YoJa

Oh my Gosh. That is devastating and surprising. May she rest in peace. She was committed to helping so many terrified melanoma patients here.

This is wonderful news! I am so happy for you.

I wouldn’t worry about the lung module. My doc told me most people have lung nodules that aren’t related to cancer, like 80% of people. Your report doesn’t sound like it has suspicious features.

Try not to worry, but I know that is very hard at this stage!!! I get it. It will get easier, trust me. Also know stage 3A has pretty good outcomes, better than most stage 2.

I highly recommend getting anything checked out that concerns. Best case you will ease your anxiety.
Many of us are on this forum because we waited to too long to get a spot checked out.

Myoja

Hi,

I am in the middle of treatment now for stage 2C. I have had no side effects. But I underestimated what a time commitment this is. I go every 6 weeks now (3 week interval for a first 2-3 months), and those appointments are not short. Nevertheless, I’m glad I’m doing it.

I would have done it if I was stage 2 B. For me, the anxiety of recurrence has only increased with time so I’m glad I’m doing what I can now.

Another thing to consider, which both my oncologist and Celeste had mentioned, is if you do get side effects, you can stop treatment while still getting a benefit. It’s unknown exactly how much treatment each person needs.

Good luck with your decision. The odds are in your favor at stage 2B.

Best,
M

Amazing news! Thanks for sharing. Enjoy!

I agree with Celeste. This is a really crazy place to find some much spam.

Hi there,

I’m not sure about this but I can tell you my experience. I also had SLNB in my groin. My stitches are “thick” and somewhat bumpy but it’s all within the skin and scar. I would imagine that a lymph node bump would feel like a bump underneath the skin. I assume the difference between stitch bumps and a cancerous lymph node would be very distinct.

Anyway, as you know surgical oncologist specialize in removing cancer, not necessarily identifying it or looking for signs of it coming back. So I would get a second opinion from a medical oncologist. Your GP thought it was worth getting a second opinion.

It is smart that you are taken action now to get this figured out. It could be nothing and you can put your mind to rest. Or it could be something and you will have jumped on it as early as possible.

I would do whatever to takes to put your mind to rest so you can move on with your life.

M

This is amazing news! Always great to read these kinds of updates.

Enjoy!

First of all, congrats! This is obviously wonderful news.

Second, at what point did you start to feel even slightly less anxious? I’m almost 6 months out and everyday I struggle to not think about my own mortality and recurrence. So far my scans have been clean but that was only a recent CT scan. Seems like a PET scan is better at detecting.

I’m on pembro now but those odds aren’t great either. The only way I’ll know if it is working, is if it doesn’t.

Anyway, when do you start to feel any less ridden with anxiety? I feel like I’m jinxing myself even asking this.

M

15 years NED for stage 3 is very encouraging to hear! Stage A,B or C if you don’t mind me asking?