John T

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      • April 28, 2022 at 1:35 am
      John T
      Participant
        Quick edit – it has been so long since I talked about this that I stated the original diagnosed stage wrong – it is actually Stage 3B, NOT Stage 4 as I wrote above. Don’t want to mislead anybody, but could not find a way to edit post! Johhn.
        • January 18, 2012 at 11:54 am
        John T
        Participant

          Hi – sorry for the decision making you have to make.

          I know all operations don't come out the same, but I would like to let you know the after effects on my full lymph node dissection on my leg are minimal (Stage 3B). Although leg still feels a bit numb/sensitive at the same time (strange, but true!) – I now compete in triathlons, 10k running events and cycle events. Most importantly – no reoccurance, 4 years now.

          Best of luck

          John in Bangkok  

          • January 18, 2012 at 11:54 am
          John T
          Participant

            Hi – sorry for the decision making you have to make.

            I know all operations don't come out the same, but I would like to let you know the after effects on my full lymph node dissection on my leg are minimal (Stage 3B). Although leg still feels a bit numb/sensitive at the same time (strange, but true!) – I now compete in triathlons, 10k running events and cycle events. Most importantly – no reoccurance, 4 years now.

            Best of luck

            John in Bangkok  

            • January 18, 2012 at 11:54 am
            John T
            Participant

              Hi – sorry for the decision making you have to make.

              I know all operations don't come out the same, but I would like to let you know the after effects on my full lymph node dissection on my leg are minimal (Stage 3B). Although leg still feels a bit numb/sensitive at the same time (strange, but true!) – I now compete in triathlons, 10k running events and cycle events. Most importantly – no reoccurance, 4 years now.

              Best of luck

              John in Bangkok  

              • November 22, 2011 at 10:48 am
              John T
              Participant

                Hi Lee

                Best of luck with this thing. I am British too – but living/workign in Bangkok.

                Don't want to tempt fate – but so far so good….

                My (not so exciting!) story.

                Oct  07 Noticed swollen lymph node in leg.

                Feb 08 Removal of one lymph node in right leg. Found to be metastatic melanoma. Stage 3B. Removal of all other lymph nodes in right leg. No other nodes postive. Wide Area Excision of small partially regessed mole under belly button.
                 
                April 08 – decided on "Surgery only option", declined use of Interferon (thinking: limited statistical  upside, 1 year of injections, possible fever, tiredness – not a recommendation at all ,  just explaining my persoinal choice)
                 
                Nov 2011 – 5 PET scans and lots of blood tests later – no signs of any Melanoma. ie 4 years NED.
                 
                Best regards
                 
                John

                 

                 

                  

                 

                • November 22, 2011 at 10:48 am
                John T
                Participant

                  Hi Lee

                  Best of luck with this thing. I am British too – but living/workign in Bangkok.

                  Don't want to tempt fate – but so far so good….

                  My (not so exciting!) story.

                  Oct  07 Noticed swollen lymph node in leg.

                  Feb 08 Removal of one lymph node in right leg. Found to be metastatic melanoma. Stage 3B. Removal of all other lymph nodes in right leg. No other nodes postive. Wide Area Excision of small partially regessed mole under belly button.
                   
                  April 08 – decided on "Surgery only option", declined use of Interferon (thinking: limited statistical  upside, 1 year of injections, possible fever, tiredness – not a recommendation at all ,  just explaining my persoinal choice)
                   
                  Nov 2011 – 5 PET scans and lots of blood tests later – no signs of any Melanoma. ie 4 years NED.
                   
                  Best regards
                   
                  John

                   

                   

                    

                   

                  • November 22, 2011 at 10:48 am
                  John T
                  Participant

                    Hi Lee

                    Best of luck with this thing. I am British too – but living/workign in Bangkok.

                    Don't want to tempt fate – but so far so good….

                    My (not so exciting!) story.

                    Oct  07 Noticed swollen lymph node in leg.

                    Feb 08 Removal of one lymph node in right leg. Found to be metastatic melanoma. Stage 3B. Removal of all other lymph nodes in right leg. No other nodes postive. Wide Area Excision of small partially regessed mole under belly button.
                     
                    April 08 – decided on "Surgery only option", declined use of Interferon (thinking: limited statistical  upside, 1 year of injections, possible fever, tiredness – not a recommendation at all ,  just explaining my persoinal choice)
                     
                    Nov 2011 – 5 PET scans and lots of blood tests later – no signs of any Melanoma. ie 4 years NED.
                     
                    Best regards
                     
                    John

                     

                     

                      

                     

                    • May 10, 2011 at 10:59 am
                    John T
                    Participant

                      Hi Becca

                      Your case very similar to mine (except leg not arm lymph nodes), and I met several oncs both here (Thailand)  and in Australia + read much from this Board, and choose observation over Interferon. Each oncologist was basically neutral – i.e. no attempt to sway my choice to either option, but all were fine with my no interferon decision.

