New member introduction

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Hi everyone, I  was diagnosed with occular melanoma in 2015.  After having Ruthenium Plaque treatment, I have been in remission for 6 years.  

It was a total fluke that it was spotted, I  was at my local Sheffield hospital eye department, having tests before surgery to treat a floater that had attached to my retina and needed releasing.  When tge surgeon looked at scans of my eye he spotted the melanoma.  I was immediately passed on to a great occular oncologist who took over my treatment from then on.  I had the plaque fitted a month later, spent a week in my hospital room being radioactive then final op to remove the plaque.  

I had a good experience throughout my treatment and my oncologist is amazing.  I still can't quite believe that it all happened, it was such a whirlwind situation and I know how lucky I am that it was found in time.  I didn't have any days where I was worried about losing my life, although I know how easily it could have been the case.  It's only been since my six monthly scans and oncology vistits dropped to yearly, that I really started to worry about it returning either back in my eye, or my liver etc; I even got my oncologist to work out my chances of survival, crazy I know.

I have lost most of the sight in my eye although it is still clear around the periphery, the sight loss is due to the original floater problem and given that it probably saved my life, I can't feel bad about it.  

  • Hi and a very warm welcome to the online community which I hope you'll find is an informative and supportive place to be.

    Thanks very much for taking the time to share your experience with being diagnosed with ocular melanoma and I'm sure people coming here looking for information will find your post very helpful.

    It would be great if you could pop 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.

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