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Re: I could REALLY use some advice/encouragement
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Re: I could REALLY use some advice/encouragement

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › I could REALLY use some advice/encouragement › Re: I could REALLY use some advice/encouragement

    • August 17, 2010 at 12:49 am
    washoegal
    Participant

      I guess you are going to hear both side of the stories here.  I too am 3a, I chose the watch and wait approach.  I had a 3MM tumor on my waist, 2 microscopic amounts in 2 sentinel lymph nodes, I had all the other nodes removed under my arm – all clear.  I was offered interferon or watch and wait.  I was told I did not have enough cancer to qualify for any trials. 

      My reasoning is as follows:  According to my Onc. Interferon would only increase my survival rate 5-10% and by the way those that did benefit from interferon did not live any longer than those that received no benefit.  (I did find the study that showed this on the net).  It's a year long protocol, with some nasty side effects, so I chose to live my life for that year.

      Sorry I can't tell you if this was a good decision or not, my first set of scans post-surgery are in September.  Do what's right for you, just stay on top on you scans and be aware of changes in your body.  That, I think, is the best advice.

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