› Forums › General Melanoma Community › stage 3/4 phone buddy
- This topic has 21 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 10 years, 4 months ago by
Rosegargala.
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- December 22, 2014 at 1:47 pm
My name is Rose and I am staged at stage 4 by an Rn but believe I am stage 3a !! I am searching for a phone buddy so that I can discuss my diagnosis and get the support I so desperately need ! I have 3 friends who have been diagnosed with melanoma but have only needed the surgery because none was present in their nodes ! Please contact me if you are interested in helping me ! It would mean the world to me to talk to those who are going through the same thing as I !!! THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH AND MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
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- December 22, 2014 at 2:49 pm
There should be general cancer support groups in your area. Check with the American Cancer Society in your area. There might be melanoma specific support groups as well. There are a few organizations that can link you up with someone else who has a similar cancer diagnosis. One organization that will connect you is Imerman Angels. http://www.imermanangels.org/ I think if you call American Cancer Society toll free number they will take your info and put you in touch on the phone with an oncology nurse who can discuss your case with you
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- December 22, 2014 at 2:49 pm
There should be general cancer support groups in your area. Check with the American Cancer Society in your area. There might be melanoma specific support groups as well. There are a few organizations that can link you up with someone else who has a similar cancer diagnosis. One organization that will connect you is Imerman Angels. http://www.imermanangels.org/ I think if you call American Cancer Society toll free number they will take your info and put you in touch on the phone with an oncology nurse who can discuss your case with you
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- December 22, 2014 at 2:49 pm
There should be general cancer support groups in your area. Check with the American Cancer Society in your area. There might be melanoma specific support groups as well. There are a few organizations that can link you up with someone else who has a similar cancer diagnosis. One organization that will connect you is Imerman Angels. http://www.imermanangels.org/ I think if you call American Cancer Society toll free number they will take your info and put you in touch on the phone with an oncology nurse who can discuss your case with you
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- December 22, 2014 at 3:15 pm
They offer a phone buddy service with the MRF. Go to this link:
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- December 22, 2014 at 3:15 pm
They offer a phone buddy service with the MRF. Go to this link:
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- December 22, 2014 at 3:15 pm
They offer a phone buddy service with the MRF. Go to this link:
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- December 22, 2014 at 3:42 pm
Like Janner pointed out in another post the treatments I've taken are for stage 4 and not available to stage 3. From what I've read a lot of people think they should be available for stage 3 and probably in the future they will be but they aren't yet except in trials. Sooo just my 2 cents if they document you as stage 4 it gives you more treatment options eventhough in reality you are stage 3. Just a thought. I've been stage 4 from day 1 so I'm not familiar with what it's like going through the various stages so I wouldn't be much help. I remember when i saw the report that said stage 4 I was very scared. Then someone said it is just a number and not a sentence and it isn't like I could do anything about it anyway so I quit thinking about it.
Artie
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- December 22, 2014 at 3:42 pm
Like Janner pointed out in another post the treatments I've taken are for stage 4 and not available to stage 3. From what I've read a lot of people think they should be available for stage 3 and probably in the future they will be but they aren't yet except in trials. Sooo just my 2 cents if they document you as stage 4 it gives you more treatment options eventhough in reality you are stage 3. Just a thought. I've been stage 4 from day 1 so I'm not familiar with what it's like going through the various stages so I wouldn't be much help. I remember when i saw the report that said stage 4 I was very scared. Then someone said it is just a number and not a sentence and it isn't like I could do anything about it anyway so I quit thinking about it.
Artie
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- December 22, 2014 at 3:50 pm
Oh sorry. Just read your other post. Yeah that nurse like sabklyn said was probably talking clark level 4 not stage 4. Very big difference. So it sounds like you are on your way to seeing a melanoma specialist and make some tough decisions like Celeste provided a lot of info for you and you will be fine.
Artie
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- December 22, 2014 at 3:50 pm
Oh sorry. Just read your other post. Yeah that nurse like sabklyn said was probably talking clark level 4 not stage 4. Very big difference. So it sounds like you are on your way to seeing a melanoma specialist and make some tough decisions like Celeste provided a lot of info for you and you will be fine.
Artie
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- December 26, 2014 at 6:14 pm
Thanks Artie !!! -
- December 26, 2014 at 6:14 pm
Thanks Artie !!! -
- December 26, 2014 at 6:14 pm
Thanks Artie !!! -
- December 22, 2014 at 3:50 pm
Oh sorry. Just read your other post. Yeah that nurse like sabklyn said was probably talking clark level 4 not stage 4. Very big difference. So it sounds like you are on your way to seeing a melanoma specialist and make some tough decisions like Celeste provided a lot of info for you and you will be fine.
