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Recently diagnosed
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Recently diagnosed

› Forums › Cutaneous Melanoma Community › Recently diagnosed

  • Post
    • August 5, 2017 at 6:29 pm
    Dave63
    Participant

      Hi

      I've just been diagnosed with nodular BCC and melanoma. I use the VA and pathology report doesn't list any specifics about the melanoma. It was a 10 mm mole on shoulder and they did a 3mm punch biopsy along bottom edge. This was done a month ago and I just finally had my primary care doctor look to see if results had come back. Results were back on 7/21 and no one ever called me and I found out on 8/1. Now waiting to get appointment for follow up which will be at least another month. I have so many atypical moles I can't count. 2 painful ones on my head, some the size of a pencil eraser, some with black dots in them. 2 months ago I started with nausea, fatigue, no appetite and bumps in right side of groin. I'm just scared and don't know what to do. The original dermatologist PA glanced at moles on head and said they were nothing, but I don't know why they hurt and weren't there 6 a year ago.

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    • Replies
        • August 5, 2017 at 7:46 pm
        Marksa2570
        Participant

          Hi Dave,

          Welcome to the club.  Sorry you have to be here.    I don't know how the VA works but is it ever possible to get a referral outside of the network or could you get possibly go to another geographic location?     I don't know where you are but I know in San Diego and LA there are large VA facilities and perhaps you could find one that has a melanoma specialist?   Or… can you get someone where you are at to advocate for you and get it moving along?    I myself drive two hours to go to a good doctor just because I think it's worth the time and I know many people here fly places.     Just make sure you get timely care from the right type of doctor.    Other people on here will have recommendations for you?    

          You are in my thoughts!    

            • August 6, 2017 at 9:16 pm
            Dave63
            Participant

              I'm doing my best. Just a little scary. I have so many other moles, it's funny that before being diagnosed I never looked at my moles and now I look at every one. I never knew I had so many atypical moles, at least 100 from head to waist.  Not all of them are big, but there are several about the size of a pencil eraser.  Some with black dots in them, some that are raised and hurt.  I guess we'll see what comes of them.  Thank you for your support. It's nice to have a place to come to.

            • August 5, 2017 at 8:00 pm
            casagrayson
            Participant

              The pathology report doesn't give any staging information?  Breslow depth, maybe?  Does it extend to the margins?  While a month seems like a very long time, it certainly isn't an issue for the BCC.  I would want to get in sooner for the melanoma, though. 

                • August 6, 2017 at 1:38 pm
                Dave63
                Participant

                  Thank you for responding. The report doesn't state any of those facts. I'm trying to get in sooner but with the VA it doesn't always work. 

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