Just diagnosed Stage III

I was in your shoes 3 years ago.  I had the lymph nodes removed and had no other positive nodes.  I did a year of interferon.  There are many people who don't do interferon, but I did.  Good luck with whatever you decide to do with surgery and treatment (or no treatment).  This is a terrible time of year to get this news I remember well.  If you want to email me feel free.

Amy S. in Michigan

I was in your shoes 3 years ago.  I had the lymph nodes removed and had no other positive nodes.  I did a year of interferon.  There are many people who don't do interferon, but I did.  Good luck with whatever you decide to do with surgery and treatment (or no treatment).  This is a terrible time of year to get this news I remember well.  If you want to email me feel free.

Amy S. in Michigan

I was in your shoes 3 years ago.  I had the lymph nodes removed and had no other positive nodes.  I did a year of interferon.  There are many people who don't do interferon, but I did.  Good luck with whatever you decide to do with surgery and treatment (or no treatment).  This is a terrible time of year to get this news I remember well.  If you want to email me feel free.

Amy S. in Michigan

This is a terrible time for you I am sure.  There are many of us who have been in your position.  I know it is difficult not to look at the statistics, I think that's one of the first things I did.  But I have come to realize that there is no reason to consider youself a statistic.  If the melanoma has only gone as far as they have found it so far, then please do not consider your "future shorter than expected".  There are many of use, myself included, that are at the same stage and live our lives fully. 

We are here for you.  The Complete Lymph Node Removal while not pleasant is not a horrible surgery.  You will need help with your young ones while you have drain tubes in but other than that you should do fine.  The options are not a lot if you are stage 3a.  The opinions on this board can sometimes be very strong about interferon.  It boils down to a very personal decision.  I chose to wait and watch.  20 months NED!

Good Luck,

Mary

Stage 3a

This is a terrible time for you I am sure.  There are many of us who have been in your position.  I know it is difficult not to look at the statistics, I think that's one of the first things I did.  But I have come to realize that there is no reason to consider youself a statistic.  If the melanoma has only gone as far as they have found it so far, then please do not consider your "future shorter than expected".  There are many of use, myself included, that are at the same stage and live our lives fully. 

We are here for you.  The Complete Lymph Node Removal while not pleasant is not a horrible surgery.  You will need help with your young ones while you have drain tubes in but other than that you should do fine.  The options are not a lot if you are stage 3a.  The opinions on this board can sometimes be very strong about interferon.  It boils down to a very personal decision.  I chose to wait and watch.  20 months NED!

Good Luck,

Mary

Stage 3a

This is a terrible time for you I am sure.  There are many of us who have been in your position.  I know it is difficult not to look at the statistics, I think that's one of the first things I did.  But I have come to realize that there is no reason to consider youself a statistic.  If the melanoma has only gone as far as they have found it so far, then please do not consider your "future shorter than expected".  There are many of use, myself included, that are at the same stage and live our lives fully. 

We are here for you.  The Complete Lymph Node Removal while not pleasant is not a horrible surgery.  You will need help with your young ones while you have drain tubes in but other than that you should do fine.  The options are not a lot if you are stage 3a.  The opinions on this board can sometimes be very strong about interferon.  It boils down to a very personal decision.  I chose to wait and watch.  20 months NED!

Good Luck,

Mary

Stage 3a

Hi,

My husband will be 36 in a few weeks, and is coming up on 10 years NED from stage iiia if everything looks good at his February oncology appointment.  His primary was on the tricep area of his arm and was 1.3mm.  Microscopic deposits were found in a SLN, and he had all the nodes removed a few weeks later.  He chose to "watch and wait," as it was the early days for interferon and his oncologist did not push it (though it was offered).  I don't know what is standard now, but have seen lots of people on this board try different things at stage iii.  

He has regular monitoring – PET/CT scans and bloodwork every 3 months for 1 year, then every 6 months for the next 2 years, then bloodwork every 6 months and CT scan every year.  He changed doctors from a general oncologist to a melanoma specialist at around year 6 and that doctor preferred CT to PET/CT – interestingly, more things DID show up on the CT scan, which was quite frightening but turned out to be nothing.  Starting at year 10, he will have no more scans – just an annual chest xray and bloodwork twice a year.  He sees a dermatologist twice a year too.

