how long are you a cancer survivor

Greetings Mark,

We spent many happy years in the Ft Hood area, and three out of our four Texan kiddos were born while we lived there ( we added a Hoosier to the bunch when we moved north). I am sorry you are having to deal with any of this. I wont list all my treatments, etc here, but you can click on my profile to see this part of my journey. I will summarize, though, to say that in 2002 at the age of 37, I was diagnosed with breast cancer ( treated succesfully that yr w/surgery/chemo/radiation – no recurrences), then 6 weeks later with melanoma. I had no further signs of the melanoma until Dec of 2005, when I had a distant metastasis moving me to stage IV. So…. my statistics weren't too great at that point in time. Suffice it to say, that I am writing this note this morning as I sit, very much alive, and VERY grateful, at my computer desk. Statistics are just that… each person is individual. It is VERY encouraging to me to hear from others who have walked the road a lengthy time, so that is why I am posting this here for you today. Pretty sure my Drs at that point back in 2005 wouldn't have given much hope for me sitting here this morning all these years later. Take heart and hope in this as well as in the many many hopeful stories you will find here among this group of people. Where are you going for treatments?

Tina

Greetings Mark,

We spent many happy years in the Ft Hood area, and three out of our four Texan kiddos were born while we lived there ( we added a Hoosier to the bunch when we moved north). I am sorry you are having to deal with any of this. I wont list all my treatments, etc here, but you can click on my profile to see this part of my journey. I will summarize, though, to say that in 2002 at the age of 37, I was diagnosed with breast cancer ( treated succesfully that yr w/surgery/chemo/radiation – no recurrences), then 6 weeks later with melanoma. I had no further signs of the melanoma until Dec of 2005, when I had a distant metastasis moving me to stage IV. So…. my statistics weren't too great at that point in time. Suffice it to say, that I am writing this note this morning as I sit, very much alive, and VERY grateful, at my computer desk. Statistics are just that… each person is individual. It is VERY encouraging to me to hear from others who have walked the road a lengthy time, so that is why I am posting this here for you today. Pretty sure my Drs at that point back in 2005 wouldn't have given much hope for me sitting here this morning all these years later. Take heart and hope in this as well as in the many many hopeful stories you will find here among this group of people. Where are you going for treatments?

Tina

Greetings Mark,

We spent many happy years in the Ft Hood area, and three out of our four Texan kiddos were born while we lived there ( we added a Hoosier to the bunch when we moved north). I am sorry you are having to deal with any of this. I wont list all my treatments, etc here, but you can click on my profile to see this part of my journey. I will summarize, though, to say that in 2002 at the age of 37, I was diagnosed with breast cancer ( treated succesfully that yr w/surgery/chemo/radiation – no recurrences), then 6 weeks later with melanoma. I had no further signs of the melanoma until Dec of 2005, when I had a distant metastasis moving me to stage IV. So…. my statistics weren't too great at that point in time. Suffice it to say, that I am writing this note this morning as I sit, very much alive, and VERY grateful, at my computer desk. Statistics are just that… each person is individual. It is VERY encouraging to me to hear from others who have walked the road a lengthy time, so that is why I am posting this here for you today. Pretty sure my Drs at that point back in 2005 wouldn't have given much hope for me sitting here this morning all these years later. Take heart and hope in this as well as in the many many hopeful stories you will find here among this group of people. Where are you going for treatments?

Tina

Look for an older post by Charlie S – roll call for the undead. So many exciting advances and clinical trials for new drugs are around right now. I don’t believe in numbers and statistics, nor do I look at my scans unless I have to. I do ask lots of (probably) annoying questions, try to find the best drs, and research when I can. Be your own advocate!

Educate yourself and don’t let worry and fear steal your good days!

Best of luck,
Amy

Look for an older post by Charlie S – roll call for the undead. So many exciting advances and clinical trials for new drugs are around right now. I don’t believe in numbers and statistics, nor do I look at my scans unless I have to. I do ask lots of (probably) annoying questions, try to find the best drs, and research when I can. Be your own advocate!

Educate yourself and don’t let worry and fear steal your good days!

Best of luck,
Amy

Look for an older post by Charlie S – roll call for the undead. So many exciting advances and clinical trials for new drugs are around right now. I don’t believe in numbers and statistics, nor do I look at my scans unless I have to. I do ask lots of (probably) annoying questions, try to find the best drs, and research when I can. Be your own advocate!

Educate yourself and don’t let worry and fear steal your good days!

