Hello all.
New to this lovely community, I've been feeling the need to reach out to other to people going through similar experiences as mine.
In 2017 my 48 yr old mother had a large tumor (golf ball sized) growing from her left leg. Initially the doctors did not think it was melanoma or in fact malignant, but it was. Level V and 8 mm. After loosing my stepdad to Testicular cancer the year before and my father's recent diagnosis of melanoma 3, we were in complete shock that we were yet again facing this ugly disease. The melanoma had also spread to the lymph nodes in her left groin. They removed the tumor, 6 in circumference of tissue around the tumor and 13 lymph nodes. Recovery included a wound vac and about 2-3 months of bedrest and constant wound clinic appointments.
Fast forward to early 2018, my mom was re-scanned..everything looked clear and normal. In December, we were in a pretty bad car accident that landed us in the hospital. For some reason they never xrayed my mom, despite her back pain.
January 10th 2019, she went back to the ER. Her back pain was not subsiding. They did an xray and CT scan. She had a fracture in her spine as well as apparent cancerous lesions in her spine, lungs, liver, adrenal gland, lymph nodes and spleen. We were shocked and devastated. She spent 4 days in the hospital and was released once they determined the spinal fracture did not require surgery at the time. A few weeks later she started radiation to target the cancer in her lower spine around the fracture. After 2 treatments her spine started to deteriorate rapidly. I had to call 911 because she got to the point that she could not move her arms or sit up in bed.
February 2nd 2019 They opted to do a spinal fusion surgery and continue the 10 day radiation treatment.
March 4th 2019 She started her immunotherapy (keytruda & zometa) treatments. Last week she ended up in the ER and a short stay in the hospital due to fluid build up in her left lung. They had to drain her lung, and it has already started to fill again. She has become very malnourished very quickly, which is heartbreaking to see. She completed her second round of keytruda today, the waiting game is very agonizing for us. We are not patient people, so waiting to find out whether the treatment is working or not has been one of the most difficult things to live with during all of this. I am learning more and doing my best as my moms caregiver. It is emotionally challenging and exhausting. The uncertainty is scary and I find it hard to balance all of our life on my shoulders. I can only work part time while trying to care for my mom until we can set up some in home care. I'm not even sure if that will ease any of stress or constant worry. I never thought at 25 I would be faced with such a difficult situation, but I'm doing all I can to stay positive and keep rolling with the punches.
Frozen in Fear
Full brain radiation and immunotherapy questions
Brother with stage 3 melanoma 