Melanoma Research Foundation | mmbraddock | Activity https://forum.melanoma.org/user/mmbraddock/activity/ Activity feed for mmbraddock. Wed, 15 Apr 2026 06:22:14 -0400 https://buddypress.org/?v= en-US 30 hourly 2 8088b1fac239232fb2d6fabc0fe1f71b mmbraddock replied to the topic New Branding and Logo for the MRF in the forum General Melanoma Community https://forum.melanoma.org/forums/topic/new-branding-and-logo-for-the-mrf/#post-280629 Tue, 04 Mar 2025 04:16:45 -0500 New website looks amazing! Easier for patients to navigate. Love the look! Thank you!

]]> ba97dabcedbe06075ed2edf5cc4178bf mmbraddock replied to the topic Cognitive decline in the forum General Melanoma Community https://forum.melanoma.org/forums/topic/cognitive-decline/#post-280493 Sun, 29 Sep 2024 05:46:03 -0400 I am 49 and just did two rounds of ipi/nivo and felt like I had acute early onset dementia. I was always searching for words. Off treatment and cognitively back to my 40-something self. These drugs are no joke. Hope it gets better!

]]> 1588edc07e0d367333c9b81b6f282e64 mmbraddock replied to the topic stage 4 and timing in the forum General Melanoma Community https://forum.melanoma.org/forums/topic/stage-4-and-timing/#post-280492 Sun, 29 Sep 2024 05:40:35 -0400 I agree. Sounds inconclusive, seems like you should have had an FNA? Did I miss that? So sorry you are having to deal with this nasty disease. It’s tough. Hope, courage and grace to you on your journey, Hope it gets easier.

]]> 182e6874adf94842fe9351fb9a903977 mmbraddock replied to the topic 24 years NED Stage 111b in the forum General Melanoma Community https://forum.melanoma.org/forums/topic/24-years-ned-stage-111b/#post-280491 Sun, 29 Sep 2024 05:26:21 -0400 Thank you for sharing. I was diagnosed stage 1b at 40 in 2016. Stage 3b 1/12/24. 5 months braf/mek. Preadjuct. Grade 3 Adverse Event. Severe Colitis. Two month delay in between treatment and lumpectomy, Almost complete responder. 9 months steroids. 6 colonoscopies and dialations. 6 hospitalizations. 6 months enyvio which induced severe chronic…Read more

]]> 2ba53b60ed04e9957b034766acead3b4 mmbraddock replied to the topic Stage 2C treatment advice in the forum Cutaneous Melanoma Community https://forum.melanoma.org/forums/topic/stage-2c-treatment-advice/#post-280400 Mon, 29 Jul 2024 04:44:03 -0400 I was stage 1b and it came back stage 3b in 2016. My suggestion is do it! It could stop you from having to ever deal with progression. If it’s a single agent it should be bearable but again you never know. They beauty of doing it proactively is you can stop if it’s too much. I did end up having an adverse reaction when I was on full dose of bra…Read more

]]> 3fcd43d3da42407f313bb0eb92b592d6 mmbraddock replied to the topic Advice on teenage son's mole in the forum Cutaneous Melanoma Community https://forum.melanoma.org/forums/topic/advice-on-teenage-sons-mole/#post-280399 Mon, 29 Jul 2024 04:26:10 -0400 My son is 16 and has probably had six biopsies. I have stage 3b melanoma. From my understanding, Melanoma is actually more linked to skin characteristics, although genetics can play a role. My son has my characteristics, strawberry blonde hair, freckles as a kid, more than 50 moles. Only difference is he didn’t get sunburned except one time (I w…Read more

]]> 275c2a0de1d37535e9a710b84fd8c336 mmbraddock replied to the topic Seeking advice for metastatic melanoma treatments in the forum Cutaneous Melanoma Community https://forum.melanoma.org/forums/topic/seeking-advice-for-metastatic-melanoma-treatments/#post-280398 Mon, 29 Jul 2024 04:16:09 -0400 Hi Brian,
First of all, I am so sorry. I haven’t posted on here in a minute bc I was lucky enough to have found 4 people with similar diagnosis on line this forum at the time and we started a chat that is very active starting in 1/22. I was diagnosed stage 1b at 40. Had Surgery at Moffitt Cancer center for wide excision. Three month skin checks f…Read more

