One thing I have learned from this is we need to stay involved in our own health care

Date: April 17, 2002

Author: melissacan

My Mother has Melanoma on the brain, liver and lungs! For years, she had small spots removed from her arms and legs. Then, one kept reoccurring behind her left ear. She had multiple surgeries on it. They removed the lymph nodes and surrounding tissue in her jaw. It kept coming back. Not sure as to why she didn't have scans done after each surgery-maybe because she doesn't have health insurance? Or doctors' negligence?....6 weeks ago, she went to the emergency room with numbness on her right side. 3 tumors on her brain was the cause. After a body scan, they found multiples on the liver and one on each lung. After 14 days of radiation to the brain to control the swelling she is now taking chemo- pill form (timador?) Her body is too weak for full chemo. Or they are just trying to pacify her, not sure. They haven't put a time on it. They can't! I figure I may have a year or less with her and it scares me. I'm mad that it even got to this point! For everyone out there who has just found and has a good report...count your blessings! And get a body scan!!!! We didn't have a clue as to how ugly this melanoma can become. My Mother is only 54 and has 3 grandchildren under the age of 3. It's not fair that she may not even get to see one of them walk! Is there anyone out there who has had a similar experience or just wants to talk?

Add a response

Show newest response first

One thing I have learned from this is we need to stay involved in our own health care. Sometimes that's hard to do when you're in treatment. *

May 19, 2003

Author: mermaid535

My dad was diagnosed with colon cancer, it turned out to be metastatic melanoma. They say there are tumors on his adrenal glands, but so far not on any vital organs. I am scared to death. I love my dad.....Is there any hope?

Date: September 22, 2003 Author: TimKel base
			I would love to just talk. My husband was just recently diagnosed with Malignant Melanoma also, in January, 2003. He had the muscle and 15 lymph nodes in the neck removed in March, which they found only 2 to be affected. On September 9th, 2003, was admitted to the hospital because of numbness to the arms, hands and shoulder areas, they did MRI's and discovered a tumor on his spinal cord at the lower part of the brain near the brain stem and did a couple more MRI's and also found several more in the brain. This is only 2 weeks new, so I am not sure what I am suppose to be feeling. I know that his kids, who live 700 miles away from us, ages 20 today, and will be 18 on December 31s, have not had much time with him over the past 10 years are not feeling the same sense of urgency of spending time with him like I do. I know that is not my problem, but I can't help feeling sad, because if something should happen, which we got told that if the radiation can not put it to sleep, as this type never goes completely away, they will feel very guilty (at least I think they should), We did find my husbands best friend from high school that we lost touch with over the last couple of years, and are trying to make arrangements for him to come down from Nevada to spend some time with him. I am just not sure what I am suppose to do next. I thought melanoma was skin cancer, it isn't. This case had nothing to do with the skin, it started with a lump in the neck. I do pray for everyone with this disease, and that they find a cure for it. If you would like to talk, I would be glad to listen

Date: June 2, 2003 Author: HsAngel
			My father was diagnosed with Melanoma 12 years ago. They found a mole on his back and removed it taking out a large area of his shoulder on the back and doing a skin graft. At that time they said they had gotten it all and never mentioned that it could have spread to internal organs at anytime. Well 1 year ago on Mother's Day my father collapsed and after 2 months and several hospital stays it was determined that he had metastic malignant melanoma and had a large part of his small intestines removed that is where the growth was well they said he wasn't a candidate with chemo so they just kept checking him well a couple weeks ago he found a lump on his arm and they removed it and did a biopsy. It was malignant. He has several other ones that they are unable to remove due to location so he has started chemo today. I am so scared if this chemo doesn't work they the doctor said the news isn't good. I lost my sister 5 years ago to cancer of the uterus and 2 uncles to pancreas and lung cancer (his brothers) in the last couple years...it is so scary... If anyone wants to talk please email me at Hsamericanangel@aol.com

Date: December 7, 2003 Author: skewed
			I am looking for information regarding rare cancers, as a chemical I've been studying for this past year, as it turns out is not only a solvent, but also a pesticide. I suspect that it causes cancers relating to the endocrine system, such as Exxon Valdez oil spill cleanup workers and the Gulf War Vets seem to be experiencing. Were your loved ones among those affected by this chemical? http://www.valdezlink.com/what_exposures.htm Also, since the USA has not studied cancers caused by 2-butoxyethanol, http://www.valdezlink.com/generic.htm#behind Its current cancer research of secondary cancers caused by 2-butoxyethanol are therefore, skewed! http://www.valdezlink.com/no_match.htm There is such a thing as second hand exposure with solvents, as this research shows: http://www.valdezlink.com/solvent_studies.htm#story I believe that is the case for a chiropractor practicing during the Exxon Valdez oil spill cleanup. He had melanoma eye cancer in 1992 & had an eye removed; now he has melanoma liver cancer. I wish that they would check for the blood damage that would accompany if 2-butoxyethanol poisoning is a contributing factor: http://www.valdezlink.com/acute.htm By the way, tumor of the brain and leukemia are concerns for children of those over exposed to 2-butoxyethanol per the World Health Organization. Are these on the increase? Check what work their parents did. http://www.valdezlink.com/solvent_studies.htm#who Sincerely, Margaret PO Box 233 Valdez, AK 99686 1-888-853-5333 valdez@alaska.com http://www.valdezlink.com/pass_on.htm I believe the US Legislature should ban 2-butoxyethanol and Diethylene Glycol Monobutyl Ether http://www.valdezlink.com/same.htm


Date: August 6, 2002 Author: martharaew
			My Fiancé had ocular melanoma and his eye was removed 4 years ago. We have just discovered that now it has spread to his liver. They have given him 4 months to live. We are scared to death we both have a lot of faith and are very strong willed we are stepping up our wedding date to this Saturday 8/10/02 as we feel that we can fight it better as a team we plan to fight this as much & as hard as we possibly can. He is on Temodar now, his Dr. says that this is what has been proven to work the best in fighting this type of cancer. Please give us any advice, suggestions, experience and prayers possible. Thank you