› Forums › General Melanoma Community › More Bad News! Now Lungs
- This topic has 45 replies, 8 voices, and was last updated 11 years, 5 months ago by
Sandy11.
- Post
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- November 8, 2012 at 3:26 am
Well, Pet Scan today, turns out to not be so good. It appears that there are 5 tumors. One on my arm which I knew about, one in my right breast next to original surgery site (this one may be a lymph node) and 3 tumors on/in my right lung. One is very large and looks like it's next to my spine. I will be discussing surgery tomorrow with my surgeon to hopefully remove all of these! I've read that people can survive lung involvment for years. I'm trying to research as much as I can but feel kind of overwhelmed right now. Can anyone give me
Well, Pet Scan today, turns out to not be so good. It appears that there are 5 tumors. One on my arm which I knew about, one in my right breast next to original surgery site (this one may be a lymph node) and 3 tumors on/in my right lung. One is very large and looks like it's next to my spine. I will be discussing surgery tomorrow with my surgeon to hopefully remove all of these! I've read that people can survive lung involvment for years. I'm trying to research as much as I can but feel kind of overwhelmed right now. Can anyone give me any proven treatments or experiences to share that can help me and my family have a better outlook on this? I need some hope right now that I can beat this!!
Thanks so much!!
Love to all my fellow warriors!!
- Replies
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- November 8, 2012 at 3:55 am
There are no proven treatments to cure Mel or none of us would be on here. Look for a great post by Charlie S “rollcall of the undead” – lots of stories of survival there. I don’t know where you are being treated but the best thing you can do for yourself is find an oncologist who specializes in Melanoma. Start there. -
- November 8, 2012 at 3:55 am
There are no proven treatments to cure Mel or none of us would be on here. Look for a great post by Charlie S “rollcall of the undead” – lots of stories of survival there. I don’t know where you are being treated but the best thing you can do for yourself is find an oncologist who specializes in Melanoma. Start there. -
- November 8, 2012 at 3:55 am
There are no proven treatments to cure Mel or none of us would be on here. Look for a great post by Charlie S “rollcall of the undead” – lots of stories of survival there. I don’t know where you are being treated but the best thing you can do for yourself is find an oncologist who specializes in Melanoma. Start there. -
- November 8, 2012 at 9:03 am
Denise, I am sorry to read this news.
It is important to have a tumour genetically tested once surgery has been completed.
Zelboraf, or a MEK clinical trial are possible treatments depending on the type of
genetic mutation that might be detected.Other systemic treatments could include TIL treatment (adoptive cell therapy), Yervoy
(ipi), IL-2 (interleukin-2), or an anti PD-1 (MDX-1106) clinical trial.Some new research suggests that the best way to treat metastatic melanoma is to use
combinatorial therapy. See:
http://www.melanoma.org/community/mpip-melanoma-patients-information-page/can-body-s-immune-response-help-treat-cancer#comment-39097
(If the link doesn't work, just copy and paste it into the address bar of your browser).Hope this helps.
Frank from Australia
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- November 8, 2012 at 9:03 am
Denise, I am sorry to read this news.
It is important to have a tumour genetically tested once surgery has been completed.
Zelboraf, or a MEK clinical trial are possible treatments depending on the type of
genetic mutation that might be detected.Other systemic treatments could include TIL treatment (adoptive cell therapy), Yervoy
(ipi), IL-2 (interleukin-2), or an anti PD-1 (MDX-1106) clinical trial.Some new research suggests that the best way to treat metastatic melanoma is to use
combinatorial therapy. See:
http://www.melanoma.org/community/mpip-melanoma-patients-information-page/can-body-s-immune-response-help-treat-cancer#comment-39097
(If the link doesn't work, just copy and paste it into the address bar of your browser).Hope this helps.
Frank from Australia
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- November 8, 2012 at 9:03 am
Denise, I am sorry to read this news.
It is important to have a tumour genetically tested once surgery has been completed.
