Well this really rots-Husband diagnosed with malignant melanoma

Lulu22

Tough day today. Last week my husband complained that after doing a lot of house painting his arm hurt and his underarm was swollen. Knowing that swollen lymph nodes can be a warning sign I urged him to get it checked out and today we got the news that it's definitely malignant melanoma, lymphatic involvement from the tiny spot he had taken off his forearm a couple of years ago. We won't know until next week if it has metastasized to other organs.

He's the love of my life and the center of our family. I just cannot lose him. We don't know how we're going to tell the kids, who suffered enough through my two bouts of BC.

Right now we're at that horrible place most of us who have been through a BC diagnosis can remember, where we have enough information to know that something very, very bad is going on, but not enough to have a clear plan going forward.

I know whatever we're facing we'll make it through as a family. He pulled me through my treatment with kindness, patience and good spirits, and I hope to be able to do as well for him.

Thanks for letting me share here. It makes me feel a teenier bit better to get this off my chest.

-Lulu

stephincanada

Lulu,

I am devastated by what your family must be going through, and am at a loss for what to say to you. It sounds like you have an incredibly loving and supportive family, which is a blessing that will carry you through this storm.

Sending you much strength,

Stephanie

farmerlucy

Oh Lulu - that is so unfair. Thinking of you and your sweet family. Gentle hug.

DSW1976

I don't know you but wanted to let you know how sorry I am and that I am praying for your husband and your family. I was diagnosed with breast rare form of melenoma this June less than two years out from IDC . Mine had been there for a while and its very agressive and I was okay so maybe he will be too. Hang in there I know how difficult of a time it is right now..

Diane

Beatmon

Thinking of you.

Anonymous

I hope for the best for you and family. Hugs.... Keep us posted.

Claire

Moderators

Lulu... we're sorry to hear that. Hope treatment works well for him, and there's no other organs involved. We're thinking of you.

The Mods

Samanthavt7091

Lulu, I pray that the Lord touch you both in a mighty mighty way!!! Love, peace and healing to both of you.

Smurfette26

Thinking of you and hoping your hubby is on a positive treatment path very soon.

Lulu22

Thank you all for your positive thoughts. We got the good news today that his PET scan and MRI show NED in his brain, lungs or bones. There was one small area that lit up weakly on the PET scan but his doctors don't think it's cancer. He'll have another targeted scan tomorrow to rule out mets in that spot but they're ready to schedule surgery to remove 20-30 nodes.

If things go according to plan he'll do a year of immunotherapy which involves daily shots for the first month then 3 a week for the next 11 months. According to his doctors he'll feel like he has a year-long case of the flu. In the words of his surgeon, "On the plus side you won't lose your hair so no one will have to know you're sick. On the negative you won't get any sympathy!"

We still have a scary path ahead but he supported me through my BC journey and I'll support him in whatever lays ahead for him.

Sending hugs back to all of you dealing with this ugly monster.

-Lulu