ViewFinder: More Than Skin Deep - Surviving Melanoma

[@michman2]

I found a primary and sentinel lymph node, nodular melanoma, in 2016. Three years of Ipilimumab (tx every 3 months) seems to have cleaned it up. As of late 2022 I'm still cancer free. Edit: It's now Feb 2024 and not a hint of recurrence.

[@greghills4443]

My mum had a melanoma went to the hospital to get it removed wrong place should have gone to the melanoma institute she died 4 months later 😢

[@michman2]

@@greghills4443 If she passed with 4 months of finding/surgery, nothing could have been done, it was found too late, it was already compromising internal organs. Early detection is crucial to beating it. Sorry for your loss.

[@greghills4443]

Yes it was too late the mri found 30 brain tumors that was January 3 2020 the most emotional time of our lives

[@nelliesample4775]

What is laser treatment for skin cancer how does it work my son was diag with skin with less then stage 1 he was told it was like 8 present???

[@ellenaufenthie5578]

@@michman2i

[@britishchickinusa]

My hubby has had three melanomas that were treated with mohrs and reconstructive now it s back after 11 years on the opposite side of his face. and thus we go again to see what can be done. its exhausting. he is 11 years older now 87 and we dont want him to die from cancer. so we are headed to MD Anderson again. Fingers crossed this might be a good way to treat this time.. we are hopeful

[@cathylloyd9225]

Melanoma 3a 6-year survivor here! 1 year of nivolumab saved my life. Thank goodness also for an insurance company which covered all my infusions!

[@dar7230]

I am afraid of side effects

[@Skyhawks1979]

I'm a 3a as well. Six months into immunotherapy. So far no her tumors. No side effects.

[@AlexanderAMY]

I have had melanoma in situ and melanoma in my family ❤ you are all strong and brave ❤

[@dar7230]

As are you ❤I'm stage 3b and don't want treatment Just not worth it for me. I'm 62,have had a good life,am content,I don't want five years of pain and anxiety, dealing with side effects etc.i have no dependents, let someone else take my place in the clinical trials. Good luck to all

[@Realalma]

@@dar7230sweetheart 💔

[@GregSr]

Years ago, in my early sixties, I saw a strange looking mole on my right forearm. I casually asked my regular doctor what he thought about it. He took one look and his eyes got big. He sent me to a dermatologist. The dermatologist cut the mole out and sent it to a lab. Then I got a call to tell me it IS melanoma and surgery will be necessary. While being prepped for surgery, the doctor could tell that I was not appropriately concerned about the melanoma. He got real serious, looked me in the eye and said, "sir, this could kill you". At that time, I was amazingly ignorant about melanoma. They ended up removing a lot of skin - about 2 inches in diameter and a 1/4 inch deep. They also took a biopsy of the lymph node in my arm pit. Thankfully, that came back benign (negative). They also took some skin from my thigh and grafted it onto the surgery site. My forearm now looks like something took a big bite out of it. Videos like this one do a great job of explaining the seriousness of melanoma.

[@rightthinking2087]

Just an FYI, not all Melanomas have to do with the sun. Specifically, Acral lentiginous Melanoma is very rare (in white people), doesn’t have to do with sun exposure and shows up as a crack or dark spot on your hands or feet (may be in the nail beds). Pay attention to this because it’s usually diagnosed as an infection at first. Meaning it’s usually at later stage 3-4 by the time of diagnosis. Push if you get blown off by the medical professionals! The immunotherapies seem to work for this type too. Just an anecdotal story here. I’m not a doctor!

[@victoriadolton4762]

I have had MOHS surgeries for Squamous Cell CA, but a few weeks ago I was diagnosed with a large mass in my eye that's Choroidal Melanoma. My eye will be removed.

[@fernemcallister6774]

Seriously, having to blur the surgery itself. The most interesting part.

[@williambanzhof9739]

Thanks for presenting!

[@Sandra-A]

Is Immunotherapy an option for a patient on Immunosuppressive (TNFa blocker)?

[@ninjanana102]

Excellent video!

[@debrapollard2044]

Where is UCSF located?

[@kathyrobertson4493]

California

[@oxxxeee]

san francisco

[@frankish5314]

Are insurance companies paying for this I wonder?

[@cathylloyd9225]

Yes, they are!!!

[@dar7230]

Most are clinical trials, not so much

[@dar7230]

Mine will pay but I choose not to undergo treatment In would rather have one good year than 5 being miserable

[@Skyhawks1979]

@@dar7230 Six months into treatment with Keytruda. No side effects at all.

[@marylee8534]

It is hard to take this video about melanoma seriously, when you clearly are wearing masks to protect yourself from something that does not exist. Shame on you. I have had many many melanomas throughout my life and 100s Of this plastic nearby. I am alive and well and I am proud of that.

[@jjm4341]

You also seem to be proud of your ignorance regarding Covid-19, and insensitive to the more than one million lives lost in its wake.

[@davidwaddell99]

Are you trying to say they are wearing masks to not catch melanoma?😂😂😂

[@marylee8534]

@@davidwaddell99 David I am absolutely not saying that they are trying not to catch melanomas. The point I was making is I have a very suppressed immune system because of cancer. Everybody thought I should take the jab,, because my immune system is suppressed. I refused because I know that my immune system would cover me, as I have had 60 serious melanomas. Our bodies were designed to fight infections. David, I’m sorry if I gave you the wrong impression. As hard as it is to do, I take responsibility for my healthcare and sometimes failing health. Peace to you David!!

[@ianbardon8581]

Very good, I was thinking the same. Ignorance is bliss. 🙄

[@AlexanderAMY]

Masks are to protect from Covid19

[@totallychillgirl8072]

TAKE THE MASKS OFF!!

[@nivek2157]

as soon as I see a professional wearing a mask, I instantly don't trust a thing they say.

[@britishchickinusa]

@@nivek2157 thats a really dumb way to think im the opposite