› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Stage IIIB
- This topic has 15 replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 13 years, 5 months ago by
Lauri England.
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- December 13, 2011 at 7:45 pm
Hi–
Hi–
I was diagnosed with Stage IIIB melanoma (Sept 2011) when a freckle I had removed from my nose (Jan, 2011–melanoma) had spread to a lymph node under my chin (the sential node biopsy didn't work). My PET scan came back negative. I had the lymph node with the tumor removed along with 30 other lymph nodes on one side of my neck (Oct 14). The tumor was encapsillated and no other melanoma was found in any of the other lymph nodes. I was asked to be a part of the clinical trial (ippy/interferon). With only a 7% chance of it helping and the fact my tumor was encapsillated (no breakage around it), I am hoping this could be the end of it. My local oncologist along with my surgeon understand my not taking part in the trial. I'm going on the 50% positive side that the melanoma could be cured at this point. I will continue seeing my dermotologist & cancer surgeon every three months, my oncologist at Mass General every 6 months and my local oncologist every 4 months. I have been taking a tablespoon of lemon everyday, vitamin D, exercise regularly, eating the super foods and lowering my alcohol intake. I'm hoping this will work. Has anyone out there had Stage III melanoma for years with no spreading? I'm hoping I'm doing the right thing. Any info would be appreciated.
Kelly
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- December 13, 2011 at 10:17 pm
Hi Kelly Im sure there will be many more experienced ones who will get back to you with some good information. I can only give my experience with my dad who was diagnosed last December stage 3B which became stage 4 in June. He also decided not to take part in the IPI trial he was offered and believed he was cured. I don't know if the trial would have helped but I do know that we always look back and wonder what if? Im not telling you this to scare you, many on this board are still stage 3 with no sign of reocurrance and have chosen to wait and watch.
Take care and stay positive. The support and insight I have received from others on this board has truly been invaluable. So checking in here is a great start.
All the best Kelly
Nahmi from Melbourne
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- December 13, 2011 at 10:17 pm
Hi Kelly Im sure there will be many more experienced ones who will get back to you with some good information. I can only give my experience with my dad who was diagnosed last December stage 3B which became stage 4 in June. He also decided not to take part in the IPI trial he was offered and believed he was cured. I don't know if the trial would have helped but I do know that we always look back and wonder what if? Im not telling you this to scare you, many on this board are still stage 3 with no sign of reocurrance and have chosen to wait and watch.
Take care and stay positive. The support and insight I have received from others on this board has truly been invaluable. So checking in here is a great start.
All the best Kelly
Nahmi from Melbourne
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- December 13, 2011 at 10:17 pm
Hi Kelly Im sure there will be many more experienced ones who will get back to you with some good information. I can only give my experience with my dad who was diagnosed last December stage 3B which became stage 4 in June. He also decided not to take part in the IPI trial he was offered and believed he was cured. I don't know if the trial would have helped but I do know that we always look back and wonder what if? Im not telling you this to scare you, many on this board are still stage 3 with no sign of reocurrance and have chosen to wait and watch.
Take care and stay positive. The support and insight I have received from others on this board has truly been invaluable. So checking in here is a great start.
All the best Kelly
Nahmi from Melbourne
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- December 16, 2011 at 2:56 pm
I was diagnosed stage IIIC June 2010. It was located on my right shoulder. The melanoma had spread to my lymph nodes under my arm. Total of 4 were positive. I did the year of Interferon and so far over a year and a half later I am NED. I have a PET Scan scheduled for January 2012. We will see at that time. I was told that there is a 70% chance of recurrence but the interferon is suposed to delay this. Hopefully forever. It is a guessing game as melanoma is so unprodictable. One small cell can travel your body and land anywhere. Whatever dicision you make just make sure to do all the research first. This is an excellent place to get a lot on information. When I was first diagnosed I had no idea about melanoma. The more you learn about the disease the better choices are made. Best of luck to ya and welcome.
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- December 16, 2011 at 2:56 pm
I was diagnosed stage IIIC June 2010. It was located on my right shoulder. The melanoma had spread to my lymph nodes under my arm. Total of 4 were positive. I did the year of Interferon and so far over a year and a half later I am NED. I have a PET Scan scheduled for January 2012. We will see at that time. I was told that there is a 70% chance of recurrence but the interferon is suposed to delay this. Hopefully forever. It is a guessing game as melanoma is so unprodictable. One small cell can travel your body and land anywhere. Whatever dicision you make just make sure to do all the research first. This is an excellent place to get a lot on information. When I was first diagnosed I had no idea about melanoma. The more you learn about the disease the better choices are made. Best of luck to ya and welcome.
