Good news from me
Update on my response to treatment
I’m reporting on my own story with help from ChatGPT
. I’m 81 years old and I’ve been living with stage IV melanoma that spread to my lungs. For the past two years, I’ve been on nivolumab (an immunotherapy drug), and I’ve stayed stable so far. That’s already a positive sign.
Here’s what I found out:
· In the past, people with advanced melanoma often lived only a few months.
· Now, with treatments like nivolumab, many people do much better. About 40–45% are alive at 5 years, and some stay cancer-free for 10 years or more.
· Being 81 doesn’t hurt my chances with melanoma itself, as long as I’m active and otherwise healthy. The treatment seems to work as well in older people as in younger ones.
· If I stay cancer-free or stable for 3 years, research says my chance of living 10+ years without melanoma could be over 90%.
The main challenge at my age isn’t the cancer treatment—it’s the other health issues that can come with being older. But for the melanoma itself, my outlook is way better than the old stats.
I have a life worth living and happy to be able to share my good news with you .
WOW Stanley. This is great news, and so glad you shared it. It is heartening to know that cancer treatment has advanced this far. It doesn’t surprise me that you are responding so well. Your spirit has gotten you through challenges all your life. May you continue to be in the upper reaches of the statistics and enjoy many more years in good health. “Biscal 120”!
With love and gratitude,
Linda
Dear Stanley,
That is WONDERFUL news !! And considering your deep understanding of the medical issues involved; your healthy lifestyle; your fierce determination to overcome this disease; and all the good karma you have generated in your life, I look forward to celebrating your 90th birthday1
Lots of love
Ken, Raysa, and Marcelo
Thanks for sharing this really good news!
All the best, Sue
That’s terrific news! So pleased to hear it.
Stanley… That is really good news… After not hearing from you for so long, this is a burst of sunshine and hope! May you have many days ahead to enjoy your music, memories, family, memoirs, and anything else you wish….
Fantastic Stanley! Hope you are enjoying making music and having fun when you can, Best wishes, James and Judy
I’ve been thinking about you and am so glad to hear this update! Jim and I send our love. Daphne
This is wonderful news, Stanley !! I think of you so often, and I know that you’re receiving the “cash Karma” benefits of all the wonderful strength you gave to so many patients over so many years …. myself included, of course. Your help and support in the early days of my MS diagnosis still resonate with me 30+ years later, and I can still hear your voice giving me the good advice I still try to live by. THANKS so much, and all my best wishes always. –Genevieve Jones
Wonderful news – thanks so much for sharing!
Great news Stanley. I’ll try think of your attitude when I get discouraged. Happy music!
Thanks for keeping us in the loop. I’ve been wondering how you were doing, so very glad to hear this news. All my best.
Hi Stan, We think of you often and are so glad to hear this great news. Sending you much love. Jan and Tom
Stanley, so good to hear your high spirits. Hoping you have a medical team with even a tenth of the wisdom, expertise and Talmudic grace that you gave all of us! Sending love from me, Jim and Alex
Excellent. We’re all delighted to hear your progress in particular and medical science’s in general. Are you ready to go back to work yet?
This is very good news. May you continue to make beautiful music for many years!
This is very positive news Dr. Stanley. I hope that you can play some music these days.
Keep on rockin’.
Great news Stanley. Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers. Thanks for giving us these updates. Love Stephen and Patricia Capuccio
This is such heartening news. I think of you often and am thankful for your presence in my life and the lives of mom and dad. Our journeys would have been less without you there. The daily challenges can be daunting, but as others have said you have karma and knowledge and the love of such a community around you. All my love always, Mallory
Wonderful News! Keep on Moving Forward !
To the jazziest physician around
zay gezunt
It’s nice to know you are still alive and kickin – or I should say playing.
Ralph Chadis
Stanley, this is such good and welcome news. I was listening to some of Phil’s recorded discs this past week and have been thinking of you. I am so happy to learn of your good outcomes. To many strong days ahead!
Hi Stanley,
So happy to hear your good news and hope that everything in your life continues to go well for you in every way for many more years to come. So glad that medicine advances gave you the chance to choose a future filled with happy days ahead. The wisdom of others in the field to which you dedicated your professional life had this vision for you that will serve to benefit millions in the days to come! This is a huge victory on the path towards conquering the scourge of cancer. Thanks for keeping me in the loop.
It’s great news for you Stan, and for everyone who’s able to have this treatment.
Sending love
thanks Barry
Thanks for sharing that truly wonderful and uplifting news, Stan. You are an inspiration in so many ways. Please keep the music flowing.
Love and Jazz,
PHB
Thanks for sharing that truly wonderful and uplifting news. You are an inspiration in so many ways. Please keep the music flowing.
Love and Jazz,
PHB
Excellent news, Stanley. Thank you for keeping us posted on your journey. The best of wishes from the Blackborow/Daniels clan!
I am so happy to hear this great news!
Dearest Dr. Sagov. This is the BEST news and another chapter in your amazing life. I can’t tell you how often I think of you and how much you taught me about my own physical and mental health, and truly, life in general. I will be forever grateful to you. May you continue to experience positive outcomes from your treatment and to enjoy your life, as you said, is well worth living! Love, Barbara Roache
Dear Stan,
I think of you often and have been wondering how you’re doing. I am so happy to hear this news and am thankful for your odds. You must be approaching the 3 year mark? Sending you love and wishes for continued happiness!
Fabulous news… In these challenging times, especially for those who are facing older age, hearing ‘good medical news’ from a dear friend is inspiring and up lifting. Good karma has found its way back to you for all the many years of medical care and healing you offered so many of us. This along with the amazing advances of scientific medical knowledge you shared have given you, and us, a renewed panorama for life ahead. Much metta.