Melanoma Warriors Page 2
We have endured eight tumor incision removal procedures
in seven months. The first tumor that lead to the diagnosis
was in my right leg. The second were two rumors removed
from my left shoulder. Then a MOHS procedure done on
two tumors on my face, just under my right eye. Then
other tumors removed on my right jaw, left forearm and
several off my back. I have five tattoo’s and now joke
about having zippers tattooed over all my battle scars.
Our passion is riding our Harley Davidson motorcycles.
We live in Anchorage Alaska and the riding is spectacular
to say the least. The 2003 ride season was a hard one
for us because my surgeries were done from April to
December. I rode on a few trips with lots of stitches
and refused to let it slow me down. I am blessed with
a wonderful doctor here in Anchorage. His name is Dr.
Peter Ehrnstrum of the Alaska Center of Dermatology.
Peter started removing moles from me sometime in 1996.
It’s funny even after having close to 40 removed I still
have enough to share with everyone I know. Peter has
us on a every four months maintenance check up program.
Summer
2004 has been a beautiful summer. We’ve done over 8400
miles on the Harley’s and I have lived and loved every
mile. Riding with our group for me is a spiritual thing.
The riders in front and in back of you rely on your
riding skills, they don’t know I’m sick, and for me
it’s the only time I don’t feel sick. I’m just like
everyone else ridin’ along the beautiful scenic highways
of Alaska. My father died at a very young 49 years old. I was only 25 and he was my hero,
my best friend, mentor and everything that was important in life. So when I was
diagnosed my instant reaction was to think I would die young too. Fortunately, Marc
doesn’t believe the same. It has been with his undying love and support that we have
been able to live and love each day. Our favorite expression is "grow old with me...the
very best is yet to be." And that is how we live each day. I want to be still be around for
my girls, Dani who is 20 and Jaye who is 17 for a long, long time. So we take each day as the gift it was intended to be and be grateful for it. Life is too short to sweat the little things. This is just a bump in the road on the journey of life. I
started
Interferon
treatment
in mid-August
of that
year.
In October,
I came
down with
cellulitis,
an infection
near the
site of
my incision.
I was
in the
hospital
for 3
days.
Later
that month,
the cellulitis
returned
and I
spent
an additional
6 days
in the
hospital.
The interferon
treatments
went pretty
smoothly
until
I discovered
a series
of blue
dots around
my incision
site in
February
2004.
After
my doctor
took a
biopsy,
it was
determined
that the
blue dots
were metastatic
melanoma
lesions.
Thus,
the interferon
was not
doing
its job
and my
doctor
told me
to discontinue
the treatment.
A PET
scan and
a brain
MRI determined
that there
were no
cancer
growths
in any
major
organs
of my
body.
I had
surgery
on April
27th to
remove
the spots
and I
am now
recovering.
Once I
am fully
healed,
I will
start
at least
one month
of radiation,
5 days
a week.
Hopefully,
the radiation
will kill
any melanoma
cancer
cells
that may
be in
my body. I
am maintaining
an active
lifestyle
and a
very positive
outlook.
The support
of my
family,
friends
and co-workers
have been
invaluable.
I want
to raise
awareness
of melanoma
and the
dangers
of going
in the
sun without
the proper
protection.
Frequent
checkups
from a
dermatologist
are also
important
in the
early
detection
of melanoma.
If
you would
like to
talk over
email,
please
drop me
a line
at jaws5977@yahoo.com.
I like
to talk
to people
through
email
or instant
messenger
so don't
be afraid
to drop
a line.
Take
Care..
Keep your
spirits
up.. You
can beat
cancer
one day
at a time.
We
love you
"Silly
Jilly"!~ Thanks
so much
for this
wonderful
website.
I refer
it to
everyone
I know.
I speak
out whenever
I suspect
a mole
-- even
to strangers.
It saved
my life,
I can
only hope
I do the
same for
someone
else by
speaking
up. My
biggest
hope is
that people
get educated
about
this cancer
and soon!
