Do you have skin? Read this story (our local newspaper)

Do you have skin? Read this story  

Maybe I don't need to write anything.  The article speaks for itself.  I could say..."If you have any questions...please give us a call or send an email.  We'd love to hear from you."  which would be fine.  Bobby has such a huge message to send, and he has learned so much from the progression of this disease.  I shouldn't say he, because definitely WE have learned so much.

In the next few days, we'll be watching for the June issue of CURE Magazine.  They did a good bit of work with Bobby on an article so I hope it turns into something nice.

I want to get this posted and hope to write more and post some pictures today...later.
Love to all

Pictures from our trip to Miami

Hopefully, this will post a slide show of pictures from our Bristol-Myers Squibb trip to Miami.  More to follow...

On Stage today

Bobby and I are getting ready for the practice of his on-stage speaking part today.  He will speak today at 3 to the sales team from Bristol-Myers Squibb.  Bobby will tell his story so that the sales reps can have someone to remember when they are out there presenting Yervoy to oncologists across the country.

I think it is going to be a very emotional morning.  As we chat about the things on his list, the emotions are simmering.  I'll take notes so I can bring back his experience and share it with everyone.

I'm so blessed to be holding on to Bobby's arm as he walks in...I'm blessed to be here but Bobby has so many of you right here with him...he will share his story about all the people in his life that are so important to him.  He's our hero!

In Miami

*This is the first post from my new cellphone. We will see how it goes...
Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) contacted Bobby after seeing his article in the Melanoma Research Foundation's newsletter and invited him to come to Miami for the launch of Yervoy, the miracle drug which was recently approved to treat metastatic melanoma. Bobby was asked to speak to BMS's sales team from a patient's perspective after treatment with Yervoy.  The prognosis for Stage IV melanoma is currently poor, but with new drugs like ipilimumab, we hope to see that change. Yervoy was approved on March 25.
Bobby and I flew to Miami on Saturday and checked in at the Miami Doral Resort...
Bristol-Myers wanted Bobby here for Tuesday and Wednesday.  We decided to add a few days to the trip and flew down Saturday.  We have had a wonderful time so far and have met many amazing people.  I have lots of pictures to post and will have much more to say :)  We are currently driving over to the west coast of FL to meet Grandy (Donna's mother) for lunch.

(I will post this so I don't lose all of it) Love to all

January 2011

I never finished this post so I guess I never posted it.  It is from January, 2011.  I'll go ahead and post it "as is" and I'll move on-it is now the end of March.
Bobby and I are getting ready for our next trip to Charlotte. We still go every 12 weeks for a dose of Ipi and scans. The stress level increases - from code yellow to code orange until his scans are over.

Bobby is weaving his way through his complicated obstacle course for getting back to work. He has worked hard to get his police powers reinstated, be reissued his duty weapon and a police car. Getting these things back was much easier than it was to get them initially. I can only imagine how he must feel and I'm sure he never expected that he would be where he is today. The emotional roller coaster has steep curves and quite a few hair-pin turns. It definitely makes you feel a pit in the middle of your stomach...

Back from Charlotte

We got back from Charlotte late tonight.  The weather on the way home was kind of a little bit nasty!  When my mother said that we should have left at 6 a.m. and I didn't listen...I'll admit she was right.  We did get up early (for us) at 0800 and enjoyed a great breakfast at the Hilton Garden Inn in Charlotte (our routine).  Bobby did a terrific job driving us home.  I'm sure he has a few (more) gray hairs on his head.  Yes, he has a few hairs and some of them are gray.


Anyway, the trip went well.  I'll blog more about the details and the plan for the next few months.  It is just getting late tonight and Bobby and I both have to work in the morning.  I'll finish up tomorrow.

What you want to hear is:  There are no changes on the CT scans.  The plan is to continue Ipilimumab and move forward.  Bobby is tolerating the drug and the melanoma ISN'T!!!  That is the simple answer to our prayers( & yours).  We thank all of you for all of the support and the faith that you showed from the beginning that we WOULD get to this point.  We have and we will...thanks to you!

Goodnight for now. We hope everyone is safe in their homes and getting ready to snuggle down in a warm bed.  We love you all.  For those of you who are Melanoma Warriors---hang in there, Bobby is proof that some treatments CAN and DO work.  I know it is difficult but each day that passes is another day that may show us a cure, a treatment, the answers...to heal EVERY patient with melanoma. 

Goodnight,
Bobby (who is still plowing) and Donna
Even after driving all day, and being so tired, he is still trying to help others by moving snow from their driveways...that is Bobby!