Treatment Advice

There's some controversy about interferon with some research showing that the high dose alone is as effective as the high + 1 year.  That's a decision you and your dr. can make. I hope you're seeing a good melanoma specialist.

If you do decide to do interferon, responses to it vary widely. Some people have mild side effects and continue working while others have to go on disability.   Regardless of your side effects there are some things you can do to ease them – drink lots of water, try to get a little exercise, etc.

It's hard, but you have to make an informed decision based on your particular situation and just stick with it – don't look back.   

Good luck and let us know what you decide.

There's some controversy about interferon with some research showing that the high dose alone is as effective as the high + 1 year.  That's a decision you and your dr. can make. I hope you're seeing a good melanoma specialist.

If you do decide to do interferon, responses to it vary widely. Some people have mild side effects and continue working while others have to go on disability.   Regardless of your side effects there are some things you can do to ease them – drink lots of water, try to get a little exercise, etc.

It's hard, but you have to make an informed decision based on your particular situation and just stick with it – don't look back.   

Good luck and let us know what you decide.

I'm sorry you're dealing with this but it's good that you found this site.  It's always good to see others who are going through the same thing and its VERY good to find people doing well years out from the same diagnosis that are doing well.  I know when I went to stage IIIC all I heard was doom and gloom from doctors – THIS is where I found the hope I needed.

I did interferon in 2001/2002.  It was no picnic but I'm glad I did it.  The first month was very rough but doable, and I got through 8 more months before I had to quit due to a severe rash.  I went into it with the idea that I WOULD quit if it got too bad.  It was very difficult to make a treatment decision, I initially wanted a clinical trial but didn't qualify and I didn't feel comfortable just watching and waiting after hearing the stats for stage IIIC.  It's a very personal decision and not one that anyone can make for you.  For me, my overriding thought was how I would feel if it came back, which was probably, and I was then stage IV.  I didn't want to wish I had done more, and interferon was the "more". 

I am now over 9 years out from progressing from stage 1A to 3C and I'm very glad I did the interferon.  For me, I think it delayed things long enough for my own immune system to get back in good working order.  I have no idea what the future will bring so I always like to say "so far, so good".  Good luck to you.  Let us know how everything goes.

DebbieH, stage IIIC, NED 9+years after interferon

I'm sorry you're dealing with this but it's good that you found this site.  It's always good to see others who are going through the same thing and its VERY good to find people doing well years out from the same diagnosis that are doing well.  I know when I went to stage IIIC all I heard was doom and gloom from doctors – THIS is where I found the hope I needed.

I did interferon in 2001/2002.  It was no picnic but I'm glad I did it.  The first month was very rough but doable, and I got through 8 more months before I had to quit due to a severe rash.  I went into it with the idea that I WOULD quit if it got too bad.  It was very difficult to make a treatment decision, I initially wanted a clinical trial but didn't qualify and I didn't feel comfortable just watching and waiting after hearing the stats for stage IIIC.  It's a very personal decision and not one that anyone can make for you.  For me, my overriding thought was how I would feel if it came back, which was probably, and I was then stage IV.  I didn't want to wish I had done more, and interferon was the "more". 

I am now over 9 years out from progressing from stage 1A to 3C and I'm very glad I did the interferon.  For me, I think it delayed things long enough for my own immune system to get back in good working order.  I have no idea what the future will bring so I always like to say "so far, so good".  Good luck to you.  Let us know how everything goes.

DebbieH, stage IIIC, NED 9+years after interferon