Hi brissiegirl!! Well i'm so glad I finally did a search and found this site as I am currently in the same situation. It's been 11 years now since I first found out I had melanoma, however it lay dormant up until april last year when they had to do a lymph node clearance under my right arm (i am also 28 in may). Then in november I was taken into the emergency ward at the pa hospital as I had a tumor obstructing my bowel and they also found a 2nd one in my stomach and 3 in my lungs. My world fell apart for a 3rd time. In january I started a new treatment of taxoprexin and found out yesterday that it is working and is shrinking my tumors!! I only have one more treatment left ahead of me (however I know for the next 10 years i'll be stressing like nothing else!). So I just want to say, please stay positive!! I'm also off work at the moment and have been since november, so am also boooored stiff at home!! So if you would like to email, please please feel free! Take care of yourself!

Hope you're doing better... it looks like 3 years since you posted this.
I was mis-dx'd in 1990, and correctly dx'd in July 97.
I've since had 6 surgeries, and am 4 years out since my last on in 2-04.
I sat at home recovering for the 1st 6 months afterwards. I read a lot, watched a fair amount of TV, and finally got set up to attend college classes through my local vocational rehab.
I've since gone on to receive two AS degrees, and am almost finished with a BS degree in physics.
But as I live in the US, I have no idea what they offer along these lines in Australia.
If you're stil alive, and fighting, keep it up.

I'm kind of a newcomer to melanoma compared to you guys. Diagnosed late November 2006. Three surgeries and one radiation since. So far it's been kind of a nuisance thing. I haven't felt sick at all. Getting treated at Mayo Clinic. I will be getting PET scanned at three or four month intervals for the foreseeable future. Other treatment consists consists of self-administered Leukine injections at the moment. Info about Leukine can be googled. Last scan showed up a suspicious looking node in left frontal lobe of my brain. Previous surgeries included removal from right neck down to base and removal from left lung. Today marks the end of my recovery period from the last surgery although I have gotten back to swimming and golf starting about three weeks ago. I turned 70 in March and I know that these days are the best days of the rest of my life and I intend to make the most of them, but I feel like I have the sword of Democles hanging over my head. Hang in there!

My husband has 3 melanoma brain tumors - removed largest one - did gamma knive, removed gall bladder also. He's now in chemo 1 week with temodar, next week on interferon (brutal), then week off (3 wk cycles). Need 24 weeks of this. He's so sick but that's the treatment -- brain makes it hard to treat. We're trying and praying a lot.

Franniegirl, Sorry about your husband. How did all this start? I had it on my head (.75), margain and lymps nodes okay. That was over two years ago. I get CT every year now but was every three months for awhile. still this really worried the life out of me. I hope you husband does okay. Keep up posted. Thank you give your husband my best. Jack

well, had a curve ball - the place where largest tumor was removed -- a new tumor grew back in 12 weeks so we did the 2nd crainiotomy a month ago - whew!!! Just completed 1 week of whole brain radiation and temodar pills and have 2 more to go -- then a break before we begin chemo again. WBRT was the only treatment option --even asked our MD Anderson Dr. -- and he validated it. But have to admit the side effects sound scary and not even sure it will help but are praying it will repress the tumor growth. Need a scan on his body in 2 weeks. What a nightmare -- have a senior in high school -- would love for him to be around for her graduation, college and marriage some day but know we are in God's hands. Thirteen years had melanoma (very thin - removed) in back -- did routine checks and never dreamed of this -- after 13 years - wow!!!! Take care, Deb

Dear Deb: When they get in the blood stream they can show their ugly face all over the body...The sad part of it is that it is something that happened when we were not even aware of this disease...My thoughts and prayers are with you...Only living with this disease with our son can I walk this walk in life with you...I send you all my love...

Caroline