Best of luck,
Amy

Hi Mark,  So sorry you have to deal with this.  I have lived with a rare form of melanoma which presented in the mucosa of my nose ten years ago.  After surgery I was 5 years ned but t came back, several surgeries, radiation to my face and as of last August mets to the liver stage 4.  You can check my profile for more detail. I am now trying to beat it back from my liver first with IPI and now Dacarbazine.  with good results.  Had to suspend chemo to treat a problem spot with radiation on my spine.  There are a lot of new treatments being rushed to trial and I hope to try an anti PD 1 trial post chemo.  My advice is to keep several lines of research going at all times to stay on top of the latest treatments.  I've heard good things about the NIH in Bethesda and of course MD Anderson.  My instinct is that the more you are willing and able to travel the better your options.  A good team of advocates can't hurt and this site is a great resource.  Best of luck

Hi Mark,  So sorry you have to deal with this.  I have lived with a rare form of melanoma which presented in the mucosa of my nose ten years ago.  After surgery I was 5 years ned but t came back, several surgeries, radiation to my face and as of last August mets to the liver stage 4.  You can check my profile for more detail. I am now trying to beat it back from my liver first with IPI and now Dacarbazine.  with good results.  Had to suspend chemo to treat a problem spot with radiation on my spine.  There are a lot of new treatments being rushed to trial and I hope to try an anti PD 1 trial post chemo.  My advice is to keep several lines of research going at all times to stay on top of the latest treatments.  I've heard good things about the NIH in Bethesda and of course MD Anderson.  My instinct is that the more you are willing and able to travel the better your options.  A good team of advocates can't hurt and this site is a great resource.  Best of luck

Hi Mark,  So sorry you have to deal with this.  I have lived with a rare form of melanoma which presented in the mucosa of my nose ten years ago.  After surgery I was 5 years ned but t came back, several surgeries, radiation to my face and as of last August mets to the liver stage 4.  You can check my profile for more detail. I am now trying to beat it back from my liver first with IPI and now Dacarbazine.  with good results.  Had to suspend chemo to treat a problem spot with radiation on my spine.  There are a lot of new treatments being rushed to trial and I hope to try an anti PD 1 trial post chemo.  My advice is to keep several lines of research going at all times to stay on top of the latest treatments.  I've heard good things about the NIH in Bethesda and of course MD Anderson.  My instinct is that the more you are willing and able to travel the better your options.  A good team of advocates can't hurt and this site is a great resource.  Best of luck

Hi Mark,

I had a 3.1 mm lesion (lower leg)  and 2 positive lymph nodes. I did not tolerate treatment well and had only 8 doses of interferon. That was in 2001. I am now 12 years NED. I am sending good thoughts your way.

Cynthia C from Colorado

Hi Mark,

I had a 3.1 mm lesion (lower leg)  and 2 positive lymph nodes. I did not tolerate treatment well and had only 8 doses of interferon. That was in 2001. I am now 12 years NED. I am sending good thoughts your way.

Cynthia C from Colorado

Hi Mark,

I had a 3.1 mm lesion (lower leg)  and 2 positive lymph nodes. I did not tolerate treatment well and had only 8 doses of interferon. That was in 2001. I am now 12 years NED. I am sending good thoughts your way.

Cynthia C from Colorado

Mark,

Almost..(April Scans will make it official!) at the 3 year NED mark.  Stage 3a.  3.0 mm tumor, 2 nodes positive with micro metatisis, CLND.  No other treatment done. 

Take care of yourself. 

Mary

Mark,

Almost..(April Scans will make it official!) at the 3 year NED mark.  Stage 3a.  3.0 mm tumor, 2 nodes positive with micro metatisis, CLND.  No other treatment done. 

Take care of yourself. 

Mary

Mark,

Almost..(April Scans will make it official!) at the 3 year NED mark.  Stage 3a.  3.0 mm tumor, 2 nodes positive with micro metatisis, CLND.  No other treatment done. 

Take care of yourself. 

Mary

Long, long story abbrieviated:

2005-Beloved husband diagnosed, Stage 2a. Clean WLE-SNB. Vigilant scans.

2009-Beloved husband feels a lump. Radical neck dissection. Tumors removed. Multiple positive nodes. Stage 3c.

2010 (two months later)-Pre-radiation scans reveal two new tumors. Surgical removal. More positive notes. Stage 3c.

2010: Radiation. Clinical trial. Vigilant scans.

2012: Very small spots in lungs we'd been monitoring showed sudden, small growth. Biopsy reveals melanoma. Stage 4.

May 2012: Cycle of IL-2 at the amazing UVA with the amazing Dr. Grosh. 15 doses. Post cycle scans show response, smaller tumors.

