UK Skin Cancer and Melanoma Patients

[ruth]

Hi everyone,

Well today is exactly one year on from my last surgery when I had a large mass removed from my pelvic nodes. Since recovering from that I've been on the treatment arm of the Avastin trial. I haven't been feeling great since Christmas and have had some tummy pain so on Saturday I had a CT. My oncologist phoned me this morning and told me I have a 'lesion' somewhere between my stomach and large intestine. So b*******
Good news is it should be operable so I am going in Friday to discuss this. And of course good news thats all they can see, it could always be worse, but I guess this is easing me into Stage IV.

I haven't even told anyone yet apart from my husband who was with me when I got the call. The first person I need to tell is my Mum, but she had a really awful day yesterday and I know this isn't what she needs to hear right now! I won't tell anyone until I've told her, but as I can't bring myself to do it I'm keeping it to myself. Its strange and I feel like if I don't tell anyone then its not real! The old denial which is why I thought I'd share it with you all, cheating I guess lol!

Anyway I'm in danger of rambling and not making sense so I will update on Friday when I find out more.

Cheers everyone and best wishes to you all

Ruth x

[Marsha]

Oh, Ruth, hun, I'm so sorry to hear this, but hopefully, they can remove this new mass quicky and cleanly, and put you back to where you were.

Good luck, I'll be thinking of you!

Marsha xx

[Raymond]

Hi Ruth,

I am really sorry to hear that you've joined our club.

It's ironic that I have just cancelled my appointment with Mr Powell for Friday, as now I am fully committed to the chemotherapy and Interleukin 2, because at this stage surgery is not an option for me.

I know you see Mr Powell as well, (I'm not medically qualified) but an option for surgical removal of the tumours sounds like better news. I really hope it is for you.

It would be inappropriate for me to give you advice about handling stage IV, as your circumstances are different from mine.

If you feel you want to communicate via pm at any stage, please do.

You and your young family are in our thoughts.

My very best wishes to you Ruth.

Raymond

xx

[Raymond]

Hi Ruth,

PM in the post.

Raymond

[jaqlyn]

Hi Ruth,

Sorry to hear about your recent news its not what you wanted to hear but at least theres hope that its operable, good luck on Friday please let us know how you go on

my thoughts are with you
Best wishes Jacqui x

[Shaz41]

Hi Ruth
So sorry to hear of your recent news.
I do hope they can operate on you really soon and you have no further problems.
Please let us know how you got on today.
Sharonx

[Debi_D76]

Hi Ruth,

I am so sorry to hear your latest news. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family and fingers crossed you can get operated on soon xxx

[ruth]

Thanks everyone.
It helps so much to talk with people who understand and to hear your kind words. Well I saw the onc and surgeon on Friday who I was very impressed with, my husband and I really liked him. The mel is in my abdomen, and possibly still within a lymph node, which would be better I guess. However it definitely makes me stage 4.

I won't be able to continue the Avastin trial (I've had 13 infusions from a total of 17). Unfortunately the surgeon isn't happy to operate until I've been off the Avastin for at least 6 weeks because of the risk of bleeding and wound healing complications (although we didn't go into too much detail re the operation, it sounds similar to my last pelvic clearance but higher up yet again).

Also because the location of this met doesn't really match with the pain I'm experiencing in my stomach, he has arranged for me to have an endoscopy on Friday. He is suspicious that it may be in my stomach (he said its fairly common, in his work anyway) but not picked up by the CT. I'll not worry much about that though as it may be the avastin thats made it sore, and at least I only have a week to wait to find out!

So for now its on with half term....

Take care all
Ruth x

[Janet2]

Hi Ruth,

I'm sorry to hear you on now stage 4, but pleased you have seen the oncologist and surgeon. I hope your endoscopy goes well on Friday and that you are able to get your surgery soon as you say you have to wait at least six weeks until you've been off the Avastin. Please keep us posted as to how you go on.
Best wishes, Janet

[ruth]

I had my endoscopy this morning. Results were good, my stomach is normal so now I just have to wait for the surgery to remove the met from my abdomen.
Thanks for all being there
Ruth x

[Lucy]

Oh Ruth I am so glad to hear your stomach is Okay! Fantastic news.

I really hope that the pain goes away once they have removed the met...are you taking anything for it? It's a shame you've had to stop the avastin but hopefully they will offer you something else that works really well.

Let us know when you have a date for the op, we are all rooting for you.

Love,
Lucy xxx

[Duncan]

Ruth, Nice to read of good news, hope that's alleviated a bit of the strain for you.

Take care, Duncan x

[jaqlyn]

Great news Ruth!

Good luck with the op, thinking about you

Best Wishes
Jacqui x

[Pip]

Hi Ruth
Really pleased you had some good news about your stomach. It is always encouraging to read.
Hope all goes well from now on
Pip x

[Janet2]

Hi Ruth,

I'm pleased to hear your good news and hope the surgery goes well to remove the met from your abdomen.
Best wishes, Janet

[ruth]

Thanks everyone for your support

I spoke to one of the nurse's yesterday and she is hopeful that my surgery will be in a couple of weeks time, when the surgeon returns from holiday and this will be 6 weeks since my last Avastin treatment. So fingers crossed I won't be waiting any longer than that!

Ruth x