Stage 3 – almost 5 years NED!! – Melanoma Research Foundation

This topic has 33 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 13 years, 10 months ago by Mandi0280.

Post

- March 10, 2012 at 10:29 pm
- Quote
Kerri P
Participant
Hi!
It’s been a really long time since I have visited this board, but it was so helpful to me in the first couple of years after my diagnosis. I met some great people through here that I still keep in touch through Facebook. I just wanted to come back and share my updated story for those who need some support and optimism. I was diagnosed in May 2007 with an 11 mm tumor on my arm. The melanoma had spread to a lymph node in my underarm and a lymph node in my neck. I endured a second surgery where more tissue was removed for clear margins and a lymph node dissection where 52 lymph nodes were removed. I completed nine months Interferon and have been on a 6 month scan schedule ever since. Last month I had my scans and remain NED!!!! I just want those of you out there to know that there is hope!!

Kerri Pierce
http://www.kerpie.blogspot.com

Viewing 11 reply threads

Replies

- - March 11, 2012 at 3:38 am
  - Quote
  jim Breitfeller
  Participant
  Kerri, Congrats!!!!!
  
  WE come a long way. I am truely happy for you. You must have caught it just right and the Interferon to care of the rest. Don't let you guard down.
  
  Warm regards,
  
  Jimmy B
  - March 11, 2012 at 3:41 am
    
    Quote
    jim Breitfeller
    Participant
    
    I must be tired!!!
    
    to…. should be… took
  - March 11, 2012 at 3:49 am
    
    Quote
    aldakota22
    Participant
    
    Love the good news.Always be vigilant .Want you to be NED always. Al
  - March 11, 2012 at 3:49 am
    
    Quote
    aldakota22
    Participant
    
    Love the good news.Always be vigilant .Want you to be NED always. Al
  - March 11, 2012 at 3:49 am
    
    Quote
    aldakota22
    Participant
    
    Love the good news.Always be vigilant .Want you to be NED always. Al
  - March 11, 2012 at 3:41 am
    
    Quote
    jim Breitfeller
    Participant
    
    I must be tired!!!
    
    to…. should be… took
  - March 11, 2012 at 3:41 am
    
    Quote
    jim Breitfeller
    Participant
    
    I must be tired!!!
    
    to…. should be… took
- - March 11, 2012 at 3:38 am
  - Quote
  jim Breitfeller
  Participant
  Kerri, Congrats!!!!!
  
  WE come a long way. I am truely happy for you. You must have caught it just right and the Interferon to care of the rest. Don't let you guard down.
  
  Warm regards,
  
  Jimmy B
- - March 11, 2012 at 3:38 am
  - Quote
  jim Breitfeller
  Participant
  Kerri, Congrats!!!!!
  
  WE come a long way. I am truely happy for you. You must have caught it just right and the Interferon to care of the rest. Don't let you guard down.
  
  Warm regards,
  
  Jimmy B
- - March 11, 2012 at 3:53 am
  - Quote
  King
  Participant
  Kerri,
  
  Congratulations! I remember you from back in 2007. Thanks so much for checking in. Stories like yours give so many people much needed hope….especially the newbies. You are out living your life like you should be. But keep doing whatever it is that you're doing…we want you to be with NED forever.
  
  Stay Strong
  King
  
  Stage IV 7/05 Liver mets
- - March 11, 2012 at 3:53 am
  - Quote
  King
  Participant
  Kerri,
  
  Congratulations! I remember you from back in 2007. Thanks so much for checking in. Stories like yours give so many people much needed hope….especially the newbies. You are out living your life like you should be. But keep doing whatever it is that you're doing…we want you to be with NED forever.
  
  Stay Strong
  King
  
  Stage IV 7/05 Liver mets
- - March 11, 2012 at 3:53 am
  - Quote
  King
  Participant
  Kerri,
  
  Congratulations! I remember you from back in 2007. Thanks so much for checking in. Stories like yours give so many people much needed hope….especially the newbies. You are out living your life like you should be. But keep doing whatever it is that you're doing…we want you to be with NED forever.
  
  Stay Strong
  King
  
  Stage IV 7/05 Liver mets
- - March 11, 2012 at 2:21 pm
  - Quote
  Linny
  Participant
  Congratulations! And, thank you for posting your story and giving us hope.
- - March 11, 2012 at 2:21 pm
  - Quote
  Linny
  Participant
  Congratulations! And, thank you for posting your story and giving us hope.
- - March 11, 2012 at 2:21 pm
  - Quote
  Linny
  Participant
  Congratulations! And, thank you for posting your story and giving us hope.
- - March 12, 2012 at 2:46 pm
  - Quote
  Mandi0280
  Participant
  Congrats! Wow what an accomplishment! My husband is 3b diagnosed in October 2011. He did 2 doses of Ipi as a trial but had to come off of it due to side effects. He is now given the choice to do interferon. If u don't mind me asking why did you only complete 9 months and did you make any changes in your diet..lifestyle ect…..?
  