August 2012: Cycle 2 of IL-2 at the amazing UVA with the amazing Dr. Grosh. 12 doses. Post cycle scans show stability.

December 2012: PET scan reveals the numerous lung tumors have NO ACTIVE MELANOMA. No new "hot" spots any where. NO EVIDENCE OF DISEASE!

February 2013: Full body MRI. No new spots. No growth in known spots. NO EVIDENCE OF DISEASE.

NEVER EVER, EVER GIVE UP!

We just took our 11-year-old twins (who were FOUR at Daddy's initial diagnosis) to Disney World last week. 🙂

KEEP FIGHTING. KEEP SEEKING OUT TREATMENTS and HAVE BACK-UPS at the ready! Know that many are lifting all on this board up daily. 🙂

CherylL
Wife of Stage 4 Melanoma Masher, Scott.

Long, long story abbrieviated:

2005-Beloved husband diagnosed, Stage 2a. Clean WLE-SNB. Vigilant scans.

2009-Beloved husband feels a lump. Radical neck dissection. Tumors removed. Multiple positive nodes. Stage 3c.

2010 (two months later)-Pre-radiation scans reveal two new tumors. Surgical removal. More positive notes. Stage 3c.

2010: Radiation. Clinical trial. Vigilant scans.

2012: Very small spots in lungs we'd been monitoring showed sudden, small growth. Biopsy reveals melanoma. Stage 4.

May 2012: Cycle of IL-2 at the amazing UVA with the amazing Dr. Grosh. 15 doses. Post cycle scans show response, smaller tumors.

August 2012: Cycle 2 of IL-2 at the amazing UVA with the amazing Dr. Grosh. 12 doses. Post cycle scans show stability.

December 2012: PET scan reveals the numerous lung tumors have NO ACTIVE MELANOMA. No new "hot" spots any where. NO EVIDENCE OF DISEASE!

February 2013: Full body MRI. No new spots. No growth in known spots. NO EVIDENCE OF DISEASE.

NEVER EVER, EVER GIVE UP!

We just took our 11-year-old twins (who were FOUR at Daddy's initial diagnosis) to Disney World last week. 🙂

KEEP FIGHTING. KEEP SEEKING OUT TREATMENTS and HAVE BACK-UPS at the ready! Know that many are lifting all on this board up daily. 🙂

CherylL
Wife of Stage 4 Melanoma Masher, Scott.

Long, long story abbrieviated:

2005-Beloved husband diagnosed, Stage 2a. Clean WLE-SNB. Vigilant scans.

2009-Beloved husband feels a lump. Radical neck dissection. Tumors removed. Multiple positive nodes. Stage 3c.

2010 (two months later)-Pre-radiation scans reveal two new tumors. Surgical removal. More positive notes. Stage 3c.

2010: Radiation. Clinical trial. Vigilant scans.

2012: Very small spots in lungs we'd been monitoring showed sudden, small growth. Biopsy reveals melanoma. Stage 4.

May 2012: Cycle of IL-2 at the amazing UVA with the amazing Dr. Grosh. 15 doses. Post cycle scans show response, smaller tumors.

August 2012: Cycle 2 of IL-2 at the amazing UVA with the amazing Dr. Grosh. 12 doses. Post cycle scans show stability.

December 2012: PET scan reveals the numerous lung tumors have NO ACTIVE MELANOMA. No new "hot" spots any where. NO EVIDENCE OF DISEASE!

February 2013: Full body MRI. No new spots. No growth in known spots. NO EVIDENCE OF DISEASE.

NEVER EVER, EVER GIVE UP!

We just took our 11-year-old twins (who were FOUR at Daddy's initial diagnosis) to Disney World last week. 🙂

KEEP FIGHTING. KEEP SEEKING OUT TREATMENTS and HAVE BACK-UPS at the ready! Know that many are lifting all on this board up daily. 🙂

CherylL
Wife of Stage 4 Melanoma Masher, Scott.

Stage IIA – 2002

Stage IV – 2009.  VATS and High dose IL-2, NED since July 2010.  My oncologist is much more confident I will die from other causes than mel.

You can read my profile.

Stage IIA – 2002

Stage IV – 2009.  VATS and High dose IL-2, NED since July 2010.  My oncologist is much more confident I will die from other causes than mel.

You can read my profile.

Stage IIA – 2002

Stage IV – 2009.  VATS and High dose IL-2, NED since July 2010.  My oncologist is much more confident I will die from other causes than mel.

You can read my profile.