My husband has been diagnosed with Stage 4 Metastatic Melanoma

Is there anyone reading this that has had Stage 4 melanoma that metastasized to the brain?  He has had whole brain radiation and cyber knife.   He was diagnosed in Dec. 2011.  I have read everything I can find out about it on the internet and none of it sounded very good....but when I look at him he looks good and says he feels good.  There have been a few side effects of the radiation that I didn't pick up on....but he seems to be better now that they have him back on steroids.  Just trying to prepare myself for whatever may come.  I am grateful for each good day that he has.  I guess what I'm wanting to know is this - are they any survivors of metastatic stage 4 on this board?  I feel like I'm in the middle of a nightmare riding on a train.  It has taken me all this time to absorb what has happened to him (us).  Now I think it is time to hear all the good - the bad - and the ugly.  I'm trying to keep things normal and we keep very positive thoughts about it all.  People from all over the world have prayed for him, and me and our family - but I feel the need to hear from someone that is going through this or who has survived this.  All I've been told is that if he has a headache, vomiting or nausea that I need to call the doctor.  His next appt is a month away.  Right now I'm feeling helpless - 

Did he ever state he had a headaches?  What signs and symptoms ade him call the doctor for an appointment?  Just curious, due to he was just diagnosed in December?  How old is he, if you want can you privately email me?  Blessings!

fxrchopper  - I have sent you an email on here.  

So nobody on here has survived this??? Does anyone KNOW anybody that has survived this?   This seems very grim.

Don't give up.  Every person is different and everyone reacts to medication differently.  When people hear the words "stage IV" they immediately think of the worst possible scenario.  It may not be that at all.  Little bit of medical knowledge is a dangerous thing.  We all acquire bits and pieces of medical wisdome and think we are equiped to discuss medical conditions. It could prove that he is one in a million who will survive the illness, you just can't tell.  Don't think of it as being grim.  Think of each day as a gift and just simply enjoy it together.  No one of us know with certaintly what may happen tomorrow, I may leave this earth sooner than your husband. I suppose that is the beauty of life itself.  Enjoy what you have together, share a glass of wine, enjoy the sunset, enjoy the "PRESENT".

Regards and blessings,

Aranka

my son had that and has survived 5 yrs.

So sorry to hear your distress in your blogg. All I can say is that everyone is different. Treat everyday as a blessing and remember to live each day. Cancer is horrible - we all feel so very lost - its hard to know what to do for the best.

You've got a month until his next appointment - what are you going to do with that month? x

On Mar 26, 2012 12:06 PM Aranka wrote:

Don't give up.  Every person is different and everyone reacts to medication differently.  When people hear the words "stage IV" they immediately think of the worst possible scenario.  It may not be that at all.  Little bit of medical knowledge is a dangerous thing.  We all acquire bits and pieces of medical wisdome and think we are equiped to discuss medical conditions. It could prove that he is one in a million who will survive the illness, you just can't tell.  Don't think of it as being grim.  Think of each day as a gift and just simply enjoy it together.  No one of us know with certaintly what may happen tomorrow, I may leave this earth sooner than your husband. I suppose that is the beauty of life itself.  Enjoy what you have together, share a glass of wine, enjoy the sunset, enjoy the "PRESENT".

Regards and blessings,

 

Aranka

Thank you Aranka for remininding me of the 'present'...  :)

On Mar 26, 2012 12:46 PM patvanduzee wrote:

my son had that and has survived 5 yrs.

That is wonderful news......thank you for sharing. I pray he continues to get good reports.  :)

On Mar 26, 2012 12:56 PM busiwork wrote:

So sorry to hear your distress in your blogg. All I can say is that everyone is different. Treat everyday as a blessing and remember to live each day. Cancer is horrible - we all feel so very lost - its hard to know what to do for the best.

You've got a month until his next appointment - what are you going to do with that month? x

 

I just keep reminding myself that God doesn't give us more than we can bear.....so I'm fighting thru this, spending quality time with family.  Sometimes these days when I look at him, I forget  what he's going thru..he looks so healthy right now. Thank you for your post......'make each day count' is my new motto.  Hugs.  :)

My boyfriend was diagnosed with Stage 4 Metastatic Melanoma with mets to brain in Jan 2012.  We have also had whole brain radiation.  We have started on a new chemo drug called zelboraf which he takes orally twice a day.  Where did your husbands melanoma originate?  Ours started with a mole on the back which made it to the lymph nodes in 2010.  After radiation and chemo at that time we were cancer free for 11 months before he started urinating blood and after tests, found out he had a tumor in his right kidney which we had removed this was the beginning of our nightmare.  After he healed from the surgery we had an MRI of the brain and a PET scan of the body.  Lesions were found in the brain and all throughout the body.  We have also had radiaiton to the R hip where a place was found in the bone.  We have good and bad day.  We are also on the steriods and have tried to come off them several times without success.  I understand how you feel.  This has been a rollercoaster ride.  Have you talked to your MD re: chemo? Feel free to contact me via my personal email-

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. ifyou would like to talk or vent.  I am praying for you and your husband.  God Bless.  Rachel