First posting here, scared to death right now, just diagnosed Stage 3.

Glad you found us, it is the best site for melanoma out there.  I can say that with confidence seeing as I am officially an "old timer" here.  Sorry you had to join.

The best way to help us help you is to get a copy of your pathology results from your original biopsy and a brief history ex. where it was found, how, how deep, ulceration or not, how many sentinal nodes were positive (I assume you are at least stage III if having your lymphnodes removed, that is unless you are speaking about having a sentinal node biopsy).

IMHO – interferon is useless but there isn't much out there for stage II / III.  Clinical trials are always popping up, and within the past 3 years we have seen miraculous progress in the understanding and treatment of advanced melanoma.

You can look up the melanoma basics and understanding all the lingo to get up to speed on this website, I just forgot what tab it was under.  When I was first diagnosed as stage 2A 12 years ago, it was much easier since there wasn't much out there to treat it.

Best of luck with your surgery, let us know how it goes.

Aloha,

Kim

Glad you found us, it is the best site for melanoma out there.  I can say that with confidence seeing as I am officially an "old timer" here.  Sorry you had to join.

The best way to help us help you is to get a copy of your pathology results from your original biopsy and a brief history ex. where it was found, how, how deep, ulceration or not, how many sentinal nodes were positive (I assume you are at least stage III if having your lymphnodes removed, that is unless you are speaking about having a sentinal node biopsy).

IMHO – interferon is useless but there isn't much out there for stage II / III.  Clinical trials are always popping up, and within the past 3 years we have seen miraculous progress in the understanding and treatment of advanced melanoma.

You can look up the melanoma basics and understanding all the lingo to get up to speed on this website, I just forgot what tab it was under.  When I was first diagnosed as stage 2A 12 years ago, it was much easier since there wasn't much out there to treat it.

Best of luck with your surgery, let us know how it goes.

Aloha,

Kim

Glad you found us, it is the best site for melanoma out there.  I can say that with confidence seeing as I am officially an "old timer" here.  Sorry you had to join.

The best way to help us help you is to get a copy of your pathology results from your original biopsy and a brief history ex. where it was found, how, how deep, ulceration or not, how many sentinal nodes were positive (I assume you are at least stage III if having your lymphnodes removed, that is unless you are speaking about having a sentinal node biopsy).

IMHO – interferon is useless but there isn't much out there for stage II / III.  Clinical trials are always popping up, and within the past 3 years we have seen miraculous progress in the understanding and treatment of advanced melanoma.

You can look up the melanoma basics and understanding all the lingo to get up to speed on this website, I just forgot what tab it was under.  When I was first diagnosed as stage 2A 12 years ago, it was much easier since there wasn't much out there to treat it.

Best of luck with your surgery, let us know how it goes.

Aloha,

Kim

Hello!

You have come to the right website where you will learn valuable information and be supported and loved! I understand your fears and can only say that there is hope, even for stage 4 patients, such as my husband who is presently NED. Don't let your fear consume you and stay positive mentally. You will be in my prayers.

Gina

Hello!

You have come to the right website where you will learn valuable information and be supported and loved! I understand your fears and can only say that there is hope, even for stage 4 patients, such as my husband who is presently NED. Don't let your fear consume you and stay positive mentally. You will be in my prayers.

Gina

Hello!

You have come to the right website where you will learn valuable information and be supported and loved! I understand your fears and can only say that there is hope, even for stage 4 patients, such as my husband who is presently NED. Don't let your fear consume you and stay positive mentally. You will be in my prayers.

Gina

Hello,

Welcome to the site where there is much help and support from people that have been through what you are going through and tried many treatments.  In the last 3 years there have been many advances.

I see you are stage III and that gives you less treatment options but there are still some and some clinical trials.  Posting your pathology report would be helpful and I also recommend you see a melanoma specialist as they know about more clinical trials and what to look for as far as side effects or other treatments much more so than the regular doctors and oncologists.

Always for your sake get a copy of scans, reports and start yourself a file in case you ever are going for a second opinion as it is much easier to have them then to have to wait to go and get copies for future use.

Judy (loving wife of Gene Stage IV and now NED ((no evidence of disease)) since 2012)

Hello,

Welcome to the site where there is much help and support from people that have been through what you are going through and tried many treatments.  In the last 3 years there have been many advances.