Zelboraf, or a MEK clinical trial are possible treatments depending on the type of
genetic mutation that might be detected.Other systemic treatments could include TIL treatment (adoptive cell therapy), Yervoy
(ipi), IL-2 (interleukin-2), or an anti PD-1 (MDX-1106) clinical trial.Some new research suggests that the best way to treat metastatic melanoma is to use
combinatorial therapy. See:
http://www.melanoma.org/community/mpip-melanoma-patients-information-page/can-body-s-immune-response-help-treat-cancer#comment-39097
(If the link doesn't work, just copy and paste it into the address bar of your browser).Hope this helps.
Frank from Australia
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- November 8, 2012 at 2:40 pm
My husband had four surgeries in 2 years and them he was found to have mets in liver, lungs and one pressing on the spine at C1-2 area and sub q's in that area. He is on an Ipi and GM-CSFClinical Trial for the past 18 months and he is now NED. For more info check his profile.
Judy (loving wife and caregiver to Gene Stage IV and now NED)
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- November 8, 2012 at 2:40 pm
My husband had four surgeries in 2 years and them he was found to have mets in liver, lungs and one pressing on the spine at C1-2 area and sub q's in that area. He is on an Ipi and GM-CSFClinical Trial for the past 18 months and he is now NED. For more info check his profile.
Judy (loving wife and caregiver to Gene Stage IV and now NED)
-
- November 8, 2012 at 2:40 pm
My husband had four surgeries in 2 years and them he was found to have mets in liver, lungs and one pressing on the spine at C1-2 area and sub q's in that area. He is on an Ipi and GM-CSFClinical Trial for the past 18 months and he is now NED. For more info check his profile.
Judy (loving wife and caregiver to Gene Stage IV and now NED)
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- November 9, 2012 at 12:31 am
If you are Braf+, lung mets seem to respond well to zelboraf
There are so many new treatments that weren't available 5 yrs ago, and more on the horizon. The statistics for stage IV are not good, but as I told my husband when I was diagnosed in February, those statistics have to be outdated now. Get with a good oncologist and stay as positive as you can; + attitude and prayer can make a difference. I am not cancer free yet, but neither am I dead. I have a brain met and HAD 6 lung mets. Lung mets are almost gone. In February I had a brain met hemorrhage and lost the use of the right side of my body. Now, I'm back to riding my horses, swimming, and enjoying my life. I told my onc. my plan is to die 20+ years from now from heart disease. I REFUSE to just roll over and let cancer win. 😉 If you read on here, many of us feel that way. You CAN beat this, You can BEAT this, YOU can beat this!!!! Have I said it enough?
-
- November 9, 2012 at 12:31 am
If you are Braf+, lung mets seem to respond well to zelboraf
There are so many new treatments that weren't available 5 yrs ago, and more on the horizon. The statistics for stage IV are not good, but as I told my husband when I was diagnosed in February, those statistics have to be outdated now. Get with a good oncologist and stay as positive as you can; + attitude and prayer can make a difference. I am not cancer free yet, but neither am I dead. I have a brain met and HAD 6 lung mets. Lung mets are almost gone. In February I had a brain met hemorrhage and lost the use of the right side of my body. Now, I'm back to riding my horses, swimming, and enjoying my life. I told my onc. my plan is to die 20+ years from now from heart disease. I REFUSE to just roll over and let cancer win. 😉 If you read on here, many of us feel that way. You CAN beat this, You can BEAT this, YOU can beat this!!!! Have I said it enough?
-
- November 9, 2012 at 11:55 pm
Met with doctor and got the official report, several mets in lungs in all lobes, one by the esophogus, one in my leg and the one on my arm. Completely freaked me out. Surgery isn't an option so he said I'll start some type of chemo next week then send me to the melanoma center in san francisco to determine best treatment. From what I;ve been reading it seems like the zelobraf has been working. That gives me a lot of hope. I'm sure you all know how I feel and what an emotional mess I;ve been but I am hopeful.
Thank you all for your support, encouragement, and treatment stories.
