Melanoma Patient Perspective - Stage IV melanoma

[@BrewtalBoyz]

Just seeing this now (June 2024). Like Don, I am living Stage IV Melanoma and can discuss my journey openly until certain memories trigger strong emotions. I commend Don for getting through his story and hope he is well.

[@MelanomaCanada]

Hi, thank you for watching. Discussing a melanoma journey can certainly trigger a lot of emotions you are not alone in that. Do not hesitate to reach out for support we have a community of people to help along this journey melanomacanada.ca/support-and-resources/

[@Pryjole]

What a nice man, my heart hurts for him though and everyone going through this.

[@MelanomaCanada]

thank you for taking the time to watch Carrie Jo.

[@michellehenderson4326]

He is the coolest dude I know. Wow. To be that strong.

[@tracymccormick6522]

I was diagnosed with stage 4 melinoma in2012.I went thru two surgery's to have sixteen limph nodes removed.Meanwhile the cancer had spread to my lungs,my breasts ,liver,and my bones!!!My oncologist then said he wanted to try me on some new medications.The first one I took I had an allergic reaction to it!!! He then put me on Taflinar.By some miracle it actually made my cancer go away..I had a MRI and all the cancer was gone!!!!IMy oncologist was shocked!!!I will probably have to take the tafinlar the rest of my life.I have a mutant gene that could make the cancer come back!!!!So I have been in remission for eight years now.!!!!! TV

[@MelanomaCanada]

Wow, thank you for sharing your incredible story!

[@pslay9324]

thank you for sharing your story! Praying you stay in remission.

[@michaelgonzalez5473]

How did u feel like how was ur body acting if I can ask?

[@Epic_Factsz]

How are you now

[@Suzee9]

Hi Don! Thank you for sharing your story and your journey with us. It helps to know you are not alone while facing a cancer diagnosis.

[@dondressel452]

Don I am praying your still doing good I had a spot on my head which turned out to be a pre-melanoma and thank God they caught it early Then about 3 years later I had a colonoscopy and they found a high grade pre-cancerous polyp So I had to get another colonoscopy 3 months later to make sure they got all of it Which they did Then 2 years later my right leg swelled up and I had a clot in my leg It turned out I had prostate cancer 4th stage in my bones I’ve been in treatment for 20 months and I was doing well but now my PSA is starting to go up I’m almost 65 and now I have to go to UCSF for further treatment Yes I guess cancer has been chasing me lol My prayers and heart goes out to this strong man I wish him all the best

[@MelanomaCanada]

Thank you for sharing your journey Don, wishing you all the best.

[@utsavimishra106]

Take care

[@patmcgaw6266]

My husband got melanoma in 1973, he had 3 operations and I got pregnant in 1980 and he got really bad and died in 1981 , 23 days before our son was born, he was sick from the chemo, and after 2, he refused anymore, but he fought and in those days the treatments were really bad , I feel for this man , I hope he is still doing well

[@MelanomaCanada]

Thank you for sharing Pat and our deepest condolences for the loss of your husband.

[@anne-mariemcinnis9143]

Don, what a wonderful talk you gave here! Thank you so much for taking time to prepare for it and give it! I hope this msg get's to you and finds you doing well!

[@MelanomaCanada]

Thank you for taking the time to watch!

[@NeTxGrl]

It's June 2021. I hope he's okay.

[@ianp.7536]

Thank you for sharing your journey Don. Praying for you.

[@RS-kz3gj]

This is a remarkable story.

[@MelanomaCanada]

Thank you for watching!

[@tristanmason7405]

Awesome I very much enjoyed your talk and wish you the best and pray to God you are well.

[@MelanomaCanada]

Thank you! You too!

[@ChandanKumar-rx4zx]

@@MelanomaCanada my mom diagnosis with advanced melomoma...n c is running imunotraphy...is more things required

[@bonnierobinson8684]

Very !kind to share your story!

[@MelanomaCanada]

Thanks for watching!

[@jennistevenson796]

What a lovely man and a great talk. Love those last words too x

[@MelanomaCanada]

We agree! Thanks for watching.

[@bluefluke7585]

I'm in California, and it's fortunate that you were able to be relieved of the financial burden of the medical costs. So many folks go bankrupt because of outrageously high medical bills. All the best to you.

[@Cwgrlup]

Happened to me. That’s life sometimes.

[@anitahermalin1849]

At least in the US, people are diagnosed and treated quickly. Most people have insurance. By the time people are treated in Canada, it might be too late!

[@laurieross8157]

My husband was on Tafinlar and Meckenist also. He had the same results as you and the same side effects. They worked for about 16 months. Then stopped. He died 5 months later. Unfortunately the drs were always about 30 days behind the cancer. They wait to long to start treatments.

[@MelanomaCanada]

Sorry to hear about your husband's experience, thank you for sharing with us.