]]> 3c5fef16a60b893acc9e438d70f09c32 mmbraddock's profile was updated https://forum.melanoma.org/activity/p/103787/ Wed, 03 Jan 2024 05:32:07 -0500 0 e07074534e8b6851145a95862e293aca mmbraddock replied to the topic Newly Diagnosed in the forum General Melanoma Community https://forum.melanoma.org/forums/topic/newly-diagnosed-47/#post-279741 Wed, 03 Jan 2024 05:30:31 -0500 Hope it all turned out well! I actually google search melanoma but only the news section! There are a lot of exciting advances rolling out. Silver linings everyplace!

]]> bb6fdb5fa3d271d9747e2f12a8eef0a8 mmbraddock replied to the topic Rash after immunotherapy in the forum General Melanoma Community https://forum.melanoma.org/forums/topic/rash-after-immunotherapy/#post-279739 Wed, 03 Jan 2024 05:24:00 -0500 I did targeted therapy and had terrible side effects during treatment but after the drugs braf/mek where out of my system the side effects of the medication disappeared. Although they did cause a grade 3 adverse event but my lymphnode went from 1.6cm to .4mm in 5 months!

]]> c4619a6a3638b45e2cd1727e5321cfdd mmbraddock replied to the topic Lymph Node Came Back Positive in the forum General Melanoma Community https://forum.melanoma.org/forums/topic/lymph-node-came-back-positive/#post-279738 Wed, 03 Jan 2024 05:18:40 -0500 Hi Jeff!
I was diagnosed stage 1b at 40 and had wide exicision surgery at Moffitt Cancer Center. Followed up every three months for five years and all good. Two years ago, I felt a swollen lymphnode in my groin. They biopsied it that day and I started a trial at Moffitt within two weeks. Everyone has a different take on trials but I get very…Read more

]]> 362863a80d2c7d4d154c7c16df0ba416 mmbraddock replied to the topic 6 years NED in the forum General Melanoma Community https://forum.melanoma.org/forums/topic/6-years-ned-4/#post-277461 Wed, 12 Oct 2022 03:58:40 -0400 I am so happy for you! Thanks for sharing your positive news! For those of us still in the trenches it’s great to hear long term NED. Whoo hoo!

]]> 56a95b0c641c6411c5f6407f2a21f20a mmbraddock replied to the topic treatment concerns in the forum General Melanoma Community https://forum.melanoma.org/forums/topic/treatment-concerns/#post-277460 Wed, 12 Oct 2022 03:54:40 -0400 I am sorry to hear about your experience. It is very frustrating when communication is not clear. I am fortunate to live in Tampa so have access to oncologists who work specifically in skin cancers. I would suggest seeing if there is anyone local that specializes specifically in melanoma. I have found it helpful to email and send messages through…Read more

]]> e58265d7e887571020e7eaa391293bb6 mmbraddock replied to the topic Core Needle Biopsy - Question in the forum General Melanoma Community https://forum.melanoma.org/forums/topic/core-needle-biopsy-question/#post-277459 Wed, 12 Oct 2022 03:43:34 -0400 Hi,
It is a scary thing to even think about. Hopefully, it is not Melanoma but IF it is the biopsy will help identify possible treatment options. I was 1b in 2016 on my thigh. Swollen lymphnode in groin in 1/22 biopsy confirmed melanoma. If you contain a BRAF mutation your treatment might include targeted therapy. There is research indicating…Read more

]]> 249cbab6a0b291aff37ad11e89a121eb mmbraddock replied to the topic Greetings! in the forum General Melanoma Community https://forum.melanoma.org/forums/topic/greetings/#post-276751 Tue, 17 May 2022 04:30:36 -0400 Yea, yea, yea! I remember my husband and I drank champagne when we found out no mets and then looked at each other and i said “oh yea it’s still stage 3, why are we celebrating”, then started laughing. The little victories make a bad situation a little better. It isn’t an easy road but you will persevere and learn a lot, about melanoma and yoursel…Read more

