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Greeting to all

Forums General Melanoma Community Greeting to all

  • Post
    Donald
    Participant
      I just signed up and had reservations about doing this. Last November I was diagnosed with stage 4 melanoma cancer, brain, lungs and liver. I’m 66 years old and I wonder why I’m not worried about it. I’m not sure if I’m in denial or not. I have no symptoms at all. Everything seems normal so I guess maybe it hasn’t sunk in yet or not. I went through radiation for three treatments and currently going through immunotherapy once a month for two years. My question is, is this normal?
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        Bubbles
        Participant
          Sorry you had to join this club, Donald – but welcome. This forum is filled with many smart and caring melanoma peeps.

          How folks respond to a melanoma diagnosis varies greatly! Some folks with a tiny local lesion go off the deep end, while others face a Stage IV diagnosis stoically. I think (obviously!!) how we respond depends on personality, place in life (whether you have $$$ to get treatment, kids and others who depend on you, etc), and whether effective treatments for melanoma EXIST!!!!!!

          However, you SHOULD have hope!!!! I was diagnosed with Stage IIIB melanoma at age 39 with a 10 and 12 year old and NO effective treatments available. (Some of the current effective melanoma treatments were first approved in 2011.) As such, I advanced to Stage IV with brain and lung mets in 2010. I had surgery to my lung, SRS to the brain and joined a Phase 1 trial for Nivolumab (Opdivo) as a single agent. Last dose in 2013. And…I’m still here – still NED for melanoma with no further treatment. So, yes. You have every reason to hope that you will do well.

          Take good care. Ask more questions as you have the need. I wish you my best. celeste

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      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.

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