-
- November 9, 2012 at 11:55 pm
Met with doctor and got the official report, several mets in lungs in all lobes, one by the esophogus, one in my leg and the one on my arm. Completely freaked me out. Surgery isn't an option so he said I'll start some type of chemo next week then send me to the melanoma center in san francisco to determine best treatment. From what I;ve been reading it seems like the zelobraf has been working. That gives me a lot of hope. I'm sure you all know how I feel and what an emotional mess I;ve been but I am hopeful.
Thank you all for your support, encouragement, and treatment stories.
-
- November 9, 2012 at 11:55 pm
Met with doctor and got the official report, several mets in lungs in all lobes, one by the esophogus, one in my leg and the one on my arm. Completely freaked me out. Surgery isn't an option so he said I'll start some type of chemo next week then send me to the melanoma center in san francisco to determine best treatment. From what I;ve been reading it seems like the zelobraf has been working. That gives me a lot of hope. I'm sure you all know how I feel and what an emotional mess I;ve been but I am hopeful.
Thank you all for your support, encouragement, and treatment stories.
-
- November 10, 2012 at 12:58 am
Denise, I'm a little confused. FIRST you're going to start chemo and THEN go to the melanoma center? Isn't that backwards? Wouldn't you want to consult with the melanoma specialists before deciding which chemo to take (if any)? Also, do you know if your melanoma has the BRAF mutation?
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- November 10, 2012 at 12:58 am
Denise, I'm a little confused. FIRST you're going to start chemo and THEN go to the melanoma center? Isn't that backwards? Wouldn't you want to consult with the melanoma specialists before deciding which chemo to take (if any)? Also, do you know if your melanoma has the BRAF mutation?
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- November 10, 2012 at 4:23 pm
Well, it is confusing I suppose. Not sure about how it's supposed to work but my insurance is probably an issue. They have to get approval for me to go to San Fran to see the Melanoma Specialist but he said in the mean time I can get started on chemo this next week. There is a large tumor in my lung that is very close to my spine and we need to stop that growth or do radiation to kill it. This is what I was told but I was also kind of in a cloud, I looked at my pet scan before the doctor went over it with me and I only saw 5 tumors total. I was thinking we were going to be talking about surgery. I was very surprised that there were 13 tumors found. The largest one against my spine is 4.3 x 3.3 cm. I think they are thinking that if I start chemo that will slow growth until I can get to specialist. Heck I don't know, He said he'd call me Monday with more information and is having the tumor biopsy from my arm tested for genetic mutation. Last year when I went to the specialist in San Fran she was surprised about how much I knew. I attribute that to this website and all the knowledge here. From what I'm reading and understanding is that I want to be BRAF positive and I want to get on Zelboraf!!
-
- November 10, 2012 at 5:04 pm
If your tumor turns out to have the BRAF mutation (and that test takes 2 or 3 weeks to get the results), Zelboraf is certainly an option, and a good one. However, before you make up your mind, you should consult with a melanoma specialist and check out clinical trials. The newest and most promising melanoma drugs are still in clinical trials. Plus, clinical trials are free (with some exceptions, which you should ask about). Since Zelboraf is already FDA approved, if you do not qualify for a clinical trial, or you get in a trial and the drug doesn't work for you, you can always switch back to Zelboraf. However, if you do Zelboraf (or any other chemo) first, that may disqualify you from some promising clinical trial.
Surgery or radiation (especially stereotactic radiosurgery) would be my first choice for the tumor near the spine. However, it's possible that because of all the bones and nerves in the area of the spine, radiation or surgery may not be possible. I would then check out clinical trials. If clinical trials are not possible, I would try Zelboraf. Speaking only for myself, I would be very reluctant to start any type of treatment until I had consulted with a melanoma specialist.
If insurance/payment is a problem, I would ask the Melanoma Center if you could just consult with a specialist to discuss clinical trials. Maybe they would waive the consultation fee. Of course, the Melanoma Center you go to would have to be participating in some melanoma clinical trial for that approach to work. Once you're in the door, you can discuss ALL melanoma clinical trials with the doctor, not just the one(s) they offer. Searching out appropriate and open clinical trials is a big job in itself, so try to be patient and give yourself time to do your research before making a decision.
