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Stage IV survivor checking in…
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Stage IV survivor checking in…

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Stage IV survivor checking in…

  • Post
    • December 20, 2011 at 5:53 am
    KRob
    Participant

      Hello-

      Been quite a while since I've been on…so nice to see familiar names and so sorry to hear of several fine folks passing from their MM this past year. This rotten disease has claimed too many good lives, but it's heartening to see that so many others are winning the war. 

      Hello-

      Been quite a while since I've been on…so nice to see familiar names and so sorry to hear of several fine folks passing from their MM this past year. This rotten disease has claimed too many good lives, but it's heartening to see that so many others are winning the war. 

      Since Christmas is the season of hope, I wanted to share my testimony of survivorship of stage IV mm for almost 7 years (2/05-diagnosis). It's a kick-in-the-gut that day of diagnosis (and for many days after that too) but it's vital to retain and maintain the belief that anything is possible and you do not have to be a statistic! As my dear late dr. told me, "We can talk numbers all day, but they are only going to be grim and give you very little hope…remember, that they are just numbers and don't necessarily represent your individual case." That was the first whisper of possibility that I heard during those early, dark days, and I will forever be thankful for them.

      So for those of you who have just recently joined our ranks and those who continue the fight, may you be blessed with abundant hope throughout the coming year (and beyond!). May you find the strength and courage in the days moments you need them, and the guidance and wisdom to choose the paths of treatment you decide are best for you.

      Merry Christmas! Best wishes and many blessings to all!

      Karen

    Viewing 17 reply threads
    • Replies
        • December 20, 2011 at 3:17 pm
        Lisa13
        Participant

          Hi Karen,

          Thank you so much for posting this wonderful news of hope. I'm so happy for you and send you continued wishes and prayers that you remain NED for many, many more years.

          I must admit, once brain mets come into the picture, life gets really scary.  I had 2 gamma knifed 7 weeks ago and have lung mets which have been shrinking after ipi treatment.  Knowing that you are still here 6 years later after 2 brain mets makes me hopeful. I don't believe in statistics because I know anything is possible.  All I can keep my mind focused on is beating this thing and I'm feeling 100% healthy right now.  I hope I'm as strong as you.

          Merry Christmas Karen! 

           

          Lisa

          • December 20, 2011 at 3:17 pm
          Lisa13
          Participant

            Hi Karen,

            Thank you so much for posting this wonderful news of hope. I'm so happy for you and send you continued wishes and prayers that you remain NED for many, many more years.

            I must admit, once brain mets come into the picture, life gets really scary.  I had 2 gamma knifed 7 weeks ago and have lung mets which have been shrinking after ipi treatment.  Knowing that you are still here 6 years later after 2 brain mets makes me hopeful. I don't believe in statistics because I know anything is possible.  All I can keep my mind focused on is beating this thing and I'm feeling 100% healthy right now.  I hope I'm as strong as you.

            Merry Christmas Karen! 

             

            Lisa

            • December 20, 2011 at 3:17 pm
            Lisa13
            Participant

              Hi Karen,

              Thank you so much for posting this wonderful news of hope. I'm so happy for you and send you continued wishes and prayers that you remain NED for many, many more years.

              I must admit, once brain mets come into the picture, life gets really scary.  I had 2 gamma knifed 7 weeks ago and have lung mets which have been shrinking after ipi treatment.  Knowing that you are still here 6 years later after 2 brain mets makes me hopeful. I don't believe in statistics because I know anything is possible.  All I can keep my mind focused on is beating this thing and I'm feeling 100% healthy right now.  I hope I'm as strong as you.

              Merry Christmas Karen! 

               

              Lisa

              • December 21, 2011 at 1:39 am
              benp
              Participant

                Thank you for posting this! It is a real confidence booster to hear others with brain mets are having such good results. Keep it up!

                 

                Thanks, 

                Ben.

                • December 21, 2011 at 1:39 am
                benp
                Participant

                  Thank you for posting this! It is a real confidence booster to hear others with brain mets are having such good results. Keep it up!

                   

                  Thanks, 

                  Ben.

                  • December 21, 2011 at 1:39 am
                  benp
                  Participant

                    Thank you for posting this! It is a real confidence booster to hear others with brain mets are having such good results. Keep it up!

