Tag Archive for: melanoma patient

Surviving Melanoma

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I discovered my Melanoma 14 years ago in a hotel mirror. It was at a Courtyard by Marriott where the closet doors were mirrored behind the vanity. I was getting ready for a day filled with important meetings and my back was readily visible in the reflection of the mirror. It was a black pin sized marking. So, small but so obvious. I made a mental note to deal with it when I returned from travel, but one day bled into the next and I never made it a priority. I didn’t think much of it, only that it was black in color and something I had not noticed before.

It was several months later as I sat on the beach enjoingy the warm sun (how ironic since it almost killed me) when a friend mentioned it to me.  She thought I really needed to get it checked out. She said it was really black and concerning…. mental note #2 in the books.  Vacation ended and we headed home.  I made a few calls and since I had never been to a dermatologist I felt it was a daunting task.  I was embarrassed to admit my concern and lack of knowledge…I mean really…it’s just a dark freckle.

But it wasn’t!  Turned out to be a serious case of melanoma – stage 2. I googled it and it scared me even more.  Was I seriously going to die from this pen mark size of a mole?  It seemed impossible.  Denial was my first defense and only strategy. I had pre-op, counseling, operations and treatment and many, many sleepless nights, I’ll be sure to share even more in my future diaries – this is just the cliff notes.  So many emotions to share and victories to celebrate.  I think this will be a learning place.  A place to support and to be inspired.

Yesterday, I found myself in a similar setting (a Courtyard as a matter of fact) and it reminded me of my experience. It was a bit unnerving and while I am thankful to be here to talk about it today – I was filled with uncontrollable anxiety as I witnessed the view of my back…afraid I might see something new. Something so simple yet so impactful.

We live to tell! Sharing my story is therapeutic and my feelings are real.  All of you who read my tale and scribble in my diary make my fears more tolerable and I appreciate each and every one of you every day!

 

Real patient experiences shared privately at www.TreatmentDiaries.com.  Read more, share if you like or join in the conversation.  Making sure you feel less alone navigating a diagnosis is important.  Connecting you to those who can relate and provide support is what we do.

It’s NOT Just Skin Cancer…

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Real patient experiences shared privately at www.TreatmentDiaries.com.  Read more, share if you like or join in the conversation.  Making sure you feel less alone navigating a diagnosis is important.  Connecting you to those who can relate and provide support is what we do.

I’m new to Treatment Diaries and since this is my diary, I want to share some thoughts that are now near and dear to my personal experience with this dreadful condition.  Let me start with what I’ve heard more times than I can count over the past decade and most often when sharing my Melanoma diagnosis with those who are uninformed.  It goes something like this – “What kind of cancer did you have?”  My response, “I was diagnosed with stage III Melanoma.”  The exchange – “Oh I think I’ve heard of that, it’s just skin cancer…right?”  In fact, I’ve had people tell me I was lucky to just have skin cancer.  Quite possibly the one thing you should consider never saying to someone with Melanoma.  Not only is it completely untrue it will do nothing to make the individual with the diagnosis feel any better about their situation.  The truth is, Melanoma is one of the deadliest forms of skin cancer.  It’s not just skin cancer.

So now that we are clear on it’s not just skin cancer, a few things I wish I would have known:

  • Research suggests that approximately 90% of melanoma cases can be linked to exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from natural or artificial sources, such as sunlight and indoor tanning beds.
  • However, since melanoma can occur in all melanocytes throughout the body, even those that are never exposed to the sun, UV light cannot be solely responsible for a diagnosis, especially mucosal and ocular melanoma cases.
  • Current research points to a combination of family history, genetics and environmental factors that are also to blame.
  • You can read this Melanoma Fact Sheet for more information!
  • Support for melanoma patients is incredibly important and connecting with those who relate brings much needed encouragement along with valuable insight.

Unlike other cancers, melanoma can often be seen on the skin, making it easier to detect in its early stages. Keeping track of the changes to your skin and seeing a dermatologist on an annual basis can be a lifesaving event. If left undetected, however, melanoma can spread to distant sites or distant organs. Once melanoma has spread to other parts of the body (known as stage IV), it is referred to as metastatic, and is very difficult to treat. In its later stages, melanoma most commonly spreads to the liver, lungs, bones and brain; at this point, the prognosis is very poor.  Again…it’s not just skin cancer.

