Some help and guidance please
REGISTER
The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Content within the patient forum is user-generated and has not been reviewed by medical professionals. Other sections of the Melanoma Research Foundation website include information that has been reviewed by medical professionals as appropriate. All medical decisions should be made in consultation with your doctor or other qualified medical professional.

Some help and guidance please

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Some help and guidance please

  • Post
    • October 19, 2018 at 12:11 am
    Sherrylc
    Participant

    Hi

    I am one injection away from finishing my interon treatment. That’s all that is available here for phase 3b. I am battling to understand what comes next?  Is it just scans and blood tests now for the rest of my life?

     

    is there something I should look out for? What’s next for me do you just live with the uncertainty forever?

     

     Thanks Sherryl 

Viewing 2 reply threads
  • Replies
      • October 20, 2018 at 12:48 am
      WithinMySkin
      Participant

      Hi Sherryl – where are you located? Interferon isn't a common treatment anymore in the US (I've been there, done that so I feel ya). Unfortunately, stage 3 people are in a tough spot after treatment. Continuing with scans for a certain amount of years and then you're deemed cancer free. I know this is a tough, uncertain time, but you have no evidence of disease!! That's HUGE!!! There's no way to predict if melanoma will return so carry on and live your life! You don't drive down the street constantly terrified that you may be in a car accident. You just drive down the street thinking of a million other things.

      If you live in fear, then melanoma wins. Don't let it win. Take your life back and really live!

      Lauren

      • October 20, 2018 at 2:56 am
      MelanomaMike
      Participant
      Yep! Like Lauren just said, “You” are in control of YOUR mind and what it does to manage all of this Melanoma drama you’ve been through & will continue into your “Future”! You see that “word” i just typed? “Future”? Im assuming you are NED? some of us may not have that 6 letter work in less then a year…LIVE LIFE! DO YER SCANS! check your NAKED BODY often, down to your Cracks & Crevices! under your Feet! & through yer scalp, Be proactive! & if it helps, HELP OTHERS! YOU have a Story! Start a campaign, write a book of your Journey, your Lifes story doesnt end after Interferon…be well…
      • October 21, 2018 at 5:34 am
      Sherrylc
      Participant

      Thanks for the support I’m in South Africa so the interon is all that was available I’m one of the lucky ones at least I got that as it looks is now being discontinued so the next bunch of South Africans now have nothing they can use. 

       

      Wanted Ed to ask what is NED?

       

       Thanks 

       

       

       

        • October 21, 2018 at 9:30 pm
        WithinMySkin
        Participant

        NED is short for 'No Evidence of Disease' – it's really the best we can hope for as doctors will never want to use the word 'cured'.

        WIshing you health and happiness!

        Lauren

Viewing 2 reply threads
  • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
About the MRF Patient Forum

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.

The information on the forum is open and accessible to everyone. To add a new topic or to post a reply, you must be a registered user. Please note that you will be able to post both topics and replies anonymously even though you are logged in. All posts must abide by MRF posting policies.

Popular Topics