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Twenty Year Anniversary
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Twenty Year Anniversary

› Forums › Cutaneous Melanoma Community › Twenty Year Anniversary

  • Post
    • November 12, 2011 at 4:28 pm
    Rick from NC
    Participant

      I have just reached the 20th anniversary of my diagnosis of melanona, which was Stage IV at diagnosis, with metastases to both lungs and various subcutaneous sites.  I was very fortunate to be referred to NIH where I had a complete response to IL-2 in 1992.  After several years of worrying about a recurrence, I now don't really think about recurrence.  It was a great pleasure to meet some of you at a melanoma conference in Chapel Hill, NC a couple of years ago.

      I have just reached the 20th anniversary of my diagnosis of melanona, which was Stage IV at diagnosis, with metastases to both lungs and various subcutaneous sites.  I was very fortunate to be referred to NIH where I had a complete response to IL-2 in 1992.  After several years of worrying about a recurrence, I now don't really think about recurrence.  It was a great pleasure to meet some of you at a melanoma conference in Chapel Hill, NC a couple of years ago.

      I continue to read the posts on this site with great sympathy, and occasionally contribute.  I just wanted to offer myself as an example that people can have positive outcomes from even what appears to be a dire consequence.  I don't know why I did well when others don't, but I am very grateful.  My wish for my fellow warriors is for healing, in whatever way that comes, whether physical, emotional, or spritual.

       

      Rick

    Viewing 38 reply threads
    • Replies
        • November 12, 2011 at 4:31 pm
        triciad
        Participant

          Rick,

          Thank you for posting such inspiring news.  Many on this board will be encouraged by your success story.  Thanks for making my day…and here's to many more decades of NED status!!!

          Tricia

          • November 12, 2011 at 4:31 pm
          triciad
          Participant

            Rick,

            Thank you for posting such inspiring news.  Many on this board will be encouraged by your success story.  Thanks for making my day…and here's to many more decades of NED status!!!

            Tricia

            • November 12, 2011 at 4:31 pm
            triciad
            Participant

              Rick,

              Thank you for posting such inspiring news.  Many on this board will be encouraged by your success story.  Thanks for making my day…and here's to many more decades of NED status!!!

              Tricia

              • November 12, 2011 at 4:31 pm
              Gene_S
              Participant

                Congratulations Rick that is great news.  I wish you continued success.

                Judy (loving wife and caregiver of Gene Stage IV)

                • November 12, 2011 at 4:31 pm
                Gene_S
                Participant

                  Congratulations Rick that is great news.  I wish you continued success.

                  Judy (loving wife and caregiver of Gene Stage IV)

                  • November 12, 2011 at 4:31 pm
                  Gene_S
                  Participant

                    Congratulations Rick that is great news.  I wish you continued success.

                    Judy (loving wife and caregiver of Gene Stage IV)

                    • November 12, 2011 at 4:35 pm
                    dian in spokane
                    Participant

                      Rick! How nice to see you posting. Congratualtions on making such a grand milestone, and thanks for posting

                       

                      dian

                      • November 12, 2011 at 4:35 pm
                      dian in spokane
                      Participant

                        Rick! How nice to see you posting. Congratualtions on making such a grand milestone, and thanks for posting

                         

                        dian

                        • November 12, 2011 at 4:35 pm
                        dian in spokane
                        Participant

                          Rick! How nice to see you posting. Congratualtions on making such a grand milestone, and thanks for posting

                           

                          dian

                          • November 13, 2011 at 2:55 am
                          lhaley
                          Participant

                            Rick,

                            I loved getting to meet you in Chapel Hill and to get to hear your fantastic results.  Your inspirational story is enough for anyone to still take the chance to try IL2!  20 years of being NED after stage IV can realize that we also have a chance to move on.  

                            Congratulations on 20 years!  How much wonderful!

                            Linda

                            • November 13, 2011 at 2:55 am
                            lhaley
                            Participant

                              Rick,

                              I loved getting to meet you in Chapel Hill and to get to hear your fantastic results.  Your inspirational story is enough for anyone to still take the chance to try IL2!  20 years of being NED after stage IV can realize that we also have a chance to move on.  

                              Congratulations on 20 years!  How much wonderful!