                      The good news is that after 3 + years no evidence of a recurrence at all – so please stay positive if this the option you are recommended. 

                      This post is not intended to recommend any course of action – just to let you know my story and that there are plenty of good news cases around.

                      Live Strong and best of luck.

                      John in Bangkok

                       

                      • May 10, 2011 at 10:59 am
                      John T
                      Participant

                        Hi Becca

                        Your case very similar to mine (except leg not arm lymph nodes), and I met several oncs both here (Thailand)  and in Australia + read much from this Board, and choose observation over Interferon. Each oncologist was basically neutral – i.e. no attempt to sway my choice to either option, but all were fine with my no interferon decision.

                        The good news is that after 3 + years no evidence of a recurrence at all – so please stay positive if this the option you are recommended. 

                        This post is not intended to recommend any course of action – just to let you know my story and that there are plenty of good news cases around.

                        Live Strong and best of luck.

                        John in Bangkok

                         

                        • August 26, 2010 at 5:01 am
                        John T
                        Participant

                          Hi Julie

                          The surgeon who did my LND is Dr Tanapon and Oncologist is Dr Surachart. 

                          Hope your visit to Dr goes well and we get to meet up in Bangkok!

                          Best regards

                          John

                           

                          • August 26, 2010 at 5:01 am
                          John T
                          Participant

                            Hi Julie

                            The surgeon who did my LND is Dr Tanapon and Oncologist is Dr Surachart. 

                            Hope your visit to Dr goes well and we get to meet up in Bangkok!

                            Best regards

                            John

                             

                            • August 25, 2010 at 4:24 am
                            John T
                            Participant

                              Hi Julie

                              Hope all is going well.

                              I had my operation, all my PET Scans and my surgeon and  oncologist  are at Bangkok Hospital – both very senior as I have connections there. Very pleased with ability, machines, service etc. I can certainly refer you to the same doctors. (Also visited Peter Mac – a top melanoma hospital in Australia – and they confirmed all procedures and advice was in line with their own thinking) All equipment is very new and flash! (also, strangely, they have periodic "promotions" on PET scan fees!) 

                              However I go to see the skin doctor at Bumrungrad, he is great guy, trained at Harvard, very familiar with Melanoma, and friend of a friend. He as actually partner/owner of the Laser Skin Surgery at Bumrungrad.    I can cettainly introduce you to him too, or search for him on site – Dr Pravit.

                              Please do feel free to email if you need any more information or help. 

                              Live strong and best regards

                              John

                               

                              • August 25, 2010 at 4:24 am
                              John T
                              Participant

                                Hi Julie

                                Hope all is going well.

                                I had my operation, all my PET Scans and my surgeon and  oncologist  are at Bangkok Hospital – both very senior as I have connections there. Very pleased with ability, machines, service etc. I can certainly refer you to the same doctors. (Also visited Peter Mac – a top melanoma hospital in Australia – and they confirmed all procedures and advice was in line with their own thinking) All equipment is very new and flash! (also, strangely, they have periodic "promotions" on PET scan fees!) 

                                However I go to see the skin doctor at Bumrungrad, he is great guy, trained at Harvard, very familiar with Melanoma, and friend of a friend. He as actually partner/owner of the Laser Skin Surgery at Bumrungrad.    I can cettainly introduce you to him too, or search for him on site – Dr Pravit.

                                Please do feel free to email if you need any more information or help. 

                                Live strong and best regards

                                John

                                 

                                • August 24, 2010 at 6:01 am
                                John T
                                Participant

                                  Hi

                                  Similar story to the others. Even after 2.5 years still have loss of feeling and tightness – but no loss of functionality. Run regular 10 km runs and do  "mini Iron man" (cycling, swiming, running) events and right leg (operation) is no more tired than left leg. My times are now better than before operation! Additonally excecise does not make leg feel worse, or better, than not exercising – just the same.

                                  I think, once you are  ready, exercise is good to help leg get back to normal ASAP.

                                  For further encouragement I am still NED afetr 2.5 years with "surgery only" option (i.e No Interferon or other treatement.)

                                  Live Strong.

                                  John from Bangkok.

                                  • August 24, 2010 at 6:01 am
                                  John T
                                  Participant

                                    Hi

                                    Similar story to the others. Even after 2.5 years still have loss of feeling and tightness – but no loss of functionality. Run regular 10 km runs and do  "mini Iron man" (cycling, swiming, running) events and right leg (operation) is no more tired than left leg. My times are now better than before operation! Additonally excecise does not make leg feel worse, or better, than not exercising – just the same.

                                    I think, once you are  ready, exercise is good to help leg get back to normal ASAP.

                                    For further encouragement I am still NED afetr 2.5 years with "surgery only" option (i.e No Interferon or other treatement.)

                                    Live Strong.

                                    John from Bangkok.

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