Pilots with Malignant Melanoma Cancer
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Pilots with Malignant Melanoma Cancer
I have been diagnosed with StageIII MM.
Was wondering if there have been any pilots beat this thing and live, or even better yet get back flying??
Thanks for your replies,
Capt. Melasuckanoma
Was wondering if there have been any pilots beat this thing and live, or even better yet get back flying??
Thanks for your replies,
Capt. Melasuckanoma
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Yes etops787, I know 1 pilot who had a Stage III MM about 30 years ago. He had major surgery, a close thing, fully recovered, and is still flying today.
His name's Bob (his anonymity is pretty safe with such a common name), he's a Pprooner, and hopefully he'll come aboard with some good info.
Hang in there ETOPS, it CAN be beaten
Regards,
Old Smokey
His name's Bob (his anonymity is pretty safe with such a common name), he's a Pprooner, and hopefully he'll come aboard with some good info.
Hang in there ETOPS, it CAN be beaten
Regards,
Old Smokey
Hi Old Smokey,
As this is an important issue, I was wondering if you could contact Bob please and ask him to contribute to this very important topic. By the way I enjoy your posts!
etops787,
I wish you all the best and please remember as Old Smokey says, it can be beaten and is beaten!
Best regards.
VH-MLE
As this is an important issue, I was wondering if you could contact Bob please and ask him to contribute to this very important topic. By the way I enjoy your posts!
etops787,
I wish you all the best and please remember as Old Smokey says, it can be beaten and is beaten!
Best regards.
VH-MLE
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etops787,
I was hoping that Bob, wherever he may be might have responded. Perhaps he doesn't read this forum. I will give the utmost attention to track him down.
Hang in there,
Old Smokey
I was hoping that Bob, wherever he may be might have responded. Perhaps he doesn't read this forum. I will give the utmost attention to track him down.
Hang in there,
Old Smokey
Plastic PPRuNer
Out of curiousity
Do you mean that your melanoma has been staged at Clark level III or have you been diagnosed as having Stage 3 disease?
Quite a difference......
Do you mean that your melanoma has been staged at Clark level III or have you been diagnosed as having Stage 3 disease?
Quite a difference......
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For those of you who may be wondering...I am doing fine. Have been diagnosed MM stage IIIb. Swollen Lymph Node in groin removed. Just had a CT scan and revealed several swollen nodes in same area and two larger ones behind abdomen. Doing the PET scan in 3 weeks. If MM is found in the abdomen then the Ocologist said it will put me at stage IV. The Dermatologist was not able to find the Primary. They want to do the surgery very soon and then a year of Interferon. I do have age working on my side and I am otherwise pretty healthy.
It has been a life changing wake up! I hope anyone who reads this realizes just how awful Melanoma is. It is very aggressive and tricky. If caught at the early stages is very treatable. The numbers are not in my favor given my situation.
Please be aware this can greatly be avoided by avoiding sun burning, and by monitoring moles on your body...bottom line, get checked out yearly by a Dermatologist!
I am greatful for any of your prayers or good thoughts.
Dan
It has been a life changing wake up! I hope anyone who reads this realizes just how awful Melanoma is. It is very aggressive and tricky. If caught at the early stages is very treatable. The numbers are not in my favor given my situation.
Please be aware this can greatly be avoided by avoiding sun burning, and by monitoring moles on your body...bottom line, get checked out yearly by a Dermatologist!
I am greatful for any of your prayers or good thoughts.
Dan
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etops
hey etops, keep the faith man!
Just heard from an ex-collegue that he recovered totally, after surgery!
i surtainly will have very good thoughts for you and will pray!
Greeting from Holland, and have a good xmas and a healthy 2006.
D.
Just heard from an ex-collegue that he recovered totally, after surgery!
i surtainly will have very good thoughts for you and will pray!
Greeting from Holland, and have a good xmas and a healthy 2006.
D.
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etops787,
Regrettably, I have not been able to contact my ex-colleague, despite extensive search. He's a very private (and now healthy) person, and my enquiries will go on.
His was a success story, and, as appears to be the case with you, a close thing. He was not able to notice the Primary either, due to it's position on his back, and by the time that others had noticed it was well advanced.
As he's medically unqualified, I doubt that he'd be able to give any assistance beyond moral support in any case, but never forget that even at his and your rather advanced stage, it CAN be eliminated forever.
My search goes on, and, in the meantime, the very best of wishes to you.
Regards,
Old Smokey
Regrettably, I have not been able to contact my ex-colleague, despite extensive search. He's a very private (and now healthy) person, and my enquiries will go on.
