ktode10910

I was a 26 year old female when I was diagnosed with my first melanoma, found on my groin on the left side. That melanoma was graded a Stage III that had spread into one sentinel lymph node. A therapeutic lymph node dissection of the iliac and inguinal lymph nodes showed no further advancement of the melanoma. Based upon staging, I did one year of Interferon A in 2009 which was IV daily for one month and then self administered for the remaining 11 months. I had a second Stage IB melanoma removed from my back in 2008 which was found to have clear margins. In 2011 I had a Stage IA removed from my chest with clear margins. Two weeks ago, I was diagnosed with distant lymph node recurrent melanoma related to my Stage III diagnosis ten years ago. At this point, my lymph system is almost entirely involved through my left pelvis, back, chest, and up into my left armpit. The nodes are too large and numerous for surgery. However, all my other major organs are clear at this point–no sign of metastasis in my brain, lungs, liver, or kidneys. There is no active external lesion. My oncologist is going to start a two year treatment of Keytruda as soon as my insurance approves it.