Hi everyone I am new to this community. I have chosen the name Cheddar for my online name as i love cheese!! I was diagnosed with a nodular malignant melanoma in 2021 on the top of my left arm.This was removed and was followed by a wide local excision in February 2022. Lymph nodes were then clear. However in March 2023 following a biopsy the melanoma was in my lymph nodes. I then had an axiillary dissection and all lymph nodes removed on that same arm. I am having immunotherapy for a year and currently on treatment number 6. I am retiring now on ill health as not well enough to work. I love my job but there you go! I would love to hear from anyone who has had melanoma and how they are doing after the treatment has finished!! Best wishes all
Hi Cheddar and a very warm welcome to the Community but sorry to hear about your diagnoses and journey so far.
Navigating the cancer journey can be such a stressful and challenging time but getting support from people who have walked the ‘exact same' cancer journey can help a lot. (I have a completely different cancer).
The New to Community is like our reception desk where we look to direct you to the best part of the Community for you to get support. The Community is divided into dedicated Cancer Support Groups (Discussion Rooms) so can I recommend you join and post in our dedicated Melanoma support group. This is a safe place to talk to others with a similar diagnosis, treatment experience, to ask questions and get support.
To connect in with the group click on this link> Melanoma then once the group page opens click on “Click to Join” when the black banner appears or “Join” under “Group Tools” (this all depends on the device you are using)
When you are ready you can introduce yourself by clicking “+new” or “+” in the top right next to the group title. You can copy and paste the text from this post into your new post.
It’s a challenging time for you so you may want to use the Macmillan Support Line is open 8am-8pm (timings may differ across services) 7 days a week on 0808 808 00 00. This service provides cancer information, practical information, emotional support, benefits/financial guidance or just a listening ear.
We also have our Ask an Expert section but do allow a few working days for a reply.
Talking to people face to face can be very helpful so do check to see if you have any Local Macmillan Support in your area, do also check for a local Maggie's Centre as these folks are amazing and give support to all the family.
Do get back to me if you need further help navigating the community.
Hi Cheddar and a very warm welcome to the online community which I hope you'll find is both an informative and supportive place to be.
I'm sorry to read that your melanoma recurred but it's good that you're able to have immunotherapy.
The online community is divided into different support forums so I'm going to recommend that you join us over in the melanoma forum as you'll then connect directly with others who have this type of cancer and who are having immunotherapy.
To join, just click on the link I've created and, once you've joined, you can start a new post in the same way as you did here and join in with existing conversations by clicking on 'reply'.
It would be great if you could put something about your diagnosis and treatment so far into your profile as it really helps others when replying to you and also when looking for someone on a similar pathway. It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself. To do this click on your username and then select 'Profile'. You can amend it at any time and if you're not sure what to write you can take a look at mine by clicking on my username.
I'll keep an eye out for you joining the group but, if you have any problems negotiating the community, just reply to me and I'll be pleased to help
"Never regret a day in your life, good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience"
