Melanoma Research Foundation | Ellenb626 | Activity https://forum.melanoma.org/user/ellenb626/activity/ Activity feed for Ellenb626. Tue, 21 Apr 2026 21:04:05 -0400 https://buddypress.org/?v= en-US 30 hourly 2 d628cb2d16c49d4ce9ec496679161bb9 Ellenb626 replied to the topic Update Stage 4 in the forum General Melanoma Community https://forum.melanoma.org/forums/topic/update-stage-4/#post-275945 Sun, 07 Nov 2021 22:55:30 -0500 I have managed the rash and itching with Sarna  lotion if it is not too itchy.  Triamcinalone cream (prescription) if it is too itchy. Benadryl by night, it makes me sleepy and Claritin by day.  Since I’ve been on immunotherapy mosquito bites itch a million times more and I have to take an antihistamine or else I am miserable scratching.  The wea…Read more

]]> b1d516aa55d2c40fe3eda867ec4aefd1 Ellenb626 started the topic Update Stage 4 in the forum General Melanoma Community https://forum.melanoma.org/forums/topic/update-stage-4/ Wed, 03 Nov 2021 19:25:40 -0400 Good News!  I have stage 4 melanoma, it spread to my lung.  I have been on Keytruda since July 2021 and I went for my first CT scan  in October and the good news is it didn’t grow any bigger it is still the same 1.2 by 1.1 mm.  I received by third infusion of Keytruda. My side effects so far are a rash and itching that come and go as it wants, a l…Read more

]]> e9132d019b70f4a3a77047529e3c3373 Ellenb626 replied to the topic Focus Group Regarding the Changes to the Forum in the forum General Melanoma Community https://forum.melanoma.org/forums/topic/focus-group-regarding-the-changes-to-the-forum/#post-275917 Wed, 03 Nov 2021 19:17:58 -0400 I didn’t get any email from them but I like the old layout of the forum.  It was user friendly and much more welcoming.

]]> dd7a02e192c46fcf798657fb4b6f1adb Ellenb626 replied to the topic Possible recurrence in Lung in the forum General Melanoma Community https://forum.melanoma.org/forums/topic/possible-recurrence-in-lung/#post-275493 Sat, 14 Aug 2021 00:24:48 -0400 Hi Clare,

My melanoma decided to spread to my left lung.  I had a ct scan in June 2021 that showed a nodule there that grew to 1 cm and the oncologist wanted me to go for a ct guided biopsy of my lung to confirm if it was melanoma or lung cancer.  It was melanoma.  I was given a choice Keytruda or lung surgery and I decided Keytruda.  I had eno…Read more

]]> d39781fb16a3b264ff1347d461dcd604 Ellenb626 replied to the topic So good to find a Melonoma Patient Forum in the forum General Melanoma Community https://forum.melanoma.org/forums/topic/so-good-to-find-a-melonoma-patient-forum/#post-275439 Thu, 05 Aug 2021 03:21:41 -0400 Typo arranged everything
one sentinel lymph node troves with 6mm of melanoma which made me stage 3b. Fast forward 2 years later and the melanoma spread to my left lung 1/2 inch big andI am now stage 4 and getting immunotherapy- keytruda. Sorry for the typos, typing on an iPhone is annoying.

]]> 19fc9cd4572705dccae1feb954ce3622 Ellenb626 replied to the topic So good to find a Melonoma Patient Forum in the forum General Melanoma Community https://forum.melanoma.org/forums/topic/so-good-to-find-a-melonoma-patient-forum/#post-275438 Thu, 05 Aug 2021 03:09:45 -0400 My melanoma was stage 2b but because it was near my left armpit the dermatologist said they would probably check the lymph nodes.  As soon as I heard the word melanoma and the dr told me I needed a WLE, I called MSK  and had the slides sent there and the surgeon arènes everything. The surgery and the lymph node scan and removal  was done at the…Read more

]]> fdd5e019ca01fc9372e371f2bd70aff9 Ellenb626 replied to the topic So good to find a Melonoma Patient Forum in the forum General Melanoma Community https://forum.melanoma.org/forums/topic/so-good-to-find-a-melonoma-patient-forum/#post-275436 Wed, 04 Aug 2021 20:57:04 -0400 Hi Jeanie.

I had one sentinel node in my left armpit removed 2 years ago when I had a WLE for the melanoma in my upper left arm.  Yes after surgery my armpit hurt and I used an ice pack.  Then it stopped hurting and I have no swelling and no problem.  I just have a line from the scar.  I found exercise was very helpful to my recovery.  Good luck.

]]> b75304ee92aa63129c4d32e68679bef0 Ellenb626 replied to the topic now stage 4 in the forum General Melanoma Community https://forum.melanoma.org/forums/topic/now-stage-4/#post-275413 Thu, 29 Jul 2021 21:32:41 -0400 My melanoma was on my upper left arm.It was stage 2b and after it was removed it became stage 3b because it spread to the first sentinel node in my left armpit.  That was removed in June 2019.  I didn’t do any adjuvant therapy in 2019.  I went for regular scans CT and brain MRI and ultasound of armpit until this June2021 wen the nodule on my le…Read more

]]> f12505f90b75d57a089e8573cbc5683f Ellenb626 replied to the topic now stage 4 in the forum General Melanoma Community https://forum.melanoma.org/forums/topic/now-stage-4/#post-275388 Thu, 22 Jul 2021 19:42:33 -0400 Thank you Cindy, Judy, and Patrisa for your replies and encouragement.  I mean it in a good way. I will keep posting to let you know how immunotherapy is going and what side effects I am experiencing.  I read the patient forum every day but I don’t post often.  I am thinking positive thoughts. Thanks again for the encouragement and good words ab…Read more

]]> f14acbf40484b27e5c8deb0baabecee0 Ellenb626 started the topic now stage 4 in the forum General Melanoma Community https://forum.melanoma.org/forums/topic/now-stage-4/ Wed, 21 Jul 2021 20:13:08 -0400 Long story short.  I was diagnosed with melanoma stage 3b in June 2019.  I was doing very nicely until now as per CT scans, MRI of brain and ultra sound of left armpit.  The melanoma decided to spread to my left lung.  Verified on CT scan done in June 2021 and a CT guided biopsy of the nodule also done in June.  The nodule is about half an inch…Read more

]]> d23f835d9aaec01428aade8119b5f0c8 Ellenb626 replied to the topic Am I the only one, who finds the new forum software/ layout very annoying ? in the forum General Melanoma Community https://forum.melanoma.org/forums/topic/am-i-the-only-one-who-finds-the-new-forum-software-layout-very-annoying/#post-275019 Wed, 16 Jun 2021 22:17:00 -0400 I also find it annoying.  I like the old forum better.  It was more informative and easier to use.

]]> dab4b4da53335762412b948a8ef5e381 Ellenb626 replied to the topic Acral Lentiginous - Newly Diagnosed & Looking for 2nd Opinion recs in the forum Cutaneous Melanoma Community https://forum.melanoma.org/forums/topic/acral-lentiginous-newly-diagnosed-looking-for-2nd-opinion-recs/#post-274335 Mon, 08 Mar 2021 23:10:42 -0500 Hi HBS,

After I was diagnosed with melanoma, I called Memorial Sloan Kettering and arranged to have all the information they needed- pathology and ct scans sent there.  They looked at the information I submitted and made an appointment with the surgeon.  I   I would call which ever institution you are considering ask them what information they ne…Read more

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