[@Nrpg874]

My husband has IV stage melanoma. He has metastasis in neck, spleen, bonds... He made a surgery in middle of June and still doesnt start treatment. One of doctors in Germany offer him treatment with nivo/ipi the other doctors /based on liquid biopsy/ this is not the right treament /because there is 10% sensitivity to these drugs/ The doctors cant find the primary tumor, the timw fly, and im panic what will happend

[@Cwgrlup]

As an RN case manager, I think that the abject failure of these physicians to treat this man in a timely manner indicates they should have their medical licenses revoked. The cancer made advances because they didn’t treat him earlier.

[@poespas68]

My mum died of melanoma at 55, i had it at 34, but still alive, now 52

[@MelanomaCanada]

Thank you for sharing, hope this video was helpful.

[@sinam6663]

💪💪💪❤️❤️❤️

[@newlife8318]

@@MelanomaCanada bless you

[@davinastanton3865]

diamo I am so sorry for your loss of your precious Mam darling. So glad you are doing well. With love. X 🕊💗🕊

[@ellenchevarie8517]

Is this man still doing well?

[@planetproofreading2234]

I have high risk Stage 2 melanoma (the tumor was cleanly removed) and I'm being recommended immunotherapy. But I'm really on the fence with it for the reason this gentleman describes.

[@MelanomaCanada]

Thank you for watching. There is always the risk of side effects with immunotherapy, however it does affect everyone very differently and some people experience side effects that others do not. We recommend speaking with your oncologist about your concerns and having a list of questions. On page 31 of our Melanoma What you Need to Know guide, we have a list of questions you might consider asking in your next appointment: www.melanomanetwork.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Melanoma-What-You-Need-to-Know-Melanoma-Canada.pdf Hope this helps you as you make your decision.

[@charles9534]

Is he still alive?

[@annielark6650]

God Heal this man In Jesus Name I pray that He be totally healed from this disease Amen.

[@jensberlin3438]

Jesus? What are you hallucinating? Keep religious superstition out of this

[@tristanmason7405]

Buzz of loser all do not have to believe only as you do

[@ralphfurley404]

@@jensberlin3438 finally some one not brainwashed since childhood

[@fububeast6935]

If you believe everything you were told by science, you my friend are the brain washed person. If you believe that everything just came to be out of nothing, that takes slot of faith!! But where you will end up if you die in your unbelief will be a nightmare like you have never imagined. I pray you come to believe

[@rebeccabelltyler9303]

Did his headaches ever go away?? Why did his cancer cause them???

[@MelanomaCanada]

Hi there, thanks for watching. Some side effects from immunotherapy can unfortunately be long-lasting. We recently hosted a webinar on immunotherapy side effects, which I would encourage you to watch for more information - kzbin.info/www/bejne/sGKuZ2CinqiDY5I

[@laurieross8157]

Immunotherapy had no effect on my husband's melanoma at all!! Huge waste of money and precious time.

[@newlife8318]

My mums about to try it in Australia. What can you tell us about the therapy. She's 81 and the melanoma is in both lungs. Is it very unpleasant? Really so sorry about your husband.

[@allisonwest5393]

My husband has just been diagnosed. :(

[@palladiumblue2539]

My husband also has just been diagnosed. 😢😢

[@kglands1787]

Prayers for your husbands…did they catch it before it spread? I pray they did. I had melanoma at 27…both parents have had it 2-3 times each and my maternal grandfather did.

[@MelanomaCanada]

Hi Allison, thank you for watching and sharing. We're very sorry to hear of your husbands diagnosis. If you have any questions or need support as a caregiver, you can reach out to Melanoma Canada's patient care specialists anytime at 1-877-560-8035. Wishing you and your family the best.

[@bellaluna730]

You managed through with the help of the ability to pay $10 k per month for effective meds!!!

[@ralphfurley404]

How come everyone's prayers don't just fix him🤔🤔 if their Jesus and god is all great why would they make this man go through this 🤔 maybe there not real sofar fairytales 0 real 1

[@getn_shot2282]

You have to be one of the most ignorant people I've seen on the internet 🙄

[@noahoyeah]

Do you still feel the same way

[@lynnann137]

Jesus was healing during his earthly ministry, because he was trying to prove that he was the real Messiah, so it was necessary for him to do signs, wonders and miracles. After he died and paid for our sins on the cross was buried and resurrected we are no longer under the law, not just the 10 Commandments, but the entire Levitical Jewish law that was given to the nation, Israel. When Christ paid for all our sins on the cross, we are forgiven, but we must first trust and believe in his completed work to be saved and when we are saved we are guaranteed a place in heaven when we die and we will be resurrected just like Jesus was. God is not doing healings today. He did The greatest thing for mankind when he sent his son to die for everyone’s sin so by faith we can be saved. I hope you have faith in the all sufficient sin, resolving cross work, his death burial and resurrection for the forgiveness of your sins so someday you can spend eternity with Jesus. Not choosing to have faith, will send you to an eternity where they will be complete suffering forever. I hope you make the right choice.

[@irulanfoucher2183]

REALLY, Ralph? People are reaching for help, wherever thay can but you insult people who are believers? That's the hill you wanna die on?

[@anitahermalin1849]

It should not have taken this long to diagnose and treat!