Best to you in making the tough decisions in the near future, and I expect to read posts from you in 10 years giving hope to those newly diagnosed at stage iii…

Wendy 

Hi,

My husband will be 36 in a few weeks, and is coming up on 10 years NED from stage iiia if everything looks good at his February oncology appointment.  His primary was on the tricep area of his arm and was 1.3mm.  Microscopic deposits were found in a SLN, and he had all the nodes removed a few weeks later.  He chose to "watch and wait," as it was the early days for interferon and his oncologist did not push it (though it was offered).  I don't know what is standard now, but have seen lots of people on this board try different things at stage iii.  

He has regular monitoring – PET/CT scans and bloodwork every 3 months for 1 year, then every 6 months for the next 2 years, then bloodwork every 6 months and CT scan every year.  He changed doctors from a general oncologist to a melanoma specialist at around year 6 and that doctor preferred CT to PET/CT – interestingly, more things DID show up on the CT scan, which was quite frightening but turned out to be nothing.  Starting at year 10, he will have no more scans – just an annual chest xray and bloodwork twice a year.  He sees a dermatologist twice a year too.

Best to you in making the tough decisions in the near future, and I expect to read posts from you in 10 years giving hope to those newly diagnosed at stage iii…

Wendy 

Hi,

My husband will be 36 in a few weeks, and is coming up on 10 years NED from stage iiia if everything looks good at his February oncology appointment.  His primary was on the tricep area of his arm and was 1.3mm.  Microscopic deposits were found in a SLN, and he had all the nodes removed a few weeks later.  He chose to "watch and wait," as it was the early days for interferon and his oncologist did not push it (though it was offered).  I don't know what is standard now, but have seen lots of people on this board try different things at stage iii.  

He has regular monitoring – PET/CT scans and bloodwork every 3 months for 1 year, then every 6 months for the next 2 years, then bloodwork every 6 months and CT scan every year.  He changed doctors from a general oncologist to a melanoma specialist at around year 6 and that doctor preferred CT to PET/CT – interestingly, more things DID show up on the CT scan, which was quite frightening but turned out to be nothing.  Starting at year 10, he will have no more scans – just an annual chest xray and bloodwork twice a year.  He sees a dermatologist twice a year too.

Best to you in making the tough decisions in the near future, and I expect to read posts from you in 10 years giving hope to those newly diagnosed at stage iii…

Wendy 

Keep positive.  Find out all you can.  Take good care of yourself and most important of all, live your life.

My son, a high level athlete, was diagnosed wtih Stage IIIa at 17 years old (2005) shortly after being invited to live and train at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.  He still went there after his surgeries and he trained there while undergoing interferon treatment.  He completed the entire year.  This certainly was a set back for him, but he continued to live his life and work toward his dreams of representing the USA in the olympics one day.  He came back to qualify fior the Olympic Trials in 2008.  He did not make the team, but he was satisfied with his accomplishments.  He took a break to pursue another dream.  He is now ina top tier law school and will graduate next year.  He did have one recurrence last year (one subcutaneous nodule), but otherwise is doing great.  My son is an inspiration to me to move on and life your life desipite the obstacles.  He has a video emphasizing prevention at http://www.kylesstory.com.

Don't let mel change your dreams.

Best of luck to you and happy holidays

Greg – Kyles dad.

Keep positive.  Find out all you can.  Take good care of yourself and most important of all, live your life.

My son, a high level athlete, was diagnosed wtih Stage IIIa at 17 years old (2005) shortly after being invited to live and train at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.  He still went there after his surgeries and he trained there while undergoing interferon treatment.  He completed the entire year.  This certainly was a set back for him, but he continued to live his life and work toward his dreams of representing the USA in the olympics one day.  He came back to qualify fior the Olympic Trials in 2008.  He did not make the team, but he was satisfied with his accomplishments.  He took a break to pursue another dream.  He is now ina top tier law school and will graduate next year.  He did have one recurrence last year (one subcutaneous nodule), but otherwise is doing great.  My son is an inspiration to me to move on and life your life desipite the obstacles.  He has a video emphasizing prevention at http://www.kylesstory.com.

Don't let mel change your dreams.

Best of luck to you and happy holidays

Greg – Kyles dad.

Keep positive.  Find out all you can.  Take good care of yourself and most important of all, live your life.

My son, a high level athlete, was diagnosed wtih Stage IIIa at 17 years old (2005) shortly after being invited to live and train at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.  He still went there after his surgeries and he trained there while undergoing interferon treatment.  He completed the entire year.  This certainly was a set back for him, but he continued to live his life and work toward his dreams of representing the USA in the olympics one day.  He came back to qualify fior the Olympic Trials in 2008.  He did not make the team, but he was satisfied with his accomplishments.  He took a break to pursue another dream.  He is now ina top tier law school and will graduate next year.  He did have one recurrence last year (one subcutaneous nodule), but otherwise is doing great.  My son is an inspiration to me to move on and life your life desipite the obstacles.  He has a video emphasizing prevention at http://www.kylesstory.com.

Don't let mel change your dreams.

Best of luck to you and happy holidays

Greg – Kyles dad.

Hi,

I'm sorry you had to join this forum, but here you will be surrounded by loving, caring, dedicated people who have so much knowledge and experiences to share with you to help you along the journey. They've helped me so much over the past 3 years!   Don't panic…you're young and healthy…these are positives for fighting this beast.

One thing I wanted to mention – be careful and research any treatment/trial you are considering.  Sometimes, they can exclude you from future treatments.

Best of luck with your surgery, and please keep us posted!

Tricia

Hi,

I'm sorry you had to join this forum, but here you will be surrounded by loving, caring, dedicated people who have so much knowledge and experiences to share with you to help you along the journey. They've helped me so much over the past 3 years!   Don't panic…you're young and healthy…these are positives for fighting this beast.

One thing I wanted to mention – be careful and research any treatment/trial you are considering.  Sometimes, they can exclude you from future treatments.

Best of luck with your surgery, and please keep us posted!

Tricia

Hi,

I'm sorry you had to join this forum, but here you will be surrounded by loving, caring, dedicated people who have so much knowledge and experiences to share with you to help you along the journey. They've helped me so much over the past 3 years!   Don't panic…you're young and healthy…these are positives for fighting this beast.

One thing I wanted to mention – be careful and research any treatment/trial you are considering.  Sometimes, they can exclude you from future treatments.

Best of luck with your surgery, and please keep us posted!

Tricia

I was diagnosed stage III a year and a half ago.  I completed about 10 1/2 months interferon and so far NED.  I posted a lot of info about my experiences with it.  Knowledge is the best medicine.  Everyone is different and treatments are a very personal decision.  Best of luck to you and welcome!

I was diagnosed stage III a year and a half ago.  I completed about 10 1/2 months interferon and so far NED.  I posted a lot of info about my experiences with it.  Knowledge is the best medicine.  Everyone is different and treatments are a very personal decision.  Best of luck to you and welcome!

I was diagnosed stage III a year and a half ago.  I completed about 10 1/2 months interferon and so far NED.  I posted a lot of info about my experiences with it.  Knowledge is the best medicine.  Everyone is different and treatments are a very personal decision.  Best of luck to you and welcome!

You are welcome to  look at my profile.  Never been NED since diagnosis. Been stage IV since at least Feb 2007.  Was told by a general oncologist to expect to be gone around summer 2007.  Still enjoying life and just had my first greatgrandchild arrive.  Yes, this is a scary disease (actually it amounts to many scary diseases.) but while one needs to learn and be very self aware, one should not become paranoid, but become very vigilant.  If one gets too paranoid, melanoma has already won.  Live life and learn.  Make each day count.

You are welcome to  look at my profile.  Never been NED since diagnosis. Been stage IV since at least Feb 2007.  Was told by a general oncologist to expect to be gone around summer 2007.  Still enjoying life and just had my first greatgrandchild arrive.  Yes, this is a scary disease (actually it amounts to many scary diseases.) but while one needs to learn and be very self aware, one should not become paranoid, but become very vigilant.  If one gets too paranoid, melanoma has already won.  Live life and learn.  Make each day count.