Don't
be as
dumb as
I was.
They
were wrong.
In November
2002 at
29 years
old, while
living
in Tanzania
with my
amazing
husband
Mike,
a CT scan
showed
a lesion
at the
base of
my right
temporal
lobe.
I was
subsequently
flown
home to
the States
and one
week later,
I was
there
for the
birth
of my
nephew
Ethan
(in the
picture).
One week
after
that,
the tumor
was removed.
I have
since
been through
radiation
and I
am still
on chemotherapy
to beat
this disease. I
work hard
each day
to stay
positive
because
I think
that might
help me
win in
my battle.
My husband
can't
be with
me now
because
he has
to continue
teaching
back in
Tanzania.
Even though
we are
apart,
his support
has been
more than
I could
have ever
imagined.
I will
return
to Tanzania
soon to
be with
him and
the rest
of my
family
at The
International
School
of Tanganyika
but I
will never
give up
this fight.
Thank
you all
for your
unending
support. His
battle
with melanoma
started
almost
13 years
ago when
a mole
was removed
from his
chest.
He was
told that
it had
not spread,
and we
were thrilled.
By the
time he
felt his
lymph
nodes
swelling
in his
underarms
one year
ago, the
cancer
had already
spread
to his
organs.
We
were devastated
with the
diagnosis.
After
the initial
shock
and sadness,
we went
to work
to find
the best
way to
fight
this battle.
Several
weeks
later,
we began
treatment
at MD
Anderson
Cancer
Center
in Houston,
a decision
which
we believe
has saved
my father's
life.
A
few things
that my
family
would
like anyone
battling
melanoma
or anyone
who loves
a melanoma
warrior
to know.....1)
Research
and find
the best
treatment
available.
You may
have to
delay
beginning
treatment
for a
couple
of weeks
following
diagnosis,
but that
decision
and your
careful
research
may save
your life.
2) If
you've
had ANY
melanoma
removed,
make sure
that your
doctor
knows
about
the latest
research
and monitors
your condition
carefully.
Lymph
nodes
should
always
be carefully
monitored
for the
spread
of the
disease,
even if
they believe
they removed
the cancer
completely
from your
skin.
3) Don't
ever,
ever give
up. During
our time
at MD
Anderson,
we met
so many
amazing
people
who had
once been
told that
there
was no
HOPE.
Years
later
and alive-and-well,
they prove
that there
is always
HOPE.
As Lance
Armstrong
wrote
to my
father
when we
met him,
"FIGHT
LIKE HELL."
My
dad has
always
been the
smartest,
kindest,
and most
amazing
man I
have ever
known....and
now, he's
a melanoma
warrior!
I'm
Danielle
a 32 yr
old married
mother
of 3 diagnosed
with Stage
III Malignant
Melanoma
w/ spread
to 1 lymph
node.
I was
diagnosed
in March
of 2000.
I have
underwent
2 major
surgeries
& 9 months
of Interferon
therapy.
I was
down to
89 lbs
before
they stopped
my treatment
3 months
early.
I'm on
my own
now, I
guess.
I have
modified
my diet--trying
to submerge
myself
in the
macrobiotic
diet &
taking
anti-oxidants
to boost
up my
immune
system
until
a cure
is found!
I welcome
any &
all emails!
I
don't
let Stage
III MM
keep me
from the
great
outdoors.
I am an
avid amateur
landscaper
(I putz
around
my yard,
in other
words),
golfer
(hacker
actually)
and am
a certified
soccer
dad to
Lindsay.
The SPF45
is always
applied
liberally.
I survive
with a
postiive
outlook,
faith,
and the
love of
my family.
If
you
would
like
to submit
a picture
for
inclusion
on our Melanoma
Warriors
Page
2
Page 1
I’m Tamara. I’m a young 43 year old mom who was diagnosed
with stage II melanoma in April 2003, just six months
after marrying this wonderful man in the photo with
me. Marc is my reason for living. I was divorced several
years ago and have been embroiled in a bitter custody
dispute for five years. If I had been diagnosed without
having Marc in my life, I would have just quit. We have
been the best of friends for many years and never envisioned
having a life together. Fortunately for us Fate had
other plans for our life’s journey.
