Hi all, Just wondering if any of you have taken this chemo...a friend of mine has malignant melanoma with mets..Does anyone have any success stories for me...Im a cancer survivor myself, but feeling very scared for my friend..
thanks,
cj.

I am sorry to hear about your friend. :(

I sort of did Interferon. I say sort of because I had a very bad reaction to it and could not continue. I only did 6 full high dose treatments and then I had to quit.

LOTS and LOTS of people do Interferon with only the normal side effects which include mainly fatigue, body aches, head aches, etc... There are a lot of studies on Interferon... some that say that it does not do all that they would like - but it is the only treatment there really is so that is why they push it.

There is a lot of info out there - do some searches. I wish, wish, wish I could give you another site to go to that could give you a LOT of Melanoma Patient Information... But they don't allow that on here.

I wish I could be more helpful - but Interferon nearly killed me, so I could not continue the treatments. I wish your friend the best!

Dear cjammon,
I am so sorry to hear about your friend. I do not have any experience or advice to offer you. All I can say is that I have heard of a great number of people with metasticized melanoma that have survived and lived happily for quite a lot of years. My grandmother is one of them (at the time of detection hers was late stage, and she still had many years), as is a coworker's friend currently (like lots and lots of good years!). I will be holding you and your friend in my thoughts and prayers.

And dear Ladypepper,
I realized upon reading your response that I know so little of your melanoma story. Given that you were on Interferon, I am assuming you had mets as well (this whole time I've been thinking you had the excission and were cured)? I don't want to pry... but I will say that I am humbled by your selfless and caring words to myself (who stuggles so little comparitively) and to others. Thank you for being here!

And dear Ladypepper,
I realized upon reading your response that I know so little of your melanoma story. Given that you were on Interferon, I am assuming you had mets as well (this whole time I've been thinking you had the excission and were cured)? I don't want to pry... but I will say that I am humbled by your selfless and caring words to myself (who stuggles so little comparitively) and to others. Thank you for being here!

Hi Aimees - thank you for the kind words... :) You are very sweet.

But I actually do not have mets - I was put on Interferon because they consider my melanoma as very high risk. One reason is that it was very invasive - 5.0 mm breslow. Second, it was on the bottom of my foot. Supposedly statistics for melanoma on the foot shows a poorer prognosis than elsewhere on the body. I think mainly because people do not think about getting it on the bottom of their foot and don't pay attention to it for a long time. Also the palms of their hands is more dangerous as well.

I am actually at stage 2b so I am still good. I just have to keep a closer watch for in-transits and stuff since my primary was so deep. What is weird is that "statistically" I am worse off than a stage 3a... that is why I try not to pay any attention to statistics. :D

To Ladypepper and aimees..thanks so much for offering me your kind words, thoughts and prayers..I have tried to sort through the internet for any info that I can for my friend..right now he and his wife are looking for clinical trials that might offer him a better prognosis..From what I know of interferon, and what I read, it sounds like a very, very tough drug..I have learned of many people with the same side effects that you had..his doctors have only said that he has a 2% chance of the interferon working..
This is all just too sad for me..he is a great man, great husband, and wonderful father...and has been a great friend for so many years..I keep praying for a miracle..
I hate cancer..I will keep you in my prayers too!!,
hugs,
cj.

It is all very scary - but remember, there are people who do live many years even at stage IV. If he can get into a clinical trial, that would be great.

I hope that he does well for many, many more years.

thanks ladypepper..I will pray for that!!

be well,
hugs,
cj.

Hi cjammom,

I've been busy lately and not able to check on the boards... till now. Just wondering how you and your friend are doing and if he has found a clinical trial. You're in my thoughts.

hi aimees, no I havent heard anything yet..they are still working on things.,but I will keep you posted
thanks so much to all who responded..and care!!
hugs,
cj.

My partner was on interferon for 18 months. initially he had terrible side affects but this drug has been fantastic for his malignant melanoma (head and neck). He has stopped now but I wish he was still on it as it made us feel safe. It is a very good drug according to our Oncologist and it really helps with the immune system. I can only give a thumbs up on this one.My partner is in stage 3 and has had two ops since being diagnosed nearly 3 years ago. He seemed to be healthier on this drug too - after radiation twice and oral chemo he seems to be doing okay but the worry will never leave me. Good luck to your friend I hope he has come through this all okay.