34 years old with melanoma cancer

Overlord · New User Joined: 09 Nov 2007 Posts: 4

Hi everybody,

In March, the doctor declared that I had melanome cancer. CT scans showed no spreads. In June they noticed that it spread into my armpit and removed all glands. In mid July a cancer swelling showed up a bit beneath that place. This was removed by means of surgery by end of August, as my oncologist was in favour of starting with interferon treatment ASAP.
Now, after 3 months of interferon treatment and radiotherapy they found out that it has spread into my longues.
The doctor is now referring me to a collegue of his, because the interferon treatment is not working.
Has anyone had a similar experience, where interferon did not work as expected ? I knew I only had 40% chance, but I secretly hoped it would work out for me, as I was seriously ill from the treatment.

Any comments are more than welcome. My sister died 6 years ago of melanoma cancer. I was unaware that I had 50% more chance of getting it. Sometimes I'm very angry at myself because of this. To be honest, I'm scared there isn't any treatment out there anymore that can help me.

Best regards,

Overlord

sodapop

Overlord, first off, I am sorry to hear what has happened and that the interferon is not working. Also, very sorry to hear about your sister!

Second, I want to say that you can't give up, my man. Just because one thing didn't work, doesn't mean that something else won't, believe me. There are actually other things that can be done. One thing that worked and is working well for me is a Chemo combo. Another thing they will probably consider is Interleukin-2. If none of these work or even if they do work, you could also look into clinical trials after treatments.

So, what I'm trying to say on this Drunk evening, lol, is don't give up and try to stay positive.

May I ask what kind of Radiation you had and to where on the body? Have you had an MRI done of the brain yet?

This place has a great support system. Feel free to post whenever you feel the need. We will be hear for you to help you as we can.

You will be added to my nightly prayers, Overlord.

Keep us up to date.
_________________
Can miracles happen?

http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=7254

Sodapop--aka "the survivor"!

Overlord · New User Joined: 09 Nov 2007 Posts: 4

[quote="sodapop"]Overlord, first off, I am sorry to hear what has happened and that the interferon is not working. Also, very sorry to hear about your sister!

Second, I want to say that you can't give up, my man. Just because one thing didn't work, doesn't mean that something else won't, believe me. There are actually other things that can be done. One thing that worked and is working well for me is a Chemo combo. Another thing they will probably consider is Interleukin-2. If none of these work or even if they do work, you could also look into clinical trials after treatments.

So, what I'm trying to say on this Drunk evening, lol, is don't give up and try to stay positive.

May I ask what kind of Radiation you had and to where on the body? Have you had an MRI done of the brain yet?

This place has a great support system. Feel free to post whenever you feel the need. We will be hear for you to help you as we can.

You will be added to my nightly prayers, Overlord.

Keep us up to date.[/quote]

Hi Sodapop,

First of all, thank you for your support and sympathy. Glad to hear there are people for which other treatments work out; this gives me some new hope.

The area that was treated with radio therapy was my armpit, part of my breast and shoulder (both front and back were treated : AP and PA, and this 33 times). As to what kind of radiation I had, I didn't even know there were different types, so I don't have a clue.

I haven't had a scan of my brain at all.

I don't wanna give up, but of the 4 stages of melanoma cancer I fear I already am in stage IV (because it is spreading in my blood vessels). When reading about stage IV, they only seem to be able to lengthen the life of the patients without really curing.

Lately I haven't been able to sleep anymore. I'm married with 3 kids, the youngest is just three and a half years old. If I would pass away now, he'll probably won't even remember me when he grows up.

Kind regards,

Overlord.

brainman · Last edited by brainman on Wed Nov 14, 2007 5:53 am; edited 1 time in total

Overlord, just yesterday I made this suggestion to another member who has a spouse with a stage IV cancer and a young child. She expressed the same thing about her child not remembering her husband. I maid this suggestion to her as well. While don't you videotape yourself giving messages to your kinds? Your wife can show a clip to them at the appropriate times in their lives. Some examples are: birthdays, graduations, weddings, child births, and many others. I think the would really like to hear from their father on those special occasions when they might wish there father was there. You might also share words of wisdom with them. Anyhow, just a thought.

You continue in my thoughts and prayers.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

Overlord · New User Joined: 09 Nov 2007 Posts: 4

Hi Jim,

Thank you for the suggestion. I think I'll do just that, combined with a couple of letters to give it some more substance. The nice thing about what you proposed is that they can actually see and hear me.

Again, thanks a lot,

Overlord.

brainman

Another suggestion along the same line: cards in dated envelopes ("Open on your graduation day").

I am sorry that you are having to do this. I am writing a journal for my kids to read when I die.

Big hug.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

Overlord · New User Joined: 09 Nov 2007 Posts: 4

[quote="brainman"]Another suggestion along the same line: cards in dated envelopes ("Open on your graduation day").

I am sorry that you are having to do this. I am writing a journal for my kids to read when I die.

Big hug.[/quote]

Hi Brainman,

That's also a good idea to do. I'm thinking of combining all of them, and also to tape some of my moments with the kids. This way, they can remember me the way I was. But I find it's hard to start at it, don't you think so ?

Last Tuesday I read the letter of my doctor, and in there was at the end of the letter "Prognosis is no chance of a cure and death in short term". Scary to read your own death-sentence like this. There's no justice in these things; you're not allowed to defend yourself...
Unless I don't get admitted, I'm enrolling into a MDX-10 melanoma treatment study, where they combine an antibody with dacarbazine. No warrants, risking a lot of serious side-effects, ...
If I would know for sure it doesn't help, I'd rather fade away without treatment.

I read your story on the message board. How are you doing currently?

Kind regards,

Overlord.

brainman

Overlord, I know that it is hard to start. Maybe you can start slowly... maybe just a couple of cards at a time. I am writing a journal for my children but it took me several months to even write one word.

Currently, my situation is unchanged: No sign of the cancer but still having problems speaking and weakness in my right arm and hand.

You continue to be in my thoughts and prayers.
_________________
Jim
Site Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
Blog http://jimhawkinsport.blogspot.com/

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