Hi,
my name
is Jennifer
and I
am in
Northern
California.
In July
2003,
I discovered
a mole
towards
the back
of my
left leg.
I had
my dermatologist
take a
biopsy
and the
test came
back positive
for Stage
III Melanoma.
I had
surgery
in late
July 2003
to remove
the melanoma
and it
was determined
that the
cancer
had spread
to my
lymphnodes
in my
left groin.
The mole
itself
measured
a 5 on
the Clarks
scale.
Out of
the 17
lymphnodes
removed,
one was
positive
for melanoma.
I
was just
recently
looking
at this
web site..
It has
a lot
of good
information..
I was
glad that
I found
it. My
name is
Danielle.
I am a
21 year
old college
student
that goes
to West
Chester
University
in Pa.
I am a
Jr. working
on a degree
in Physical
and Health
Edu. But,
the real
reason
I am writing
is I am
looking
or hoping
to find
people
to talk
to people
with the
same issues
that I
am dealing
with.
I was
diagnosed
with Melanoma
in June
of 2003
and I
have been
through
BioChemothreapy
and I
will be
going
through
Chemotherapy.
I am still
going
to school
working
on my
degree.
Everyday
I wake
up knowing
that I
am doing
something
that I
love...
which
is going
to school..
I want
to teach
and teach
others
about
my illness
as well.
Dholmes1718@juno.com
Aol: Hockey17Dan
Danielle
:-)
This
is our angel
Jillian
Beach. Diagnosed
with melanoma
in Dec 2000
at age 11
years. She
completed
one year
of Interferon
and remained
NED until
June 2003.
Currently
stage IV
as of this
posting
she has
done one
round of
IL-2. Our
PatNet is
DebJill.
Jillian
is the youngest
of five
children
and no family
history
of melanoma.
Jillian
is an Honor
Roll student.
She is a
French immersion
student
from age
6. (Speaking
French fluently).
She plays
the flute
and had
been an
avid soccer
player until
the stage
IV diagnosis.
So many
other things
describe
Jillian
but the
melanoma
keeps creeping
to the top
of the list!
I
am Shauna
(Shauna
in Utah
on the MPIP
BB) I was
diagnosed
with MM
in April
2002 at
the age
of 40. I
sought medical
treatment
because
of a lump
I discovered
in my left
groin. Subsequentially
after ultrasound
and a biopsy
I was diagnosed
with stage
III MM.
In May 1998
I had a
mole removed
on the back
of my left
calf—it
was diagnosed
as atypical
spindle
cell nevus.
Presumably
the MM originated
somehow
from that
mole but
we will
never know
for sure.
I had a
left groin
lymphedectomy
in April
2002; shortly
after this
surgery
the surgical
incisions
(I also
had a benign
tumor removed
from the
flank area)
dehisced
(opened
up) and
I spent
time on
a wound
vac pump
to assist
in the healing.
On July
1, 2002,
I began
a year of
INF and
experienced
many of
the side
effects
associated
with that
therapy.
On July
2, 2003,
I concluded
one year
and all
164 doses
of INF.
In late
July I had
scans (MRI
& CT) and
at the moment
I am gratefully
NED. I may
be the one
who was
actually
diagnosed
and treated
for MM,
but in my
opinion
my family
and close
friends
who served
and assisted
me with
love, prayers,
patience,
generosity,
humor and
uncommon
vigilance
are also
warriors
in the fight
against
this insidious
of diseases.
I am grateful
for each
and every
day I have.
This
is my husband
and I (don't
be fooled
by the hair,
I'm actually
blond, blue-eyed)
I am 33
and was
diagnosed
in October
2000 with
Melanoma.
A friend's
mother told
me to get
it checked.
I still
waited another
month. The
friend asked
if I had
gotten an
appointment.
I hadn't.