                              Linda

                              • November 13, 2011 at 2:55 am
                              lhaley
                              Participant

                                Rick,

                                I loved getting to meet you in Chapel Hill and to get to hear your fantastic results.  Your inspirational story is enough for anyone to still take the chance to try IL2!  20 years of being NED after stage IV can realize that we also have a chance to move on.  

                                Congratulations on 20 years!  How much wonderful!

                                Linda

                                • November 13, 2011 at 3:20 am
                                FormerCaregiver
                                Participant

                                  Rick, congratulations on this truly incredible achievement! I have looked at your profile, and see that Dr Steven Rosenberg was your doctor. I certainly think that he is one of the leading experts in melanoma treatment and research.

                                  Best wishes

                                  Frank from Australia

                                  • November 13, 2011 at 3:20 am
                                  FormerCaregiver
                                  Participant

                                    Rick, congratulations on this truly incredible achievement! I have looked at your profile, and see that Dr Steven Rosenberg was your doctor. I certainly think that he is one of the leading experts in melanoma treatment and research.

                                    Best wishes

                                    Frank from Australia

                                    • November 13, 2011 at 3:20 am
                                    FormerCaregiver
                                    Participant

                                      Rick, congratulations on this truly incredible achievement! I have looked at your profile, and see that Dr Steven Rosenberg was your doctor. I certainly think that he is one of the leading experts in melanoma treatment and research.

                                      Best wishes

                                      Frank from Australia

                                      • November 13, 2011 at 3:34 am
                                      momof2kids
                                      Participant

                                        WOW…I'm amazed to hear you were diagnosed Stage IV and have been here 20 years, this is great news for all us fighters, especially Stage IV like myself, who is still feeling like I'll never see my children grow up (Ages 2 & 6).

                                        • November 13, 2011 at 3:34 am
                                        momof2kids
                                        Participant

                                          WOW…I'm amazed to hear you were diagnosed Stage IV and have been here 20 years, this is great news for all us fighters, especially Stage IV like myself, who is still feeling like I'll never see my children grow up (Ages 2 & 6).

                                          • November 13, 2011 at 3:34 am
                                          momof2kids
                                          Participant

                                            WOW…I'm amazed to hear you were diagnosed Stage IV and have been here 20 years, this is great news for all us fighters, especially Stage IV like myself, who is still feeling like I'll never see my children grow up (Ages 2 & 6).

                                            • November 13, 2011 at 7:33 am
                                            JerryfromFauq
                                            Participant

                                              Rick, I thoroughly enjoyed meeting you at Chapel Hill.  The timing was so great since the day before someone had posted on here that EVERYONE that ever had IL-2 had re-occurred.  Your appearance at the symposium was greatly appreciated.  Your history is such an inspiration to so many of us.  Hope to see you again.  ENJOY life.

                                              JerryfromFauq (Stage IV, not NED, but still here thanks to being a partial responder to IL-2 in 2007/21008.)

                                              • November 13, 2011 at 7:33 am
                                              JerryfromFauq
                                              Participant

                                                Rick, I thoroughly enjoyed meeting you at Chapel Hill.  The timing was so great since the day before someone had posted on here that EVERYONE that ever had IL-2 had re-occurred.  Your appearance at the symposium was greatly appreciated.  Your history is such an inspiration to so many of us.  Hope to see you again.  ENJOY life.

                                                JerryfromFauq (Stage IV, not NED, but still here thanks to being a partial responder to IL-2 in 2007/21008.)

                                                • November 13, 2011 at 7:33 am
                                                JerryfromFauq
                                                Participant

                                                  Rick, I thoroughly enjoyed meeting you at Chapel Hill.  The timing was so great since the day before someone had posted on here that EVERYONE that ever had IL-2 had re-occurred.  Your appearance at the symposium was greatly appreciated.  Your history is such an inspiration to so many of us.  Hope to see you again.  ENJOY life.

                                                  JerryfromFauq (Stage IV, not NED, but still here thanks to being a partial responder to IL-2 in 2007/21008.)

                                                  • November 13, 2011 at 1:30 pm
                                                  AlisonC
                                                  Participant
                                                    Congratulations Rick..

