Vulvar melanoma: What treatments did you have?

I have not had any response to my question so I am following up on my own question of a few things that I have found to help a bit. Maybe some day this will help someone else if they have the same questions.

I am entering into my 2nd week of radiation treatments. I have found that warm Epsom salt baths help to sooth me and my down unders! I like the Lavender salt. I could not take baths after my surgery for 8 weeks per my Dr. But now that I can take them, I have found it to help sooth me.
Another thing that I have found helpful is Ice Packs between the legs. I wear a thin layer of clothing or use a cloth to keep the pack away from direct contact with my skin.
One more thing that has been great and this may sound a little funny... my husband went to the hardware store and found a Bidet Attachment that could easily be installed onto my toilet. By the end of last week I was so swollen that nothing seemed to help. I sat on the toilet backwards (facing the tank), turned it on very low just enough the hit where I needed it to hit and once the shock of the cold water hitting me went away it felt wonderful! I dont know how long I sat there just letting it run. I think it helped with the swelling for sure.

As I go into week 2 I am not sure what to expect but I will continue using these few tools that I have to help relieve some of my discomfort.

If I find anything additional I will sure post again.

Hope this helps someone, somewhere, sometime!

HUGS to all!

Had surgery in Feb. to remove melanoma, they thought they got it all but possibly saw a stringer so I was started on ketruda in March. In July I noticed some lumps. Finally in Aug. I got another ct pet scan which showed the cancer is in the lumps I felt and also spread. They told me stage 4 and we will be starting an aggressive chemo. treatment soon and that I will be on some kind of treatment for the rest of my life. I guess my question is ,is this treatable to the point of having a longer life? Is it something that can be manageable? At least they didn't say hopeless yet,so I'll fight as long as I can.

I'm also tagging @besissy to join this discussion.

@canadaigua, that must've been shocking news to hear that the cancer is stage 4 now and that you may be on treatment for life. Luckily today, many people live long and well with stage 4 cancers. What cancer regimen will you be starting? Will you also have Keytruda immunotherapy?

I have not had any response to my question so I am following up on my own question of a few things that I have found to help a bit. Maybe some day this will help someone else if they have the same questions.

I am entering into my 2nd week of radiation treatments. I have found that warm Epsom salt baths help to sooth me and my down unders! I like the Lavender salt. I could not take baths after my surgery for 8 weeks per my Dr. But now that I can take them, I have found it to help sooth me.
Another thing that I have found helpful is Ice Packs between the legs. I wear a thin layer of clothing or use a cloth to keep the pack away from direct contact with my skin.
One more thing that has been great and this may sound a little funny... my husband went to the hardware store and found a Bidet Attachment that could easily be installed onto my toilet. By the end of last week I was so swollen that nothing seemed to help. I sat on the toilet backwards (facing the tank), turned it on very low just enough the hit where I needed it to hit and once the shock of the cold water hitting me went away it felt wonderful! I dont know how long I sat there just letting it run. I think it helped with the swelling for sure.

As I go into week 2 I am not sure what to expect but I will continue using these few tools that I have to help relieve some of my discomfort.

If I find anything additional I will sure post again.

Hope this helps someone, somewhere, sometime!

HUGS to all!

I didn't have to have radiation. God blessed me in that we discovered it early enough and cut it out. Am getting immunotherapy to made sure they got it all. I hope you do well with the rest of your treatment. May God be with you.

Thank you so much for sharing your experience. I had a partial radical vulvectomy on October 25 and am scheduled to have 30 treatments over 6 weeks. I will certainly try your suggestions. How did the rest of your treatments go? I hope you are doing well now.

What immunotherapy are you using?

What kind of treatments? Chemotherapy and radiation?

I have not had any response to my question so I am following up on my own question of a few things that I have found to help a bit. Maybe some day this will help someone else if they have the same questions.

I am entering into my 2nd week of radiation treatments. I have found that warm Epsom salt baths help to sooth me and my down unders! I like the Lavender salt. I could not take baths after my surgery for 8 weeks per my Dr. But now that I can take them, I have found it to help sooth me.
Another thing that I have found helpful is Ice Packs between the legs. I wear a thin layer of clothing or use a cloth to keep the pack away from direct contact with my skin.
One more thing that has been great and this may sound a little funny... my husband went to the hardware store and found a Bidet Attachment that could easily be installed onto my toilet. By the end of last week I was so swollen that nothing seemed to help. I sat on the toilet backwards (facing the tank), turned it on very low just enough the hit where I needed it to hit and once the shock of the cold water hitting me went away it felt wonderful! I dont know how long I sat there just letting it run. I think it helped with the swelling for sure.

As I go into week 2 I am not sure what to expect but I will continue using these few tools that I have to help relieve some of my discomfort.

If I find anything additional I will sure post again.

Hope this helps someone, somewhere, sometime!

HUGS to all!