I knew nothing
about this
cancer.
I thought
you couldn't
die from
skin cancer.
Silly me!
The second
request
concerned
me. I had
let a family
physician
cut out
the mole
in 1996
(it itched
an was an
ugly black
color),
he apparently
had no pathology
done and
I wasn't
concerned.
Within months
it had grown
back. So
here I was
in 2000,
luckily
with insurance
that didn't
require
a family
physician's
referral,
going to
my first
dermatology
appointment.
I had a
WLE, no
lymph node
involvement,
no chemo
or any other
drugs or
treatments.
Mine was
.45 mm (fairly
thin). Had
a scare
in 2002
and had
to get a
PET scan,
which was
clear. SO
FAR, SO
GOOD.
This
is Brian
Bailey.
He is now
13 years
old. He
was dx'd
in July
2001, when
he was 11
years old.
He did four
rounds of
biochemo
an a year
of interferon.
He is such
a brave
warrior
to go through
all this
at such
a young
age. He
is a great
kid who
likes to
hang out
with his
friends
and ride
his 4-wheeler.
He also
loves nature
and being
in the timber.
He shot
his first
deer with
a bow and
arrow at
age 10.
We are very,
very proud
of him.
My
name is
Dawn Carlson
and my
first
melanoma
appeared
in a small
mole when
I was
21. It
was removed
and a
WLE was
done and
all was
clear.
The doctors
monitored
me for
the next
few years
and after
5 years,
they told
me that
I would
be okay.
They told
me that
mm would
most likely
never
return...I
was safe.
This
is my
husband,
Mike,
and our
precious
daughter
Jan. Jan
is now
25 and
wasn't
supposed
to live
to be
3 years
of age.
She lived
at home
until
she was
17. She
has always
been a
daddy's
girl and
lights
us whenever
Mike talks
to her....something
he has
to do
over the
phone
now when
his white
counts
are down.
Jan now
resides
at a nursing
home about
3 miles
from us....she
has been
on Hospice
for a
year today....April
24, 2003...and
when she
went in
this nursing
home,
Mike was
not sick....so
here we
are today...and
Mike is
fighting
stage
IV...having
had brain
surgery
twice
and Gamma
Knife
twice!!!!
UNBELIEVABLE!!!
And Jan
is still
smiling
her beautiful
smile.
This
is a picture
of Pam
and Mike
a few
months
before
Mike was
diagnosed.
I
have MM
and am
on the
Interferon
treatments.
I was
diagnosed
back in
June of
2002.
The treatments
have been
tough
but I
am sticking
with it.
I am 21
and have
a daughter
who just
turned
1. If
anyone
wants
to read
my board
on patnet
my name
is laura
m or my
id # is
1033223355.
I
am Claire,
Meagan
is my
2 yr old
daughter.
She was
diagnosed
with MM
just 1
month
before
her second
birthday.
She has
had 3
surgeries
and is
now on
Interferon
for a
year.
The medicine
makes
her feel
bad, but
she doesn't
quite
have the
words
to tell
us when
she's
not feeling
well.
She tries
to stay
happy
and play,
because
she just
doesn't
know what
else to
do. She
has a
big brother
Matthew
who is
5 and
has a
hard time
with his
sister
being
sick.
When she
cries,
it upsets
him a
lot. Despite
all the
"pokes"
she still
manages
to keep
a smile
on her
sweet
face most
of the
time.
Her PATNET
is under
"Meagan"
so that
if anyone
wants
to stay
posted
about
her they
can read
all about
it.
Joe,
dx december
5 2002.
level4
mm on
back.
Will have
SNB and
WLE in
January
2003.
My dad,
Alan Mattison,
was diagnosed
with Stage
IV Melanoma
on January
14, 2002.
On that
day ten
months
ago, he
had tumors
in his
lymph
nodes,
his adrenal
gland,
and his
lung.
Today,
after
intense
biochemotherapy,
there
is NO
SIGN OF
CANCER
in his
PET scan!
I'm
Walter.
