How is recovery from lymph node removal for melanoma?

Recovery from lymph node removal can indeed be challenging, and it's completely normal to experience a tough healing process with drains and the discomfort that comes with this type of surgery. Many community members have shared similar experiences with lymph node removal and the recovery timeline, so connecting with others here who have been through this journey could provide valuable support and insights as you move toward your next treatment phase.

Hi Debi, nice to meet you. I also have metastatic melanoma. I had surgery a couple years ago to remove my tumor along with 22 lymph nodes in my right breast area. It has since metastasized to my T9 vertebrae and rib bone. I have been on immunotherapy ever since and it seems to be very effective. I was fortunate and had minimal side effects but this whole journey is scary and tense. You will meet a lot of wonderful people here going through the same journey. Do you know what they are putting you on for immunotherapy? I was on Opduolag but they are switching me to Opdivo and Yervoy. Wishing you well in your recovery and treatment

William. Hope you have good luck with opdivo/yervoy. I only had 2 doses of that. Had to stop due to severe colitis issues on 2 months of steroids. But also pet scan in June showed dramatic reduction in size of axillary tumors. Finally got surgery done 2 weeks ago to remove smaller nodes still present. Got biopsy results today! O!! NO residual disease present in nodes checked !! Complete remission. No additional surgery. Will monitor every 3 months now with Per scan. Good luck to you!!

That is AWSOME Beverly!!!! I am so happy for you!! I’m a little nervous with these two in a higher dosage but Hillman seems so much better equipped to treat this. Hopefully I won’t have to bad of a response 🤞!! Will keep you posted and again I am so happy for you!!! Congrats!!! Celebrate!!

William. Did you seek out another facility?? I hope they are as competent as my team. So fortunate for their guidance in my meds ! Best of luck to you. It’s a potent combo. But seemed to do the job!!!!

Hi Beverly, yes I did seek out another facility. I am switching to UPMC Hillman Cancer Center in Pittsburgh. Dr. Kirkwood is my new oncologist and he has a long resume, looked very impressive on paper and backed it up last week when I had my appointment. Start Aug 21 the new immunotherapy combination. I feel like I am in much better hands. Will keep you posted

William ....I meet with the head of melanoma oncology Monday at Rutgers Cancer Center to discuss immunotherapy....I'll let you know what they suggest

Best of luck Debra let me know how it goes . If you want to that is

I def will

I was on yervoy and keytruda. It didn’t work for me. Those drugs caused me to have Addison’s disease and autoimmune hepatitis. Opdualag worked great for me by getting rid of my 20 lung nodules.

Good luck Debra. I have a NP appointment at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, AZ. next month. My oncologist here in Vegas , encourages this.

Jill....rhank you ..Good Luck with that appointment

Good news Beverly.

👍🤞

Well met with new oncologist...loved her....not great news...went over my pet scan and surgery notes and she feels the surgeon did not get it all....have to meet with another surgeon on Friday....I also have to have a brain mri