› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Still alive and kick’in!
- This topic has 28 replies, 12 voices, and was last updated 12 years, 10 months ago by
Rebecca and Bob.
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- June 6, 2011 at 4:02 am
I have not been on here for a long time, but I still recognize many of the posters, and what a wonderful thing that is! For those who don't know me, I am a stage IV survivor since March 2006. I am now 35, and have been NED since October 2007. Despite all the odds, I recently gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, who will be 6 months on June 15. She is our miracle baby, for so many reasons, and she and my husband are my world.
I have not been on here for a long time, but I still recognize many of the posters, and what a wonderful thing that is! For those who don't know me, I am a stage IV survivor since March 2006. I am now 35, and have been NED since October 2007. Despite all the odds, I recently gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, who will be 6 months on June 15. She is our miracle baby, for so many reasons, and she and my husband are my world.
I am so excited to hear about all the latest news regarding new drugs that show great promise in fighting melanoma. I had scans last week, and will find out tomorrow if my NED streak has continued. I am more nervous than usual because my doctor often calls me prior to my appt. to tell me all is good (yes he is awesome!), and I have not heard from him yet. He specifically tells me every time that him not calling does not mean bad news, he just may be out of town or unavailable to get the results. But it's hard not to worry!
So hello to all the 'vets' that may remember me, and to all the 'newbies' that are battling the beast. No matter what results I get tomorrow, I am here to say that miracles do happen, and don't ever give up!
Sincerely,
Alison
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- June 6, 2011 at 5:39 am
Hi Alison,
Thanks for posting that wonderful news which is so encouraging to other Stage IV survivors! I'm sure your "little miracle" is bringing you so much joy and you are proof that there is life after melanoma.
Congratulations and I expect you will get another clean report tomorrow!
Best regards,
Mary
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- June 6, 2011 at 5:39 am
Hi Alison,
Thanks for posting that wonderful news which is so encouraging to other Stage IV survivors! I'm sure your "little miracle" is bringing you so much joy and you are proof that there is life after melanoma.
Congratulations and I expect you will get another clean report tomorrow!
Best regards,
Mary
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- June 6, 2011 at 10:37 am
Hi Alison,
I remember your post back in 2007 and that you did IL-2. My husband was Stage III in 2007 then progress to Stage IV Jan 2008. He also responded to IL-2. He had a relapse but has been NED since 2009, they are not really sure if it was a relapse or residual disease. It will be two years this month if everything goes well. Your story had always given me hope when you posted before, so please don't stop posting!!
Congratulations on your baby and praying for clear scans for you.
Rebecca
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- June 6, 2011 at 11:18 am
Alison,
Your post couldn't have come at a better time – especially since my scan is later this morning. I'm so happy for you and your family and I truly wish you many more years of NED. Try not to worry, even though I know it's really hard not to.
I have a 19 month old baby girl and would love to continue to add to our family, but with a Stage 4 diagnosis always looming, I felt it was not possible. You have shown me that miracles do happen and your daughter is the reason why you will continue to fight this beast from coming back.
All the very best to you.
Lisa
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- June 6, 2011 at 11:18 am
Alison,
Your post couldn't have come at a better time – especially since my scan is later this morning. I'm so happy for you and your family and I truly wish you many more years of NED. Try not to worry, even though I know it's really hard not to.
I have a 19 month old baby girl and would love to continue to add to our family, but with a Stage 4 diagnosis always looming, I felt it was not possible. You have shown me that miracles do happen and your daughter is the reason why you will continue to fight this beast from coming back.
All the very best to you.
Lisa
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- June 6, 2011 at 11:25 am
Wow, after reading your profile, you are such a trooper (and a fellow Canadian :))! Just when you were down and out after graduating to Stage 4, you kept going – got married, enjoyed your honeymoon, all while going through treatment. You are someone who obviously doesn't back down and that says alot! Amazing!
My last scan a month ago showed several tiny nodules in my lungs (too small to know what they are). I'm going back today to see what they look like now and although I'm very nervous, after your reading your story, I've got my strength back 🙂
Lisa
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- June 6, 2011 at 11:25 am
Wow, after reading your profile, you are such a trooper (and a fellow Canadian :))! Just when you were down and out after graduating to Stage 4, you kept going – got married, enjoyed your honeymoon, all while going through treatment. You are someone who obviously doesn't back down and that says alot! Amazing!
My last scan a month ago showed several tiny nodules in my lungs (too small to know what they are). I'm going back today to see what they look like now and although I'm very nervous, after your reading your story, I've got my strength back 🙂
Lisa
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- June 6, 2011 at 10:37 am
Hi Alison,
I remember your post back in 2007 and that you did IL-2. My husband was Stage III in 2007 then progress to Stage IV Jan 2008. He also responded to IL-2. He had a relapse but has been NED since 2009, they are not really sure if it was a relapse or residual disease. It will be two years this month if everything goes well. Your story had always given me hope when you posted before, so please don't stop posting!!
Congratulations on your baby and praying for clear scans for you.
Rebecca
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- June 6, 2011 at 11:30 am
Alison,
Thank you for your success story. It certainly is uplifting! : )
Congratulations on your wonderful little girl and absolutely the best of luck with your scan!
Michelle, wife of Don, Stage IV
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- June 6, 2011 at 11:30 am
Alison,
Thank you for your success story. It certainly is uplifting! : )
Congratulations on your wonderful little girl and absolutely the best of luck with your scan!
Michelle, wife of Don, Stage IV
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- June 6, 2011 at 11:52 am
Love,love,love hearing your wonderful news! A baby must bring such joy into your lives. Great news to hear that you have been able to move on.
