Hello Sally22, 

It won't be too long now until your operation to remove the affected lymph nodes and it's totally understandable that you are feeling worried that it might spread before the operation - do talk to your doctor or specialist about these fears as I am sure they will find the right words to reassure you and address your concerns. Learning that your melanoma has spread from the original site 8 years on must be rather unsettling and there's also the worry about how long the treatment will take and how it will affect your work life. I just wanted you to know that you are not alone and I thought I would point you in the direction of a couple of threads and members who might be beneficial and help you with the journey ahead as they have themselves been through something similar recently. 

A few months ago, Kyla73 posted their stage 3 metastatic melanoma thread  - this member was also going to have immunotherapy so it might be a good person to connect as is the lovely AngieT who also had stage 3 melanoma and knows a lot about the subject from her own personal experience dealing with melanoma since 2009. RachelY was also diagnosed with stage 3 melanoma a few months ago and you can read their story in their Melanoma Stage 3 thread. 

I hope that you'll be chatting away soon on this forum to other members who have had a similar diagnosis and treatment plan. You're definitely not alone and I will now let them come and say hello and share their melanoma experiences with you. 

Best of luck with your treatment Sally22 and keep strong - we're all here for you. 

Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator