Some help and guidance please

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  • Post
    • October 19, 2018 at 12:11 am
    Sherrylc
    Participant

      Hi

      I am one injection away from finishing my interon treatment. That’s all that is available here for phase 3b. I am battling to understand what comes next?  Is it just scans and blood tests now for the rest of my life?

       

      is there something I should look out for? What’s next for me do you just live with the uncertainty forever?

       

       Thanks Sherryl 

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    • Replies
        • October 20, 2018 at 12:48 am
        WithinMySkin
        Participant

          Hi Sherryl – where are you located? Interferon isn't a common treatment anymore in the US (I've been there, done that so I feel ya). Unfortunately, stage 3 people are in a tough spot after treatment. Continuing with scans for a certain amount of years and then you're deemed cancer free. I know this is a tough, uncertain time, but you have no evidence of disease!! That's HUGE!!! There's no way to predict if melanoma will return so carry on and live your life! You don't drive down the street constantly terrified that you may be in a car accident. You just drive down the street thinking of a million other things.

          If you live in fear, then melanoma wins. Don't let it win. Take your life back and really live!

          Lauren

          • October 20, 2018 at 2:56 am
          MelanomaMike
          Participant
            Yep! Like Lauren just said, “You” are in control of YOUR mind and what it does to manage all of this Melanoma drama you’ve been through & will continue into your “Future”! You see that “word” i just typed? “Future”? Im assuming you are NED? some of us may not have that 6 letter work in less then a year…LIVE LIFE! DO YER SCANS! check your NAKED BODY often, down to your Cracks & Crevices! under your Feet! & through yer scalp, Be proactive! & if it helps, HELP OTHERS! YOU have a Story! Start a campaign, write a book of your Journey, your Lifes story doesnt end after Interferon…be well…
            • October 21, 2018 at 5:34 am
            Sherrylc
            Participant

              Thanks for the support I’m in South Africa so the interon is all that was available I’m one of the lucky ones at least I got that as it looks is now being discontinued so the next bunch of South Africans now have nothing they can use. 

               

              Wanted Ed to ask what is NED?

               

               Thanks 

               

               

               

                • October 21, 2018 at 9:30 pm
                WithinMySkin
                Participant

                  NED is short for 'No Evidence of Disease' – it's really the best we can hope for as doctors will never want to use the word 'cured'.

                  WIshing you health and happiness!

                  Lauren

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