]]> 1296a74719112b0b38e22351bbc7818f mmbraddock replied to the topic Greetings! in the forum General Melanoma Community https://forum.melanoma.org/forums/topic/greetings/#post-276742 Mon, 16 May 2022 05:50:36 -0400 Hi!
I am so sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I am 46 with three teenagers, 18,17 and 14. I had stage 1B wide incision at Moffitt Cancer Center 1/5/16. Followed up 3 months with derm at MCC also established with derm at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville as part of an executive physical program. Felt lump in right groin (while I had Covid) and biopsy…Read more

]]> cd951b8710843a6b2dc8a4714f852cb7 mmbraddock replied to the topic Mektovi/Braftovi side effects and effectiveness. in the forum General Melanoma Community https://forum.melanoma.org/forums/topic/mektovi-braftovi-side-effects-and-effectiveness/#post-276741 Mon, 16 May 2022 05:28:04 -0400 Hi! I was diagnosed stage 3b in January 2022. I am on my fourth round of Braf/Mek. I have been able to tolerate the full dose. I am 46 with no other health issues. I have extreme fatigue that comes in waves and joint muscle pain that limits activity in the late afternoon and evening. I was sick the first two weeks and had yo take one week of bc of…Read more

]]> 301a0d8e6955c71b66e18678be311276 mmbraddock replied to the topic Genetic testing of tumor in the forum General Melanoma Community https://forum.melanoma.org/forums/topic/genetictesting-of-tumor/#post-276438 Tue, 08 Mar 2022 00:25:01 -0500 Hi!
I was disagnosed 3b in January. Are they testing for Braf+? If so that is probably to see if you are a candidate for targeted therapy. I had an ultrasound biopsy after the needle biopsy to check for braf+. I was Braf+ and doing targeted therapy w/ Braf/Mek. I would be interested if it is another type of genetic testing. Hang in there.
MM

]]> 953ded88e667ee7447367fe8d62b6ad4 mmbraddock replied to the topic Newbie here! Braftovi/Mektovi Side Effect Question - plus some general stuff in the forum General Melanoma Community https://forum.melanoma.org/forums/topic/newbie-here-braftovi-mektovi-side-effect-question-plus-some-general-stuff/#post-276437 Tue, 08 Mar 2022 00:20:14 -0500 Hi!
I am on Braf/Mec 12 a day. I had symptoms first day. I couldn’t believe it. I had severe muscle and join pain and unable to take more than a few step by the late afternoon and had diarrhea and vomiting through out the night. My liver enzymes spiked and they took me off of treatment plan for one week. I went back on my body somehow adjusted to…Read more

]]> 39268df6b623eee1796dd97d75c9f593 mmbraddock replied to the topic Battling Metastatic Melanoma is a Lonely Experience in the forum General Melanoma Community https://forum.melanoma.org/forums/topic/battling-metastatic-melanoma-is-a-lonely-experience/#post-276436 Tue, 08 Mar 2022 00:11:22 -0500 Hi Max,

I had another oncologist suggest I have the lymph nodes removed ASAP once confirmed Melanoma and do the Targeted Therapy/Immunotherapy after the surgery. My oncologist at Moffitt believes the targeted therapy prior to the lymph node removal significantly lowers chance of it returning as stage 4.

