Phew. Yes the numbers for stage 4 are not very good. BUT, as everyone here has said, the numbers are old and even the best oncologists aren’t able to tell exactly what they mean. In fact, the best oncologists will not commit to any numbers as they know that we are in uncharted territory with the new agents. For example, the most up to date info I can find on pembrolizumab talks about at least a 40% 5-year survival for folks in your husband’s category (
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6503622/). That study came out in January and is already out of date… plus if there is progression, a different treatment regime will likely be suggested. Plus many of the folks who are responding, seem to be doing so for life ie the melanoma is gone gone.
The numbers don’t matter one bit if the meds work for you and if they don’t then face that hurdle as it arises.
All of that to say, forget the numbers. They only cause stress (and this from someone who has been looking up every number I can find in the 6 months since my wife was diagnosed.).
Best of luck. I personally am still looking for that easy method to allow “living in the moment” but in the meantime, I’ll join you in trying to ignore the numbers and simply supporting my spouse in facing whatever comes along.
