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My Dad has progressed to Stage 4
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My Dad has progressed to Stage 4

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › My Dad has progressed to Stage 4

  • Post
    • February 15, 2019 at 3:51 pm
    KLM2122
    Participant

      My Dad is dealing with stage 4 melanoma and I would like some support and insight for him.

      His Melanoma story:
      Diagnosed Nov 2018 with melanoma on his left ear.  Is working with Penn hospital.  Had MOHs surgery and SLNB in Dec/Jan.  All was good and clear until July 2018.  A lump grew on his neck.  The lump was melanoma.  He did 21 days of proton radiaton in Oct/Nov 2018, as well as monthly immunotherapy(I believe optiva).  He just went for his PET scan yesterday and they found very small nodules(melanoma) on his lungs…smaller then a cm.  The treatment did not work the way they wanted it to.  The next step is optiva/yervoy combination for 90 days until his next scan.

      Right now he is down, feeling defeated, and scared.  I am reaching out for support for him.  His name is Kevin McBride.  He is 58 years old, and other then this melanoma, he is very healthy.  No previous disease.  In shape.  Never smoked.  I know he has a lot of fight left in him, but I feel he needs some support from this wonderful community you have here.

      Thank you in advance,
      Kelly Gorman

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    • Replies
        • February 15, 2019 at 4:42 pm
        Bubbles
        Participant

          Yes, Kelly, it is gives a huge feeling of defeat to have a recurrence of melanoma, especially when you think you've done everything you could!!  But, there are many of us here that have been there, done that.  Doesn't make it easy for the next guy…but there is some comfort in it I think.

          It sounds as though your dad was treated appropriately and has a good plan going forward.

          Here is a primer I put together regarding melanoma care that may be helpful:  

          https://chaoticallypreciselifeloveandmelanoma.blogspot.com/2017/08/melanoma-intel-primer-for-current.html  
           

          Here is data that shows how beneficial the combo of radiation and immunotherapy can be in melanoma care: 

          https://chaoticallypreciselifeloveandmelanoma.blogspot.com/search?q=radiation+and+immunotherapy  

          It does seem like a slap in the face to deal with a life threatening illness when you have been a non-smoker, sun avoider, exercise participating human all your life.  Yep.  Been there…am that.  And while there is no diet or exercise regimen that can save us from melanoma…being as healthy as you can in all ways is always a good thing!!!  If you're in for a fight, going in as strong as possible is always to your benefit.  

          Hope is hard to attain when staring at the huge looming green stinky menancing balls of melanoma.  Hope is a difficut thing to 'give' another.  But, there are many wonderfully wise and kind folks on this forum that can help set you and your dad on a hopeful path.  I wish you and your dad my best.  Ask more as you have the need.  celeste

            • February 15, 2019 at 4:47 pm
            KLM2122
            Participant

              Thank you, Celeste!  You are a true insperation and I hope that we can keep in touch as my Dad fights for his life.  I truley appreciate you!

              • February 15, 2019 at 5:24 pm
              sharonlynn210
              Participant

                Hello,

                My son was also diagnosed with Melanoma on 1/26/2018 and also Is being treated at the University of Penn.He was 18.Staged at 3c.Had surgery and a year of Keytruda.Yesterday he completed his treatment.What was your fathers initial stage?

                • February 15, 2019 at 5:41 pm
                KLM2122
                Participant

                  Well initially it was just on his ear(stage 1)…we thought.  Then progrssed to stage three when it recurred on his neck. I hope your sons treatments are working for him.

                  • February 15, 2019 at 6:11 pm
                  sharonlynn210
                  Participant

                    All scans are clear.However he also had 2 nodules on his lungs they have been watching all year. 3mm and 4mm

                    • February 25, 2019 at 1:28 am
                    KLM2122
                    Participant

                      I wish him the best.  

                    • February 15, 2019 at 8:32 pm
                    BillB
                    Participant

                      Hi Kelly,

                      it sonds like your father has a low low tumor burden at this time, which is a great time to start immunotherapy. It is very successful all of the time but especially when there is a lowermtumor burden. 

                      Bill

                        • February 25, 2019 at 1:29 am
                        KLM2122
                        Participant

                          Thank you for the encouraging words and support!

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