Melanoma in the Lungs

As far as I am concerned you cannot do better for a Center of Excellene than UCLA. Dr. Ribas is a melanoma expert & he has many of the newest Clinical trials.

Here is his contact info:

aribas@mednet.ucla.edu
310 206-3928

Dr. Ribas returns emails & calls. He really cares about the patient

As far as I am concerned you cannot do better for a Center of Excellene than UCLA. Dr. Ribas is a melanoma expert & he has many of the newest Clinical trials.

Here is his contact info:

aribas@mednet.ucla.edu
310 206-3928

Dr. Ribas returns emails & calls. He really cares about the patient

Another Melanoma expert/specialist is Steven O'day. He gas worked in melanoma research & melanoma clinical trials for years. He is a wonderful caring doctor.

Here is his contact info:

Beverly Hills Cancer Center

(800) TO-HEALTH

soday@bhcancercenter.com

Another Melanoma expert/specialist is Steven O'day. He gas worked in melanoma research & melanoma clinical trials for years. He is a wonderful caring doctor.

Here is his contact info:

Beverly Hills Cancer Center

(800) TO-HEALTH

soday@bhcancercenter.com

Another Melanoma expert/specialist is Steven O'day. He gas worked in melanoma research & melanoma clinical trials for years. He is a wonderful caring doctor.

Here is his contact info:

Beverly Hills Cancer Center

(800) TO-HEALTH

soday@bhcancercenter.com

As far as I am concerned you cannot do better for a Center of Excellene than UCLA. Dr. Ribas is a melanoma expert & he has many of the newest Clinical trials.

Here is his contact info:

aribas@mednet.ucla.edu
310 206-3928

Dr. Ribas returns emails & calls. He really cares about the patient

Good choice! Let us know how it goes.

Good choice! Let us know how it goes.

Good choice! Let us know how it goes.

Hi, Eric-

Oh my, yes! There are many, many long term survivors of Stage IV! Many years, sometimes many decades, even some young parents who posted here about dancing at their daughter's (or son's) wedding. And that's just people who underwent melanoma treatment in the "bad old days". Not enough years have passed yet for us to have real survival data from the newer treatments. 

I think it is very important for you and you wife to understand that there have been MAJOR breakthroughs in melanoma treatment in the last 4 or 5 years. And many other newer and even more effective treatments are entering clinical trials all the time. That means that most of the stastics you read about melanoma prognosis are OUT OF DATE. Survival and quality of life now is very different than it was 5 years ago. In terms of prognosis I, personally, don't pay much attention to anything written before 2010. And that goes for doctors, too. I have met several older, experienced doctors who can't seem to let go of the old, depressing statistics. Sometimes they can't let go of the old, ineffective treatments, either (like the doctor who wanted to do whole brain radiation for one tumor rather than the much less invasive Cyberknife treatment). 

So stop reading the old literature and old web sites. Look at the webinars on the Melanoma International Foundation website for what's happening now in melanoma. And search for and read Charlie S's post Re: Stage IV..Roll Call for the Undead Please here on the MPIP forum. You and your wife have a LOT of reason to be optimistic!

There are survivors.  You guys are at a hard part of this journey, waiting for appointments and deciding what to do.  As a young mom of 3 boys, I think I did better when I knew what the treatment plan was and could put all my energy into that plan.  I wanted to start the fight!!  Good luck to your little family!  You can do this!

There are survivors.  You guys are at a hard part of this journey, waiting for appointments and deciding what to do.  As a young mom of 3 boys, I think I did better when I knew what the treatment plan was and could put all my energy into that plan.  I wanted to start the fight!!  Good luck to your little family!  You can do this!

There are survivors.  You guys are at a hard part of this journey, waiting for appointments and deciding what to do.  As a young mom of 3 boys, I think I did better when I knew what the treatment plan was and could put all my energy into that plan.  I wanted to start the fight!!  Good luck to your little family!  You can do this!

Hi, Eric-

Oh my, yes! There are many, many long term survivors of Stage IV! Many years, sometimes many decades, even some young parents who posted here about dancing at their daughter's (or son's) wedding. And that's just people who underwent melanoma treatment in the "bad old days". Not enough years have passed yet for us to have real survival data from the newer treatments. 

I think it is very important for you and you wife to understand that there have been MAJOR breakthroughs in melanoma treatment in the last 4 or 5 years. And many other newer and even more effective treatments are entering clinical trials all the time. That means that most of the stastics you read about melanoma prognosis are OUT OF DATE. Survival and quality of life now is very different than it was 5 years ago. In terms of prognosis I, personally, don't pay much attention to anything written before 2010. And that goes for doctors, too. I have met several older, experienced doctors who can't seem to let go of the old, depressing statistics. Sometimes they can't let go of the old, ineffective treatments, either (like the doctor who wanted to do whole brain radiation for one tumor rather than the much less invasive Cyberknife treatment). 

So stop reading the old literature and old web sites. Look at the webinars on the Melanoma International Foundation website for what's happening now in melanoma. And search for and read Charlie S's post Re: Stage IV..Roll Call for the Undead Please here on the MPIP forum. You and your wife have a LOT of reason to be optimistic!

Hi, Eric-

Oh my, yes! There are many, many long term survivors of Stage IV! Many years, sometimes many decades, even some young parents who posted here about dancing at their daughter's (or son's) wedding. And that's just people who underwent melanoma treatment in the "bad old days". Not enough years have passed yet for us to have real survival data from the newer treatments. 

I think it is very important for you and you wife to understand that there have been MAJOR breakthroughs in melanoma treatment in the last 4 or 5 years. And many other newer and even more effective treatments are entering clinical trials all the time. That means that most of the stastics you read about melanoma prognosis are OUT OF DATE. Survival and quality of life now is very different than it was 5 years ago. In terms of prognosis I, personally, don't pay much attention to anything written before 2010. And that goes for doctors, too. I have met several older, experienced doctors who can't seem to let go of the old, depressing statistics. Sometimes they can't let go of the old, ineffective treatments, either (like the doctor who wanted to do whole brain radiation for one tumor rather than the much less invasive Cyberknife treatment). 

So stop reading the old literature and old web sites. Look at the webinars on the Melanoma International Foundation website for what's happening now in melanoma. And search for and read Charlie S's post Re: Stage IV..Roll Call for the Undead Please here on the MPIP forum. You and your wife have a LOT of reason to be optimistic!

I strongly appluad you for recognizing that you're going to need support. Good for you, Eric! One of the things I learned since my brother's diagnosis is that the stress doesn't come and go– it's pretty constant and even increases as you go through the process. If you're like me, when you stop worrying about medical  issues you start worrying about everything else in your life that you put off because of the medical issues. Eventually, I suppose, as your wife has several months of feeling well and having good scans you will be able to relax a little. But that's down the road a piece. And, frankly, I can't imagine how I would be able to maintain my patience with and enthusiasm toward 3 small children when I'm so busy with and worried about this medical crisis. So reaching out for help and support right now is very, very smart of you.

There is another forum on this site called the "Off Topic Forum"; some people use tha for caregiver-related posts. The Melanoma International Foundation web site also has a forum called "For Caregivers". Frankly, neither of these two forums is particularly active, but when you do get responses, they tend to be very, very helpful and supportive.

The best support I have gotten is from one or two good friends (only the closest–I don't want to overwhelm anyone else with my troubles) and from a grief counselor at my local hospice. She has a lot of experience with the financial, emotional, and interpersonal aspects of caregiving. She actually is a hospice employee but she accepts private clients, too. 

I strongly appluad you for recognizing that you're going to need support. Good for you, Eric! One of the things I learned since my brother's diagnosis is that the stress doesn't come and go– it's pretty constant and even increases as you go through the process. If you're like me, when you stop worrying about medical  issues you start worrying about everything else in your life that you put off because of the medical issues. Eventually, I suppose, as your wife has several months of feeling well and having good scans you will be able to relax a little. But that's down the road a piece. And, frankly, I can't imagine how I would be able to maintain my patience with and enthusiasm toward 3 small children when I'm so busy with and worried about this medical crisis. So reaching out for help and support right now is very, very smart of you.

There is another forum on this site called the "Off Topic Forum"; some people use tha for caregiver-related posts. The Melanoma International Foundation web site also has a forum called "For Caregivers". Frankly, neither of these two forums is particularly active, but when you do get responses, they tend to be very, very helpful and supportive.

The best support I have gotten is from one or two good friends (only the closest–I don't want to overwhelm anyone else with my troubles) and from a grief counselor at my local hospice. She has a lot of experience with the financial, emotional, and interpersonal aspects of caregiving. She actually is a hospice employee but she accepts private clients, too. 

Hello Eric, 

I was wondering how your wife is doing and what course of treatment she ended up choosing.

My fiance, also named Eric, was diagnosed with Stage IIb melanoma last spring.  We were just informed last week that it has progressed to Stage IV and he has two melanoma spots in his right lung each around 1.2-1.3cm.  He had no positive lymph nodes when he had surgery to remove the initial lesion on his back in June.  

He is trying to get in a clinical trial for antiPD-1.  His doctor believes this is the most promising.  Only 2/3 of the study participants get the PD-1, the other 1/3 gets Yervoy.  We won't know until the end which group he is in.  It is an 18 week trial.  We are praying he gets the PD-1.  

Did her doctors explore surgery as an option?  I am guessing no, since I read she had spots in both lungs. My finace's doctor didn't seem to think surgery was a good option since he has more than one spot but they are both in the same lung so I sort of think we should get a second opinion on that.  

I am anxious to hear how your wife is doing.  It sounds like a pretty similar diagnosis.  Eric is 34 and healthy in all other aspects. 

Praying for good results for your wife.

Genny

Hello Eric, 

I was wondering how your wife is doing and what course of treatment she ended up choosing.

My fiance, also named Eric, was diagnosed with Stage IIb melanoma last spring.  We were just informed last week that it has progressed to Stage IV and he has two melanoma spots in his right lung each around 1.2-1.3cm.  He had no positive lymph nodes when he had surgery to remove the initial lesion on his back in June.  

He is trying to get in a clinical trial for antiPD-1.  His doctor believes this is the most promising.  Only 2/3 of the study participants get the PD-1, the other 1/3 gets Yervoy.  We won't know until the end which group he is in.  It is an 18 week trial.  We are praying he gets the PD-1.  

Did her doctors explore surgery as an option?  I am guessing no, since I read she had spots in both lungs. My finace's doctor didn't seem to think surgery was a good option since he has more than one spot but they are both in the same lung so I sort of think we should get a second opinion on that.  

I am anxious to hear how your wife is doing.  It sounds like a pretty similar diagnosis.  Eric is 34 and healthy in all other aspects. 

Praying for good results for your wife.

Genny

Hello Eric, 

I was wondering how your wife is doing and what course of treatment she ended up choosing.

My fiance, also named Eric, was diagnosed with Stage IIb melanoma last spring.  We were just informed last week that it has progressed to Stage IV and he has two melanoma spots in his right lung each around 1.2-1.3cm.  He had no positive lymph nodes when he had surgery to remove the initial lesion on his back in June.  

He is trying to get in a clinical trial for antiPD-1.  His doctor believes this is the most promising.  Only 2/3 of the study participants get the PD-1, the other 1/3 gets Yervoy.  We won't know until the end which group he is in.  It is an 18 week trial.  We are praying he gets the PD-1.  

Did her doctors explore surgery as an option?  I am guessing no, since I read she had spots in both lungs. My finace's doctor didn't seem to think surgery was a good option since he has more than one spot but they are both in the same lung so I sort of think we should get a second opinion on that.  

I am anxious to hear how your wife is doing.  It sounds like a pretty similar diagnosis.  Eric is 34 and healthy in all other aspects. 

Praying for good results for your wife.

Genny

I strongly appluad you for recognizing that you're going to need support. Good for you, Eric! One of the things I learned since my brother's diagnosis is that the stress doesn't come and go– it's pretty constant and even increases as you go through the process. If you're like me, when you stop worrying about medical  issues you start worrying about everything else in your life that you put off because of the medical issues. Eventually, I suppose, as your wife has several months of feeling well and having good scans you will be able to relax a little. But that's down the road a piece. And, frankly, I can't imagine how I would be able to maintain my patience with and enthusiasm toward 3 small children when I'm so busy with and worried about this medical crisis. So reaching out for help and support right now is very, very smart of you.

There is another forum on this site called the "Off Topic Forum"; some people use tha for caregiver-related posts. The Melanoma International Foundation web site also has a forum called "For Caregivers". Frankly, neither of these two forums is particularly active, but when you do get responses, they tend to be very, very helpful and supportive.

The best support I have gotten is from one or two good friends (only the closest–I don't want to overwhelm anyone else with my troubles) and from a grief counselor at my local hospice. She has a lot of experience with the financial, emotional, and interpersonal aspects of caregiving. She actually is a hospice employee but she accepts private clients, too. 

In my case we started with IL-2, because you know if your responding pretty quickly (you usually wait months to find out if the Yervoy is working).  Also it may be easier to go from IL-2 to Yervoy, than the other way around.  IL-2 has bad side effects, but they go away just days after treatment.  I am a little biased because IL-2 followed by Yervoy gave me great results.  🙂  Good luck with your appointments, let us know what you guys decide! 

In my case we started with IL-2, because you know if your responding pretty quickly (you usually wait months to find out if the Yervoy is working).  Also it may be easier to go from IL-2 to Yervoy, than the other way around.  IL-2 has bad side effects, but they go away just days after treatment.  I am a little biased because IL-2 followed by Yervoy gave me great results.  🙂  Good luck with your appointments, let us know what you guys decide! 

In my case we started with IL-2, because you know if your responding pretty quickly (you usually wait months to find out if the Yervoy is working).  Also it may be easier to go from IL-2 to Yervoy, than the other way around.  IL-2 has bad side effects, but they go away just days after treatment.  I am a little biased because IL-2 followed by Yervoy gave me great results.  🙂  Good luck with your appointments, let us know what you guys decide! 

Thank you. this is a great place for support.  I hope whatever you two choose to do, will do its job and with the least amount of side effects possible.

Thank you. this is a great place for support.  I hope whatever you two choose to do, will do its job and with the least amount of side effects possible.

Thank you. this is a great place for support.  I hope whatever you two choose to do, will do its job and with the least amount of side effects possible.