"Active" may not be the correct word for this or any DS Board that I belong to, but I still monitor them. Happy to respond to any melanoma question if I am able to. Not a doctor or anything close, but did have a melanoma experience several years ago.

I am post treatment stage 3c metastatic melanoma. And looking for general support forum. I have had 2 surgeries including removal of my parotid gland and neck dissection. followed by radiation and 1 year of immunotherapy.

I am sorry to read of all the problems that you have had with melanoma. It is a very serious cancer that I think many people that have not had melanoma dismiss it to easily.

You have had the worst case, while mine was the exact opposite. I only had a small spot located in my lower midback. Its location made it nearly impossible to see without multiple mirrors and in fact, I never did see it. It was found during my then annual skin cancer checkup (now every 6 months) by my doctor who casually said while taking a sample for a biopsy ("it doesn't look like anything"). He always says that - LOL.

Well, it turned out to be melanoma, but it was still at Stage 1 (Clark Level 2), So I was referred over to a outpatient surgery center that specialized in skin cancer surgeries only. I was placed on my side where I could not see a thing and was given a bunch of "locals", My wife was watching and she thought that there had to a have been over 75 injections. I have no idea. The surgeon then cutout a rather large piece of meat (my wife said if it had been chicken that he removed enough for her dinner). After the removal he sewed me up and covered the wound and then sent me home. I returned two weeks later for switch removal and that was the last time that I went to that hospital/doctor. I never did see what the spot looked like. That was in July 2012. I think that I am out of the woods for that close call. Good thing that my original doctor had eagle eyes to have been able to see the small spot.

Sorry to bore you with my story, but as you can tell you have had a much, much worse experience than I did. So it is really difficult for me to relate or provide any valuable suggestions.

I hope that you can fully recover and get this all behind you. Sorry again to read of all your problems; the best of luck as you recover!

Please don't be sorry. Every cancer survivor has a story. And we know the black beast can show up anywhere at any time. And yes, to your point, unfortunately the majority of people I have encountered have not taken my cancer seriously. I have had a couple people say to my face, " you don't really have cancer", or "that's the good kind". People equate it with a simple cut off in the derm office and move on. I feel like not all cancer is "pink" and no, I didn't have meal trains established, rallies held in my honor. Or even support from family. I had all I needed in my husband and mother. So now i take every opportunity I can to advocate for your own health and educate people on just how deadly melanoma is. Just as invasive and deadly as any other cancer. Thank you for listening

I did not experience "you don't really have cancer" probably because only a few people even knew about it since my post-op surgery was hidden by my shirts. Probably can count on one hand how many people even knew, or even remember now. Like I said before, I was real lucky in having so few issues with melanoma.

Glad to see that you are advocating for your health and educating people about how dangerous melanoma is. I hope that you continue both your recovery and your mission of education.