Could your Dr have gone for a few days to the ASCO conference? That would definitely mean he was out of town to be able to look at the report.
I do remember you, I used to sign as Linda from Myrtle Beach. With the new board and the fact that we moved I changed my name. I've had several recurrances but still here!
Let us know how your scans go and to just give others hope!
Linda
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- June 6, 2011 at 11:52 am
Love,love,love hearing your wonderful news! A baby must bring such joy into your lives. Great news to hear that you have been able to move on.
Could your Dr have gone for a few days to the ASCO conference? That would definitely mean he was out of town to be able to look at the report.
I do remember you, I used to sign as Linda from Myrtle Beach. With the new board and the fact that we moved I changed my name. I've had several recurrances but still here!
Let us know how your scans go and to just give others hope!
Linda
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- June 6, 2011 at 12:14 pm
Beautiful Alison! Your post came at the perfect time for many. Thank you and enjoy your little girl! They have a way of growing up way too fast. Savor the moment and praying your scans are fine.
Lord, in Your Mercy, smile on Alison and her family and thank You God for miracles. They DO happen! Amen and Amen!
Grace and peace,
Carol
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- June 6, 2011 at 12:14 pm
Beautiful Alison! Your post came at the perfect time for many. Thank you and enjoy your little girl! They have a way of growing up way too fast. Savor the moment and praying your scans are fine.
Lord, in Your Mercy, smile on Alison and her family and thank You God for miracles. They DO happen! Amen and Amen!
Grace and peace,
Carol
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- June 6, 2011 at 12:35 pm
Wonderful to read this kind of news. I am new to the this Melanoma site and reading posts such as yours gives us such hope. Enjoy your little one : )
Debby and Mike
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- June 6, 2011 at 1:17 pm
Dear Alison,
Congrats on being a stage 4 survivor for YEARS and on the birth of a beautiful baby girl! I am so happy for you!
Yes there are promising great newer treatments, including combinations now of treatments and they are giving us melanoma warriors much needed HOPE!!
Keep up the good work!
Vermont_Donna, stage 3a, NED
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- June 6, 2011 at 1:17 pm
Dear Alison,
Congrats on being a stage 4 survivor for YEARS and on the birth of a beautiful baby girl! I am so happy for you!
Yes there are promising great newer treatments, including combinations now of treatments and they are giving us melanoma warriors much needed HOPE!!
Keep up the good work!
Vermont_Donna, stage 3a, NED
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- June 6, 2011 at 12:35 pm
Wonderful to read this kind of news. I am new to the this Melanoma site and reading posts such as yours gives us such hope. Enjoy your little one : )
Debby and Mike
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- June 6, 2011 at 2:04 pm
Alison!
How nice to hear from you, and what wonderful news about your baby. Congratulations, and thanks so much for bringing us good news!
Dian in spokane
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- June 6, 2011 at 2:04 pm
Alison!
How nice to hear from you, and what wonderful news about your baby. Congratulations, and thanks so much for bringing us good news!
Dian in spokane
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- June 7, 2011 at 10:57 pm
I am so glad to see your post! I was telling one of my fellow stage III warriors today that we have to sometimes take a break from researching because the majority of the people who are beating this disease are out enjoying their lives, out trying to move on past this cancer!
I wish you a lifetime of happiness! As a 24 year old lady who wants nothing more than to be around to raise babies, your post gives me hope! Best wishes to you!
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- June 7, 2011 at 10:57 pm
I am so glad to see your post! I was telling one of my fellow stage III warriors today that we have to sometimes take a break from researching because the majority of the people who are beating this disease are out enjoying their lives, out trying to move on past this cancer!
I wish you a lifetime of happiness! As a 24 year old lady who wants nothing more than to be around to raise babies, your post gives me hope! Best wishes to you!
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- June 8, 2011 at 4:23 am
Thank you all for so much love and support! Well, my week has been a bit unusual. My dr appt. was rescheduled for Wednesday because my doctor was out sick. But I spoke with the nurse and she told me that it appeared my scan results showed no change and no abnormal results, so all appears to be good! I will get the official report Wednesday from my doctor, but it seems all is well on the "interior:. However, I got a call today from my derm dr, and a mole she removed last week came back as melanoma stage 1. Very thin, no node involvement, and has no affect on my "status" or life longevity. I just need to have the margins cleared, and that is that…but now I wonder…can I still be considered NED since October 2007? It hasn't reoccurred internally…aw screw it! I can make my own rules and I say I am still NED! 🙂
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- June 13, 2011 at 11:17 pm
I was wondering about your news. I didn't see your last post until today. I'm with you it counts more about whats going on inside. I hope you continue to hear good news and can just focus on your baby.
Rebecca and Bob
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- June 13, 2011 at 11:17 pm
I was wondering about your news. I didn't see your last post until today. I'm with you it counts more about whats going on inside. I hope you continue to hear good news and can just focus on your baby.
Rebecca and Bob
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- June 8, 2011 at 4:23 am
Thank you all for so much love and support! Well, my week has been a bit unusual. My dr appt. was rescheduled for Wednesday because my doctor was out sick. But I spoke with the nurse and she told me that it appeared my scan results showed no change and no abnormal results, so all appears to be good! I will get the official report Wednesday from my doctor, but it seems all is well on the "interior:. However, I got a call today from my derm dr, and a mole she removed last week came back as melanoma stage 1. Very thin, no node involvement, and has no affect on my "status" or life longevity. I just need to have the margins cleared, and that is that…but now I wonder…can I still be considered NED since October 2007? It hasn't reoccurred internally…aw screw it! I can make my own rules and I say I am still NED! 🙂
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