Erica A
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Erica A

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      • September 7, 2022 at 11:15 am
      Erica A
      Participant
      My husband had Stage 4 melanoma back in 2004 (17 tumors throughout his body) – but went NED in 2005 with the top treatment of the time (bio-chemotherapy – long cocktail of 6 different drugs), after an initial stage III lymph node dissection. Since then, he has continued to get other skin cancer – including squamous cell in 2018 requiring quite extensive facial reconstruction.

      Recently my husband has been diagnosed with his second primary melanoma, stage 1a. At this point, not sure we need genetic testing to tell us that my husband is predisposed for skin cancer, but it is difficult to be continuously dealing with new issues.

      Any advanced stage patients out there with new primaries? any unique treatments suggested or done given previous advanced cancer? thanks.

      • January 3, 2012 at 7:07 pm
      Erica A
      Participant

      I'm not on MPIP often these days, but when I am here I do try to give hope as I remember what it felt like to be staring down a stage VI diagnosis.  My husband is a stage VI survivor – 6.5 years now!  Details are in the profile and although Ken didn't have brain tumors he did have widespread disease, just goes to show you that there is always hope and it is possible to have a durable remission from Stage VI melanoma. 

      • January 3, 2012 at 7:07 pm
      Erica A
      Participant

      I'm not on MPIP often these days, but when I am here I do try to give hope as I remember what it felt like to be staring down a stage VI diagnosis.  My husband is a stage VI survivor – 6.5 years now!  Details are in the profile and although Ken didn't have brain tumors he did have widespread disease, just goes to show you that there is always hope and it is possible to have a durable remission from Stage VI melanoma. 

      • January 3, 2012 at 7:07 pm
      Erica A
      Participant

      I'm not on MPIP often these days, but when I am here I do try to give hope as I remember what it felt like to be staring down a stage VI diagnosis.  My husband is a stage VI survivor – 6.5 years now!  Details are in the profile and although Ken didn't have brain tumors he did have widespread disease, just goes to show you that there is always hope and it is possible to have a durable remission from Stage VI melanoma. 

      • August 17, 2011 at 7:50 pm
      Erica A
      Participant

      Happy to report that we FINALLY know that the bloodwork came back normal this time.  All is well until next year's appointment.  Thank-you for feedback and support. Erica & Ken

      • August 17, 2011 at 7:50 pm
      Erica A
      Participant

      Happy to report that we FINALLY know that the bloodwork came back normal this time.  All is well until next year's appointment.  Thank-you for feedback and support. Erica & Ken

      • August 7, 2011 at 11:39 pm
      Erica A
      Participant

      He isn't having any symptoms so now that I have heard that this isn't so odd – I feel a lot better.  Doctor called to report results and ordered the retest all in one day (friday) and put a rush on the bloodwork, so we should know tomorrow or Tuesday…. I was just getting nervous.  We didn't ask which test is was since we tend to research it and worry more, after years and years of this we have just decided to wait it out without the extra internet time (except for me on this board I guess!)

      I do try to post his NED anniversaries since I am all too aware of how desperate you can be as a stage IV for people who have a durable remission.  But I did miss posting this year and will per suggestion.  Thanks all who answered. Erica

      • August 7, 2011 at 11:39 pm
      Erica A
      Participant

      He isn't having any symptoms so now that I have heard that this isn't so odd – I feel a lot better.  Doctor called to report results and ordered the retest all in one day (friday) and put a rush on the bloodwork, so we should know tomorrow or Tuesday…. I was just getting nervous.  We didn't ask which test is was since we tend to research it and worry more, after years and years of this we have just decided to wait it out without the extra internet time (except for me on this board I guess!)

      I do try to post his NED anniversaries since I am all too aware of how desperate you can be as a stage IV for people who have a durable remission.  But I did miss posting this year and will per suggestion.  Thanks all who answered. Erica

      • March 25, 2011 at 3:40 pm
      Erica A
      Participant

      My husband is 6 years NED from Stage VI with bio-chemo.  Agree that it only works in a certain % of people, but when it works you can have a durable remission.

      • March 25, 2011 at 3:40 pm
      Erica A
      Participant

      My husband is 6 years NED from Stage VI with bio-chemo.  Agree that it only works in a certain % of people, but when it works you can have a durable remission.

      • March 13, 2011 at 9:32 pm
      Erica A
      Participant

      Great news! I think it's so important for those that are Stage IV and living life to spread the hope.  When my husband was stage IV I was desperate to hear about anyone who survived and now he too is one of the survivors.  Great to hear the good news!

      • March 13, 2011 at 9:32 pm
      Erica A
      Participant

      Great news! I think it's so important for those that are Stage IV and living life to spread the hope.  When my husband was stage IV I was desperate to hear about anyone who survived and now he too is one of the survivors.  Great to hear the good news!

      • March 13, 2011 at 9:27 pm
      Erica A
      Participant

      My husband had a very large and deep melanoma.  Originally no lymph node involvement but it spread to nodes within 3 months.  He started interferon, but the melanoma continued to spread and grow while on it.  He eventually went stage IV and did bio-chemo.  He has been NED for almost 6 years now.  Because your melanoma is large, I would ask what typical stage IV treatments might be available.  In retrospect, I would have chosen to be more agressive sooner with my husband.  Have hope though – know that there are people out there that beat stage III and IV.

      • March 13, 2011 at 9:27 pm
      Erica A
      Participant

      My husband had a very large and deep melanoma.  Originally no lymph node involvement but it spread to nodes within 3 months.  He started interferon, but the melanoma continued to spread and grow while on it.  He eventually went stage IV and did bio-chemo.  He has been NED for almost 6 years now.  Because your melanoma is large, I would ask what typical stage IV treatments might be available.  In retrospect, I would have chosen to be more agressive sooner with my husband.  Have hope though – know that there are people out there that beat stage III and IV.

      • March 4, 2011 at 5:49 pm
      Erica A
      Participant

      My husband was stage IV, did bio-chemo which included dacarbazine and has been cancer-free for almost 6 years now.  So you can have a durable remission from chemo!

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