5th surgery in a year, head melanoma

I'm sorry I can't respond to your upcoming surgery and radiation except to say I hope it goes well and I know that feeling of things spiraling down and not being able to breathe.  One day at a tim e is so cliche, but what else can you do.  I'm sure others will let you know what to expect. Thinking of you.

Terra

I'm sorry I can't respond to your upcoming surgery and radiation except to say I hope it goes well and I know that feeling of things spiraling down and not being able to breathe.  One day at a tim e is so cliche, but what else can you do.  I'm sure others will let you know what to expect. Thinking of you.

Terra

Hi TracyLee,

I haven't had a scapl resection, but I have had a craniotomy and brain radiation, both whole brain and SRS targeted. If you're worried about pain from the radiation, then don't! Radiation has to be the easiest, most relaxing treatment there is. Granted, the thought of what they're doing is scary, but seriously, you just lie down on the bed, they line up the rays, and shoot for however many seconds or minutes your dose is. You do nothing, you feel nothing, then you leave and go home, or back to work, or shopping — whatever you want to do. Actually, it's probably a good thing that they're radiating, just to give those stobborn mel cells an extra kick in the pants.  So rather than worry, try to be thankful for the treatment you are getting, and focus on how well you'll feel when it's all over. Try to stay positive. :>)

Hugs

Sharyn, Stage IV

Hi TracyLee,

I haven't had a scapl resection, but I have had a craniotomy and brain radiation, both whole brain and SRS targeted. If you're worried about pain from the radiation, then don't! Radiation has to be the easiest, most relaxing treatment there is. Granted, the thought of what they're doing is scary, but seriously, you just lie down on the bed, they line up the rays, and shoot for however many seconds or minutes your dose is. You do nothing, you feel nothing, then you leave and go home, or back to work, or shopping — whatever you want to do. Actually, it's probably a good thing that they're radiating, just to give those stobborn mel cells an extra kick in the pants.  So rather than worry, try to be thankful for the treatment you are getting, and focus on how well you'll feel when it's all over. Try to stay positive. :>)

Hugs

Sharyn, Stage IV

Hi TracyLee – I'm so very sorry you are going through so much! I've only had gamma knife and as was already said, it was incredibly easy with a little fatigue as the only side effect. I'm heading in for surgery too this month and I know the anticipation can be so hard to deal with. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Carmon in NM Stabe 3b 9/2008, Stage 4 6/2010 brain and adrenal mets

Hi TracyLee – I'm so very sorry you are going through so much! I've only had gamma knife and as was already said, it was incredibly easy with a little fatigue as the only side effect. I'm heading in for surgery too this month and I know the anticipation can be so hard to deal with. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Carmon in NM Stabe 3b 9/2008, Stage 4 6/2010 brain and adrenal mets

Hi TracyLee,

I can't speak to the medical part either. Just want to let you know I'm holding you in prayer.  I'm stage 3b but mine was in upper left arm & sentinel node under that arm.  Nothing as major as yours.

Lord, in Your mercy, hold TracyLee through this time. Ease her fears and enable her to breathe. Speak Your peace to her heart and soul. Let her feel Your presence and help her take comfort in knowing that You can handle this even if and when she can't. She is not alone. May Your rod and Your staff comfort her, still her, and change her gloom to hope. Thank you, God. Amen.

Hi TracyLee,

I can't speak to the medical part either. Just want to let you know I'm holding you in prayer.  I'm stage 3b but mine was in upper left arm & sentinel node under that arm.  Nothing as major as yours.

Lord, in Your mercy, hold TracyLee through this time. Ease her fears and enable her to breathe. Speak Your peace to her heart and soul. Let her feel Your presence and help her take comfort in knowing that You can handle this even if and when she can't. She is not alone. May Your rod and Your staff comfort her, still her, and change her gloom to hope. Thank you, God. Amen.

I had a brain tumor in 2006, but did not have surgery until 2007, I was just too darn weak from two previous surgeries and INF therapy. 

The tumor was about the size of a quarter and the surgery was somewhat successful, a little was left behind because it was attached to a major vessel so if it comes back i'm told the next step is radiation, which I can tell you I will not do.

Best of luck

I had a brain tumor in 2006, but did not have surgery until 2007, I was just too darn weak from two previous surgeries and INF therapy. 

The tumor was about the size of a quarter and the surgery was somewhat successful, a little was left behind because it was attached to a major vessel so if it comes back i'm told the next step is radiation, which I can tell you I will not do.

Best of luck

Hi TracyLee,  I too have scalp melanoma. Diagnosed December 2009 and 2 recurrances since. My skin graft was removed and a "flap" was done March 4th. Huge incision all over my scalp. I am starting radiation tomorrow to hopefully kill the remaining cells in that  area.

While I certainly won't tell you not to worry about the melanoma, you shouldn't worry too much about the radiation. The hair follicles are killed by radiation and you will be permanantly bald in that area. About half of my head will be bald in a few weeks. But better than dead.

The side effects include a sunburn (mine will be 2nd degree) and some fatigue. It will be inconvenient going to the cancer center for 1/2 hour, every day, five days a week for several weeks (mine is 6 weeks). Fighting cancer can be a full time job.

You do have to wear a horrible "mask" with which you can't see or speak during the radiation and I really hate that. But, once again, better than dead.

I was concerned about bone and brain damage from the radiation but the technology is able to arc the radiation over your scalp so it doesn't hit the bone and brain so much.

I have had surgery, biochemo and now radiation. I expect radiation to be by far the easiest of the three.

Nicki, Stage 3b

Hi TracyLee,  I too have scalp melanoma. Diagnosed December 2009 and 2 recurrances since. My skin graft was removed and a "flap" was done March 4th. Huge incision all over my scalp. I am starting radiation tomorrow to hopefully kill the remaining cells in that  area.

While I certainly won't tell you not to worry about the melanoma, you shouldn't worry too much about the radiation. The hair follicles are killed by radiation and you will be permanantly bald in that area. About half of my head will be bald in a few weeks. But better than dead.

The side effects include a sunburn (mine will be 2nd degree) and some fatigue. It will be inconvenient going to the cancer center for 1/2 hour, every day, five days a week for several weeks (mine is 6 weeks). Fighting cancer can be a full time job.

You do have to wear a horrible "mask" with which you can't see or speak during the radiation and I really hate that. But, once again, better than dead.

I was concerned about bone and brain damage from the radiation but the technology is able to arc the radiation over your scalp so it doesn't hit the bone and brain so much.

I have had surgery, biochemo and now radiation. I expect radiation to be by far the easiest of the three.

Nicki, Stage 3b