I'm 52.
In March,
I was
diagnosed
with a
10.5 millimeter
melanoma
on my
right
ear. I
don't
do anything
without
matters
getting
complicated,
though.
The doctor
ordered
CT scans
to check
for spread
of the
melanoma.
The scans
found
renal
cell cancer
on my
right
kidney.
The SNBs
were negative.
I lost
the lower
half of
the ear.
(The reconstructed
ear is
visible
in the
picture.)
For the
renal
cancer,
I had
a partial
nephrectomy.
It seems
like I
spent
a whole
month
being
sliced
and diced.
I've just
decided
against
adjuvant
treatment.
I'm high
risk for
recurrence
of the
melanoma,
but I
truly
believe
I have
come through
this and
will be
OK.
Hi,
my name
is Rod
Gourlay.
I am 52
years
old .
In April
2002 I
noticed
a small
bump on
the bottom
of my
left foot.
Although
I have
always
closely
monitored
my moles,
as I am
high risk,
I did
not know
that melanoma
could
or would
appear
on the
sole of
ones foot.
Big mistake
as I was
soon to
find out.
I was
diagnosed
in June
with Type
4a non
ulcerated
tumor
and staged
at 3.
Wide excision
showed
tumor
at 4.3mm.
Elected
to forgo
SNB as
it was
a given
that my
nodes
were compromised.
Decided
on alternative
treatment..
Embarked
on radical
dietary
change,
lots of
vitamins
and herbs,
some homeopathy
and energy
work.
Have not
ruled
out more
traditional
therapy
but wanted
to do
everything
I could
to boost
my immune
system.
Last week
discovered
enlarged
nodes
in my
groin
and am
waiting
for cat
scan to
decide
on next
course
of action.
I am so
thankful
to have
connected
with this
community.
My
name is
Barbara
Jean and
I was
diagnosed
in Dec
2001 with
stage
III MM
from a
mole in
the middle
of my
back.
I had
SNB done
in Jan
2002 and
mapping
showed
the tumor
to drain
under
both my
arms.
A total
of 27
LN's removed
from both
left and
right
axilla.
I am in
the Melanoma
Sunbelt
Trial
and was
randomized
for the
"just
surgery"
part of
the trial.
I'm the
mother
of 2 beautiful
daughters
and 2
handsome
sons,
I have
5 grandchildren
(a 4 year
old, two
2 yr old's
and two
that are
5 & 7
months
old!!)that
I adore.
I married
my best
friend,
David,
30 years
ago, he
is my
constant
companion
and my
shoulder
to cry
on. We
packed
up our
4 children
every
3 or 4
years
and moved
all over
the world
as we
served
for 20
years
in the
U.S.A.F.
I've had
a wonderful
first
47 years
of this
life and
am looking
forward
to another
47 if
God's
willing
and the
creek
don't
rise.
I covet
your prayers.
bj
God
Bless,
Danielle
46
year old
mom of
3. First
diagnosed
8 years
ago with
small
malignant
mole.
Large
tumor
removed
under
arm last
year...along
with 11
nodes;
1 positive.
Did Interferon
for a
month
and decided
against
the injections.
I take
flax seed
oil daily
with cottage
cheese
and prayer.
So far
NED. I
get inspiration
from many
on this
BB.
Thanks.
Kathy
P in FL
My
name is
Cindi
Alleman
and I
am a Stage
III, 51
year old
Melanoma
Warrior!
I was
diagnosed
in October,
1997 so
I am almost
at my
four year
mark!
What a
miracle
as I had
no known
primary
and had
60 lymph
nodes
removed;
30 from
left side
of my
neck,
30 from
my left
underarm.
Of those
60 lymph
nodes,
6 were
infected
with melanoma.
Had double
auxillary
node dissection
at the
same time,
5 massive
radiation
treatments
to three
sights,
30 days
of high
dose interferon,
and 11
months
of 3 self-injections
a week.
I am here
to tell
you even
with my
serious
case (80%
chance
of recurrence
in first
3 years)
you can
beat this
beast!