Skin cancer comes in many forms and for numerous reasons.  Your job is to protect your skin.  Our skin is the biggest most vital organ we have to care for.  We can’t live without it nor can it be replaced.  It’s ours for as long as we live so we need to take the vitality of it seriously.  Stay out of the sun, look for changes and recurring issues to your skin even in areas that never see the sun, see a dermatologist on a regular basis and make sure to wear sunscreen all year around.  It’s not just skin cancer especially when it can kill you.  It’s a serious topic and I feel so very fortunate to be able to share my personal experience.  I hope to be a help to others newly diagnosed and an inspiration to those on the journey.  Let’s kick melanoma to the curb together…

When a Melanoma Diagnosis Brings Clinical Trial Options

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36 year old Female diagnosed with Stage III Melanoma on May 19, 2014

Diary Entry

I’m fairly new to this fight and not exactly sure what to even expect. Since my diagnosis, I had one surgery to cut off the melanoma (it was on my toe) along with a 3 week recovery while unable to work. It took three weeks for the biopsy to come back. I guess hearing the doctor say that the pathologist said that they had never seen anything like it, isn’t a good thing. Next, was an amputation of that toe, along with Lymph Nodes from my groin area. Those results did not bode well either. Out of the 3 that he removed had a tumor in it. So, my journey next took me to Baltimore, Maryland where I met with an oncologist surgeon. I had a complete dissection on my left groin area. During my follow up visit I found out that the doctor removed 11 lymph nodes and two more came back with cancer cells. I was readmitted to the hospital thinking that my incision was infected. It wasn’t, but the drains weren’t working all that well either. The doctor opened my incision and my wonderful husband has become my nurse and packs the incision twice daily. I couldn’t be luckier than having such a wonderful husband. During all this, I learned that I am extremely claustrophobic. That puts a slight crinkle in trying to have all these tests that I need to have. I try to stay optimistic and keep my sense of humor.

Clinical Trial Options

So now I am exploring clinical trial options.  I have asked for more information on Yervoy, with everyone’s advice. In my area, to receive Yervoy for stage 3 melanoma, you have to be part of a clinical study or whatever. My doctor promised I wouldn’t be given a placebo. But, I would have to travel quite a distance. I know that there are quite a few of you on here that have traveled for treatment. But, for me, right now, it’s just not an option. I have teenage children that need me to be home. I could never do this alone. My husband would be with me, which would leave no one at home…. I am starting on Paxil this week and should (depending on my insurance) start treatment next week. I have had two people on Treatment Diaries tell me about Yervoy and I don’t want you to think that I am not listening to your advice. But I have had 5 doctors tell me that interferon is probably in my best interest. I don’t know how this is going to go. I’m hopeful, and again, I won’t be alone. My husband has and will be with me for the duration of all of this.  I am hopeful!

Real patient experiences shared privately at www.TreatmentDiaries.com.  Read more, share if you like or join in the conversation.  Making sure you feel less alone navigating a cancer diagnosis is important.  Connecting you to those who can relate and provide support is what we do.

Metastatic Melanoma Patient Diary Entry

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Diary Entry – Patient With Male Breast Cancer and Melanoma

I’m 72 and have lived most of my life in the Midwest, particularly Michigan, with forays to East Coast and West (New York, California) and two years in Sao Paulo, Brazil with lots of visits afterwards. Profession has been education on middle, high school and college levels as teacher and administrator. I decided when informed of my most recent illness to finally retire from university teaching in a grad teacher education program.

My first cancer was male breast. One of about 1400 a year in the U.S. Stage 2, no recurrence since diagnosis in 2003. Never worried about it returning. Second was metastatic melanoma, Stage IV, this year. Total surprise. I skipped Stages I-III with an unknown primary. Landed in my lung. All removed with a lobectomy (rhymes with my previous lumpectomy). I am now NED to hear this week after PET scan and brain MRI whether that continues to be true. I’m in the watch and wait category for further treatment–probably surgery first, then ipi*.

I don’t know how I am going to do with the program of 3 month scans. I do know I will have to live my life in 3 month chunks, but, of course, do not know how that will work psychologically. I have a very supportive wife, but she worries, too, of course.

April 2013

Had my surgery last Tuesday, back home late Thursday. Watching a good deal of snow out the window. I don’t mind at all not being out driving in it. It’s nice to be snug. We’re a snow belt city, one of the top fifteen or so in the country for total snow fall. I’ll have to look that up. Average winter just about 70 inches. I got into snowshoeing a couple of years ago at a buddy’s place in Sun Valley. Can’t make the reunion of the crowd this year.

Recovery is coming along. No exercise for another week. Then back in the pool, I hope. Can’t even walk around the block (not today, of course). Tomorrow I can drive. MelanomaDiary

“I’m feeling more and more optimistic about the melanoma. I think that’s better than looking around the corner. I have a lot going for me right now, and I’m convinced the ipi is working. Just not sure how well. I heard a doctor on a webinar yesterday say that those for whom ipi really works are like people who win the lottery. Why me? But it is you, and you’re done with melanoma for life. I’d like to be one of those 15%. I’d rather be that person than win the real lottery, no matter how big the payoff.”

As of August 2015 – Still thriving!

 

*”Ipi” refers to ipilimumab, a new monoclonal antibody drug that is being used currently in numerous melanoma clinical trials. Ask your medical team about these trials, or you can browse trials by using various trial finders such as the ones on cancer.gov or Melanoma Research Foundation.