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- November 10, 2012 at 5:04 pm
If your tumor turns out to have the BRAF mutation (and that test takes 2 or 3 weeks to get the results), Zelboraf is certainly an option, and a good one. However, before you make up your mind, you should consult with a melanoma specialist and check out clinical trials. The newest and most promising melanoma drugs are still in clinical trials. Plus, clinical trials are free (with some exceptions, which you should ask about). Since Zelboraf is already FDA approved, if you do not qualify for a clinical trial, or you get in a trial and the drug doesn't work for you, you can always switch back to Zelboraf. However, if you do Zelboraf (or any other chemo) first, that may disqualify you from some promising clinical trial.
Surgery or radiation (especially stereotactic radiosurgery) would be my first choice for the tumor near the spine. However, it's possible that because of all the bones and nerves in the area of the spine, radiation or surgery may not be possible. I would then check out clinical trials. If clinical trials are not possible, I would try Zelboraf. Speaking only for myself, I would be very reluctant to start any type of treatment until I had consulted with a melanoma specialist.
If insurance/payment is a problem, I would ask the Melanoma Center if you could just consult with a specialist to discuss clinical trials. Maybe they would waive the consultation fee. Of course, the Melanoma Center you go to would have to be participating in some melanoma clinical trial for that approach to work. Once you're in the door, you can discuss ALL melanoma clinical trials with the doctor, not just the one(s) they offer. Searching out appropriate and open clinical trials is a big job in itself, so try to be patient and give yourself time to do your research before making a decision.
-
- November 10, 2012 at 5:04 pm
If your tumor turns out to have the BRAF mutation (and that test takes 2 or 3 weeks to get the results), Zelboraf is certainly an option, and a good one. However, before you make up your mind, you should consult with a melanoma specialist and check out clinical trials. The newest and most promising melanoma drugs are still in clinical trials. Plus, clinical trials are free (with some exceptions, which you should ask about). Since Zelboraf is already FDA approved, if you do not qualify for a clinical trial, or you get in a trial and the drug doesn't work for you, you can always switch back to Zelboraf. However, if you do Zelboraf (or any other chemo) first, that may disqualify you from some promising clinical trial.
Surgery or radiation (especially stereotactic radiosurgery) would be my first choice for the tumor near the spine. However, it's possible that because of all the bones and nerves in the area of the spine, radiation or surgery may not be possible. I would then check out clinical trials. If clinical trials are not possible, I would try Zelboraf. Speaking only for myself, I would be very reluctant to start any type of treatment until I had consulted with a melanoma specialist.
If insurance/payment is a problem, I would ask the Melanoma Center if you could just consult with a specialist to discuss clinical trials. Maybe they would waive the consultation fee. Of course, the Melanoma Center you go to would have to be participating in some melanoma clinical trial for that approach to work. Once you're in the door, you can discuss ALL melanoma clinical trials with the doctor, not just the one(s) they offer. Searching out appropriate and open clinical trials is a big job in itself, so try to be patient and give yourself time to do your research before making a decision.
-
- November 10, 2012 at 4:23 pm
Well, it is confusing I suppose. Not sure about how it's supposed to work but my insurance is probably an issue. They have to get approval for me to go to San Fran to see the Melanoma Specialist but he said in the mean time I can get started on chemo this next week. There is a large tumor in my lung that is very close to my spine and we need to stop that growth or do radiation to kill it. This is what I was told but I was also kind of in a cloud, I looked at my pet scan before the doctor went over it with me and I only saw 5 tumors total. I was thinking we were going to be talking about surgery. I was very surprised that there were 13 tumors found. The largest one against my spine is 4.3 x 3.3 cm. I think they are thinking that if I start chemo that will slow growth until I can get to specialist. Heck I don't know, He said he'd call me Monday with more information and is having the tumor biopsy from my arm tested for genetic mutation. Last year when I went to the specialist in San Fran she was surprised about how much I knew. I attribute that to this website and all the knowledge here. From what I'm reading and understanding is that I want to be BRAF positive and I want to get on Zelboraf!!
