CancerCompass message board discussion started by Kelbelm05 on 4/4/2007 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,10984,0.htm Sun, 07 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT Sun, 07 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ At the age of fifteen, I noticed a small spot on my chest which began to grow. My doctor said it was nothing and to just watch it. When I was sixteen and a junior in high school, the spot had changed in color, size, shape, and boarders. I visited a dermatologist who just glancing at it said "it wasn’t good". In January 2000, I underwent surgery to remove the mole and I was diagnosed with Melanoma. The cancer had spread. I had two more surgeries in three months where my lymph nodes under my left arm where removed. Later, I learned my grandma and my grandpa had Melanoma as well. Around my 17th birthday I started a year of interferon treatments. I missed a lot of school because I always felt like I had a bad flu. On my 18th birthday I finished treatments just in time to go to my senior prom and graduation. I was so happy to be cancer free. After this experience I thought I could do anything and I left home to go to college in New York. I was cancer free for five years. My junior year of college my cancer returned. I was having trouble breathing and was rushed to the hospital. Chest x-rays showed a large mass attached to my lungs. I was rushed home to get test done which showed it was the cancer. I was now diagnosed with Stage 4 Melanoma. I immediately started high dose Interleukin 2 treatments in the hospital. The treatments work in 10% of patients and I was so scared. In January, I spent one week in the hospital, one week at home, and another week in the hospital. They were the worst weeks of my life. In July, I started another round of the treatment. The CT scans showed no signs of cancer. In august 2005, I transferred to Regent University, in Virginia Beach, VA. I am going to graduating college on my 24th birthday which is May 5th, 2007. I recently got engaged on the beach in Hawaii. And I am looking forward to being two years cancer free soon. Kelbelm05 Wed, 04 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT That is wonderful news!  No feeling like a perfect medical report.  Go out and charge life, do all you can, make everyday the best day. Accompolish as much as possible.  And PLEASE make sure you get your checkups as the doctor directs, I can stress enough the importance of this. Dean in Georgia Thu, 05 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT As my mom continues with her fourth treatment of biochemotherapy I read your message and it brings a smile.  For you, for us, and for the others that are fighting this disease!  If you are willing, find another cancer forum, copy and paste your comment and let everyone know your great news.  You are an inspiration to those looking for hope and comfort.  I am going to print your story and send it to my mom to read once she is able to regain strength.  If you are comfortable, please send an email to this account to say hello to my mom.  You can make a friend who would treasure the time you took to reach her.  Also, there are many others looking for answers on this forum.  I don't have much to offer in terms of cancer experience but I want to encourage you to do what you can when you can.  A short message or a copy of your original message would be quick and easy for you but offer miles of encouragement for others.  These cancer/health forums can be a little lopsided with bad news.Fortunately, you've had an experience early in life that will enable you to live freely and spontaneously unlike most of the people I know.  It takes most people the greater part of their life to come to the understanding that you have now.  Imagine what you will accomplish with this valuable information.  You must be a joy to be around.  Spread the Good News, Baby!!!  I wish you all that you can endure and conquer for your self and the others that will be affected by your lively spirt.  Carpe Diem!! NanaGlo's daughter,amy Nana Glo Sun, 08 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT Wow that is some story I am sorry you had to go thru that.  I was diagnosed with melignant melanoma in 1989.  I had to attend the University of Penn Melanoma Clinic for ten years to make sure of no recurrence.  I am still very nervouse because as you know this a very scary cancer.  Congrats on your engagement and most of all about two year clearence of melanoma. Chris M  strokeman Mon, 25 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT