I have never wrote a blog before in my life but I feel the need to do this to try and give something back. To cut a long story short my dad got diagnosed with stage 4 melanoma 2 years ago. He was offered different treatments but the one he went for was immunotherapy (the single drug one) I can’t remember the exact figure but there was about a 30%-40% chance of it working. By working they meant controlling the cancer and stopping it spreading. We were warned about many different possible side effects and if the treatment didn’t work he probably wouldn’t be in here in 12 months. So it’s now 2 years later. The cancer hasn’t just been controlled it’s currently gone. From what I understand a stage 4 cancer cannot be “cured” but he’s had a “complete response” and in 2 months his treatment ends and then it’s over to his own immune system to keep the cancer away. Treatment has been every 3 weeks and it’s become a normal part of life. Life has carried on. He’s been on holidays in Europe. He bought a shop with my mum and for the last 3 months he’s been helping me decorate my new house all while working full time. His final treatment is in April and then he will have scans every 3 months and we will see what the future brings.The reason I’m writing all this is I just hope it helps someone else in the situation we were in 2 years ago because all we wanted to hear was a “success” story. There is always hope. No matter what. Never ever ever give up.