-
- November 10, 2012 at 4:23 pm
Well, it is confusing I suppose. Not sure about how it's supposed to work but my insurance is probably an issue. They have to get approval for me to go to San Fran to see the Melanoma Specialist but he said in the mean time I can get started on chemo this next week. There is a large tumor in my lung that is very close to my spine and we need to stop that growth or do radiation to kill it. This is what I was told but I was also kind of in a cloud, I looked at my pet scan before the doctor went over it with me and I only saw 5 tumors total. I was thinking we were going to be talking about surgery. I was very surprised that there were 13 tumors found. The largest one against my spine is 4.3 x 3.3 cm. I think they are thinking that if I start chemo that will slow growth until I can get to specialist. Heck I don't know, He said he'd call me Monday with more information and is having the tumor biopsy from my arm tested for genetic mutation. Last year when I went to the specialist in San Fran she was surprised about how much I knew. I attribute that to this website and all the knowledge here. From what I'm reading and understanding is that I want to be BRAF positive and I want to get on Zelboraf!!
-
- November 10, 2012 at 12:58 am
Denise, I'm a little confused. FIRST you're going to start chemo and THEN go to the melanoma center? Isn't that backwards? Wouldn't you want to consult with the melanoma specialists before deciding which chemo to take (if any)? Also, do you know if your melanoma has the BRAF mutation?
-
- November 9, 2012 at 12:31 am
If you are Braf+, lung mets seem to respond well to zelboraf
There are so many new treatments that weren't available 5 yrs ago, and more on the horizon. The statistics for stage IV are not good, but as I told my husband when I was diagnosed in February, those statistics have to be outdated now. Get with a good oncologist and stay as positive as you can; + attitude and prayer can make a difference. I am not cancer free yet, but neither am I dead. I have a brain met and HAD 6 lung mets. Lung mets are almost gone. In February I had a brain met hemorrhage and lost the use of the right side of my body. Now, I'm back to riding my horses, swimming, and enjoying my life. I told my onc. my plan is to die 20+ years from now from heart disease. I REFUSE to just roll over and let cancer win. 😉 If you read on here, many of us feel that way. You CAN beat this, You can BEAT this, YOU can beat this!!!! Have I said it enough?
-
- November 9, 2012 at 4:11 am
Hi Denise!
I'm sorry that you have had this kind of news. But the good news is…WE are surviving stage 4 melanoma cancer and there are plenty on this board that can vouch for that! There are so many treatments and better staging that offer you the edge you'll need. I can't say enough for those that stay positive, invision their full recovery and make plans for being here in the future. With that being said, I know there are plenty of questionable days ahead and dark clouds that seem to come and go, no doubt and we've all dealt with them. The one promise I made to myself and my family is that I will not give up one day of my life to melanoma, as long as I possibly can! Instead, I will take every opportunity to live life to the fullest and cram as much life into each day as possible and make no mistake…..this plan is exhausting! However, it is the best kind of exhaustion I've ever had and I know it fills my soul with such empowering strength to battle this disease. In the bigger picture, none of us really know how much time we have here and this melanoma business certainly brings it to full reality. The difference is we have a heads up and it is up to each of us individually to decide how we live knowing we're carrying this time bomb, but we all know we could die tomorrow anyway, unexpectedly, of something we never even thought of!
I don't think anyone here can tell you of a proven treatment, we all wish we had that answer! I think every situation is so different than the next and is so hard to compare or draw any conclusions from each other's experiences, which can be so frustrating! Stay strong and ask a lot of questions and keep asking until you feel satisfied you understand what they're telling you. Because there are no right or wrong answers here, make your best choice and never look back, none of us know what the outcome will be and for so many of us, the sequence of our treatments is sometimes the cure that we unknowingly chose! It's kind of like a great pot of spaghetti sauce……didn't like the first hour's taste so we add a few more ingredients……getting better now, but now quite right……..so add a few more ingredients or more of the same, until we get just the right taste………, at least, that's how I make spaghetti sauce!
