vivian

Yes, I am currently undergoing my second CyberKnife experience!  My melanoma, diagnosed in 2010, seems to be “indolent”.  So far, it has shown up with 4 solitary mets to the left lung.  I had two of them removed by VATS, about a year apart.  The third one showed up within six months of the surgery.  I chose to give CyberKnife a try.  It was awesomely easy!  The treated met is still there, but obviously dead and getting smaller.  Does not light on a PET/CT.  The 4th met which is being CyberKnifed now is in a different lobe, so we are sure it isn’t the same one.  Because I had a bone marrow transplant 15 years ago, all docs are reluctant to do immunotherapy or other systemic treatments, so cutting or zapping are my best options.  

I had no side effects at all from the first CyberKnife experience, other than a short-lived minor cough. That was two years ago. I have one more treatment on this 4th met, so we shall see.  However, I feel fine so far.

Good luck to your husband!

Lear

Oh Charlie, I am so sorry about your friend, but so very happy to see this from you!  When I was first diagnosed in 2010, one of the first posts I saw was your "Roll Call for the Undead"!  Geez, that one gave me hope, which there wasn't tons of back then.  Throughout the years your occasional irreverent comments have cracked me up and your advice has been much appreciated.  It has been a while since we have heard from you, so one worries…  Please stay in touch.  We miss you!  I am so grateful you are here!!!

Lear

Yay, Mike!!!  Hoping every day is better and better!

Lear

Hey Mike!

i have thought so many times of replying to your always awesome posts.  Just want you to know that although I have had numerous pieces of melanoma cut out (including two lung resections) and CyberKnifed AND a bone marrow transplant for a different cancer,  I recently just could not make myself drink that awful crap for my routine colonoscopy and had to cancel.  Seems crazy – right?  Especially since my mom died of colon cancer and I have drunk tons of barium for melanoma scans over the last 8 years.  I just didn’t have the bandwidth to face it at the time and actually cut myself a break.  You should too!  This is a long and difficult journey, and nobody should have to be brave all the time.  I will be holding you in the light when you do have that lung thing removed,

Lear

Celeste, I will be holding you in the light as you go through this, sending you peace and love.  Please keep us posted as you are able – we need you!

Lear

This is a wonderful post!  I remember when Jedd was born as if it were yesterday…Congratulations on his 6 years and your 10!

Lear

Wonderful news!  So happy for you, your family and all of us!

Yay Cells!!!  I hope today was both joyous and uneventful!

Lear

Yes!  I completely agree with you, Brent!  Without doubt I have learned almost everything I know about melanoma and current treatments from this forum.  Whenever I am faced with decisions, I come here and research the experiences of others or actually ask for advice.  I am everlastingly grateful for the real life experts who share their knowledge!

Lear

Ditto!  Thank you, Celeste!!

Brian, this is wonderful news!  So happy that good things are happening!

Lear

Celeste, this is wonderful news – so happy for you!  Thank you for all you have done to keep the rest of us in the know!

Lear

Rob, I am so very sorry.  I am holding you in the light and sending peace and love.

Lear

Yes.  I had CyberKnife to treat my third lung met in the lower left lobe after two VATS.  The targeted radiation was easy and all remains clear in that lobe.  I do have another met now in the upper left lobe.  I am undecided whether to treat that surgically or with radiation.  Without a doubt the CyberKnife was a piece of cake compared to the surgery, but I believe surgery continues to be the recommended treatment for resectable melanoma.  Best wishes to you!

Janis, some years ago we made a similar promise to our mom, not knowing at the time what we were facing.  Finally, however, we had to move her

to inpatient hospice because we couldn't control her pain at home.  From the moment she arrived there, she was amazingly at peace.  It seemed an incredible gift to her and to us.  I hope the same is true for you and Shane.  

Lear