Feel free to ask any questions. Try to…Read more

]]> b1c2215fc474f55e8cddb71403be6715 mmbraddock changed their profile picture https://forum.melanoma.org/activity/p/14263/ Wed, 23 Feb 2022 03:14:23 -0500 0 01c0cde87a334676be411804ef4971c0 mmbraddock replied to the topic Battling Metastatic Melanoma is a Lonely Experience in the forum General Melanoma Community https://forum.melanoma.org/forums/topic/battling-metastatic-melanoma-is-a-lonely-experience/#post-276387 Wed, 23 Feb 2022 00:27:23 -0500 Hi Brain,

I had a wide excision removed on the back of my leg 1/5/16 It was stage 1B. I was 40. Assumed after 6 years was in the clear from that sight….I have been seen at Moffitt for my skin checks since 2016. My last apt was September and all good. I felt a swollen lymph node in my groin on 1/6/22. I was diagnosed on 1/12/22 with a…Read more

]]> 7a61f6ade72bfa44b08641fb8f2d29e7 mmbraddock replied to the topic Clinical Trial for BRAF+ in the forum General Melanoma Community https://forum.melanoma.org/forums/topic/clinical-trial-for-braf/#post-276333 Thu, 10 Feb 2022 22:45:31 -0500 Hi Jenn,

I am sorry to hear that you are undergoing another treatment and the brain met. You sound tough but it’s a lot, for anyone. I am still in a fog phase so thanks for responding. Feeling pretty isolated.

I was in a ton of pain first week. Couldn’t walk after 4pm, throwing up all night, so tired but then symptoms improved after a week and…Read more

]]> 0a2bd35e6f6db8649dcf8025317d8da8 mmbraddock replied to the topic Clinical Trial for BRAF+ in the forum General Melanoma Community https://forum.melanoma.org/forums/topic/clinical-trial-for-braf/#post-276330 Thu, 10 Feb 2022 18:23:59 -0500 Thanks for sharing! I think with this trial they do targeted therapy or immunotherapy after the surgery. Whatever it takes, I am all in! I have three teenagers who are having a tough time with all of this…hope you are doing well!

]]> 70312850b73c6bb20cba1aaa6db6e98e mmbraddock replied to the topic Clinical Trial for BRAF+ in the forum General Melanoma Community https://forum.melanoma.org/forums/topic/clinical-trial-for-braf/#post-276329 Thu, 10 Feb 2022 18:19:33 -0500 Yes! It’s sounds like we are in the same trial. My oncologist is Dr. Kushanali and my initial surgeon was Dr. Cruse. I went to Dr. Simonario for 6 years but now with Dr. Glass.

Had blood work and two week follow-up today. My liver numbers were crazy high. Had really tough symptoms first week but seemed to adjust. Was scared it was going to be s…Read more

]]> bbecaa14d63882e2c3100735b77dbb43 mmbraddock replied to the topic Clinical Trial for BRAF+ in the forum General Melanoma Community https://forum.melanoma.org/forums/topic/clinical-trial-for-braf/#post-276328 Thu, 10 Feb 2022 18:11:39 -0500 Thanks for the information and positive feedback! Glad to hear you are doing well!

]]> 63d5d0025fef102c062787e4d268e39c mmbraddock replied to the topic Still NED - Almost 5 Years in the forum General Melanoma Community https://forum.melanoma.org/forums/topic/still-ned-almost-5-years/#post-276302 Tue, 08 Feb 2022 19:24:47 -0500 So happy to hear your success and sharing your optimism. I am newly diagnosed 3b doing targeted therapy prior to surgery. Carpe Diem!
MM

]]> 323e65ec75c65cb66690e9436b1ee929 mmbraddock started the topic Clinical Trial for BRAF+ in the forum General Melanoma Community https://forum.melanoma.org/forums/topic/clinical-trial-for-braf/ Mon, 07 Feb 2022 14:33:25 -0500 Hi!
I had surgery for a 1B melanoma on 1/5/16 and now found out it had spread to local lymphnode on 1/12/22. I started a clinical trial at Mofffit Cancer Center in Tampa on 1/28/22. It is a combination of Braftovi (75mg) 6 a day and Mektovi (15mg) 6 times a day for 6 months with plans to do surgery after targeted therapy. Has anyone does this…Read more

]]> 42037b3cc2eedb8fd5711f31ae6b9a47 mmbraddock became a registered member https://forum.melanoma.org/activity/p/13259/ Thu, 03 Feb 2022 16:01:57 -0500 0