                     

                    Thanks, 

                    Ben.

                    • December 21, 2011 at 2:06 am
                    Charlie S
                    Participant

                      Cool !

                      Thanks for posting.

                      Cheers,

                      Charlie S

                      • December 21, 2011 at 2:06 am
                      Charlie S
                      Participant

                        Cool !

                        Thanks for posting.

                        Cheers,

                        Charlie S

                        • December 21, 2011 at 2:06 am
                        Charlie S
                        Participant

                          Cool !

                          Thanks for posting.

                          Cheers,

                          Charlie S

                          • December 21, 2011 at 7:05 am
                          hope4cure1
                          Participant

                            You have the power to insprie.  Thanks so much for doing just that!

                            Hope

                            • December 21, 2011 at 7:05 am
                            hope4cure1
                            Participant

                              You have the power to insprie.  Thanks so much for doing just that!

                              Hope

                              • December 21, 2011 at 7:05 am
                              hope4cure1
                              Participant

                                You have the power to insprie.  Thanks so much for doing just that!

                                Hope

                                  • December 21, 2011 at 2:35 pm
                                  NYKaren
                                  Participant

                                    Hi Karen,

                                    Thanks for your post; you certainly give me hope and inspiration.

                                    Be well,

                                    the "other Karen."

                                    • December 21, 2011 at 2:35 pm
                                    NYKaren
                                    Participant

                                      Hi Karen,

                                      Thanks for your post; you certainly give me hope and inspiration.

                                      Be well,

                                      the "other Karen."

                                      • December 21, 2011 at 2:35 pm
                                      NYKaren
                                      Participant

                                        Hi Karen,

                                        Thanks for your post; you certainly give me hope and inspiration.

                                        Be well,

                                        the "other Karen."

                                      • December 22, 2011 at 2:38 am
                                      CLPrice31
                                      Participant

                                        I want to thank you for taking time out of your day to post this message. It gives me so much hope and is a fresh of clean air. So many times I end up logging off the internet in a funk after researching melanoma, but when I read stories like yours, I know that we cannot lose hope. Thank you. Merry Christmas and best wishes to YOU!

                                        • December 22, 2011 at 2:38 am
                                        CLPrice31
                                        Participant

                                          I want to thank you for taking time out of your day to post this message. It gives me so much hope and is a fresh of clean air. So many times I end up logging off the internet in a funk after researching melanoma, but when I read stories like yours, I know that we cannot lose hope. Thank you. Merry Christmas and best wishes to YOU!

                                          • December 22, 2011 at 2:38 am
                                          CLPrice31
                                          Participant

                                            I want to thank you for taking time out of your day to post this message. It gives me so much hope and is a fresh of clean air. So many times I end up logging off the internet in a funk after researching melanoma, but when I read stories like yours, I know that we cannot lose hope. Thank you. Merry Christmas and best wishes to YOU!

                                            • December 30, 2011 at 10:24 pm
                                            cldeters
                                            Participant

                                              HI Karen,

                                              Thank you sooooo much for updating us on your good news. I just found out yesterday that I am Stage IV. Wow….this is very scary. My oncologist is making an appointment for me to go to U of M to see if they can help me. It is so good to hear your testimony of survivalship and it gives me great hope! Thanks for sharing.

                                              ~Cindy

                                              • December 30, 2011 at 10:24 pm
                                              cldeters
                                              Participant

                                                HI Karen,

                                                Thank you sooooo much for updating us on your good news. I just found out yesterday that I am Stage IV. Wow….this is very scary. My oncologist is making an appointment for me to go to U of M to see if they can help me. It is so good to hear your testimony of survivalship and it gives me great hope! Thanks for sharing.

                                                ~Cindy

                                                • December 30, 2011 at 10:24 pm
                                                cldeters
                                                Participant

                                                  HI Karen,

                                                  Thank you sooooo much for updating us on your good news. I just found out yesterday that I am Stage IV. Wow….this is very scary. My oncologist is making an appointment for me to go to U of M to see if they can help me. It is so good to hear your testimony of survivalship and it gives me great hope! Thanks for sharing.

                                                  ~Cindy

                                              Viewing 17 reply threads
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