  Thanks for any info,
  
  mandi
  - March 12, 2012 at 2:57 pm
    
    Quote
    Kerri P
    Participant
    
    At the 9 month mark my body had enough. Each time I got an injection my body broke out in hives, so I had to stop. I made no changes to my diet other than I had no appetite. I made the decision to stop working about 2-3 months into it. I was just exhausted and didn’t want the added stress. Good luck to your husband and let me know if you have any other questions.
  - March 12, 2012 at 2:57 pm
    
    Quote
    Kerri P
    Participant
    
    At the 9 month mark my body had enough. Each time I got an injection my body broke out in hives, so I had to stop. I made no changes to my diet other than I had no appetite. I made the decision to stop working about 2-3 months into it. I was just exhausted and didn’t want the added stress. Good luck to your husband and let me know if you have any other questions.
  - March 12, 2012 at 2:57 pm
    
    Quote
    Kerri P
    Participant
    
    At the 9 month mark my body had enough. Each time I got an injection my body broke out in hives, so I had to stop. I made no changes to my diet other than I had no appetite. I made the decision to stop working about 2-3 months into it. I was just exhausted and didn’t want the added stress. Good luck to your husband and let me know if you have any other questions.
  - March 12, 2012 at 2:57 pm
    
    Quote
    Kerri P
    Participant
    
    At the 9 month mark my body had enough. Each time I got an injection my body broke out in hives, so I had to stop. I made no changes to my diet other than I had no appetite. I made the decision to stop working about 2-3 months into it. I was just exhausted and didn’t want the added stress. Good luck to your husband and let me know if you have any other questions.
  - March 12, 2012 at 4:35 pm
    
    Quote
    Mandi0280
    Participant
    
    I know everyones side effects are different but what other side effects did u have other than the breaking out? My husband has already filed for his short term disability at work due to the side effects of the ipi but may have to go into the long term. I think it would be easier for him to be able to do the interferon and not worry about working. Did u do the 1 month of infusions or was your treatment all shots? From what I have read depression in a big side effect of this drug and that is a huge worry for me. Seems like you really would need to keep your mental situation. Thanks for answering my questions!
    
    mandi
  - March 12, 2012 at 7:23 pm
    
    Quote
    Kerri P
    Participant
    
    Yes, I did the one month of IV treatments then injections three times a week. I applied for disability when I stopped working and was approved with no issues. When I was diagnosed I started taking Lexapro and throughout the nine mo ths of treatment we had to increase it because I did get depressed. I don’t take it any longer. My side effects were fever and chills, fatigue, loss of appetite and my hair thinned so much I had to just shave it. It’s not an easy treatment, but I don’t regret it at all. I have the peace of mind knowing I did all I could to prevent it from coming back. At the time of my diagnosis my daughters were 9 months old and 3. So, that didn’t make it any easier. But, I turned it into a positive. I got to be a stay at home mom and I started a new journey when I was finished with my treatments. I had never finished my college degree so I returned to school. I graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Science with an Education Concentration on June 4th!! I plan on teaching high school English or History 🙂
  - March 12, 2012 at 11:35 pm
    
    Quote
    Mandi0280
    Participant
    
    I am very happy that things have turned out so well for you! I love when ppl post their happy endings on here… Kinda gives you hope that your story could end up a positive one as well. My husband has 16 & 13 year old boys and we have a baby due in August. We found out we were pregnant shortly after he was diagnosed with melanoma. More than anything I don’t want him to be depressed for the next year although I know it can’t be helped I think it’s good to try to stay positive. Thanks for all the info & congrats on your 5 year mark!
  - March 12, 2012 at 11:35 pm
    
    Quote
    Mandi0280
    Participant
    
    I am very happy that things have turned out so well for you! I love when ppl post their happy endings on here… Kinda gives you hope that your story could end up a positive one as well. My husband has 16 & 13 year old boys and we have a baby due in August. We found out we were pregnant shortly after he was diagnosed with melanoma. More than anything I don’t want him to be depressed for the next year although I know it can’t be helped I think it’s good to try to stay positive. Thanks for all the info & congrats on your 5 year mark!
  - March 12, 2012 at 11:35 pm
    
    Quote
    Mandi0280
    Participant
    
    I am very happy that things have turned out so well for you! I love when ppl post their happy endings on here… Kinda gives you hope that your story could end up a positive one as well. My husband has 16 & 13 year old boys and we have a baby due in August. We found out we were pregnant shortly after he was diagnosed with melanoma. More than anything I don’t want him to be depressed for the next year although I know it can’t be helped I think it’s good to try to stay positive. Thanks for all the info & congrats on your 5 year mark!
  - March 12, 2012 at 7:23 pm
    
