Thought I’d be done by now
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Thought I’d be done by now

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Thought I’d be done by now

  • Post
    • September 3, 2017 at 5:17 pm
    warreri
    Participant

      Hey, last time I posted I was stage 2 and set to get a skin flap procedure done to do the WLE. Pet scans were coming back fine and the taf/mek combo did me wonders (but I now wonder if my inconsistent taking of those meds led to worse results later on). From the sentinel lymph node biopsy during the procedure they found a metastic tumor in one of my lymph nodes and the fat surrounding it. I had another round of radiation to address that. Now 6 months post surgery I have "in transit" lesions. I started Yervoy this past friday and hope that will be enough. Thankfully I have more of an incentive to hold myself accountable for receiving the treatment since it will be obvious if I don't. Does anyone else have experience with intransit lesions and have any advice to impart? I didn't know it was a thing until I read my drs notes. I'm dishearted by my personal experience with advancing stages even while receiving treatment (and reading of others doing the same on here). I really hope it doesn't spread further. 

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        • September 3, 2017 at 5:55 pm
        jennunicorn
        Participant

          A little confused, how did you get Taf/Mek at stage 2? Taf/Mek is only approved for stage 4 or unresectable stage 3C?

          Sorry this continues for you with another treatment, hopefully Ipi will do the trick for you.

            • September 3, 2017 at 10:53 pm
            warreri
            Participant

              I was given the go ahead for taf/mek because my tumor was so big that it would have required them to remove bone in order to get the proper margins. 

              • September 3, 2017 at 11:40 pm
              jennunicorn
              Participant

                I see, that makes more sense. Sorry you are in the stage 3 boat now, Ipi has worked for many so there is hope it can take care of the mel all the way this time. Taf/Mek being pills definitely puts more pressure on the patient to take them properly and on time, rather than just having to show up for an infusion and the nurses take it from there. 

              • September 3, 2017 at 7:25 pm
              ed williams
              Participant

                Hi Warreri, where are you being treated and who is your Oncologist??? The reason I ask, is that there are some clinical trials for intransit type melanoma. Has your Oncologist discussed this with you ( t-vec + pembro)???

                  • September 3, 2017 at 10:56 pm
                  warreri
                  Participant

                    Ironwood cancer and research center, dr cherington. I think they're wanting to see how well the yervoy works first before deciding on anything else. 

                  • September 3, 2017 at 10:10 pm
                  F-melanoma
                  Participant
                    Hi! I have had numerous in transit lesions. Most have been removed surgically but I had great results with T-Vec for my last 3 lesions. I go in on the 15th to see if those little bastards are still there and what my next steps are. I am stage 3C. Good luck!
                      • September 3, 2017 at 11:02 pm
                      warreri
                      Participant

                        Thanks for your input. I hope the t-vec does the trick!

                      • September 3, 2017 at 11:58 pm
                      Bubbles
                      Participant

                        Hi Warreri,

                        Sorry you are dealing with all this.  However, due to tumor work-around, BRAF/MEK inhibitors are known to have a limited time of effectiveness (usually between 6-9 months) for most – though some of the newer combo's have studies that report about 14 months durability…and there are individuals who have been maintained on these drugs for years.  

                        Here are numerous posts with some really good data and research on treatments for in-transit lesions if you are interested:   http://chaoticallypreciselifeloveandmelanoma.blogspot.com/search?q=in+transit&max-results=20&by-date=true   

                        I wish you my best.  Celeste

                         

                          • September 4, 2017 at 12:22 am
                          warreri
                          Participant

                            Thank you for the link, Celeste!

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