› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Two year “anniversary” and update
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DZnDef.
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- January 27, 2016 at 9:32 pm
Hi everyone,
I took an MPIP "holiday" over the Holidays and pretended I didn't have cancer for a while. It was nice to just enjoy living life for a bit. I started lurking again earlier this month but decided today I should finally post again.
Today is the 2-year anniversary of my recurrence. After being NED from surgery in 2012, a chest X-Ray on today's date in 2014 revealed new spots in my lungs. I thought I was a goner in a few months. I never expected to be around in 2 years still feeling "healthy". So I thought that was worth celebrating.
As for the update, some of you may recall that I made the wacky decision to pursue alternative treatment first which I started in March of last year. This was after January 2015 scans showed both growth and a new met (after several mostly stable scans). In December 2015 I decided to have scans again after an 11-month interval. I was really hoping the scans would be definitive (either definitely working or definitely not) so my next steps would be obvious. Unfortunately, as is so often the case with this disease, the results are not so cut and dry.
The good news: No new mets! (Yay!)
The bad news: All mets are larger. (Boo.)
My conventional doc (the pulmonologist in this case) wanted me to start conventional treatment right away. My NY doc (the alternative one) was not concerned with the results as she claims the growth is likely inflammation not true growth and to focus on the news that there were no new mets over an 11 month period.
Additional odd tidbit: They only mentioned one met in my right lung where previously they always mentioned two (one of which was always stable at 3mm). They didn't say it went away or is no longer visualized. They just didn't mention it at all. Maybe it fell between the slices this time and is still there. At least it didn't get any bigger or it would definitely have been mentioned.
Which is all to say I can't be sure this treatment is working and I can't be sure it isn't. I'll just keep at it for now and continue to reserve my right to change my mind at any moment.
I appreciate so much everyone sharing their stories on this site. I'm constantly re-evaluating what my next steps might be based on the valuable information you all share. I am such a coward when it comes to drugs. I hope I can muster the courage to jump in if it proves necessary (and I hope I have the wisdom to identify that moment if it hasn't passed already).
Happy New Year to all of you and I wish you all good health
Maggie
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- January 27, 2016 at 11:42 pm
Good stuff Maggie.
It is good to know that there are other treatment options out there that can work that are not in the mainstream medical area and are non toxic.
Hopefully you will continue to be in good health for years to come.
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- January 28, 2016 at 2:29 am
Thanks for the good wishes, Anon. Although, I don't count myself as a success story at this point. While no new mets and a (possible, maybe, can't-be-sure) disappearing met is good news, the growth in the other mets is definitely concerning and I am not convinced it is just "inflammation". I certainly hope so, but only time will tell. I'm willing to give it a little more time at this point. If it truly is inflammation then the next scans should show no growth at all. I'll have to give a good long think to how long to wait before scanning again. There's nothing simple or obvious when it comes to melanoma. Thanks again.
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- January 28, 2016 at 2:29 am
Thanks for the good wishes, Anon. Although, I don't count myself as a success story at this point. While no new mets and a (possible, maybe, can't-be-sure) disappearing met is good news, the growth in the other mets is definitely concerning and I am not convinced it is just "inflammation". I certainly hope so, but only time will tell. I'm willing to give it a little more time at this point. If it truly is inflammation then the next scans should show no growth at all. I'll have to give a good long think to how long to wait before scanning again. There's nothing simple or obvious when it comes to melanoma. Thanks again.
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- January 28, 2016 at 2:29 am
Thanks for the good wishes, Anon. Although, I don't count myself as a success story at this point. While no new mets and a (possible, maybe, can't-be-sure) disappearing met is good news, the growth in the other mets is definitely concerning and I am not convinced it is just "inflammation". I certainly hope so, but only time will tell. I'm willing to give it a little more time at this point. If it truly is inflammation then the next scans should show no growth at all. I'll have to give a good long think to how long to wait before scanning again. There's nothing simple or obvious when it comes to melanoma. Thanks again.
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- January 28, 2016 at 12:33 am
Come on and jump in Maggie! The water's nice.
That's a joke of course Maggie. Congrats on your aniversary. I think it's nothing short of amazing what you've been able to do.
With your courage of conviction and your methodical approach so far I have no doubt you'll have the courage and wisdom to know if it's time to switch to medical drugs if needed.
Brian
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- January 28, 2016 at 12:33 am
Come on and jump in Maggie! The water's nice.
That's a joke of course Maggie. Congrats on your aniversary. I think it's nothing short of amazing what you've been able to do.
With your courage of conviction and your methodical approach so far I have no doubt you'll have the courage and wisdom to know if it's time to switch to medical drugs if needed.
Brian
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- January 28, 2016 at 12:33 am
Come on and jump in Maggie! The water's nice.
