I Was Diagnosed With Clark Stage Iv Metastisized Melanoma At Age 40 I Am Now 48. You Can Overcome.

In 1999 I began noticing a suspicious mole on my right arm. Over the course of 9 months I had 2 doctors examine it and they both said "it's nothing to worry about Mr. Jones". I picked up a flier about skin cancer and the picture and description caused me to ask a dermatologist. He also said it was nothing to worry about. After some discussion he agreed to do a shave biopsy. A week later I received a postcard in the mail stating I had Melanoma Cancer and that I needed to make an appointment at my earliest convenience. Because a full biopsy was done my right arm had to be ripped open and the lymph nodes removed. I began injecting myself daily with interferon. The idea was to build my immune system by making my body think it had the flu. After 9 months of this torture I went from 210 lbs. to 130 lbs and was told the immune system doesn't recognize melanoma. It had spread thru my lymph system and was growing rapidly in my lungs and lower abdomen. I was then 40 years of age with a wife daughter and Clark Stage IV Metastasized Melanoma. I then began a bio-chemo cocktail and was placed in ICU. I came close to death many times. One of the hardest challenges to overcome was knowing the horror my wife, family and friends endured while watching my body being consumed by both cancer and the treatment. It is easy to give up but by doing so no one wins. Two years went by with PET scans every 3 months. It didn't look good but I was still alive. My oncologist said I was an anomaly. In 2006 it came back in full force. I was once again in ICU and given High dose Interleukin 2. They also found a liter of fluid around my heart. While draining the fluid they punctured a lung. They said I had a blockage in the main artery of my heart and there was a good chance the angiogram might kill me. As if cancer wasn't enough.

I am now 48 years old and here to tell you YOU CAN OVERCOME. While living a wonderfully blessed life I have 2 small lymph nodes lighting up between my heart and central nervous system. They are there to remind us of what is possible...ByFaith.

Hi,I read your message and it's inspiring!  I am so happy for you that you have overcome so much and are so positive.  I always try to be hopeful but it is so difficult when the Dr.'s tell you - that your father has 8 months to live.  I just met my dad one year ago and found out he had Stage 4 Melanoma.  I have been going to the hospital with him and he was staying with me for some time and he continues to fight the cancer.  He had surgery on his neck one year ago, when he was diagnosed he was already Stage 3, he then had 6 weeks of radiation and and then began chemo the pill form.  His oncologist does not feel that he would be a good cadidate for clinical trials because partly she does not feel he would be a reliable patient and the other part is that he said the least he can be in the hospital and visiting Dr.'s the better.  So he finished 2 chemo treatments and had Gamma Knife radiation to the brain for a very small growth, which seems to have been effective b/c, his recent CT scans were clear in the brain and neck but show growths in his lungs.  Sometimes I wonder when I go to meet him at an appt. am I supposed to accept that him dying in relatively a short time in inevitable, but now I read your story and I know it's ok for me to have hope, the Dr. doesn't know exactly when and how his body will handle the cancer, how long etc.  I am going to say a prayer tonight and always remember your story as a way of acknowledging that hope is deserving....Not sure how to say but perhaps you understand.  Irene

My Dad has also been given 6 months and has recently been taken off the clinical trial of DTIC and we are now meeting his specialist on monday about next steps. We live in the UK and many friends and family keep telling me I should be taking him to America as they are more advanced.

I would very much appreciate any advice on this and questions I should be asking him on monday. I would not be able to forgive myself if I felt I was letting him down by not looking into this.

Thinking of those suffering. Gob bless.

Sorry ! I hope my unfortunate spelling mistake has put a smile on your face!

Kx

Your story is inspiring and it is great that you chose to share it!  Keep the faith and the fight in you alive!  And enjoy each day ...

Blessings,

Rhonda

www.uvskinz.com

 

your message is amazing my husband has also clarks 1v melonoma but is very aggressive he has had radiotherapy and chemo interferone did not work at all with him the cancer has spreed to his lymph nodes under his arm and chest he is in a lot of pain he is on mst for pain we have been back today to see the consultant and he want my husband to have a scan before he treats him with anymore chemo he did mention trying him on a platinuim drug anyone herd of this and any results its such a horrible disease we also lost our son to cancer 11 years ago he had hodgkins disease .

thanks for any replies nicelady1

you message is very has given me a lot of hope for my husband who also has stage 5 clarkes but he does not be responding to treatment at all the melonoma has spreed to his nodes and lung and also his chest can i ask you what treatment you have had

many thanks

can i ask how your dad is my husband also has been given the same diagnosis as your dad six months but i cant belive he only has that time left he has it in his lung chest lyhp nodes and is in a lot of pain im in england and im not sure weather they are given my husband the right treatment he has had radio interferon more radio and chemo and nothing it just wont stop now he has started a nother chemo but made him very ill as he could no breath so they have stopped it to give him a chance to build up i hope your dad is doing well

thanks

 

On 6/14/2008 nicelady1 wrote:

you message is very has given me a lot of hope for my husband who also has stage 5 clarkes but he does not be responding to treatment at all the melonoma has spreed to his nodes and lung and also his chest can i ask you what treatment you have had

many thanks

Hello Nicelady1,

It pleases me to hear of the hope you received from my testimony. The best treatment I received was a great deal of prayer and encouragement. My family and friends would not let me lay in bed and be eaten up not only by cancer but also the disgrace, shame and doubt that can be a deadly side effect. I had uplifting music playing. Funny movies playing and family pictures displayed all around to remind me what I was fighting for.

The scientific medicine (poison) was: 1) Interferon - this does NOT work against melanoma. 2) A chemo-cocktail that was administered in ICU. 3) High-Dose Interlukin 2 also administered in ICU. Your doctor can contact Dr. Fawaz (M.D.) Gailani at the Kaiser in Riverside California. He is the Department Head of Oncology and is a melanoma specialist. His associate is Robin Green. Tell them Vaughn sent you.

May you receive the blessing God has prepared for you.

In HIS care,

ByFaith