Melanoma stage 3c

Just scrolling through the not yet answered and saw your post Darlife.  I'm sorry about your diagnosis, it must be such a shock hon. Welcome to this group though, people here are very kind and supportive and no question is a wrong one.  I too was staged at 3c at the end of March and like you my world ended suddenly.  I spent at least a week crying and trying to hide my diagnosis from my 21 yr old daughter.

For now it's all you can think about.  Have you been introduced to a skin specialist nurse yet as they were my first "go to" people. The dermatologist dept should refer you, ask for the referral if they haven't yet. Mine were fantastic, liaising between dermatologist and surgery and scanning dept and they helped me to find a way through what is such a confusing time.  

Only one step at a time and no googling either as there's lots of incorrect info out there.  Your first oncology app I guess will be to discuss the next stage of treatment, which as you'll find out from this group and which seems to be the norm for our stage of infiltration.  You don't mention if you've had any further surgery yet so I will say that the most common plan involves taking a wider piece of skin and tissue from the original melanoma (mole) site (WLE) and also isolating the lymph node that drained that particular mole for biopsy (SLNB) -sentinel lymph node biopsy. 

Usually they order CT, MRI and PET scans to check for any other lumps and bumps then plan some immunotherapy treatment for you.

Take your time, take someone with you to your first appointment if you're allowed to as I know I didn't remember half the things they told me. My friend came prepared to take notes too. Before next week maybe think about all the questions you might want to ask but will probably forget in the stress of the 1st meeting.     Thinking of you, please don't hesitate to ask anything on this site, it is a safe place.  Take care x

Hi, have had the biopsy on the lymph node and have already had the mole removed.  CT scan shows more are swollen, was on my own when I was told due to covid, same for my appointment next week to. Hope to find out what the plan is then, 4 months since I found the swollen lymph node so loads oof thoughts have gone through my head, hardest point was telling my 2 youngest girls. Won't forget that day in a long time x

Hi Darlife

Not an easy thing to hear. You can read my full story if you click on my name. But in a nutshell I was diagnosed 3c in late January after 2 melanomas removed from my back and lymph nodes from both axilla but only one being positive with disease.

I have been having immunotherapy every 6 weeks this year, I have had eight treatments now and 1 left in January then I am done. I have ct scans every 3 months (too claustrophobic for MRI), skin checks every 3 months and lymph node scans every 4 months. When I stated the treatment in February it felt like a huge year ahead with treatments but I can honestly say it has flown by. Thankfully all scans and lymph node ultrasounds are clear still, next round in January before my last treatment.

Listen to your body and your own intuition - if you are tired then rest, if you want to do things then do them. First and foremost take care of you or else you can’t take care of anyone else.

Do you have a good network of friend? Keep doing what you enjoyed doing together. The good news is the cancer was found and now your fight is you are on a road to recovery.

The honest truth is I have good days where I am positive and a warrior but I also have sad or angry days that this has happened. But on the whole hugely grateful it was found and treated.

Wishing you all the best. Stay in touch. 

Hi Jazz5

Really good to hear your story, glad you've almost completed your trip. Will bear in mind what you have said, very positive and take the fight to it. Have 2 young girls and an older son, there my motivation to beat this thing. Along with my beautiful partner, we will win.

Thank you, take care

Hi Darlife…just checking in along with others….I’ve just started my first immunotherapy treatment after being diagnosed as a 3B…but it’s been a heck of a roller coaster of emotions along the way and sometimes I’m still in disbelief…..but just to say that being here means you are going to get a lot of support and solid advice from people who are at varying points in their journey….treatments have changed radically over a short number of years and I’m amazed what’s out there….I though my life had ended when I got my diagnosis but I know that’s so far from the truth….for many of us here it’s the waiting that’s the hardest…. between appointments, scans etc so best advice I was given in the early days is don’t google, try and focus on the here and now by carrying on doing all the things that you enjoy and check in here if the going gets tough…I recently had some counselling organised via Macmillan and I found it really helped me too….I have journaled for a few years but I have extended that a little and have found that helps too in keeping me grounded….take care and let us know how you get on with your next appointment x

This story fills me with so much hope x is it pembro you are on? I am 3 doses in ( due number 4 on Monday ) x 

Hi  , my husband was diagnosed at stage 3c a year ago, it has been quite a journey, he was put on cancer blockers to begin with but unfortunately they did not work for him & after having clear scans in July by September he started to have chronic back ache, unfortunately the cancer was back, now stage 4, has just started immunotherapy hopefully this will work for him, I wish you all the best, we are so lucky that melanoma patients have immunotherapy now as 10 years it wasn't developed 

Hi Darlife, how are you doing? Your appointment must be soon and I hope you're not getting too nervous about it and definitely hope you've not been googling for info. I guess they will discuss treatment options and possibly any other scans they may want with you next week hon, if you can think of any questions to ask write them down now as I certainly didn't but came away with lots more to ask!

I really hope you are spending some relaxed time with loved ones right now as hard as it must be during Christmas with all this on your mind.  For now distractions are the key, long walks to tire you out and good eating to keep you healthy and as strong as you can be for the fight ahead.  

For me my original scans showed no sign of disease anywhere else at the time so I like to think of my Pembro treatment as a mopping up exercise, zooming around zapping any little stray cancer cells!

Take care, thinking of you. X

Hi Darlife, just thought I'd check in with you as you've still got a few days before your hospital appointment.  Hopefully you've been spending time with loved ones over this extra emotional time and not googling for any frightening info on this disease of ours.

You're right about the "life falling apart" feeling. As I've said I felt that way in April but once my treatment started (September)and I felt ok after each treatment (so far) some extra tiredness and honestly, a little constipation (!) too I began to feel I wasn't dying anytime soon. The fightback starts.  Take care and we're thinking of you. Good luck with the appointment and if you can take someone in with you do as they can be an extra pair of ears too.x

Hope so, fight the fight