His was a success story, and, as appears to be the case with you, a close thing. He was not able to notice the Primary either, due to it's position on his back, and by the time that others had noticed it was well advanced.
As he's medically unqualified, I doubt that he'd be able to give any assistance beyond moral support in any case, but never forget that even at his and your rather advanced stage, it CAN be eliminated forever.
My search goes on, and, in the meantime, the very best of wishes to you.
Regards,
Old Smokey
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I am sorry to read about your trouble. I am sure that you have done untold research about this. If you are interested there is a good resource here. They are an excellent organisation and I am sure that they will answer any questions that you may have.
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Re: Pilots with Malignant Melanoma Cancer
Etops I understand what you are going through right now.
I was diagnosed with Lymphoma (non-hodgkins) last July and finished treatment in October, Ive been given the all clear, I feel great and now my biggest battle of my life is to fight the CAA for my medical back.
I know Lymphoma is very different to Melanoma but I was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer, unfortunately the CAA believe all stage 4 cancers are nasty and would rather wait for 2 years for the cancer to return in case of 'slight incapacitation'. I hoping to be back flying very soon, every doctor Ive spoken to says Im fit to fly and any incapacitation is very unlikey to ever happen.
Keep you spirits up Etops, its a long road to the end but you will get there
I was diagnosed with Lymphoma (non-hodgkins) last July and finished treatment in October, Ive been given the all clear, I feel great and now my biggest battle of my life is to fight the CAA for my medical back.
I know Lymphoma is very different to Melanoma but I was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer, unfortunately the CAA believe all stage 4 cancers are nasty and would rather wait for 2 years for the cancer to return in case of 'slight incapacitation'. I hoping to be back flying very soon, every doctor Ive spoken to says Im fit to fly and any incapacitation is very unlikey to ever happen.
Keep you spirits up Etops, its a long road to the end but you will get there
Hi etops787,
A few weeks has elapsed since the last post on your very important battle and I was wondering how you are progressing and how your PET scan went? Hopefully it went very well (along with your ongoing treatment).
I, along with all PPruners I'm sure, are on your side as you battle this (beatable) disease.
Good luck and my thoughts and prayers are with you.
VH-MLE
A few weeks has elapsed since the last post on your very important battle and I was wondering how you are progressing and how your PET scan went? Hopefully it went very well (along with your ongoing treatment).
I, along with all PPruners I'm sure, are on your side as you battle this (beatable) disease.
Good luck and my thoughts and prayers are with you.
VH-MLE
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Originally Posted by etops787
I have been diagnosed with StageIII MM. Was wondering if there have been any pilots beat this thing and live, or even better yet get back flying?? Thanks for your replies,
Capt. Melasuckanoma
Capt. Melasuckanoma
While this certainly isn't the best news you could ever receive, there is absolutely no reason you can't beat it, and even come back stronger.
(Just look at Lance Armstrong - he wasn't given a hope and look at him now)!
My wife has cancer (though not melanoma) at stage 4, which was first diagnosed ten days before Xmas 2002 and I am so glad to tell you that she is still very much alive. While she will always be considered as a stage 4 patient, there is now NO trace of cancer to be found at present and she is back doing all the things she used to do, and more besides!
Back at the time of her diagnosis, all the doctors who came across her case were horrified firstly at how quickly and aggressively the cancer had grown, and secondly, how young she was.
But she is just one of many who are living proof that diagnosis, prognosis and even some bloody tragically shabby odds don't count for **** when you are pig-headedly determined to fight!
I don't want to sound like a condescending and know-all prick as I haven't experienced cancer myself, and yes, I know it sounds like a terrible cliche, but from my wife's experience, if you follow the mantra of staying positive (you wouldn't be human if you're not ALL the time - it happens), ignoring the odds and being pure bloody-minded, you'll be right!
And given that you are young, fit and healthy, that's all good.
If there's one bit of advice my wife would offer immediately, it's NEVER discount any ways of being healed, even the 'new-age' stuff, like Reiki for positive energy for instance. You may well be skeptical (like I was, but have since changed my viewpoint), but try to keep an open mind about anything that could achieve positive results. If you're unsure, take your partner or a friend along to take part in a Reiki session too - it might help you feel a little less silly!
Of course, I must add here that ingesting different medicines without your oncologists approval is NOT a good idea!
And... if there is any good news that comes from being diagnosed with cancer, it's that you appreciate EVERYTHING in your life a million times more than before. My wife certainly does, and that goes for me too!
If ever you need any advice, feel free to PM me, and my wife or myself will be more than happy to offer any assistance we can.
All the very best Dan, and please keep us posted mate.
- Matt.
PS. Also make use of ALL the resources out there that you can.
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I hope this is not too much of a thread hijack. A friend of ours found out he had a form of cancer in the autumn. In an effort to learn more, I spent some time googling, and came across the national bone marrow register here in the US. I decided to put my name down - if I can be of any help, allowing for my potential as a CJD carrier (we can't donate blood or plasma here), then I'm more than happy to do so. Its very easy, a quick pinprick and onto the register you go. Many folk I've spoken to have responded with fear at the perception that the actual donation is very painful. I think thats why we have painkillers, and if my bone marrow can help someone else, then take whatever you need. In the area where we live, the population is around 250,000 - give or take a few thousand; they have 4000 donors signed up and used 9 of them last year.
What I (and many other folk) have done won't directly help our friend or Capt. Melasuckanoma but it may help someone who is suffering from cancer.
All the best, Capt. Melasuckanoma
What I (and many other folk) have done won't directly help our friend or Capt. Melasuckanoma but it may help someone who is suffering from cancer.
All the best, Capt. Melasuckanoma
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Hey etops787, My mother has exactly the same as you, just diagonosed earlier on in 2005. Had the melanoma removed then one lymph node and then all of them. Followed then by the pet scan it was decided to go on interferon but that only lasted a month as in the time it took for them to get the ball rolling with interferon one or 2 more growths had appeared on the leg.
So she was taken of the interferon which might I add was not a very pleasant experience to live with as it does take its toll on you. It has been now decided after a month off radiation treatment on effected area to go on radium tablets I think there called for another 6months. It has been an awkward battle in the way that just when you think your over it theres another hurdle. But none the less the point of my post after much writing is to say that it now seems the worst of it is over with, and it can be beaten.
My mother isnt out of the woods yet but as your situation is similiar maybe this will give you an idea of whats ahead, and May I wish you all the best.
So she was taken of the interferon which might I add was not a very pleasant experience to live with as it does take its toll on you. It has been now decided after a month off radiation treatment on effected area to go on radium tablets I think there called for another 6months. It has been an awkward battle in the way that just when you think your over it theres another hurdle. But none the less the point of my post after much writing is to say that it now seems the worst of it is over with, and it can be beaten.
My mother isnt out of the woods yet but as your situation is similiar maybe this will give you an idea of whats ahead, and May I wish you all the best.
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Melonoma
I hope this helps.
My wife was diagnosed with a malignant melonoma in 1988, had surgery to remove same from her left knee. It spread. She had several surgical procedures, she has now been in remission (ie no return of the diease noted) since her last operation in 1998. She is healthy, happy and suffers no depression nor major physical handicaps as a result.
You can beat it - all the best to you - think positive and hopefully the prayers of all will be with you.
My wife was diagnosed with a malignant melonoma in 1988, had surgery to remove same from her left knee. It spread. She had several surgical procedures, she has now been in remission (ie no return of the diease noted) since her last operation in 1998. She is healthy, happy and suffers no depression nor major physical handicaps as a result.
You can beat it - all the best to you - think positive and hopefully the prayers of all will be with you.
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PET/CT scan results
I really appreciate the info and kind wishes in all your postings! You might have an idea just how far those nice gestures and kind words do actually go. Thanks!
The scans show more spreading in the groin, however "They say" it has not spread to any main organs. That is really good news because I have been suffering from Ocular migraines for over a year and was fearing the worst. Positive Brain mets would be a tuff one to beat.
Soon will be hearing a second oppinion and trial treatment options. Not planning on doing the Interfiron. I am still holding the course of Alternative treatment, and diet/lifestlye change. Lord willing, I will beat this!
For those of you who have Melanoma cancer in your life, a must for info and help is MPIP.org. The forum there is amazing.
Everyone fly safe, and get those moles checked!
The scans show more spreading in the groin, however "They say" it has not spread to any main organs. That is really good news because I have been suffering from Ocular migraines for over a year and was fearing the worst. Positive Brain mets would be a tuff one to beat.
Soon will be hearing a second oppinion and trial treatment options. Not planning on doing the Interfiron. I am still holding the course of Alternative treatment, and diet/lifestlye change. Lord willing, I will beat this!
For those of you who have Melanoma cancer in your life, a must for info and help is MPIP.org. The forum there is amazing.
Everyone fly safe, and get those moles checked!
