Would Like To Connect With Others Who Have Melanoma Stage 3

Hi, I sent a msg. 5/9/06 regarding being on home injections of Interferon. I would love to connect with others who have Stage III and did or are doing the home injections that is required for a year for a better chance of staying in remission. Sincerely Debbiz

Have you ever tried the MPIP: Melanoma Patient Information Page Bulletin Board (on line)? It is a wonderful site for those dx with Melanoma. You will find wonderful people with a tremendous amount of knowledge. Someone on that board will have info for you on that treatment. Best of luck to you.

Hi m O, thank you for the info. about that site(MPIP). I hadn't heard of it and I am going to give it a try now. I like Cancer Compass, but it would be nice to be able to focus on my type of cancer. thank you again!! debbiz

Yes, I like Cancer Compass too! I think you will find the site I mentioned to be very specific to your needs. Please let me know what you think.

Hi Molly, I got my "profile" in their the other night. Most all of my "happenings" were last summer. End of April 05, a ugly mole on the back of my right leg (lower calf) was biopised. Malignant melanoma Clark 4. My first surg. June 16, 05 of cleaning of margins and biopsies of 2 inguinal lymph nodes. Sentinel node and one other showed microscopic mets. Nice 50th birthday present!! (April 2) I have worked in the medical field all my working years, but because I was still in shock, I trusted the surgeon when he said he was going to do a "skin flap" rather than graft. Well, not good...the 57 sutures used to hold my calf skin together didn't hold. Thank goodness, my local oncologist then decided to refer me to Beth Israel Hospital-Melanoma Clinic in Boston.
Aug 4, 05 all of my right groin lymph nodes were removed in Boston. One of the 11 that were left showed microscopic mets. Oct 05, had a squamous cell ca removed from my right shin. That area was grafted and the healing wound of back/side right leg was grafted. Much of that wound had healed with good old "wet to dry" dressings by me daily and visiting nurse checks.
Finally, Nov 16, 05, I could start the Interferon IV chemotherapy. I made it thru 13 of the 19 treatments that Boston hoped I could do. That Interferon is NASTY STUFF!! I have been on home injections of Intron-A 3X a week on the lowest therapeutic dose 5 MIU's. I hope I can make it to Dec 05 on this dosage!! I had very little quality of life that I was used to on 16 units and 11 units. I've developed a very painful peripheral neuropathy of my hands. They are burning now from typing, so I have got to say good-bye for now. Yes, so far I like MPIP very much. When my hands are up to it, I will scan thru their web site more thoroughly. Take good care of yourself!! Debbiz
P.S. Molly, I was wondering if you wanted to share with me if you have/had a melanoma or are a caretaker? My email is: --- Message edited by CancerCompass staff: for personal protection, email address removed. Please review CancerCompass Member Guidelines at http://www.cancercompass.com/common/guidelines.html ----