mjanssentx

Wow Celeste…just saw your post.  I have been so busy living life again that I don't come back here often (been 4 years NED since my 3A diagnosis…and as you might remember one of the last folks in the US to have endured a full year of Interferon…amazing to think about how much progress has been made in past 4 years for treatment opitons).  

Your informational and supportive posts were always among my first to read every week.  I wish you equal success in your fight this time.  Never give up…

All the best….Michel

Rob – I find these results extremely interesting…but also not new.  I have never been much of a believer that you can cure cancer by eating certain foods type guy…but this research seems different.

I really hope the medical profession pays attention to it and gives it a "try".  It may only be statistical correlation…but if there is any causation…then it could be a super easier and cheap multiplier of in the immuno drugs.

All the best…Michel

Jonathon – great observation…can't wait to see the updated statistics for the different stages so that we can bury those older numbers.

Michel

Celeste – your posts and continued involvement in this community is a really cool thing to be doing.  Even though I don't come back everyday like I used to, BUT I always read your posts to keep up-to-date on the latest melanoma happening.

Thanks again for your service.

Michel

Rob – so sorry for your loss.  As a 3A going on almost 3 years…I never really know how to respond to posts like this.  Melanoma is such a horrible disease with many good folks losing their fights….but also this board is full of more hope than ever before.  (even more and more since being diagnosed in late 2014)

Thanks for sharing your journey…and my heartfelt sympathies for your loss.

All the best

Michel 

Ann – Stage 3A with no progression for just over 2+ years.

Quarterly PET scans (full body) and MRI for brain every year.  Since I made it to 2 years my PET scans will move to 6 months staying with the annual MRI.  

I think at 5 years they move to annual.

Best wishes.

Michel

Congrats Rocco – I too got great news yesterday…Stage 3 two years…and clean PET scan.  So moving to semi-annual scans.

Best wishes

Congrats Rocco – I too got great news yesterday…Stage 3 two years…and clean PET scan.  So moving to semi-annual scans.

Best wishes

Congrats Rocco – I too got great news yesterday…Stage 3 two years…and clean PET scan.  So moving to semi-annual scans.

Best wishes

Hmmm….I would be moving much, much faster than the end of March.  And not to a plastic surgeon but a surgical oncologist as mentioned above.  I would get the details of your pathology ASAP and post them here for some "expert" help.  (from those that have been there…done that, and sometimes more than once).

The odds are that you are a Stage 1…but only speed will keep you there.  Many of us start at Stage 1 like yourself but based upon the results of your next appointments could move up like I did…from Stage 1 to Stage 3 and then stopped there.

Find a specialist and don't wait.

Best wishes 

Michel

Hmmm….I would be moving much, much faster than the end of March.  And not to a plastic surgeon but a surgical oncologist as mentioned above.  I would get the details of your pathology ASAP and post them here for some "expert" help.  (from those that have been there…done that, and sometimes more than once).

The odds are that you are a Stage 1…but only speed will keep you there.  Many of us start at Stage 1 like yourself but based upon the results of your next appointments could move up like I did…from Stage 1 to Stage 3 and then stopped there.

Find a specialist and don't wait.

Best wishes 

Michel

Hmmm….I would be moving much, much faster than the end of March.  And not to a plastic surgeon but a surgical oncologist as mentioned above.  I would get the details of your pathology ASAP and post them here for some "expert" help.  (from those that have been there…done that, and sometimes more than once).

The odds are that you are a Stage 1…but only speed will keep you there.  Many of us start at Stage 1 like yourself but based upon the results of your next appointments could move up like I did…from Stage 1 to Stage 3 and then stopped there.

Find a specialist and don't wait.

Best wishes 

Michel

Bmine – I agree with Patina's list and reemphasize seeing a real melanoma specialist.  He is most likely going to be stage 4 based upon what you said.  I am sure you have seen the stats for Stage 4 patients by now….and they still apply IF you don't do anything.  The very good news is that those stats are NOT relevant in today's world with active care.  

The other good news is that it sounds like you are "on the case".  One other thing that you can't under play from Patina's list in the need to be your own advocate.  Our medical system can produce miracles (especially in the rapid advances in melanoma treatments today) BUT our system of medicine requires the patient/family to be their own advocate.  Getting educated, following through on appointments, asking questions, getting copies of everything, playing the insurance game have now all become a new full contact sport that you need to be aggressive with.

The folks on this forum will help you…we all bring different experiences and can contribute in different ways….just ask.  Sorry that you are here but welcome

Best wishes

Michel

Bmine – I agree with Patina's list and reemphasize seeing a real melanoma specialist.  He is most likely going to be stage 4 based upon what you said.  I am sure you have seen the stats for Stage 4 patients by now….and they still apply IF you don't do anything.  The very good news is that those stats are NOT relevant in today's world with active care.  

The other good news is that it sounds like you are "on the case".  One other thing that you can't under play from Patina's list in the need to be your own advocate.  Our medical system can produce miracles (especially in the rapid advances in melanoma treatments today) BUT our system of medicine requires the patient/family to be their own advocate.  Getting educated, following through on appointments, asking questions, getting copies of everything, playing the insurance game have now all become a new full contact sport that you need to be aggressive with.

The folks on this forum will help you…we all bring different experiences and can contribute in different ways….just ask.  Sorry that you are here but welcome

Best wishes

Michel

Bmine – I agree with Patina's list and reemphasize seeing a real melanoma specialist.  He is most likely going to be stage 4 based upon what you said.  I am sure you have seen the stats for Stage 4 patients by now….and they still apply IF you don't do anything.  The very good news is that those stats are NOT relevant in today's world with active care.  

The other good news is that it sounds like you are "on the case".  One other thing that you can't under play from Patina's list in the need to be your own advocate.  Our medical system can produce miracles (especially in the rapid advances in melanoma treatments today) BUT our system of medicine requires the patient/family to be their own advocate.  Getting educated, following through on appointments, asking questions, getting copies of everything, playing the insurance game have now all become a new full contact sport that you need to be aggressive with.

The folks on this forum will help you…we all bring different experiences and can contribute in different ways….just ask.  Sorry that you are here but welcome

Best wishes

Michel