                                                    That is truly fabulous news and it’s so lovely for you to take the time to post here to give hope to others…

                                                    I hope to see you posting your 30th and 40th as well 😉

                                                    AlisonC
                                                    Stage IIIB
                                                    NED since 2001

                                                      • November 13, 2011 at 8:53 pm
                                                      NYKaren
                                                      Participant

                                                        Congratulations!

                                                        Thanks for posting your great news, Rick. 

                                                        It certainly gives me hope the day before I go back for more IL-2.

                                                        be well,

                                                        karen

                                                        • November 13, 2011 at 8:53 pm
                                                        NYKaren
                                                        Participant

                                                          Congratulations!

                                                          Thanks for posting your great news, Rick. 

                                                          It certainly gives me hope the day before I go back for more IL-2.

                                                          be well,

                                                          karen

                                                          • November 13, 2011 at 8:53 pm
                                                          NYKaren
                                                          Participant

                                                            Congratulations!

                                                            Thanks for posting your great news, Rick. 

                                                            It certainly gives me hope the day before I go back for more IL-2.

                                                            be well,

                                                            karen

                                                          • November 13, 2011 at 1:30 pm
                                                          AlisonC
                                                          Participant
                                                            Congratulations Rick..

                                                            That is truly fabulous news and it’s so lovely for you to take the time to post here to give hope to others…

                                                            I hope to see you posting your 30th and 40th as well 😉

                                                            AlisonC
                                                            Stage IIIB
                                                            NED since 2001

                                                            • November 13, 2011 at 1:30 pm
                                                            AlisonC
                                                            Participant
                                                              Congratulations Rick..

                                                              That is truly fabulous news and it’s so lovely for you to take the time to post here to give hope to others…

                                                              I hope to see you posting your 30th and 40th as well 😉

                                                              AlisonC
                                                              Stage IIIB
                                                              NED since 2001

                                                              • November 13, 2011 at 10:34 pm
                                                              MariaH
                                                              Participant

                                                                Congratulations!  And thank you for hanging around… it gives so many here HOPE! 

                                                                Cheers, and best wishes for another 20 years.

                                                                • November 13, 2011 at 10:34 pm
                                                                MariaH
                                                                Participant

                                                                  Congratulations!  And thank you for hanging around… it gives so many here HOPE! 

                                                                  Cheers, and best wishes for another 20 years.

                                                                  • November 13, 2011 at 10:34 pm
                                                                  MariaH
                                                                  Participant

                                                                    Congratulations!  And thank you for hanging around… it gives so many here HOPE! 

                                                                    Cheers, and best wishes for another 20 years.

                                                                    • November 14, 2011 at 1:40 am
                                                                    Charlie S
                                                                    Participant

                                                                      Great to see you post Rick.  It is important for people to know melanoma is not a death sentence as you have well proven.

                                                                      It was a treat to get to meet you last year at Chapel Hill.  Keep onnnnnnnnnn keeping on my friend !.

                                                                      Here's link to the  pic of Rick (and others)http://melasuckanoma.com/ at Chapel Hill last year.

                                                                      Cheers,

                                                                      Charlie S

                                                                       

                                                                       

                                                                       

                                                                      • November 14, 2011 at 1:40 am
                                                                      Charlie S
                                                                      Participant

                                                                        Great to see you post Rick.  It is important for people to know melanoma is not a death sentence as you have well proven.

                                                                        It was a treat to get to meet you last year at Chapel Hill.  Keep onnnnnnnnnn keeping on my friend !.

                                                                        Here's link to the  pic of Rick (and others)http://melasuckanoma.com/ at Chapel Hill last year.

                                                                        Cheers,

                                                                        Charlie S

                                                                         

                                                                         

                                                                         

                                                                        • November 14, 2011 at 1:40 am
                                                                        Charlie S
                                                                        Participant

                                                                          Great to see you post Rick.  It is important for people to know melanoma is not a death sentence as you have well proven.

                                                                          It was a treat to get to meet you last year at Chapel Hill.  Keep onnnnnnnnnn keeping on my friend !.

                                                                          Here's link to the  pic of Rick (and others)http://melasuckanoma.com/ at Chapel Hill last year.