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- December 16, 2011 at 2:56 pm
I was diagnosed stage IIIC June 2010. It was located on my right shoulder. The melanoma had spread to my lymph nodes under my arm. Total of 4 were positive. I did the year of Interferon and so far over a year and a half later I am NED. I have a PET Scan scheduled for January 2012. We will see at that time. I was told that there is a 70% chance of recurrence but the interferon is suposed to delay this. Hopefully forever. It is a guessing game as melanoma is so unprodictable. One small cell can travel your body and land anywhere. Whatever dicision you make just make sure to do all the research first. This is an excellent place to get a lot on information. When I was first diagnosed I had no idea about melanoma. The more you learn about the disease the better choices are made. Best of luck to ya and welcome.
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- December 16, 2011 at 2:57 pm
I was diagnosed stage IIIC June 2010. It was located on my right shoulder. The melanoma had spread to my lymph nodes under my arm. Total of 4 were positive. I did the year of Interferon and so far over a year and a half later I am NED. I have a PET Scan scheduled for January 2012. We will see at that time. I was told that there is a 70% chance of recurrence but the interferon is suposed to delay this. Hopefully forever. It is a guessing game as melanoma is so unprodictable. One small cell can travel your body and land anywhere. Whatever dicision you make just make sure to do all the research first. This is an excellent place to get a lot on information. When I was first diagnosed I had no idea about melanoma. The more you learn about the disease the better choices are made. Best of luck to ya and welcome.
-
- December 16, 2011 at 2:57 pm
I was diagnosed stage IIIC June 2010. It was located on my right shoulder. The melanoma had spread to my lymph nodes under my arm. Total of 4 were positive. I did the year of Interferon and so far over a year and a half later I am NED. I have a PET Scan scheduled for January 2012. We will see at that time. I was told that there is a 70% chance of recurrence but the interferon is suposed to delay this. Hopefully forever. It is a guessing game as melanoma is so unprodictable. One small cell can travel your body and land anywhere. Whatever dicision you make just make sure to do all the research first. This is an excellent place to get a lot on information. When I was first diagnosed I had no idea about melanoma. The more you learn about the disease the better choices are made. Best of luck to ya and welcome.
-
- December 16, 2011 at 2:57 pm
I was diagnosed stage IIIC June 2010. It was located on my right shoulder. The melanoma had spread to my lymph nodes under my arm. Total of 4 were positive. I did the year of Interferon and so far over a year and a half later I am NED. I have a PET Scan scheduled for January 2012. We will see at that time. I was told that there is a 70% chance of recurrence but the interferon is suposed to delay this. Hopefully forever. It is a guessing game as melanoma is so unprodictable. One small cell can travel your body and land anywhere. Whatever dicision you make just make sure to do all the research first. This is an excellent place to get a lot on information. When I was first diagnosed I had no idea about melanoma. The more you learn about the disease the better choices are made. Best of luck to ya and welcome.
-
- December 16, 2011 at 2:57 pm
I was diagnosed stage IIIC June 2010. It was located on my right shoulder. The melanoma had spread to my lymph nodes under my arm. Total of 4 were positive. I did the year of Interferon and so far over a year and a half later I am NED. I have a PET Scan scheduled for January 2012. We will see at that time. I was told that there is a 70% chance of recurrence but the interferon is suposed to delay this. Hopefully forever. It is a guessing game as melanoma is so unprodictable. One small cell can travel your body and land anywhere. Whatever dicision you make just make sure to do all the research first. This is an excellent place to get a lot on information. When I was first diagnosed I had no idea about melanoma. The more you learn about the disease the better choices are made. Best of luck to ya and welcome.
-
- December 16, 2011 at 2:57 pm
I was diagnosed stage IIIC June 2010. It was located on my right shoulder. The melanoma had spread to my lymph nodes under my arm. Total of 4 were positive. I did the year of Interferon and so far over a year and a half later I am NED. I have a PET Scan scheduled for January 2012. We will see at that time. I was told that there is a 70% chance of recurrence but the interferon is suposed to delay this. Hopefully forever. It is a guessing game as melanoma is so unprodictable. One small cell can travel your body and land anywhere. Whatever dicision you make just make sure to do all the research first. This is an excellent place to get a lot on information. When I was first diagnosed I had no idea about melanoma. The more you learn about the disease the better choices are made. Best of luck to ya and welcome.
-
- December 16, 2011 at 2:57 pm
I was diagnosed stage IIIC June 2010. It was located on my right shoulder. The melanoma had spread to my lymph nodes under my arm. Total of 4 were positive. I did the year of Interferon and so far over a year and a half later I am NED. I have a PET Scan scheduled for January 2012. We will see at that time. I was told that there is a 70% chance of recurrence but the interferon is suposed to delay this. Hopefully forever. It is a guessing game as melanoma is so unprodictable. One small cell can travel your body and land anywhere. Whatever dicision you make just make sure to do all the research first. This is an excellent place to get a lot on information. When I was first diagnosed I had no idea about melanoma. The more you learn about the disease the better choices are made. Best of luck to ya and welcome.
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