Stage 3 Melanoma

Any kind of cancer at stage 3 is tricky. Some melanomas are very agressive others are not. You really have to take notes at the physician's office to find out the specific type of melanoma then check reliable websites such as the Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, Sloan Kettering, American Cancer Society, etc

But even that will only give you information on average prognosis. My mom was diagnosed with ovarian cancer 6 years ago - and it went in to remission for 5 years. It recurred last year at this time and my mom is still here fighting it with chemo. Most people do not survive 6 years after ovarian cancer - but some people do. All of the statistics I read on reliable websites showed that my mom would have been long dead by now. She is still preparing her own meals, making her own bed, etc. the chemo is tough but so is she. ;o) She is clearly more weak and tired - but she gets to experience yet another Christmas and it seems, the birth of a couple more great grandchildren this coming Spring we hope.

Some of your loved one's prognosis will have to do with his/her outlook on life and desire to fight - but not entirely.

I know 2 close people who had melanoma - one person was diagnosed at stage 4 and was gone very quickly. Another was diagnosed at stage 2 with a few lesions about 8-9 years ago and hasn't had additional lesions since and she's super healthy.

The best thing to do as a loved one is to be supportive of whatever they decide to do. Standard is surgical removal, biospy & chemo & or radiation. Side effects of both are tough - but they have great new drugs that help manage them. Be available to do laundry, make meals, drive to the doctors' office, go grocery shopping, etc. Some people will ask for your help others won't. YOu may have to offer soemthing specific "Can I help with household stuff like laundry or cheet changing?" "I'm going grocery shopping - do you have a list?". you get the idea.

And pray. God does care about the details of your life and the details of your loved one. If you make yourself available and ask He will hear your prayers and answer them. Don't be afraid to say I'm not sure I believe - show me yourself, I don't think this is fair, tell me what I need to hear, etc. You will be srupirsed.

All the best mama - I just prayed for your loved one.

my dad was diagnosed with stage 3 melanoma a little over 10 years ago. He was lucky, though, in that he only had one small affected area, on the top of his ear. The doctors were able to remove the offending area and he has had no other issues with it (other than kids wondering, and asking, why 1/4 of his ear is missing :)) I don't know if this is helpful or not, but I DO know that when we hear the C word we get very nervous and often think the worst, which isn't always the case.

Theres a series on Showtime right now called "the big c", it's about a gal that has just been diagnosed... it's an interesting take on what life starts meaning to you when you are unsure of your mortality.
Sorry, I have no connections to anyone that has been diagnosed as stage 3. My grandpa gets malignant lesions removed on a pretty regular basis.
Keeping on top of the technology and finding docs with accolades is the best bet. And getting your family member on as many prayer chains as possible is important. Miracles happen every day.
Prayers to you and yours...

I also watch The Big C - you can catch up on the back episodes. It's more about her other experiences and not so much about the medical part. It's very well acted and written, however. I have several friends who have strengthened their immune systems so well that they did very well during treatment and also got rid of their cancer even when there was supposedly no hope. Some amazing stories!

I worked with an experimental drug that was for melanoma patients. I'm not sure if they are still allowing people onto the study but look up "ipilimumab". I can't say anything else without getting in trouble but if you can look it up.

My mom had stage III breast cancer. Know that it is not a death sentence. In fact my mom had both breasts removed (her cancer was very aggressive) and didn't go to chemo, just acupuncture. That was 10 years ago.

A big hug to you and your family.

My DIL has many moles on her legs which are at risk for melanoma.
Approx every 2-3 months, she has 2-3 removed,
outpatient process, local anesthesia.
If borders are clean, hasn't spread, your family member
can have this area / these areas removed as a simple procedure.
If borders have spread, then will probably require a more drastic procedure.