Finding a cure

robphillips79 · New User Joined: 15 Nov 2007 Posts: 1

As I write this my heart is heavy. My dad passed away to metastatic melanoma last Friday, November 9. I can't believe it's the year 2007 and there is this uncontrollable disease that so rapidly deteriorated the strongest person I've ever known. In mid-July, before I got married, my dad had a mole biopsied from his right shoulder. It came back positive for melanoma. A few weeks later they removed lymphnodes from his neck/shoulder area and found cancer was present. CT scans were clean. He was given a 50/50 chance of recurrence in the next five years. However, just seven weeks later in late September, he began having chest pains. He went to the hospital and the CT scans showed numerous lung nodules that turned out to be melanoma. It was devestating. The disease had spread so rapidly the doctors did little but scratch their heads. He was given an emergency treatment of decarbazine (chemo) which gave no help. In the matter of 4 months my dad went from being active and healthy to dying.

I've spent numerous hours researching melanoma throughout the ordeal and the scariest realization is that there are so few proven treatment options to help. I know that with my dad having had melanoma the risk of myself, as well as my sisters has significantly been increased. I want to do my part in helping raise awareness and money to find treatment options for those stricken by this horrendous disease. I would very much appreciate any references you have.

My dad was only 55 years old, very successful, a great husband to my mom for 36 years, a great dad to me and my sisters, and a wonderful grandpa. The grieving process is tough for all of us, but I want to do everything I can to turn this into a positive. Thank you.

brainman · Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2007 3:17 pm Post subject: Re: Finding a cure

I am so very sorry about your fathers death. My condolences. I can only imagine how devastated your family is. The cancer returned so quickly!

You and all of your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

sodapop · Posted: Sat Nov 17, 2007 11:21 pm Post subject: Re: Finding a cure

Rob, I'm so sorry to hear about this. It makes me really sad. It is amazing that they do not have a cure for this yet, but hopefully one day they will.

Take care and we are here to help you get through this anyway we can.

CYA,
_________________
Can miracles happen?

http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=7254

Sodapop--aka "the survivor"!

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