Refer to this board often, posting your progress, results and new discoveries. We are a family of sorts, most of us never meeting face to face but we feel a strong bond with each other and feel each other's triumphs and discouragements. There is great strength in those that unite and stick together and I am so glad you have found this place. I always look at the posts and read the responses but I always look too at the number of views each post has had and it is amazing how many of us are reading all the posts……….we're all gathering as much information, experiences and knowledge to guide us through this difficult journey, constantly thinking of each other and realizing we are not alone in this battle.
Wishing you a NED status in the near future! God Bless!
Swanee
-
- November 9, 2012 at 4:11 am
Hi Denise!
I'm sorry that you have had this kind of news. But the good news is…WE are surviving stage 4 melanoma cancer and there are plenty on this board that can vouch for that! There are so many treatments and better staging that offer you the edge you'll need. I can't say enough for those that stay positive, invision their full recovery and make plans for being here in the future. With that being said, I know there are plenty of questionable days ahead and dark clouds that seem to come and go, no doubt and we've all dealt with them. The one promise I made to myself and my family is that I will not give up one day of my life to melanoma, as long as I possibly can! Instead, I will take every opportunity to live life to the fullest and cram as much life into each day as possible and make no mistake…..this plan is exhausting! However, it is the best kind of exhaustion I've ever had and I know it fills my soul with such empowering strength to battle this disease. In the bigger picture, none of us really know how much time we have here and this melanoma business certainly brings it to full reality. The difference is we have a heads up and it is up to each of us individually to decide how we live knowing we're carrying this time bomb, but we all know we could die tomorrow anyway, unexpectedly, of something we never even thought of!
I don't think anyone here can tell you of a proven treatment, we all wish we had that answer! I think every situation is so different than the next and is so hard to compare or draw any conclusions from each other's experiences, which can be so frustrating! Stay strong and ask a lot of questions and keep asking until you feel satisfied you understand what they're telling you. Because there are no right or wrong answers here, make your best choice and never look back, none of us know what the outcome will be and for so many of us, the sequence of our treatments is sometimes the cure that we unknowingly chose! It's kind of like a great pot of spaghetti sauce……didn't like the first hour's taste so we add a few more ingredients……getting better now, but now quite right……..so add a few more ingredients or more of the same, until we get just the right taste………, at least, that's how I make spaghetti sauce!
Refer to this board often, posting your progress, results and new discoveries. We are a family of sorts, most of us never meeting face to face but we feel a strong bond with each other and feel each other's triumphs and discouragements. There is great strength in those that unite and stick together and I am so glad you have found this place. I always look at the posts and read the responses but I always look too at the number of views each post has had and it is amazing how many of us are reading all the posts……….we're all gathering as much information, experiences and knowledge to guide us through this difficult journey, constantly thinking of each other and realizing we are not alone in this battle.
Wishing you a NED status in the near future! God Bless!
Swanee
-
- November 9, 2012 at 4:11 am
Hi Denise!
I'm sorry that you have had this kind of news. But the good news is…WE are surviving stage 4 melanoma cancer and there are plenty on this board that can vouch for that! There are so many treatments and better staging that offer you the edge you'll need. I can't say enough for those that stay positive, invision their full recovery and make plans for being here in the future. With that being said, I know there are plenty of questionable days ahead and dark clouds that seem to come and go, no doubt and we've all dealt with them. The one promise I made to myself and my family is that I will not give up one day of my life to melanoma, as long as I possibly can! Instead, I will take every opportunity to live life to the fullest and cram as much life into each day as possible and make no mistake…..this plan is exhausting! However, it is the best kind of exhaustion I've ever had and I know it fills my soul with such empowering strength to battle this disease. In the bigger picture, none of us really know how much time we have here and this melanoma business certainly brings it to full reality. The difference is we have a heads up and it is up to each of us individually to decide how we live knowing we're carrying this time bomb, but we all know we could die tomorrow anyway, unexpectedly, of something we never even thought of!
I don't think anyone here can tell you of a proven treatment, we all wish we had that answer! I think every situation is so different than the next and is so hard to compare or draw any conclusions from each other's experiences, which can be so frustrating! Stay strong and ask a lot of questions and keep asking until you feel satisfied you understand what they're telling you. Because there are no right or wrong answers here, make your best choice and never look back, none of us know what the outcome will be and for so many of us, the sequence of our treatments is sometimes the cure that we unknowingly chose! It's kind of like a great pot of spaghetti sauce……didn't like the first hour's taste so we add a few more ingredients……getting better now, but now quite right……..so add a few more ingredients or more of the same, until we get just the right taste………, at least, that's how I make spaghetti sauce!
Refer to this board often, posting your progress, results and new discoveries. We are a family of sorts, most of us never meeting face to face but we feel a strong bond with each other and feel each other's triumphs and discouragements. There is great strength in those that unite and stick together and I am so glad you have found this place. I always look at the posts and read the responses but I always look too at the number of views each post has had and it is amazing how many of us are reading all the posts……….we're all gathering as much information, experiences and knowledge to guide us through this difficult journey, constantly thinking of each other and realizing we are not alone in this battle.
Wishing you a NED status in the near future! God Bless!
Swanee
-
- November 10, 2012 at 6:18 am
Sorry about the lung mets. The advice is sound… everyone makes choices that are the best from them. Your oncologist will give you several choices … your head will spin a bit and you'll go your direction. My husband chose a newer procedure called Microwave ablation. The specialist offering this procedure is Dr. Elisabeth Moore. Not the most comfortable procedure, but it blasted the bad guys away. Unfortunately, the tumors recently went into hyperdrive and became too numerous to ablate any longer. (The original ones didn't come back.) Dr. Moore did a fantastic job and my husband would do it that way again. My husband recently began systemic treatment… IPI. So far so good. If this treatment reduces the number of tumors… he'll probably go back and ablate the rest. I guess what I'm saying is, if one treatment doesn't do the job, there are other choices available. Don't give up… tomorrow my hubby and I are going fishing at Jenkinson Lake… if the snow will stay away for a bit that is… On Sunday afternoon he'll be ice skating at an outside rink in Folsom. We took a drive to Tahoe last weekend. My husband is my hero… he's working hard to manage melanoma and not let it manage him.. Take care… the best of everything for you, your family and all the warriors!
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- November 10, 2012 at 6:18 am
Sorry about the lung mets. The advice is sound… everyone makes choices that are the best from them. Your oncologist will give you several choices … your head will spin a bit and you'll go your direction. My husband chose a newer procedure called Microwave ablation. The specialist offering this procedure is Dr. Elisabeth Moore. Not the most comfortable procedure, but it blasted the bad guys away. Unfortunately, the tumors recently went into hyperdrive and became too numerous to ablate any longer. (The original ones didn't come back.) Dr. Moore did a fantastic job and my husband would do it that way again. My husband recently began systemic treatment… IPI. So far so good. If this treatment reduces the number of tumors… he'll probably go back and ablate the rest. I guess what I'm saying is, if one treatment doesn't do the job, there are other choices available. Don't give up… tomorrow my hubby and I are going fishing at Jenkinson Lake… if the snow will stay away for a bit that is… On Sunday afternoon he'll be ice skating at an outside rink in Folsom. We took a drive to Tahoe last weekend. My husband is my hero… he's working hard to manage melanoma and not let it manage him.. Take care… the best of everything for you, your family and all the warriors!
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- November 10, 2012 at 6:18 am
Sorry about the lung mets. The advice is sound… everyone makes choices that are the best from them. Your oncologist will give you several choices … your head will spin a bit and you'll go your direction. My husband chose a newer procedure called Microwave ablation. The specialist offering this procedure is Dr. Elisabeth Moore. Not the most comfortable procedure, but it blasted the bad guys away. Unfortunately, the tumors recently went into hyperdrive and became too numerous to ablate any longer. (The original ones didn't come back.) Dr. Moore did a fantastic job and my husband would do it that way again. My husband recently began systemic treatment… IPI. So far so good. If this treatment reduces the number of tumors… he'll probably go back and ablate the rest. I guess what I'm saying is, if one treatment doesn't do the job, there are other choices available. Don't give up… tomorrow my hubby and I are going fishing at Jenkinson Lake… if the snow will stay away for a bit that is… On Sunday afternoon he'll be ice skating at an outside rink in Folsom. We took a drive to Tahoe last weekend. My husband is my hero… he's working hard to manage melanoma and not let it manage him.. Take care… the best of everything for you, your family and all the warriors!
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- November 10, 2012 at 4:36 pm
Hi Sandy,
It sounds like we're neighbors! I am in Auburn CA. I'm waiting for the snow to clear over the pass so I can go see my fiance. I hate driving in the snow especially going down hill, it always freaks me out. I drove over once and it took me 6 hours driving 10mph. Anyway I've heard of ablation. I guess in Europe they cook them out of you. My doctor said possible radiation for the one that's next to my spine to kill it. I asked why can't we kill them all with radiation. I guess you can't do that. I have been reading about killing the cells in the blood my cousin told me about collaidium silver (spelling?) I think it cleans the blood so the tumors don't come back. I haven't done too much research on that yet, I'm kind of overwhelmed with things and I'm trying to keep my head on straight.
Thank you for all your support, it's a very scary time for me and my family but without this website I would have lost it! You all amaze me with your strength and courage. I am getting there one step at a time!! 🙂
Love and BIG hugs to you all!! 🙂
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- November 15, 2012 at 8:04 am
We are neighbors! I lived in Auburn for 20 years and my children graduated from Placer High. My husband and I are flatlanders .. living in Citrus Heights. The IPI is resulting in a progressing rash, but if results are good… definitely worth it. Thinking good thoughts for you and your family.
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- November 15, 2012 at 8:04 am
We are neighbors! I lived in Auburn for 20 years and my children graduated from Placer High. My husband and I are flatlanders .. living in Citrus Heights. The IPI is resulting in a progressing rash, but if results are good… definitely worth it. Thinking good thoughts for you and your family.
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- November 15, 2012 at 8:04 am
We are neighbors! I lived in Auburn for 20 years and my children graduated from Placer High. My husband and I are flatlanders .. living in Citrus Heights. The IPI is resulting in a progressing rash, but if results are good… definitely worth it. Thinking good thoughts for you and your family.
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- November 10, 2012 at 4:36 pm
Hi Sandy,
It sounds like we're neighbors! I am in Auburn CA. I'm waiting for the snow to clear over the pass so I can go see my fiance. I hate driving in the snow especially going down hill, it always freaks me out. I drove over once and it took me 6 hours driving 10mph. Anyway I've heard of ablation. I guess in Europe they cook them out of you. My doctor said possible radiation for the one that's next to my spine to kill it. I asked why can't we kill them all with radiation. I guess you can't do that. I have been reading about killing the cells in the blood my cousin told me about collaidium silver (spelling?) I think it cleans the blood so the tumors don't come back. I haven't done too much research on that yet, I'm kind of overwhelmed with things and I'm trying to keep my head on straight.
Thank you for all your support, it's a very scary time for me and my family but without this website I would have lost it! You all amaze me with your strength and courage. I am getting there one step at a time!! 🙂
Love and BIG hugs to you all!! 🙂
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- November 10, 2012 at 4:36 pm
Hi Sandy,
It sounds like we're neighbors! I am in Auburn CA. I'm waiting for the snow to clear over the pass so I can go see my fiance. I hate driving in the snow especially going down hill, it always freaks me out. I drove over once and it took me 6 hours driving 10mph. Anyway I've heard of ablation. I guess in Europe they cook them out of you. My doctor said possible radiation for the one that's next to my spine to kill it. I asked why can't we kill them all with radiation. I guess you can't do that. I have been reading about killing the cells in the blood my cousin told me about collaidium silver (spelling?) I think it cleans the blood so the tumors don't come back. I haven't done too much research on that yet, I'm kind of overwhelmed with things and I'm trying to keep my head on straight.
Thank you for all your support, it's a very scary time for me and my family but without this website I would have lost it! You all amaze me with your strength and courage. I am getting there one step at a time!! 🙂
Love and BIG hugs to you all!! 🙂
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