Hello Grannyrose, and first of all, may I say how sorry I am you have had this awful diagnosis.  I also had a small lump at the top of my leg shortly before being diagnosed, and  I also know someone else who had a lump at the top of her leg, some time before she was diagnosed.  I honestly don't know what the connection is, but I just wanted to reassure you that you are not alone in this.  Also, I was very healthy before I became ill, I rarely had to visit the doctor.  Yes, it is absolutely devastating and shocking, but you will cope with it, I promise you.  I never realised how strong I was until I got hit with the sledge-hammer called 'cancer'.  Your family will also find an inner strength that they didn't know they had.  I can tell you this, because I took care of my Mother when she became ill with this horrible disease.  If there's anything else you need to ask, please feel free to do so, take care, x

Hello Grannyrose, and first of all, may I say how sorry I am you have had this awful diagnosis.  I also had a small lump at the top of my leg shortly before being diagnosed, and  I also know someone else who had a lump at the top of her leg, some time before she was diagnosed.  I honestly don't know what the connection is, but I just wanted to reassure you that you are not alone in this.  Also, I was very healthy before I became ill, I rarely had to visit the doctor.  Yes, it is absolutely devastating and shocking, but you will cope with it, I promise you.  I never realised how strong I was until I got hit with the sledge-hammer called 'cancer'.  Your family will also find an inner strength that they didn't know they had.  I can tell you this, because I took care of my Mother when she became ill with this horrible disease.  If there's anything else you need to ask, please feel free to do so, take care, x

Thank you for your heartening words. I’m only now mentally coming to terms with my diagnosis and at the beginning ,the shock was such that I was almost organised my own funeral. Now, I’m determined to fight this evil and unwelcomed addition to my body!  My husband and I have arranged a big celebration for our 50th Wedding anniversary at the end of May so I may have to attend hobbling but will have my surgery asap and slap the makeup on and celebrate. 
I’ve been a volunteer fund raiser for Cancer Research UK for over 30 years and NEVER, EVER expected to be a victim to it. I always felt impenetrable, invincible but it seems I was fooling myself. Anyway, I trust in God and the professionals so will look forward to putting this nightmare behind me. Many thanks for your message. 
Best wishes,

Rosemary x

You're welcome Rosemary.  I was told back in November 2022 that I had about a year to live.........well, 17 months later and I am still here.  I honestly believe that having a positive attitude extends your life.  Congratulations (in advance) on your 50th wedding anniversary, and have a drink for me at your party!  Take care, xx

With this new drug developed on the back of the Covid vaccine , demand to get it.  It was discovered in US in February 2023. Have your heard of it?  Keep fighting. Never give up. I will add you to my prayer liist.  I don’t know if you are a believer or not but I am and when I got my news, the shock, fear, disbelief and sadness took over and almost broke me. I broke down and cried constantly but I asked Gid to take my burden from me and I swear I heard a voice saying “ Don’t Doubt me “ I woke up last Monday morning like the old Rosemary. Happy, jolly, carefree and no terrible weight on my heart. I’m still the same. and I’m so thankful to Gid.  Everyone is orsying for me. So many people I don’t know, friends of friends and friends of their friends. 
please keep in touch and sincere thanks for your encouraging and kind words.  We will beat this thing. xx

Hi Grannyrose,

We just wanted to add that the vaccine is actually still in the trials phase and not yet available. We have some more information in this post about the vaccine targeting melanoma tumours. We are obviously very optimistic that these trials will be successful and that in the not too distant future the treatment will be available for patients here in the UK.

Best wishes,

Ben
Cancer Chat Moderator

Thank you Rosemary.  Yes, I am a believer......in fact, if it wasn't for my belief in Jesus, I don't think I would have got through this.  Right from the start, everyone kept saying to me, "you are so brave.....it's incredible how brave you are".  The truth is Rosemary, I get my strength from my religious beliefs.  I know this might sound strange, but I am at peace with myself.  Yes, of course I want to live......I am only 60, and there was so much I still wanted to do.........for example, I wanted to visit Cork in Ireland, which is where my Maternal Grandmother came from (I am from London)........but, if it is my time, then so be it.  Thank you for letting me know about the covid vaccine.......I have just read what Moderator Ben has said about it, and apparently it is still in the trials phase, but I am always on the lookout for anything that might help me.  Thank you for praying for me, I have also prayed for you.  And yes, I will keep in touch, and like I said before, I honestly believe that a positive attitude extends life, take care mate, xx

So happy to know you are a Christian, there’s your answer now, God gas plans for you. This vaccine is being tricked in England, and certainly here in Northern Ireland.  Please Google and search. Contact CANCER RESEARCH UK as I believe they are doing the trials.  It’s genius. They remove cancer cells and good healthy cells and create a vaccine designed for your cancer. The vaccine is injected into you and your Tcells begin to attack the cancer cells and ultimately cure you. Thus is the most exciting breakthrough of recent times and it will save us. In time, they expect it to be used for other cancers.  Because the vaccine must be individually made, it’s going to be time consuming but Cancer Research U.K. don’t give up…. Ever. I’ve been invited to see the work that the scientists are doing and now they can incorporate computers and cut time down dramatically. It’s mind blowing to see what is being achieved.  I’ve been a volunteer with CRUK since I was 42 and that’s 32 years ago.  We should all be out there rattling the boxes and encouraging everyone to give generosity to the research. 
OUR son lives in London and our daughter just moved back to Belfast with her English husband and 2 children who are all loving the slower pace of life over here. 
keep praying and I’ll certainly pray for you but I don’t know your bane. I’m Rosemary and I’m so glad I joined this group. 
maje plans to visit Cork after you’ve had the new treatment and I will meet you and show you around our beautiful country. Xx

Thank you Rosemary, my name is Violet.  This new vaccine (when it is released) certainly sounds like the miracle we need doesn't it?  If I get my miracle, I will definitely come over to the beautiful Emerald Isle, and we can meet up.  It will be a blast.  It must be so nice for you that your daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren are back in Ireland with you. Anyway mate, it's time for my cup of tea (I LOVE my tea), and I will keep praying for you, and will keep in touch, take care xx

Hi Rosemary, I'm in Leeds, West Yorkshire. It's good to hear you are feeling more positive today.

Regarding the vaccine trials - it's a great bit of news but it's still very early days. Consultants tend to suggest a trial to a patient if they meet the eligibility criteria and it won't affect any other drug treatment they will be starting. I know of a couple of patients who have started the trial but it's only open to a certain number of patients and they must be either Stage 2b, c, Stage 3 or Stage 4 and still within 12 weeks after their surgery (as most drug trials stipulate). Different trials are always being undertaken at different hospitals.

The drug treatment now available to Stage 2b & c, Stage 3 & 4 patients were trialed themselves over the last 20 years (I was knocked back from one of them 15 years ago due to an eligibility issue. It's good to see it was successful & is now used as treatment). This current vaccine trial will take a long time &, if successful, won't be available for a few years I'm afraid but it lifts our spirits to know that research into melanoma treatment is pushing forward. In my 28 years as a melanoma patient I have seen such a change in treatment (when we only had surgery) to different drug options & the fact that more people are now living with melanoma than dying from it. It's truly uplifting.

Keep positive xx