    Quote
    Kerri P
    Participant
    
    Yes, I did the one month of IV treatments then injections three times a week. I applied for disability when I stopped working and was approved with no issues. When I was diagnosed I started taking Lexapro and throughout the nine mo ths of treatment we had to increase it because I did get depressed. I don’t take it any longer. My side effects were fever and chills, fatigue, loss of appetite and my hair thinned so much I had to just shave it. It’s not an easy treatment, but I don’t regret it at all. I have the peace of mind knowing I did all I could to prevent it from coming back. At the time of my diagnosis my daughters were 9 months old and 3. So, that didn’t make it any easier. But, I turned it into a positive. I got to be a stay at home mom and I started a new journey when I was finished with my treatments. I had never finished my college degree so I returned to school. I graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Science with an Education Concentration on June 4th!! I plan on teaching high school English or History 🙂
  - March 12, 2012 at 7:23 pm
    
    Quote
    Kerri P
    Participant
    
    Yes, I did the one month of IV treatments then injections three times a week. I applied for disability when I stopped working and was approved with no issues. When I was diagnosed I started taking Lexapro and throughout the nine mo ths of treatment we had to increase it because I did get depressed. I don’t take it any longer. My side effects were fever and chills, fatigue, loss of appetite and my hair thinned so much I had to just shave it. It’s not an easy treatment, but I don’t regret it at all. I have the peace of mind knowing I did all I could to prevent it from coming back. At the time of my diagnosis my daughters were 9 months old and 3. So, that didn’t make it any easier. But, I turned it into a positive. I got to be a stay at home mom and I started a new journey when I was finished with my treatments. I had never finished my college degree so I returned to school. I graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Science with an Education Concentration on June 4th!! I plan on teaching high school English or History 🙂
  - March 12, 2012 at 4:35 pm
    
    Quote
    Mandi0280
    Participant
    
    I know everyones side effects are different but what other side effects did u have other than the breaking out? My husband has already filed for his short term disability at work due to the side effects of the ipi but may have to go into the long term. I think it would be easier for him to be able to do the interferon and not worry about working. Did u do the 1 month of infusions or was your treatment all shots? From what I have read depression in a big side effect of this drug and that is a huge worry for me. Seems like you really would need to keep your mental situation. Thanks for answering my questions!
    
    mandi
  - March 12, 2012 at 4:35 pm
    
    Quote
    Mandi0280
    Participant
    
    I know everyones side effects are different but what other side effects did u have other than the breaking out? My husband has already filed for his short term disability at work due to the side effects of the ipi but may have to go into the long term. I think it would be easier for him to be able to do the interferon and not worry about working. Did u do the 1 month of infusions or was your treatment all shots? From what I have read depression in a big side effect of this drug and that is a huge worry for me. Seems like you really would need to keep your mental situation. Thanks for answering my questions!
    
    mandi
  - March 12, 2012 at 2:57 pm
    
    Quote
    Kerri P
    Participant
    
    At the 9 month mark my body had enough. Each time I got an injection my body broke out in hives, so I had to stop. I made no changes to my diet other than I had no appetite. I made the decision to stop working about 2-3 months into it. I was just exhausted and didn’t want the added stress. Good luck to your husband and let me know if you have any other questions.
  - March 12, 2012 at 2:57 pm
    
    Quote
    Kerri P
    Participant
    
    At the 9 month mark my body had enough. Each time I got an injection my body broke out in hives, so I had to stop. I made no changes to my diet other than I had no appetite. I made the decision to stop working about 2-3 months into it. I was just exhausted and didn’t want the added stress. Good luck to your husband and let me know if you have any other questions.
- - March 12, 2012 at 2:46 pm
  - Quote
  Mandi0280
  Participant
  Congrats! Wow what an accomplishment! My husband is 3b diagnosed in October 2011. He did 2 doses of Ipi as a trial but had to come off of it due to side effects. He is now given the choice to do interferon. If u don't mind me asking why did you only complete 9 months and did you make any changes in your diet..lifestyle ect…..?
  
  Thanks for any info,
  
  mandi
- - March 12, 2012 at 2:46 pm
  - Quote
  Mandi0280
  Participant
  Congrats! Wow what an accomplishment! My husband is 3b diagnosed in October 2011. He did 2 doses of Ipi as a trial but had to come off of it due to side effects. He is now given the choice to do interferon. If u don't mind me asking why did you only complete 9 months and did you make any changes in your diet..lifestyle ect…..?
  
  Thanks for any info,
  
  mandi