HelenQLD

My understanding from my mum's experience (her LDH level was in the mid 1000's by the time she found out she had stage iv mestastised) is that LDH levels are an indication of cell growth.  They aren't reliable but can be an indication that something is going on.  LDH levels fluctuate during chemo because cells are being killed and good cells, as well as bad sometimes, are regrowing/growing.  If someone has a high LDH level then, in my opinion things should be getting looked at closer, especially if the patient has had melanoma in the past such as my mum did.

In saying that it doesn't always mean anything bad. 

My understanding from my mum's experience (her LDH level was in the mid 1000's by the time she found out she had stage iv mestastised) is that LDH levels are an indication of cell growth.  They aren't reliable but can be an indication that something is going on.  LDH levels fluctuate during chemo because cells are being killed and good cells, as well as bad sometimes, are regrowing/growing.  If someone has a high LDH level then, in my opinion things should be getting looked at closer, especially if the patient has had melanoma in the past such as my mum did.

In saying that it doesn't always mean anything bad. 

My understanding from my mum's experience (her LDH level was in the mid 1000's by the time she found out she had stage iv mestastised) is that LDH levels are an indication of cell growth.  They aren't reliable but can be an indication that something is going on.  LDH levels fluctuate during chemo because cells are being killed and good cells, as well as bad sometimes, are regrowing/growing.  If someone has a high LDH level then, in my opinion things should be getting looked at closer, especially if the patient has had melanoma in the past such as my mum did.

In saying that it doesn't always mean anything bad. 

My mum is in Queensland she was not eligible for any of the BRaf inhibitors or immunotherapy.  She underwent chemo.  I know there were some trials being run a the PA with chemo. 

Where are you?  Who is your dad's melanoma specialist.

My mum was given 3 to 6 months (but not likely to see Christmas) diagnosis in September.  She is still going strong although very week from an infection she picked up at the end of her chemo.

Keep searching high and low and seek second opinions.

My mum is in Queensland she was not eligible for any of the BRaf inhibitors or immunotherapy.  She underwent chemo.  I know there were some trials being run a the PA with chemo. 

Where are you?  Who is your dad's melanoma specialist.

My mum was given 3 to 6 months (but not likely to see Christmas) diagnosis in September.  She is still going strong although very week from an infection she picked up at the end of her chemo.

Keep searching high and low and seek second opinions.

My mum is in Queensland she was not eligible for any of the BRaf inhibitors or immunotherapy.  She underwent chemo.  I know there were some trials being run a the PA with chemo. 

Where are you?  Who is your dad's melanoma specialist.

My mum was given 3 to 6 months (but not likely to see Christmas) diagnosis in September.  She is still going strong although very week from an infection she picked up at the end of her chemo.

Keep searching high and low and seek second opinions.

My mum had Stage IV advanced mestatisis to her liver, lung, spleen, brain and hips.  She also had melanoma tumours sitting in front of her optic nerve on both eyes.  The Eye Oncologist who specialised in Melanoma as well told us that they work on saving LIFE, EYE, SIGHT in that order.

From the recommendations she got you need to be treating what is threatening your life first.  Life without sight is not great but it is still life. 

Mum went blind in one eye and had limited vision in the other by the end.  Is that quality – I'm not sure.

My mum had Stage IV advanced mestatisis to her liver, lung, spleen, brain and hips.  She also had melanoma tumours sitting in front of her optic nerve on both eyes.  The Eye Oncologist who specialised in Melanoma as well told us that they work on saving LIFE, EYE, SIGHT in that order.

From the recommendations she got you need to be treating what is threatening your life first.  Life without sight is not great but it is still life. 

Mum went blind in one eye and had limited vision in the other by the end.  Is that quality – I'm not sure.

My mum had Stage IV advanced mestatisis to her liver, lung, spleen, brain and hips.  She also had melanoma tumours sitting in front of her optic nerve on both eyes.  The Eye Oncologist who specialised in Melanoma as well told us that they work on saving LIFE, EYE, SIGHT in that order.

From the recommendations she got you need to be treating what is threatening your life first.  Life without sight is not great but it is still life. 

Mum went blind in one eye and had limited vision in the other by the end.  Is that quality – I'm not sure.

Mum is still plodding along.  No more chemo (it nearly killed her).  She isn't on any treatments now.  She isn't sleeping that much – probably from about 8pm at night to 9pm in the morning.  She does nap through the day but not excessively. 

The doctors told us that treatement wouldn't change things and that it only works on 10% of people.  Mum gave it a shot as someone's gotta be the 1 in 10.

It is a shame that doctors just write you off when there is still options.

Mum is still plodding along.  No more chemo (it nearly killed her).  She isn't on any treatments now.  She isn't sleeping that much – probably from about 8pm at night to 9pm in the morning.  She does nap through the day but not excessively. 

The doctors told us that treatement wouldn't change things and that it only works on 10% of people.  Mum gave it a shot as someone's gotta be the 1 in 10.

It is a shame that doctors just write you off when there is still options.

Mum is still plodding along.  No more chemo (it nearly killed her).  She isn't on any treatments now.  She isn't sleeping that much – probably from about 8pm at night to 9pm in the morning.  She does nap through the day but not excessively. 

The doctors told us that treatement wouldn't change things and that it only works on 10% of people.  Mum gave it a shot as someone's gotta be the 1 in 10.

It is a shame that doctors just write you off when there is still options.

From the research I did, curcunim, vitamin d and sour sop (tea form), organic diet.

Mum was diagnosed Stage iv in September and told she wouldn't make it to Christmas,  She wasn't eligible for any treatment other than chemo (which nearly killed her).  She took curcunim, vitamin D and sour sop and she is still going strong.

Whether it works or not I don't know but she is beating the odds at the moment.

From the research I did, curcunim, vitamin d and sour sop (tea form), organic diet.

Mum was diagnosed Stage iv in September and told she wouldn't make it to Christmas,  She wasn't eligible for any treatment other than chemo (which nearly killed her).  She took curcunim, vitamin D and sour sop and she is still going strong.

Whether it works or not I don't know but she is beating the odds at the moment.

From the research I did, curcunim, vitamin d and sour sop (tea form), organic diet.

Mum was diagnosed Stage iv in September and told she wouldn't make it to Christmas,  She wasn't eligible for any treatment other than chemo (which nearly killed her).  She took curcunim, vitamin D and sour sop and she is still going strong.

Whether it works or not I don't know but she is beating the odds at the moment.