I see you are stage III and that gives you less treatment options but there are still some and some clinical trials.  Posting your pathology report would be helpful and I also recommend you see a melanoma specialist as they know about more clinical trials and what to look for as far as side effects or other treatments much more so than the regular doctors and oncologists.

Always for your sake get a copy of scans, reports and start yourself a file in case you ever are going for a second opinion as it is much easier to have them then to have to wait to go and get copies for future use.

Judy (loving wife of Gene Stage IV and now NED ((no evidence of disease)) since 2012)

Hello,

Welcome to the site where there is much help and support from people that have been through what you are going through and tried many treatments.  In the last 3 years there have been many advances.

I see you are stage III and that gives you less treatment options but there are still some and some clinical trials.  Posting your pathology report would be helpful and I also recommend you see a melanoma specialist as they know about more clinical trials and what to look for as far as side effects or other treatments much more so than the regular doctors and oncologists.

Always for your sake get a copy of scans, reports and start yourself a file in case you ever are going for a second opinion as it is much easier to have them then to have to wait to go and get copies for future use.

Judy (loving wife of Gene Stage IV and now NED ((no evidence of disease)) since 2012)

Sorry you had to join our group but glad you found the support.  I read you profile, thanks for filling that out, it helps.  You should know that at under 1mm your tumor is not too deep.  But obviously it must have been deep enough to have already gotten to your lymph nodes if you are have ALL you lymph nodes removed.  Oh, it appears you are having that done as I write, well good luck!  When You post again, I hope you do, if you have any questions about drains, healing etc post them…..we have all been through it.

I am stage 3a, now 4 years with No Evidence of Disease (NED).  I had all the lymph nodes under my arm removed and them no further treatment.  I agreed with your assessment, Interferon was a waste of my time and money.  But it is a very personal decision.  Some people feel they must do something to fight back. 

If you're active and health, then hopefully you will have good results too.  I have been religious about both my Oncologist and Derm. follow-ups.  I try to eat a little healthier. 

Take Care,

Mary

Sorry you had to join our group but glad you found the support.  I read you profile, thanks for filling that out, it helps.  You should know that at under 1mm your tumor is not too deep.  But obviously it must have been deep enough to have already gotten to your lymph nodes if you are have ALL you lymph nodes removed.  Oh, it appears you are having that done as I write, well good luck!  When You post again, I hope you do, if you have any questions about drains, healing etc post them…..we have all been through it.

I am stage 3a, now 4 years with No Evidence of Disease (NED).  I had all the lymph nodes under my arm removed and them no further treatment.  I agreed with your assessment, Interferon was a waste of my time and money.  But it is a very personal decision.  Some people feel they must do something to fight back. 

If you're active and health, then hopefully you will have good results too.  I have been religious about both my Oncologist and Derm. follow-ups.  I try to eat a little healthier. 

Take Care,

Mary

Sorry you had to join our group but glad you found the support.  I read you profile, thanks for filling that out, it helps.  You should know that at under 1mm your tumor is not too deep.  But obviously it must have been deep enough to have already gotten to your lymph nodes if you are have ALL you lymph nodes removed.  Oh, it appears you are having that done as I write, well good luck!  When You post again, I hope you do, if you have any questions about drains, healing etc post them…..we have all been through it.

I am stage 3a, now 4 years with No Evidence of Disease (NED).  I had all the lymph nodes under my arm removed and them no further treatment.  I agreed with your assessment, Interferon was a waste of my time and money.  But it is a very personal decision.  Some people feel they must do something to fight back. 

If you're active and health, then hopefully you will have good results too.  I have been religious about both my Oncologist and Derm. follow-ups.  I try to eat a little healthier. 

Take Care,

Mary

Jim,

I, too, have just recently been diagnosed with Stage 3 melanoma, so I know how you are feeling.  But you are luckier than I because yours was only 1mm in depth, whereas mine was 6.5, and I've learned that that size qualifies my melanoma as "THICK" melanoma which has a much lower anticipated survival rate 🙁  So by comparison you are LUCKY 🙂  My thoughts and prayers will be with you as you go for your surgery tomorrow.  I will be looking forward to how it goes and how you are doing afterwards, as the same surgery appears to be in my future.

