Stage 4 advice

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

I’m sorry to read that the immunotherapy you've had to treat your Stage 4 melanoma hasn't worked and has left you with serious side effects.

Mine was Stage 2 so I don't have any relevant experiences to share with you but I noticed that your post hadn't had any replies yet. Responding to you will 'bump' it back to the top of the discussion list again.

I've done a search for other posts which mention Stage 4 and found these for you to have a look through.

While you're waiting for replies, it would be great if you could put something about your diagnosis and treatment 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.

Thank you so much. Am new to this so appreciate the help and advice alot.

It can be a lonely place, worries coming to the surface. I had a stage 3 melanoma, on my lymph nodes in my groin. I was started on a double dose of immunotherapy pre op, but sadly, it created havoc in my digestive system and op had to be postponed.

Finally had op on 9th March.

Much bigger and deeper than I thought (I live in France so some info goes amiss)

Since then, have had issues with excess lymph production, meaning I had to wear drainage bags for a week or so.

This is now just about stopped. I have nurses in once a day to change my dressings.

I have started a longer course of a single molecule of immunotherapy. 

Sadly, my digestive system has nwver recovered, and is causing more issues. I will speak to my doctor again next week.

I have had fantastic care, but my problem has been that communicating any concerns

has not been easy.

My choice, of course, so no grumbles there.

So good luck everyone, lets stay positive.

Thelma