Melanoma & Skin Cancer support: Introduce yourself and connect

@wgv, I can help out. Monthly meetings that @grammato3 refers to are held the second Tuesday of every month from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Central time. Here is the link to sign up for the monthly support group led by a Mayo Clinic social worker, Heidi:

- Melanoma Support Group Meeting https://connect.mayoclinic.org/event/melanoma-support-group-meeting-2-89f6e876/

Also listed in the Events section https://connect.mayoclinic.org/events/ are the upcoming Melamona Symposia help by Mayo Clinic. You can attend in person in Jacksonville, Florida or Rochester, Minnesota or virtually online on May 17.

- Melanoma and Skin Cancer Education Symposium in Rochester, MN & Online https://connect.mayoclinic.org/event/melanoma-and-skin-cancer-education-symposium/
- Melanoma Symposium for Patients and Families: Jacksonville, FL & Online https://connect.mayoclinic.org/event/melanoma-symposium-for-patients-and-families/

@wgv, I thought I'd check in. Have you had another immunotherapy infusion since your last post? How are you doing?

Next infusion on Wednesday next week. Had a transfusion this week because of low red blood cells count. I'm really fatigued. Walking across the room is exhausting. My left ear canal is completely blocked which drives me nuts. All I want to do is sleep.

@wgv So sorry it's taken me a bit to get back to you with this part of the information; I see Colleen provided you with the support group and hope to see you in a future Zoom call!
fHere is the site that lists potential adverse reactions associated with immunotherapy treatments: https://aimwithimmunotherapy.org/resources-for-your-patients/patient-action-plans/ If you been able to identify the name of the immunotherapy meds you're on, you can go directly to the box that includes that information. Let me know if I can provide further direction with that.

I see you've been feeling fatigued, which I wonder may in part be due to your low red blood cell count, that can be caused by any number of reasons for which you may be treating now. Has your doctor been able to determine that and possibly start any treatment?

Hemoglobin last week was 7.7 so had a blood transfusion. The one drug I'm on is opdiva which I understand is very powerful. The other is it begins with a y. I'll check the site and will find it.
I'm just extremely fatigued.

"Working on mysteries, without any clues".... Diagnosed 4 days ago-Basal Cell Carcinoma. Told I need surgery. I know nothing else and have questions.

@rhondaobason25 - I’m sorry about your basal cell carcinoma (BCC) diagnosis—it’s tough to face with so little info. However, BCC, the most common skin cancer, grows slowly and rarely spreads but needs treatment to avoid local damage. It’s often caused by sun exposure and appears as a pearly bump, red patch, or non-healing sore on sun-exposed areas.
Surgery is recommended because it’s over 95% effective at removing BCC. Options include:
Excisional Surgery: Removes the tumor and some healthy skin.
Mohs Surgery: Removes layers, checking for cancer cells, ideal for the face.
Curettage: Scrapes small BCCs, followed by burning the area.
Done outpatient with local anesthesia, surgery takes 30 minutes to a few hours. Recovery is 1–4 weeks, with possible scarring. Suggest you ask your doctor which surgery is right for you.
BCC is highly treatable, with a near-100% cure rate if caught early.
How long have you noticed it? Please share specific questions or details (e.g., BCC location or reports), and and if you have any particular questions or concerns and we will try to help! You’re not alone—we're here to help!

@wgv I can well understand why you'd be so fatigued with a hemoglobin of that level. I hope the blood transfusion helps provide some resolution and relief, although I understand improvement in terms of energy can sometimes take a week or two. Additionally, I wonder if perhaps the other immunotherapeutic drug you're on is Yervoy? Those two can certainly be adding to your feelings of exhaustion.

Here is the direct link to both of those, listed as their generic names (Opdivo and Yervoy are their brand names, those given by the manufacturer; the generic names are basically those of the active ingredients): https://aimwithimmunotherapy.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/IO-Ipi-Nivo-Combo-PAP-2024.pdf

Will you be having lab work again soon?

I have probably had 30 of those cancers burned, scrapped and many cut out. My 2nd and best dermatologist was also a pathologist. He completed biopsies right away. He liked to clear it all away, stich it up and none have ever come back. On my face, neck, arms, legs and back. Sun exposure as a child and in my teens, red hair, light eyes, freckles and family with a history. Both my parents. My parents either had melanoma or squamous. Those two metastasize with squamous possibly as my father was misdiagnosed and squamous metastasized for him. I like to say i have a lot of freckles and those hid some scars. Over time, the cut ones the cars are not visible. The scrapped off one on my arm 28 years ago took off the freckles. The same thing with the mohs on my nose.
No cancer is good, but you are getting your diagnosed and treated is great news. As has been said. Where it is going to tell you how they will treat.
Come back and let us know!!

Thank You! I have read a lot of information from various sites, including the Skin Cancer Foundation, Mayo and Cleveland Clinics.
I first noticed a small spot on my left torso. I thought it was a bug bite at first and kept an eye on the red, itchy spot. I kept watch for a few months, then it went away. Last May, (2024), I noticed a place on my shoulder. I monitored it for a few months, then wondered if it might be cancer. I called a dermatologist on October 17, 2024. I was not seen until May 6, 2025. I was examined and had a biopsy taken, (Shaved the top layer). My biopsy came back positive for BCC. I am now waiting an additional 3 months to have surgery. Is this normal? I keep seeing, "if treated early". What does that mean? I have no concept of what is "early enough". Just confused about treatment options and how early is really "early enough".