This is my first try to send a message, not quite sure what I am
doing or where it will go. My husband, Bob Carter, was diagnosed
with metastasized melanoma. He had a large, Clark's Level 4
melanoma taken off his back about 8 years ago. They took about a
9"x13" piece of skin off with it. A doctor overlooked the
melanoma at a regular doctor's visit when Bob specifically asked
him if it was anything to worry about, he said no. Bob
subsequently went to a different doctor for some reason, and when
the new doctor saw his back, he sent him straight to surgery
without even biopsying the mole. They felt they had gotten it
all. Of course, anyone familiar with melanoma knows that it is
not unusual for a CL4 melanoma to show up metastasized any
a\number of years later. Bob had been carefully examining his
freckles, moles, etc. and was worried about a tiny (smaller than
a freckle) spot on his forehead. Bottom line, it was a CL4 also,
which made Bob worry about some other tiny spots, of which 2 more
came back CL4. This was Tuesday before Christmas, had chest
x-rays, MRI, Catscan and bonescan and results were that he has 5
or 6 brain tumors; small metastases all over his lungs, a little
denser here and there; a pretty large tumor in his liver and one
in his gall bladder. He had 15 radiology treatments, two weeks of
chemo (separated by two weeks). An Xray taken yesterday because
Bob was having chest pain (pleurisy sp?) showed the lungs were a
little worse. They figure the cancer became active about 2 months
prior Christmas.
So my question, I look and look, can't find any REAL data on CL4
metastasized melanoma spread to brain and lungs other than
"prognosis not good". He will be getting biochemo therapy next
course of chemo, this one (2 of 4) is using platonal and other
drugs. I like the doctor (Dr. Loukas, Southwest Region Cancer
Clinic, Austin, Texas) who is using the protocol of MD Anderson
for melanoma, he is aggressively attacking the cancer. Of course,
the treatment and cancer is attacking Bob. The, I assume, typical
weight loss, not able to eat, weak, etc.
So, has anyone out there got melanoma along these lines, or know
of someone who does or has had? I would like hard detailed facts
of progression of disease, latest prognosis, etc. I am pretty
mainstream, our faith is strong Christian, alternative therapies
worry me. I, without intention of offending anyone, do not want
to become involved in Eastern or Oriental philosophy, but am
interested in the medical benefits of herbs, etc. as long as it
is not along yen and yang lines.
Good luck to all of you. Pretty scary stuff. Worst case scenario
for Bob per doctors is that if he does not respond to treatment,
he could go very fast. Maybe in a couple of months. Would rather
keep him with us. I love him a lot.
Susan
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