Read more about patients and their experiences with clinical trials at www.TreatmentDiaries.com.  Real people, actual stories, shared in private so you can be more social about your health.

Melanoma Patient in a Clinical Trial

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From our partner, Treatment Diaries, this is a diary entry of a melanoma patient who participated in a clinical trial.

Diagnosis: Metastatic Melanoma in 32 year old female.

October 2013

I had a mole removed on my back, turned out to be melanoma stage III. Since that mole I’ve had 5 more removed all positive. I’ve had surgery on the first one and then lymph nodes taken out because they found microscopic cells. September 2014 is when they diagnosed it as metastatic and inoperable.

So a clinical trial is a chance for me to make a difference and potentially beat the beast. I have had two
immunotherapy drugs Interferon and now currently on Yervoy. PET scan and MRI are clean for now. I have a lot of side effects from the Yervoy which I’m on right now. Dr put me on steroids to reverse those side effects. I get rashes, colitis, headaches, fatigue, and heartburn from yervoy and muscle weakness; retain water, mood swings, anxiety, emotional from steroids.

I have a four month old baby and recently got married and moved states. A lot of changes in my life the last year and coping the best I can. I have serious moments of a break down but try to hold it together for the sake of my precious baby. Currently I am trying to take lower dosages of my steroids so I can go in for more scans. Dr says we are done with Yervoy because of side effects. But there are other treatments we can look into. That’s my story and please feel free to contact me anytime! I feel the more support I have the better my days turn out! I’m here if you want to talk I’ll listen. Sometimes that’s all I need is to have a shoulder!

January 2015

I go in on Thursday for a treatment called Infliximab.. It’s supposed to stop these side effects from the Yervoy, such as muscle aches and colitis. I’m really nervous because the shot itself has a lot of side effects from what I’ve read. Dr says I’ll only need one shot and it should help me get off the steroids which are a must! I’ve been on steroids since end of August… Right now I’m on 25 mg a day but my highest has been 100 mg. I don’t want to do the shot but I’m at a point it might be my only option. I want to feel normal again with no pills. Will that day ever come, who knows? I pop pain pills like candy and steroids like a race horse.

Starting to think I need a therapist to talk to because mentally I’m not handling things well. My husband says he believes everything will work out, but he’s not giving me the emotional support I need. I don’t think he understands… Takes care of the medical bills but as far as emotional support I’m not sure he can be there for me because he doesn’t understand my fear. Fear of limited days and wanting to enjoy life more. I feel I do the same thing over and over every day… I have a 5 month old so we are stuck in the house a lot and hubby just goes to work and comes home… Same routine everyday… I want to feel alive and excited! I want a date night or to feel sexy and I need affection, ok I’m done rambling I’ll keep an update on how the shot treats me. As far as Yervoy I’m done with it the doctor won’t let me do anymore. Too many side effects! After I get off the roids I’ll have another pet scan. More later…

 

Real patient experiences shared privately at www.TreatmentDiaries.com. Read more, share if you like or join in the conversation. Making sure you feel less alone navigating a cancer diagnosis is important. Connecting you to those who can relate and provide support is what we do.

Diary Entry – Malignant Melanoma 3B

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From our partner, Treatment Diaries, this is a diary entry of a melanoma patient first diagnosed in 2012.

Diagnosis – Malignant Melanoma 3B
Male – 57 years old
First diagnosed Feb 2012
5 operations in a 1.5 year period upgraded to stage 4 Metastatic Melanoma
BRAF POS, as of Aug 5,2013.
Fully Disabled since Oct 30, 2013
Currently on Zelboraf Clinical Trial
Been NED since December 31, 2013

My recent MRI followed by a pet scan were both clear once again! I am still on Zelboraf at 1 pill a day. I have begun using CBD oil twice daily along with all the other things I do this to help me stay healthier and to keep the beast at bay. Come the end of October, I will have been off work for 1 year, on disability/ssi for income.  I still make it to the gym 1-3 times a week and still work out with friends.  On top of that, I take rides on my motorcycle and visit family. I still have fatigue and I sometimes nap a lot still as a result of  the side effects of Zelboraf but I no longer have any evidence of disease.

Pursuing a clinical trial was scary at first but really my only option.  My only option turned out to be the best thing for me and for my family.  I hope my story will inspire others to keep an open mind and to hope for the impossible.  Hopefully this will help others see that some of what the doctors do does help for the better, I don’t know?  Well we all know this is the one club no one wanted to join, but we are in this together and tomorrow’s a new day!!!!

Still thriving as of July 22, 2015.

This abbreviated story of a melanoma cancer diagnosis and clinical trial experience which spans multiple diaries and is available on www.TreatmentDiaries.com.  Sharing your story is empowering.  Join us for completely private and anonymous exchanges about your health.