Susan M

Hi Pepper,you have a great attitude and I think will have a lot to do with your husband's outcome.  I was diagnosed Stage 3 in 2002 and had a complete lymph node dissection in my left axilla, and no interferon.  At that time it was the only option for Stage 3 and I don't think that has really changed in the past 8 years.  Back then my oncologist tried to convince me to do the interferon but also told me that my chances were slim to survive more than a few years (even with the interferon).  I figured that if I might only have a few years left (I was 58 and divorced) I sure wanted them to be good years.  I have never regretted my decision and have made the most of my life since 2002. I thank God when I wake up every day, each one is a blessing.  By 2004 I had all my legal details finished up and since then have taken 5 cruises and travelled as much as I can afford.  I adore my kids and my grandchildren and any time I watch TV or movies I try to make sure they are comedies.  Laughter is so important. 

I also changed my diet immediately.  I would have preferred to go vegan but I am allergic to soy and had no idea how I would get enough protein, so I eliminated red meat first.  For me that was the easiest. I eat organic chicken and wild salmon a lot, and have taken various supplements over the years. Vitamins D, C, calcium, zinc, and many others. I eat as much organic food as I can afford and have eliminated white flour and white sugar from my diet. If I can't get fresh fruit and vegetables, I buy organic frozen and make lots of protein shakes.  I am not rigid about any part of my diet or lifestyle and more or less 'go with the flow' when I am not at home.  I now have few x-rays or scans or skin checks.  When you are already Stage 3, I consider skin checks kind of a waste of time (sorry if that offends anyone), as I found my own primary and know darn well that I would never let another one go as far as that one did.  Another primary is pretty unusual anyway and I know the first 2 years that is all I thought about.  Now the only thing I worry about is sub-q's, and I have many many lumps under the skin on the lower part of my cancer arm as I call it.  I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes last spring and a strange thing is I can't get enough blood out of those fingers on my left hand to do my blood glucose checks, so my poor four fingers on my right hand are getting worn out ;-).  Again I have had to change my diet and again it has been for the better. In a way I'm lucky to be on my own.

Life is good, God is good, best wishes to both of you.

Susan M – Stage 3

Hi Pepper,you have a great attitude and I think will have a lot to do with your husband's outcome.  I was diagnosed Stage 3 in 2002 and had a complete lymph node dissection in my left axilla, and no interferon.  At that time it was the only option for Stage 3 and I don't think that has really changed in the past 8 years.  Back then my oncologist tried to convince me to do the interferon but also told me that my chances were slim to survive more than a few years (even with the interferon).  I figured that if I might only have a few years left (I was 58 and divorced) I sure wanted them to be good years.  I have never regretted my decision and have made the most of my life since 2002. I thank God when I wake up every day, each one is a blessing.  By 2004 I had all my legal details finished up and since then have taken 5 cruises and travelled as much as I can afford.  I adore my kids and my grandchildren and any time I watch TV or movies I try to make sure they are comedies.  Laughter is so important. 

I also changed my diet immediately.  I would have preferred to go vegan but I am allergic to soy and had no idea how I would get enough protein, so I eliminated red meat first.  For me that was the easiest. I eat organic chicken and wild salmon a lot, and have taken various supplements over the years. Vitamins D, C, calcium, zinc, and many others. I eat as much organic food as I can afford and have eliminated white flour and white sugar from my diet. If I can't get fresh fruit and vegetables, I buy organic frozen and make lots of protein shakes.  I am not rigid about any part of my diet or lifestyle and more or less 'go with the flow' when I am not at home.  I now have few x-rays or scans or skin checks.  When you are already Stage 3, I consider skin checks kind of a waste of time (sorry if that offends anyone), as I found my own primary and know darn well that I would never let another one go as far as that one did.  Another primary is pretty unusual anyway and I know the first 2 years that is all I thought about.  Now the only thing I worry about is sub-q's, and I have many many lumps under the skin on the lower part of my cancer arm as I call it.  I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes last spring and a strange thing is I can't get enough blood out of those fingers on my left hand to do my blood glucose checks, so my poor four fingers on my right hand are getting worn out ;-).  Again I have had to change my diet and again it has been for the better. In a way I'm lucky to be on my own.

Life is good, God is good, best wishes to both of you.

Susan M – Stage 3