Stage 4 melanoma - is anyone else going through this?

I'm Jamie and 34 years old, last year I went into remission, this was in September after having stage 3 melanoma, my oncologist saw my last CT scan results and was happy with it, nothing was there and also finished my treatment, I was happy when I though I was clear.

End of December and beginning of January I come down with alot of pain in my stomach and had alot of nausea and sickness, got rushed into hospital because the pain was around my appendix area, had a CT scan of the area, within an hour I had 2 oncologist Dr come to my ward and explain to me there is newly discovered lesions on my liver, spleen and adrenal gland and this happened within a few months, I was shocked, wasn't emotional, sort of had to stay strong as now iv got stage 4 melanoma, the plan of action was immunotherapy, had my first treatment on the 27th January, didn't go very well, I got an infection on my chest, which is cleared now then afterwards it hit my kidneys, so I'm currently on steroids but I'm currently being weaned off them as my kidney levels are coming down( creatine) so it's currently the 23rd February, just waiting to come off my steroids so I can start my second round, hopefully it goes well.

Is anyone else going through this similar situation? 

Parents
  • Hi Jamie, 

    Seems we are in a similar situation with stage 4 melanoma.  Im 44 and had it 15 years ago, had the mole cut away and a daily IV of Interferon for 5 weeks.  I discovered a lump in my thigh and have now been diagnosed with metastatic melanoma.  I am due to have it removed next week and start on the same treatment as you.  I would be interested to keep in touch to see how you are managing through it. I can see you have had some issues with the treatment and honestly mentally I am on the edge about it all.

  • Hi, sorry to hear you've discovered this, it's not nice news to hear, I was the same when I found out it spread through multiple organs. Honestly immunotherapy is the best way to do it, first time round, I had some bad side effects, I was put on steroids and recovered pretty quick I recently had my 2nd dose of ipi/nivo as they wanted me to re challenge this for me, I'm week 2 into my 2nd dose, so far iv had no side affects, I'm having my bloods checked regularly just incase I have kidney toxicity again. Just remember to ask loads of questions to your oncologist or nurse they help alot, that's what I did before my first treatment, if you wanna know anything else let me know :)

Reply
  • Hi, sorry to hear you've discovered this, it's not nice news to hear, I was the same when I found out it spread through multiple organs. Honestly immunotherapy is the best way to do it, first time round, I had some bad side effects, I was put on steroids and recovered pretty quick I recently had my 2nd dose of ipi/nivo as they wanted me to re challenge this for me, I'm week 2 into my 2nd dose, so far iv had no side affects, I'm having my bloods checked regularly just incase I have kidney toxicity again. Just remember to ask loads of questions to your oncologist or nurse they help alot, that's what I did before my first treatment, if you wanna know anything else let me know :)

Children