You can
contact
me at
any time
at cindi.alleman@xpsystems.com
for any
further
help I
can provide
you. Best
to all
in the
battle
against
this horrible
beast!
My
name is
Rhonda
and this
is my
husband
with me.
Primary
in 1989
on lower
back.
lung mets
in April
2001.
Clinical
trial
of IL2
and peptide
vaccine
didn't
work for
me. Still
checking
my options
so I can
return
to really
living.
God bless
you for
this BB.
Hi,
my name
is Debbie
S. Married
25 years.
This is
my husband
Joe, daughter
Jennifer
and son
Bryan.
Diagnosed
October
1999,
Stage
II
My
name is
Jennifer
and I
am 25
years
old. I
was diagnosed
in December
2000.
I have
undergone
the WLE
with SNB
and am
waiting
for my
results
now to
see if
there
is lymph
node involvement,
and stage.
jen92812@hotmail.com
Hi,
my name
is Kathy
and this
is my
son Tom.
I have
had three
stage
I melanomas
and about
30 atypical
moles
removed.
This has
been a
life time
battle
for me
against
the monster.
The fight
started
when I
was 31
and now
at 49
I am still
having
moles
taken
off every
6 months.
I have
had two
cousins
not win
the war,
but I
plan on
winning.
My son
has also
had several
atypicals
taken
off. So
I am sorry
to say
he also
is in
this battle.
I have
armed
him well
for the
fight.
We live
in Michigan
for 6
months
and.6
months
in Florida.
I am so
happy
to see
what you
all look
like.
It makes
this more
real for
me.
I'm
Frank
Landis.
(rfl on
the MPIP
BB). Here
I am with
my family
on a camping
trip in
the Appalachians,
fall of
1999.
I was
diagnosed
Stage
I in August
2000.
The primary
was on
the left
side of
my back.
It was
thin (0.5mm),
but I
chose
to proceed
with SNB/WLE
in September
2000.
NED so
far. Now
I wear
a wide
brim hat
and sunscreen
religiously.
MPIP
BB Nickname
Rick F.,
age 41,
married
16 yrs,
2 kids
- Nick,
age 9
and Lindsay,
age 6.
My
name is
Annette
Henderson.
I am the
caregiver
of my
husband,
Sam. He
finished
a year
of Interferon
Sept.
1, 2000.
Was diagnosed
of Metastic
Melanoma
in 7/99.
Primary
site was
never
found,
so the
stage
is unknown,
but is
probably
stage
III or
IV. We
live in
Colona,
IL. He
is a pastor
of a Free
Will Baptist
Church
here in
town,
I am a
CMA (certified
medical
assistant).
We have
four children
and 10
beautiful
grandchildren.
This picture
was taken
in 11/97
when we
renewed
our wedding
vows for
our 30th
anniversary.
Anyone
and everyone
is welcome
to write
to us
at Nettie1218@juno.com
My
name is
Rose-Ann
and was
diagnosed
at 32
years
old. I
went to
the dermatologist
for something
unrelated
to melanoma
then casually
mentioned
a mole
on my
stomach
that bled
and itched.
I was
later
diagnosed
with level
IV, don't
remember
the Breslow.
WLE, no
SNB, one
round
of chemo,
doctor
didn't
think
I'd make
it past
two months.
Refused
treatment
and opted
for quality
of life.
Mets were
found
in my
brain,
lungs,
liver,
uterus,
and diaphram.
I will
be celebrating
my 50th
birthday
on November
24th!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Boy did
I ever
get quality
of life!!!!!!!
I attribute
my healing
to a macrobiotic
diet,
lifestyle
changes
(greatly
reduced
stress
using
self-help
tapes,
spend
each day
as if
it's my
last by
laughing
and enjoying
my moments,
exercise,
and spiritual
(not religious)
fulfillment).
I am currently
NED. My
best to
all.
Melanoma
Warriors
page,
please
send
us an
email.
Visit
our
Memorial
Page