                                                                          Cheers,

                                                                          Charlie S

                                                                           

                                                                           

                                                                           

                                                                          • November 14, 2011 at 3:06 am
                                                                          King
                                                                          Participant

                                                                            Rick,

                                                                             

                                                                            Wow!  I'm impressed. 🙂  Thank you so much for taking the time to post this great news!  I've seen posts from you over the years but guess I never knew your history (or forgot it like so many other things these days).

                                                                            Celebrate and thanks for sharing.  Your post should give hope to so many warriors.

                                                                             

                                                                            Stay Strong
                                                                            King

                                                                            Stage IV 7/05  Liver mets

                                                                            • November 14, 2011 at 3:06 am
                                                                            King
                                                                            Participant

                                                                              Rick,

                                                                               

                                                                              Wow!  I'm impressed. 🙂  Thank you so much for taking the time to post this great news!  I've seen posts from you over the years but guess I never knew your history (or forgot it like so many other things these days).

                                                                              Celebrate and thanks for sharing.  Your post should give hope to so many warriors.

                                                                               

                                                                              Stay Strong
                                                                              King

                                                                              Stage IV 7/05  Liver mets

                                                                              • November 14, 2011 at 3:06 am
                                                                              King
                                                                              Participant

                                                                                Rick,

                                                                                 

                                                                                Wow!  I'm impressed. 🙂  Thank you so much for taking the time to post this great news!  I've seen posts from you over the years but guess I never knew your history (or forgot it like so many other things these days).

                                                                                Celebrate and thanks for sharing.  Your post should give hope to so many warriors.

                                                                                 

                                                                                Stay Strong
                                                                                King

                                                                                Stage IV 7/05  Liver mets

                                                                                • November 15, 2011 at 3:28 am
                                                                                NancyGM
                                                                                Participant

                                                                                  What beautiful news, Rick. I am so very happy for you. Thank you for the great inspiration your story offers!

                                                                                  • November 15, 2011 at 3:28 am
                                                                                  NancyGM
                                                                                  Participant

                                                                                    What beautiful news, Rick. I am so very happy for you. Thank you for the great inspiration your story offers!

                                                                                    • November 15, 2011 at 3:28 am
                                                                                    NancyGM
                                                                                    Participant

                                                                                      What beautiful news, Rick. I am so very happy for you. Thank you for the great inspiration your story offers!

                                                                                      • November 17, 2011 at 12:56 pm
                                                                                      LEEPOINTON
                                                                                      Participant

                                                                                        This is fantastic news and a great inspirational story for me to read as I was diagnosed with malignant melanoma last year and at my 12 month check my consultant discovered a lump under my arm, after  biopsy they results came back as metastatic malignant melanoma. I had a full node disecction 8 weeks ago and I have worried myself silly every day and every night that this is now it for me. I am 40 years old, I have read on numerous sites the horror stories and endless bad vibe prognosis, but this has given me HOPE. Thank you, and heres to another 20 years. 

                                                                                        Lee

                                                                                        • November 17, 2011 at 12:56 pm
                                                                                        LEEPOINTON
                                                                                        Participant

                                                                                          This is fantastic news and a great inspirational story for me to read as I was diagnosed with malignant melanoma last year and at my 12 month check my consultant discovered a lump under my arm, after  biopsy they results came back as metastatic malignant melanoma. I had a full node disecction 8 weeks ago and I have worried myself silly every day and every night that this is now it for me. I am 40 years old, I have read on numerous sites the horror stories and endless bad vibe prognosis, but this has given me HOPE. Thank you, and heres to another 20 years. 

                                                                                          Lee

                                                                                          • November 17, 2011 at 12:56 pm
                                                                                          LEEPOINTON
                                                                                          Participant

                                                                                            This is fantastic news and a great inspirational story for me to read as I was diagnosed with malignant melanoma last year and at my 12 month check my consultant discovered a lump under my arm, after  biopsy they results came back as metastatic malignant melanoma. I had a full node disecction 8 weeks ago and I have worried myself silly every day and every night that this is now it for me. I am 40 years old, I have read on numerous sites the horror stories and endless bad vibe prognosis, but this has given me HOPE. Thank you, and heres to another 20 years. 

                                                                                            Lee

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