Jim,

I, too, have just recently been diagnosed with Stage 3 melanoma, so I know how you are feeling.  But you are luckier than I because yours was only 1mm in depth, whereas mine was 6.5, and I've learned that that size qualifies my melanoma as "THICK" melanoma which has a much lower anticipated survival rate 🙁  So by comparison you are LUCKY 🙂  My thoughts and prayers will be with you as you go for your surgery tomorrow.  I will be looking forward to how it goes and how you are doing afterwards, as the same surgery appears to be in my future.

Jim,

I, too, have just recently been diagnosed with Stage 3 melanoma, so I know how you are feeling.  But you are luckier than I because yours was only 1mm in depth, whereas mine was 6.5, and I've learned that that size qualifies my melanoma as "THICK" melanoma which has a much lower anticipated survival rate 🙁  So by comparison you are LUCKY 🙂  My thoughts and prayers will be with you as you go for your surgery tomorrow.  I will be looking forward to how it goes and how you are doing afterwards, as the same surgery appears to be in my future.

Hi Jim,

I am also diagnosed stage 3, just recently had all my scans done (all clear, thank God), and I will have my superficial inguinal lymph node dissection on Wednesday (April 2nd). I think we are all scared, but know that this is an AMAZING place to find support/answers to your questions, and advice. I was EXTREMELY distraght when I first found out about 2 months ago (at 31 weeks pregnant), sentinel node biopsy and WLE done at 34 weeks, with one node positive. I then had to wait 7 more weeks to be induced with my daughter, so now I am on the road to recovery. The waiting SUCKS. You just want to do SOMETHING to make it all a little better. As for interferon, I have heard mixed reviews on it, but my oncologist, Dr. Andrew Poklepovic at VCU in Richmond, VA, does say that for stage 3, esp. stage 3A, interferon works. Whether it delays a recurrance (IF a recurrence was bound to happen), or if it kills off any stray cells entirely, we don't quite know. I may take it, I may not. I will have to see after the pathology reports from my next surgery. I do want to say that the anxiety gets a little easier to handle. It does not go away, but gets better. Best of luck to you, you will do great 🙂

Hi Jim,

I am also diagnosed stage 3, just recently had all my scans done (all clear, thank God), and I will have my superficial inguinal lymph node dissection on Wednesday (April 2nd). I think we are all scared, but know that this is an AMAZING place to find support/answers to your questions, and advice. I was EXTREMELY distraght when I first found out about 2 months ago (at 31 weeks pregnant), sentinel node biopsy and WLE done at 34 weeks, with one node positive. I then had to wait 7 more weeks to be induced with my daughter, so now I am on the road to recovery. The waiting SUCKS. You just want to do SOMETHING to make it all a little better. As for interferon, I have heard mixed reviews on it, but my oncologist, Dr. Andrew Poklepovic at VCU in Richmond, VA, does say that for stage 3, esp. stage 3A, interferon works. Whether it delays a recurrance (IF a recurrence was bound to happen), or if it kills off any stray cells entirely, we don't quite know. I may take it, I may not. I will have to see after the pathology reports from my next surgery. I do want to say that the anxiety gets a little easier to handle. It does not go away, but gets better. Best of luck to you, you will do great 🙂

Hi Jim,

I am also diagnosed stage 3, just recently had all my scans done (all clear, thank God), and I will have my superficial inguinal lymph node dissection on Wednesday (April 2nd). I think we are all scared, but know that this is an AMAZING place to find support/answers to your questions, and advice. I was EXTREMELY distraght when I first found out about 2 months ago (at 31 weeks pregnant), sentinel node biopsy and WLE done at 34 weeks, with one node positive. I then had to wait 7 more weeks to be induced with my daughter, so now I am on the road to recovery. The waiting SUCKS. You just want to do SOMETHING to make it all a little better. As for interferon, I have heard mixed reviews on it, but my oncologist, Dr. Andrew Poklepovic at VCU in Richmond, VA, does say that for stage 3, esp. stage 3A, interferon works. Whether it delays a recurrance (IF a recurrence was bound to happen), or if it kills off any stray cells entirely, we don't quite know. I may take it, I may not. I will have to see after the pathology reports from my next surgery. I do want to say that the anxiety gets a little easier to handle. It does not go away, but gets better. Best of luck to you, you will do great 🙂