The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Content within the patient forum is user-generated and has not been reviewed by medical professionals. Other sections of the Melanoma Research Foundation website include information that has been reviewed by medical professionals as appropriate. All medical decisions should be made in consultation with your doctor or other qualified medical professional.

Re: Do People Survive This?

Forums Cutaneous Melanoma Community Do People Survive This? Re: Do People Survive This?

    Sharyn
    Participant

      Hi Monica,

      My mel started in my leg too, but from an unknown primary. The first metastatic lesion I found was on my upper back calf. I was Stage IIIB at diagnosis, and advanced to Stage IV in March 2009. I've had mets to my uterus (had hysterectomy), breast (had mastectomy), lung (it's still there), brain (had whole brain radiation and stereotactic radiation surgery), about 25 excisions from my leg, an Isolated Limb Perfusion in my leg, did 2 clinical trials in PA (PV-10 and OncoVEX), and I am about to start another clinical trial in Montreal in a few weeks from now. I know that sounds like a lot of treatment, but I'm none the worse for wear. I still look like the picture of health, feel fine, and am living a full life. I've far outlived my original prognosis of 3 yrs, and of 6 mos once I developed brain mets almost a year ago. This doesn't have to be a death sentence. I prefer to think of it as a chronic disease. I search relentlessly for treatments and trials,I keep up to date on new research, I stay positive, I eat well, take supplements, and ignore statistics. And I plan on being here for a long time to come. My point is that you have the power to take control of your own destiny by learning about this disease, know what to expect and what to look for, use this board as your source for information, ask questions, etc. You can read my profile, just search my name. Feel free to email me anytime.

      Hugs

      Sharyn

      Stage IV

    About the MRF Patient Forum

    The MRF Patient Forum is the oldest and largest online community of people affected by melanoma. It is designed to provide peer support and information to caregivers, patients, family and friends. There is no better place to discuss different parts of your journey with this cancer and find the friends and support resources to make that journey more bearable.

    The information on the forum is open and accessible to everyone. To add a new topic or to post a reply, you must be a registered user. Please note that you will be able to post both topics and replies anonymously even though you are logged in. All posts must abide by MRF posting policies.

    Popular Topics