Mom has Melanoma

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    • May 22, 2012 at 11:24 pm
    Janie64
    Participant

      HI and Good Evening.  I just found this site and was hoping I could get some information regarding my Mom, who is 71.  Her background is this:  She has been in remission for 20 years.  Just over a year ago they found disease in her left lung.  They removed the upper lobe of the left lung.  She had a CT scan about 4 months ago and all was clear.  They did another scan about 1 month ago and found disease in her spleen and stomach. 

      HI and Good Evening.  I just found this site and was hoping I could get some information regarding my Mom, who is 71.  Her background is this:  She has been in remission for 20 years.  Just over a year ago they found disease in her left lung.  They removed the upper lobe of the left lung.  She had a CT scan about 4 months ago and all was clear.  They did another scan about 1 month ago and found disease in her spleen and stomach. 

      Yesterday she was in the hospital having laporoscopic look see and they closed her back up without removal of disease.  They said if they removed her spleen and ALL of her stomach they still would not have gotten all the cancer. 

      I know my time with Mom is limited, but I cannot find out a time statistic.  I was hoping someone could share with me what to expect.  Is average time based on this being so advanced 4 months, 6 months etc.  I know the answer will be a sobering one, but I would like to be better prepared.  I am flying home in about three weeks to see her. 

      Thanks

    Viewing 8 reply threads
    • Replies
        • May 23, 2012 at 12:13 am
        washoegal
        Participant

          I am a little confused by you post.  Where is you mother being seen?  Was she not treated with any drugs after they found Melanoma in her lungs?  Or is there another complication that prohibits further treatment ?  

          I doubt anyone can tell you how long you mother will live.  It all depends on how aggressive the melanoma is.  It can grow at different speeds (referred to as mitotic rate) .  But the doctors are right, it is either traveling through the lymph system or the blood stream so surgery alone will only delay the inevitable. 

          If the doctors are not willing to provide a systemic treatment.(Yervoy of BRAF-if she qualifies) than hospice care is what is now required.

          My heart goes out to you and your mother.

           

          Mary

          Stage 3

          • May 23, 2012 at 12:13 am
          washoegal
          Participant

            I am a little confused by you post.  Where is you mother being seen?  Was she not treated with any drugs after they found Melanoma in her lungs?  Or is there another complication that prohibits further treatment ?  

            I doubt anyone can tell you how long you mother will live.  It all depends on how aggressive the melanoma is.  It can grow at different speeds (referred to as mitotic rate) .  But the doctors are right, it is either traveling through the lymph system or the blood stream so surgery alone will only delay the inevitable. 

            If the doctors are not willing to provide a systemic treatment.(Yervoy of BRAF-if she qualifies) than hospice care is what is now required.

            My heart goes out to you and your mother.

             

            Mary

            Stage 3

              • May 23, 2012 at 12:27 am
              Janie64
              Participant

                Hi Mary,  Thank you for your note.  No, she was not treated after her lung surgery.  Not sure why really.  The Oncologist felt it was slow growing and surgery would be all she needed.  We now know he was incorrect.  She is being treated in Great Fall, MT and will be in touch with her Oncologist tomorrow as she just got home today from the hospital.  He has previously mentioned treatment, chemotherapy, but based on yesterday's findings I really don't know how much time that will offer her. 

                • May 23, 2012 at 12:27 am
                Janie64
                Participant

                  Hi Mary,  Thank you for your note.  No, she was not treated after her lung surgery.  Not sure why really.  The Oncologist felt it was slow growing and surgery would be all she needed.  We now know he was incorrect.  She is being treated in Great Fall, MT and will be in touch with her Oncologist tomorrow as she just got home today from the hospital.  He has previously mentioned treatment, chemotherapy, but based on yesterday's findings I really don't know how much time that will offer her. 

                  • May 23, 2012 at 12:27 am
                  Janie64
                  Participant

                    Hi Mary,  Thank you for your note.  No, she was not treated after her lung surgery.  Not sure why really.  The Oncologist felt it was slow growing and surgery would be all she needed.  We now know he was incorrect.  She is being treated in Great Fall, MT and will be in touch with her Oncologist tomorrow as she just got home today from the hospital.  He has previously mentioned treatment, chemotherapy, but based on yesterday's findings I really don't know how much time that will offer her. 

                  • May 23, 2012 at 12:13 am
                  washoegal
                  Participant

                    I am a little confused by you post.  Where is you mother being seen?  Was she not treated with any drugs after they found Melanoma in her lungs?  Or is there another complication that prohibits further treatment ?  

                    I doubt anyone can tell you how long you mother will live.  It all depends on how aggressive the melanoma is.  It can grow at different speeds (referred to as mitotic rate) .  But the doctors are right, it is either traveling through the lymph system or the blood stream so surgery alone will only delay the inevitable. 

                    If the doctors are not willing to provide a systemic treatment.(Yervoy of BRAF-if she qualifies) than hospice care is what is now required.

                    My heart goes out to you and your mother.

                     

                    Mary

                    Stage 3

                    • May 23, 2012 at 12:31 am
                    Eileen L
                    Participant

                      So sorry you and your mom are going through this. It sounds like she could benefit from seeing an oncologist who is a melanoma specialist. If she is relatively healthy except for the cancer there are a number of treatments that might help her. In my experience, oncologists who work with primarily those of us with Stage III and IV melanoma are willing to be much more proactive in treating the disease than generalists!

                      Eileen L

                      • May 23, 2012 at 12:31 am
                      Eileen L
                      Participant

                        So sorry you and your mom are going through this. It sounds like she could benefit from seeing an oncologist who is a melanoma specialist. If she is relatively healthy except for the cancer there are a number of treatments that might help her. In my experience, oncologists who work with primarily those of us with Stage III and IV melanoma are willing to be much more proactive in treating the disease than generalists!

                        Eileen L

                        • May 23, 2012 at 12:31 am
                        Eileen L
                        Participant

                          So sorry you and your mom are going through this. It sounds like she could benefit from seeing an oncologist who is a melanoma specialist. If she is relatively healthy except for the cancer there are a number of treatments that might help her. In my experience, oncologists who work with primarily those of us with Stage III and IV melanoma are willing to be much more proactive in treating the disease than generalists!

                          Eileen L

                          • May 23, 2012 at 12:27 pm
                          mlbjab
                          Participant

                            I am sorry to read about your mom.  May I ask, what was her stage 20 years ago?   I am sure folks on this forum will have excellent advice for you and your mom, but I am pretty new to melanoma world.

                            • May 23, 2012 at 12:27 pm
                            mlbjab
                            Participant

                              I am sorry to read about your mom.  May I ask, what was her stage 20 years ago?   I am sure folks on this forum will have excellent advice for you and your mom, but I am pretty new to melanoma world.

                              • May 23, 2012 at 12:27 pm
                              mlbjab
                              Participant

                                I am sorry to read about your mom.  May I ask, what was her stage 20 years ago?   I am sure folks on this forum will have excellent advice for you and your mom, but I am pretty new to melanoma world.

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