Artie
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- December 23, 2014 at 12:47 pm
I agree with Artie in that you were given a number of good links in the other topic you started.
Also, read your note under this topic again and realize that nurses do not diagnose patients. Doctors do. 🙂 That woman had no business trying to do the doctor's job. It probably is not a very well run practice if nurses are allowed to get away with things like that. If you haven't done so already, call UPMC and set up your appointment. It's a scary thing, I know. But it will have been well worth it.
I was also dealing with my diagnosis at this very same time of year 4 years ago. In short, it sucked. Like you, I had a clean scan. If there's one thing I've learned from reading the posts in melanoma forums over the years, it's to never underestimate the value of a clean scan. I can't stress that enough to you. Had I realized that, my holidays that year would have been fine.
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- December 23, 2014 at 12:47 pm
I agree with Artie in that you were given a number of good links in the other topic you started.
Also, read your note under this topic again and realize that nurses do not diagnose patients. Doctors do. 🙂 That woman had no business trying to do the doctor's job. It probably is not a very well run practice if nurses are allowed to get away with things like that. If you haven't done so already, call UPMC and set up your appointment. It's a scary thing, I know. But it will have been well worth it.
I was also dealing with my diagnosis at this very same time of year 4 years ago. In short, it sucked. Like you, I had a clean scan. If there's one thing I've learned from reading the posts in melanoma forums over the years, it's to never underestimate the value of a clean scan. I can't stress that enough to you. Had I realized that, my holidays that year would have been fine.
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- December 23, 2014 at 12:47 pm
I agree with Artie in that you were given a number of good links in the other topic you started.
Also, read your note under this topic again and realize that nurses do not diagnose patients. Doctors do. 🙂 That woman had no business trying to do the doctor's job. It probably is not a very well run practice if nurses are allowed to get away with things like that. If you haven't done so already, call UPMC and set up your appointment. It's a scary thing, I know. But it will have been well worth it.
I was also dealing with my diagnosis at this very same time of year 4 years ago. In short, it sucked. Like you, I had a clean scan. If there's one thing I've learned from reading the posts in melanoma forums over the years, it's to never underestimate the value of a clean scan. I can't stress that enough to you. Had I realized that, my holidays that year would have been fine.
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- December 26, 2014 at 6:09 pm
I have taken the advice of my fellow warriors and will be going to OSU James cancer center on January 6 the !!! I can’t tell you all how much your advice has made me stronger !! I feel that by getting a second opinion I am ready to live again ! This has taken a huge toll on my marriage because I’m terrified and my poor husband has to deal with my anxiety!! Thank you so much for the much needed support to live again !!! I’ve never met any of you but I LOVE YOU ALL !!! -
- December 26, 2014 at 6:09 pm
I have taken the advice of my fellow warriors and will be going to OSU James cancer center on January 6 the !!! I can’t tell you all how much your advice has made me stronger !! I feel that by getting a second opinion I am ready to live again ! This has taken a huge toll on my marriage because I’m terrified and my poor husband has to deal with my anxiety!! Thank you so much for the much needed support to live again !!! I’ve never met any of you but I LOVE YOU ALL !!! -
- December 26, 2014 at 6:09 pm
I have taken the advice of my fellow warriors and will be going to OSU James cancer center on January 6 the !!! I can’t tell you all how much your advice has made me stronger !! I feel that by getting a second opinion I am ready to live again ! This has taken a huge toll on my marriage because I’m terrified and my poor husband has to deal with my anxiety!! Thank you so much for the much needed support to live again !!! I’ve never met any of you but I LOVE YOU ALL !!!
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- December 22, 2014 at 3:42 pm
Like Janner pointed out in another post the treatments I've taken are for stage 4 and not available to stage 3. From what I've read a lot of people think they should be available for stage 3 and probably in the future they will be but they aren't yet except in trials. Sooo just my 2 cents if they document you as stage 4 it gives you more treatment options eventhough in reality you are stage 3. Just a thought. I've been stage 4 from day 1 so I'm not familiar with what it's like going through the various stages so I wouldn't be much help. I remember when i saw the report that said stage 4 I was very scared. Then someone said it is just a number and not a sentence and it isn't like I could do anything about it anyway so I quit thinking about it.
Artie
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