It’s official….stage four

I am so sorry for this news you have received & for the physical ( and emotional) distress brought about. Change in our lives can happen so quickly that it leaves our heads spinning for a bit. I am glad that you already have a plan going forward. I have not had radiation for mel, but did take Zelboraf for abt 8 months last year. It was beneficial in a very big way for me, and as you read on here, also for many others. People react differently as far as side effects go, though there are a couple of things that seem to be pretty universal. One big one is the photosensitivity it can cause. People vary in their degrees of sensitivity – I could not be in sunlight for more than abt 2 minutes without getting very burned ( and I am naturally somewhat olive complected). So, we purchased a parasol and wide brimmed hats and sunscreen. There is also sun-protective UV rated clothing available.I always had something on hand to shield myself from the sun when riding in the car, too.

When you start on it, let us all know how you are doing, and people can probably address specific side effects with things that helped them.

Zelboraf can make a difference almost overnight sometimes, it seems. Wishing you the very best of responses and some quick relief & improvement!

Again, I am just so sorry this is what you are having to deal with right now. But, take heart… some of us have been stage four for YEARS, and are doing well. Take heart…

Tina

I am so sorry for this news you have received & for the physical ( and emotional) distress brought about. Change in our lives can happen so quickly that it leaves our heads spinning for a bit. I am glad that you already have a plan going forward. I have not had radiation for mel, but did take Zelboraf for abt 8 months last year. It was beneficial in a very big way for me, and as you read on here, also for many others. People react differently as far as side effects go, though there are a couple of things that seem to be pretty universal. One big one is the photosensitivity it can cause. People vary in their degrees of sensitivity – I could not be in sunlight for more than abt 2 minutes without getting very burned ( and I am naturally somewhat olive complected). So, we purchased a parasol and wide brimmed hats and sunscreen. There is also sun-protective UV rated clothing available.I always had something on hand to shield myself from the sun when riding in the car, too.

When you start on it, let us all know how you are doing, and people can probably address specific side effects with things that helped them.

Zelboraf can make a difference almost overnight sometimes, it seems. Wishing you the very best of responses and some quick relief & improvement!

Again, I am just so sorry this is what you are having to deal with right now. But, take heart… some of us have been stage four for YEARS, and are doing well. Take heart…

Tina

I am so sorry for this news you have received & for the physical ( and emotional) distress brought about. Change in our lives can happen so quickly that it leaves our heads spinning for a bit. I am glad that you already have a plan going forward. I have not had radiation for mel, but did take Zelboraf for abt 8 months last year. It was beneficial in a very big way for me, and as you read on here, also for many others. People react differently as far as side effects go, though there are a couple of things that seem to be pretty universal. One big one is the photosensitivity it can cause. People vary in their degrees of sensitivity – I could not be in sunlight for more than abt 2 minutes without getting very burned ( and I am naturally somewhat olive complected). So, we purchased a parasol and wide brimmed hats and sunscreen. There is also sun-protective UV rated clothing available.I always had something on hand to shield myself from the sun when riding in the car, too.

When you start on it, let us all know how you are doing, and people can probably address specific side effects with things that helped them.

Zelboraf can make a difference almost overnight sometimes, it seems. Wishing you the very best of responses and some quick relief & improvement!

Again, I am just so sorry this is what you are having to deal with right now. But, take heart… some of us have been stage four for YEARS, and are doing well. Take heart…

Tina

Amy

Amy

Amy

My best wishes for a speedy response to treatment!  I hear Zelboraf works really quickly to reduce tumor load.  My father has many bone mets and is getting targeted radiation to the largest on his spine.  The radiation has very few side effects; mostly fatigue and a little surface redness.  He is BRAF- so is also getting Yervoy.  His oncologist also recently started him on pamidronate infusions once per month to strengthen his bones and reduce the risk of breaks, since the bones are weakened from the mets.  

My best wishes for a speedy response to treatment!  I hear Zelboraf works really quickly to reduce tumor load.  My father has many bone mets and is getting targeted radiation to the largest on his spine.  The radiation has very few side effects; mostly fatigue and a little surface redness.  He is BRAF- so is also getting Yervoy.  His oncologist also recently started him on pamidronate infusions once per month to strengthen his bones and reduce the risk of breaks, since the bones are weakened from the mets.  

My best wishes for a speedy response to treatment!  I hear Zelboraf works really quickly to reduce tumor load.  My father has many bone mets and is getting targeted radiation to the largest on his spine.  The radiation has very few side effects; mostly fatigue and a little surface redness.  He is BRAF- so is also getting Yervoy.  His oncologist also recently started him on pamidronate infusions once per month to strengthen his bones and reduce the risk of breaks, since the bones are weakened from the mets.