Recently diagnosed with melanoma: Can you share any advice?

Hello @stormy13702‍, thank you for opening this discussion! I know how overwhelming it can be when you're starting your cancer journey. Let me tag some other members who can possibly share with you.

Hello everyone, do you remember when you were diagnosed? How did you feel? What type of skin cancer were you diagnosed with? Can you share any support or advice for someone who has just been diagnosed? What would you liked to have known from the start?
@Leahplacketroutman‍ @Nanajan6‍ @freespiritsue‍ @Bowman432‍ @Arthur4‍ @Gaither57‍ @Mjmiller66‍ @Ulysse‍ @Goldiedavis‍ @Buckiemom‍ @Stephiemak‍ @cancerous‍ @burntme‍ @Darnay‍ @classzback2005‍ @Edugatr‍ @Adrien‍ @Jergy56‍ 

Feel free to share any thoughts or support here! Your advice and experiences are so important!

Take care,
Courtney

Hello I have had this line in my nail for about a year and I am beginning to think that this might be nail melanoma. Could you give me some information regarding this picture.

Hi @Ellijay23‍, thanks for commenting. Unfortunately I can't really comment on your nail as I'm not a doctor. Please don't hesitate to ask you doctor or another healthcare professional about it! 

Does anyone have any experience with subungual melanoma (melanoma of the nail bed)? If so, how were you diagnosed? Was it you who noticed a problem with your nail, or was it your doctor? How was it treated?
@stormy13702‍ @Robiborrell‍ @Magmil84‍ @Starzie‍ @Willowwind‍ @Suebr2‍ 

Take care,
Courtney

I was diagnosed 4 years ago after a mole was removed on my arm. .he dermatologist only removed the mole because I asked her to, she said it looked ok but would remove it. About a week later a got a phone call telling me it was melanoma and it was deep that I would have to see a surgeon for a wide excisional biopsy and lymph node removal. I was stunned and walked around in a daze for a few days. After seeing the surgeon tings really became real. Surgery was scheduled and everything went well until the biopsy of the lymph node came back. The melanoma had spread to the lymph nodes now things got really intense, I was sent to an oncologist. Fear, confusion , dread and depression started to set in. Until I started to reach out to support groups and looked up information. The oncologist was honest but said that theses days so many new things have been done with melanoma with great success. I went through a year of IV Immunotherapy. Yes there were side effects but nothing I couldn't handle. I am now NED in hopes it will stay that way. The only advice I can give is not to give up, know you are not alone, reach out to others.

@Suebr2  thank you. I’ve just had the surgeries and don’t have the node results yet. I’m scared. I had the incision from the node come loose that set the healing back. Can you please tell me more about your treatment?

thank you

Wendy

Wendy,

I was diagnosed with Stage 3C, after the lymph node biopsy came back. Was seen by the oncologist and was recommended to be treated with Yervoy and Opdivo , immunotherapy. The insurance company at the time would not approve the Yervoy so the oncologist said there were studies that just used the Opdivo. The treatment was an IV infusion every two weeks for one year. It started that it was an hour infusion and then changed to 30 minutes. At some point they offered a double dose and then it would have been once a month but I stayed with the every two weeks. There were some side effects mainly fatigue, chills and body aches. I took naps, and Motrin for the body aches. The chills were harder to manage but did get through it. There could have been a lot of other side effects that I did not have. I opted for a port so IV insertion would be easier and they could also use it for blood draws and Cat Scans. For the first year I had Cat scans of the abdomen and pelvis and chest every three months. Then went to every six months now at once a year. My suggestion for infusion days is to keep hydrated. Ask a lot of questions and reach out for help when you need it. Hang in there you are not alone.