I was diagnosed with melanoma one year ago. My chronically suppressed immune system was the most likely cause. Five years of ongoing chemotherapy will do that to a guy. And the Florida sun probably had something to do with it, too.
My oncologist suggested I see a dermatologist about several suspicious looking spots on my head, back and shoulders. Those all turned-out to be OK. But a small, innocent looking brown spot on my left ear wasn’t.
Do you remember any of these posts from last year?
Myeloma or Melanoma? Part One
Myeloma or Melanoma? Part Two
Melanoma or Myeloma? What does Vincent van Gogh have to do with it?
Why should I be surprised: My melanoma damaged ear will need to be surgically repaired
Medical Update: Melanoma Surgery Details
Why do I look like a mummy? Must be melanoma surgery day…
Medical Update: Myeloma and melanoma bonus coverage!
Whew! I was lucky. Melanoma is one of leading causes of cancer death in this country. But mine was caught early.
Now the secondary cancer–that’s an entirely different issue.
Fortunately like myeloma, there are a number of new drugs that are helping to postpone the inevitable.
Here is a link to a post I wrote about that today on HelpWithCancer.org:
New drug combination extends remission in patients with advanced melanoma
The article I site features melanoma research done at Moffitt Cancer Center, where I see my myeloma specialist.
Melanoma/myeloma. It can get confusing! Developing either one isn’t fun. But I’m still around, writing, taking care of the pool–I’m my wife’s “cabana boy”–and living life best I can.
And I plan to be doing the same next year. And the year after that…
Feel good and keep smiling! Pat
October 31st, 2012 at 12:13 am
Intending that you are doing just that, Pat… I don’t know if you heard that Lonnie J. Nesseler, after 14 years and being recently (within the past six months) told he was MM-free, died on the 28th of October in San Diego, CA. His new chimera body was having a huge challenge in trying to keep electrolytes balanced and I suppose it was too much after all he had been through – http://nesseler-medical.blogspot.com – for those who want to read his insightful and thought-provoking blog about various challenges he endured with a remarkable sense of humor. I will miss him.
October 31st, 2012 at 8:41 am
So nice to hear from you, Sandy! Hopefully someone from Lonnie’s family will post some information about his life and death. I would like to do a column about him. I think our bodies eventually start to give-out and wear-down. That’s the flaw with the “chronic cure” approach. Myeloma may not kill us, but the drugs we take to slow it down do…