UK Skin Cancer and Melanoma Patients

[andypippa]

My dad is 63. He had a melanoma removed in January and a larger portion removed in February. The hospital (had to do skin graft hence this hospital) who removed gave him the all clear 3 months later but did not do chest x-ray because it wasn't part of that hospitals procedure, since found would've had one done at original hospital. Anyway mum & dad went on holiday coming back early May. For next 2 months started suffering shortness of breath and flu like symptoms on/off every other week or so. Went to a GP with aching shoulders and told he was getting old. Dad is a farmer and doesn't go to doctor unless really ill, but appears to have been brushed aside. Dad continued to suffer including having night sweats and eventually his epilepsy blood levels wouldn't sort themselves out so went to docs on 11 September who found blood in urine and sent straight to hospital (the original one) did numerous blood tests but could find nothing, told about melanoma removal in January & did a chest x-ray and white patches found on lungs and liver. 14 September returned to hospital, CT scan on 15th showed large tumour on liver & both lungs spotted with tumours. Biopsy and results confirm the worst. 12th & 13th October, (exhaustion has led to 24/7 use of oxygen also started today) chemo finally starts, receiving Dacarbazine, Cisplatin and Vinblastine. Due for next round 2/3 Nov but he is unsure if he wants to have anymore, as in so much pain and completely exhausted. Also on morphine, steroids. Please help us, please be honest. We seem to be waiting all the time.

[Debi_D76]

Hi there,

Sorry to welcome you to this forum. I understand your pain and frustratation but unfortunately i am not experienced enough to advise you. I would recommend you put your post on the general info page as that tends to have more readers. Hope everything goes well for you all, my thoughts are with you.

Debi x