filbert

Lynn:

I totally understand your feelings.  I just left the workforce after 35 years and it wasn't planned.  Melanoma sorta does that for you sometimes.    I had yet another surgery this past July (tumor removal).   With the previous surgeries I was back to work quickly, about two weeks.   I could tell that with each surgery it was taking longer to recuperate and the strength wasn't there like before.   

I kept thinking that if I could just get back to work I would feel better, both mentally ,etc.   The reality was that if I went back I would have to start completely over with the disability application and we couldn't afford that (we live in Washington state). I think you need to do what is best for you but listen to your body also.   Stamina and strength was a big issue in my decision.

Best of luck,

Phil (Filbert)

Lynn:

I totally understand your feelings.  I just left the workforce after 35 years and it wasn't planned.  Melanoma sorta does that for you sometimes.    I had yet another surgery this past July (tumor removal).   With the previous surgeries I was back to work quickly, about two weeks.   I could tell that with each surgery it was taking longer to recuperate and the strength wasn't there like before.   

I kept thinking that if I could just get back to work I would feel better, both mentally ,etc.   The reality was that if I went back I would have to start completely over with the disability application and we couldn't afford that (we live in Washington state). I think you need to do what is best for you but listen to your body also.   Stamina and strength was a big issue in my decision.

Best of luck,

Phil (Filbert)

AT times like this you want to say "who pays the bills for all this fancy diagnostic equipment around here anyway…..please give me my results."   You want time to be prepared and have an intelligent conversation with the doctor when you see him.  Good luck and I also like the shirt.

Phil

AT times like this you want to say "who pays the bills for all this fancy diagnostic equipment around here anyway…..please give me my results."   You want time to be prepared and have an intelligent conversation with the doctor when you see him.  Good luck and I also like the shirt.

Phil

Dear "Brand New"…

Yes, the initial diagnosis is a real shock.   When it was given to me I really felt a blow ….our son had just gone thru oral cancer and my wife and I had seen some ugly aspects of cancer.

I was blessed with a wife that possesses "the glass if half full" attitude which is a good thing.  You learn to take one day at a time and not dwell on the "what ifs".   I have had a number of surgeries removing tumors from the intestines, spinal chord area and still have a good sized-tumor in the right lung.   Learn what is out there for your particular situation and ask questions.  I have done Ipi treatments and IL2 and one other clinical trial (which I didn't finish because something new popped up during the course of that trial).

I am stage 4 melanoma but am still here since the diagnosis 2 1/2 years ago.   I have down days but I also think it is so important to look at all the things that are going right in your life.   All I have to do is watch the nightly news at that makes me realize how good I have it!

All the best,

Phil in Vancouver, Washington

Dear "Brand New"…

Yes, the initial diagnosis is a real shock.   When it was given to me I really felt a blow ….our son had just gone thru oral cancer and my wife and I had seen some ugly aspects of cancer.

I was blessed with a wife that possesses "the glass if half full" attitude which is a good thing.  You learn to take one day at a time and not dwell on the "what ifs".   I have had a number of surgeries removing tumors from the intestines, spinal chord area and still have a good sized-tumor in the right lung.   Learn what is out there for your particular situation and ask questions.  I have done Ipi treatments and IL2 and one other clinical trial (which I didn't finish because something new popped up during the course of that trial).

I am stage 4 melanoma but am still here since the diagnosis 2 1/2 years ago.   I have down days but I also think it is so important to look at all the things that are going right in your life.   All I have to do is watch the nightly news at that makes me realize how good I have it!

All the best,

Phil in Vancouver, Washington