That's a joke of course Maggie. Congrats on your aniversary. I think it's nothing short of amazing what you've been able to do.
With your courage of conviction and your methodical approach so far I have no doubt you'll have the courage and wisdom to know if it's time to switch to medical drugs if needed.
Brian
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- January 28, 2016 at 9:30 pm
Hi Maggie. Glad to hear you are feeling well! Every year beyond a recurrence is something to celebrate! You sound like a very brave person, and I'm sure you are making the right decisions for you and your situation.
I'm rather new to this board, so may I ask what alternative treatments you are going through? I am trying to do everything I can (that is within my reach) to better my odds. I've changed my diet to be more alkaline, started juicing, added in immune-boosting supplements, started to use mindfulness, meditation, and yoga, and cut the stress out of my life. I'm sure most of these things are just everyday "healthy living choices" but I want to do everything I can in conjunction with the Sylatron treatment I will be starting soon. Any advice on other things to consider?
Wishing you health and happiness for years to come!
WithinMySkin
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- January 28, 2016 at 9:30 pm
Hi Maggie. Glad to hear you are feeling well! Every year beyond a recurrence is something to celebrate! You sound like a very brave person, and I'm sure you are making the right decisions for you and your situation.
I'm rather new to this board, so may I ask what alternative treatments you are going through? I am trying to do everything I can (that is within my reach) to better my odds. I've changed my diet to be more alkaline, started juicing, added in immune-boosting supplements, started to use mindfulness, meditation, and yoga, and cut the stress out of my life. I'm sure most of these things are just everyday "healthy living choices" but I want to do everything I can in conjunction with the Sylatron treatment I will be starting soon. Any advice on other things to consider?
Wishing you health and happiness for years to come!
WithinMySkin
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- January 29, 2016 at 12:49 am
Hello WithinMySkin, thanks for the good wishes! I applaud your efforts to do as much as you can to better your odds at beating this nasty disease. Your list agrees with mine except for the alkaline diet. I am pursing a somewhat acidic diet based on my doctor's views of melanoma (he recommends alkaline diets for other cancers). This is highly controversial in the alternative/natural health world but I'll provide you a link to an article he wrote and you can decide for yourself.
http://www.dr-gonzalez.com/totalhealth_11_06.htm#diets
I'm glad to provide you with more information about what I am doing if you are interested. You can send me a private message using the "contact" tab on my profile any time. And thanks for reminding me of the stress reduction techniques. I need to re-focus on those as I've let them slide lately and they're very important.
Best of health to you!
Maggie
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- January 29, 2016 at 12:49 am
Hello WithinMySkin, thanks for the good wishes! I applaud your efforts to do as much as you can to better your odds at beating this nasty disease. Your list agrees with mine except for the alkaline diet. I am pursing a somewhat acidic diet based on my doctor's views of melanoma (he recommends alkaline diets for other cancers). This is highly controversial in the alternative/natural health world but I'll provide you a link to an article he wrote and you can decide for yourself.
http://www.dr-gonzalez.com/totalhealth_11_06.htm#diets
I'm glad to provide you with more information about what I am doing if you are interested. You can send me a private message using the "contact" tab on my profile any time. And thanks for reminding me of the stress reduction techniques. I need to re-focus on those as I've let them slide lately and they're very important.
Best of health to you!
Maggie
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- January 29, 2016 at 12:49 am
Hello WithinMySkin, thanks for the good wishes! I applaud your efforts to do as much as you can to better your odds at beating this nasty disease. Your list agrees with mine except for the alkaline diet. I am pursing a somewhat acidic diet based on my doctor's views of melanoma (he recommends alkaline diets for other cancers). This is highly controversial in the alternative/natural health world but I'll provide you a link to an article he wrote and you can decide for yourself.
http://www.dr-gonzalez.com/totalhealth_11_06.htm#diets
I'm glad to provide you with more information about what I am doing if you are interested. You can send me a private message using the "contact" tab on my profile any time. And thanks for reminding me of the stress reduction techniques. I need to re-focus on those as I've let them slide lately and they're very important.
Best of health to you!
Maggie
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- January 28, 2016 at 9:30 pm
Hi Maggie. Glad to hear you are feeling well! Every year beyond a recurrence is something to celebrate! You sound like a very brave person, and I'm sure you are making the right decisions for you and your situation.
I'm rather new to this board, so may I ask what alternative treatments you are going through? I am trying to do everything I can (that is within my reach) to better my odds. I've changed my diet to be more alkaline, started juicing, added in immune-boosting supplements, started to use mindfulness, meditation, and yoga, and cut the stress out of my life. I'm sure most of these things are just everyday "healthy living choices" but I want to do everything I can in conjunction with the Sylatron treatment I will be starting soon. Any advice on other things to consider?
Wishing you health and happiness for years to come!
WithinMySkin
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