You are welcome to  look at my profile.  Never been NED since diagnosis. Been stage IV since at least Feb 2007.  Was told by a general oncologist to expect to be gone around summer 2007.  Still enjoying life and just had my first greatgrandchild arrive.  Yes, this is a scary disease (actually it amounts to many scary diseases.) but while one needs to learn and be very self aware, one should not become paranoid, but become very vigilant.  If one gets too paranoid, melanoma has already won.  Live life and learn.  Make each day count.

I'm a fairly recent 3A patient myself.  Diagnosis and surgery this past July.  I've heard many, many stories since joining this board of people who live very long lives after a stage 3 diagnosis.  There's no way to know of course…and that's the hard part.  I am currently in my 4th month of interferon treatment, and for me, it's really not so bad.

It's also important that you find yourself a melanoma specialist, not just a medical oncologist.  Hang in there.

Donna M.

I'm a fairly recent 3A patient myself.  Diagnosis and surgery this past July.  I've heard many, many stories since joining this board of people who live very long lives after a stage 3 diagnosis.  There's no way to know of course…and that's the hard part.  I am currently in my 4th month of interferon treatment, and for me, it's really not so bad.

It's also important that you find yourself a melanoma specialist, not just a medical oncologist.  Hang in there.

Donna M.

I'm a fairly recent 3A patient myself.  Diagnosis and surgery this past July.  I've heard many, many stories since joining this board of people who live very long lives after a stage 3 diagnosis.  There's no way to know of course…and that's the hard part.  I am currently in my 4th month of interferon treatment, and for me, it's really not so bad.

It's also important that you find yourself a melanoma specialist, not just a medical oncologist.  Hang in there.

Donna M.

You cannot have the mindset that your future has been cut short. You have to remain positive! So much of your body relies on your mindset. I really struggled with this after have a mole removed from my arm in Feb 2011 that everyone told me was probably just granulation or something simple…..nothing to be worried about they said. Well it was something to be worried about. I had the WLE and have been doing Interferon since May. I really stuggled with "Will this be my last Christmas?" and more but I find that when my mindset is more positive, that I feel better and and easier to be around. I have three children. I am 35. I want more then anything to see my babies grow up and start lives of their own. We could die in car accident tomorrow,  we have to live life to its fullest!! Everyday!  I will keep you in my prayers.

You cannot have the mindset that your future has been cut short. You have to remain positive! So much of your body relies on your mindset. I really struggled with this after have a mole removed from my arm in Feb 2011 that everyone told me was probably just granulation or something simple…..nothing to be worried about they said. Well it was something to be worried about. I had the WLE and have been doing Interferon since May. I really stuggled with "Will this be my last Christmas?" and more but I find that when my mindset is more positive, that I feel better and and easier to be around. I have three children. I am 35. I want more then anything to see my babies grow up and start lives of their own. We could die in car accident tomorrow,  we have to live life to its fullest!! Everyday!  I will keep you in my prayers.

You cannot have the mindset that your future has been cut short. You have to remain positive! So much of your body relies on your mindset. I really struggled with this after have a mole removed from my arm in Feb 2011 that everyone told me was probably just granulation or something simple…..nothing to be worried about they said. Well it was something to be worried about. I had the WLE and have been doing Interferon since May. I really stuggled with "Will this be my last Christmas?" and more but I find that when my mindset is more positive, that I feel better and and easier to be around. I have three children. I am 35. I want more then anything to see my babies grow up and start lives of their own. We could die in car accident tomorrow,  we have to live life to its fullest!! Everyday!  I will keep you in my prayers.

My mom was dx in 1998 and she is still here, so don't give up.  Each person is different.  Only God knows, no one else not even the doctors. 

HUGS!!

My mom was dx in 1998 and she is still here, so don't give up.  Each person is different.  Only God knows, no one else not even the doctors. 

HUGS!!

My mom was dx in 1998 and she is still here, so don't give up.  Each person is different.  Only God knows, no one else not even the doctors. 

HUGS!!