
          • February 19, 2013 at 7:18 pm
          Phil S
          Participant
            Chris, THANKS for sharing your great news of long term survival with Stage 4 melanoma, you a true warrior! Your story gives us all hope! Can you tell us if you still take Nexavar, if not how long did you take that drug? And, what is your mutation? My husband is fighting, almost 20 months since his Stage 4 diagnosis, and we are always looking for treatment ideas! Since, he is Braf negative, I feel we have to be more inventive in our approach! All the best to you, wishing you many, many years of healthy living! Valerie (Phil’s wife)
              • February 19, 2013 at 7:56 pm
              randallgford
              Participant

                Thanks Chris, we just got the same diagnosis and are starting the battle. Hope my husband has the

                same experience!!!! Hope is all I have. Vicki (Randall's wife)

                • February 19, 2013 at 7:56 pm
                randallgford
                Participant

                  Thanks Chris, we just got the same diagnosis and are starting the battle. Hope my husband has the

                  same experience!!!! Hope is all I have. Vicki (Randall's wife)

                  • February 19, 2013 at 7:56 pm
                  randallgford
                  Participant

                    Thanks Chris, we just got the same diagnosis and are starting the battle. Hope my husband has the

                    same experience!!!! Hope is all I have. Vicki (Randall's wife)

                    • February 20, 2013 at 7:12 pm
                    ChrisB
                    Participant

                       

                      Valerie, I'm sorry you and your husband are dealing with melanoma.
                       
                      I am no longer taking Nexavar. At the time my oncologist prescribed it I knew he was offering the only option he felt could be persued at that time.  I took it for the first month to satify his need to do something then tapered off it completely. Since I was already on the stable/managable side of things I felt that this was the right choice for me.
                       
                      I have not been tested for mutations.
                       
                      All my best to you and your husband.
                       
                      Chris
                      • February 20, 2013 at 7:12 pm
                      ChrisB
                      Participant

                         

                        Valerie, I'm sorry you and your husband are dealing with melanoma.
                         
                        I am no longer taking Nexavar. At the time my oncologist prescribed it I knew he was offering the only option he felt could be persued at that time.  I took it for the first month to satify his need to do something then tapered off it completely. Since I was already on the stable/managable side of things I felt that this was the right choice for me.
                         
                        I have not been tested for mutations.
                         
                        All my best to you and your husband.
                         
                        Chris
                        • February 20, 2013 at 7:12 pm
                        ChrisB
                        Participant

                           

                          Valerie, I'm sorry you and your husband are dealing with melanoma.
                           
                          I am no longer taking Nexavar. At the time my oncologist prescribed it I knew he was offering the only option he felt could be persued at that time.  I took it for the first month to satify his need to do something then tapered off it completely. Since I was already on the stable/managable side of things I felt that this was the right choice for me.
                           
                          I have not been tested for mutations.
                           
                          All my best to you and your husband.
                           
                          Chris
                        • February 19, 2013 at 7:18 pm
                        Phil S
                        Participant
                          Chris, THANKS for sharing your great news of long term survival with Stage 4 melanoma, you a true warrior! Your story gives us all hope! Can you tell us if you still take Nexavar, if not how long did you take that drug? And, what is your mutation? My husband is fighting, almost 20 months since his Stage 4 diagnosis, and we are always looking for treatment ideas! Since, he is Braf negative, I feel we have to be more inventive in our approach! All the best to you, wishing you many, many years of healthy living! Valerie (Phil’s wife)
                          • February 19, 2013 at 9:21 pm
                          Calynda
                          Participant
                            Thank you for sharing this… And congrats!…. I’m just starting out… Was diagnosed with “at least” stage IIc 1 week ago… And I need these stories while we’re trying to figure out the extent of what I have.
                            • February 19, 2013 at 9:21 pm
                            Calynda
                            Participant
                              Thank you for sharing this… And congrats!…. I’m just starting out… Was diagnosed with “at least” stage IIc 1 week ago… And I need these stories while we’re trying to figure out the extent of what I have.
                              • February 19, 2013 at 9:21 pm
                              Calynda
                              Participant
                                Thank you for sharing this… And congrats!…. I’m just starting out… Was diagnosed with “at least” stage IIc 1 week ago… And I need these stories while we’re trying to figure out the extent of what I have.
                                • February 19, 2013 at 9:43 pm
                                triciad
                                Participant

                                  Chris,

                                  Thanks so much for posting your good news.  It really picks up our spirits here to hear the positive stories.  You have been through so much, but the most important thing is that you are still winning.   Congratulations!!!

                                  Tricia

                                  • February 19, 2013 at 9:43 pm
                                  triciad
                                  Participant

                                    Chris,

                                    Thanks so much for posting your good news.  It really picks up our spirits here to hear the positive stories.  You have been through so much, but the most important thing is that you are still winning.   Congratulations!!!

                                    Tricia

                                    • February 19, 2013 at 9:43 pm
                                    triciad
                                    Participant

                                      Chris,

                                      Thanks so much for posting your good news.  It really picks up our spirits here to hear the positive stories.  You have been through so much, but the most important thing is that you are still winning.   Congratulations!!!

                                      Tricia

                                      • February 20, 2013 at 12:17 am
                                      Janner
                                      Participant

                                        Hey Chris!  So great to see you posting again!  I'm glad it's for all the right reasons, too!  Keep on keeping on!!!

                                        Best wishes,

                                        Janner

                                        • February 20, 2013 at 12:17 am
                                        Janner
                                        Participant

                                          Hey Chris!  So great to see you posting again!  I'm glad it's for all the right reasons, too!  Keep on keeping on!!!

                                          Best wishes,

                                          Janner

                                          • February 20, 2013 at 12:17 am
                                          Janner
                                          Participant

                                            Hey Chris!  So great to see you posting again!  I'm glad it's for all the right reasons, too!  Keep on keeping on!!!

                                            Best wishes,

                                            Janner

                                        Viewing 11 reply threads

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