New with a few questions Stage 2

Does your report say Breslow stage 2? That is different than stage 2. Those two get confused alot by newly diagnosed people.  I think they won't know actual stage til after your surgery tomorrow.  So get through tomorrow. This can be some scary stuff, especially when you have small chidren.  But take a breath and TRY not to worry too much until you have those  results.  (I know that's impossible, but try)  One thing I've learned from my experience is that you have to find out exactly what you have before you can decide what to do.  I'll say prayers for you tonight that your outcome will be good.

As to diet, most diet info I've seen from cancer society promotes a balanced diet, with a variety of fruits and veggies. 

Does your report say Breslow stage 2? That is different than stage 2. Those two get confused alot by newly diagnosed people.  I think they won't know actual stage til after your surgery tomorrow.  So get through tomorrow. This can be some scary stuff, especially when you have small chidren.  But take a breath and TRY not to worry too much until you have those  results.  (I know that's impossible, but try)  One thing I've learned from my experience is that you have to find out exactly what you have before you can decide what to do.  I'll say prayers for you tonight that your outcome will be good.

As to diet, most diet info I've seen from cancer society promotes a balanced diet, with a variety of fruits and veggies. 

Does your report say Breslow stage 2? That is different than stage 2. Those two get confused alot by newly diagnosed people.  I think they won't know actual stage til after your surgery tomorrow.  So get through tomorrow. This can be some scary stuff, especially when you have small chidren.  But take a breath and TRY not to worry too much until you have those  results.  (I know that's impossible, but try)  One thing I've learned from my experience is that you have to find out exactly what you have before you can decide what to do.  I'll say prayers for you tonight that your outcome will be good.

As to diet, most diet info I've seen from cancer society promotes a balanced diet, with a variety of fruits and veggies. 

You get an initial staging based on the depth and other aspects of the lesion.  Then you may be restaged if the SNB is positive.  The second staging is for indication of spread.  You don't say if your lesion was ulcerated.  Basically, in order for a 1mm lesion to be stage II, it would have to be ulcerated.  This is a pathological description.  If it is not ulcerated, this is a stage I lesion.  If it has ulceration, it is stage IIA.  Getting a copy of your pathology report can give you all the information you need, and it's a good thing to have for your own files.

You should be seeing a surgical oncologist to do the SNB.  There may be some plastic surgeons trained in doing the SNB, but you want someone who knows their stuff.  If your SNB is negative, there's not a whole lot an oncologist can do for you.  If it is positive, you definitely want to be working with a melanoma specialist if at all possible.

As for diet, I've seen all extremes on this site over the years.  I've never seen any indication that diet alone can cure/prevent cancer.  Many people change their diet because it gives them a sense of control over a disease where we have no control.  If it makes you feel more empowered, certainly diet change is something you can do.  But I wouldn't expect a vegan diet to change your ultimate outcome.  

Good luck on your surgeries!

Janner

You get an initial staging based on the depth and other aspects of the lesion.  Then you may be restaged if the SNB is positive.  The second staging is for indication of spread.  You don't say if your lesion was ulcerated.  Basically, in order for a 1mm lesion to be stage II, it would have to be ulcerated.  This is a pathological description.  If it is not ulcerated, this is a stage I lesion.  If it has ulceration, it is stage IIA.  Getting a copy of your pathology report can give you all the information you need, and it's a good thing to have for your own files.

You should be seeing a surgical oncologist to do the SNB.  There may be some plastic surgeons trained in doing the SNB, but you want someone who knows their stuff.  If your SNB is negative, there's not a whole lot an oncologist can do for you.  If it is positive, you definitely want to be working with a melanoma specialist if at all possible.

As for diet, I've seen all extremes on this site over the years.  I've never seen any indication that diet alone can cure/prevent cancer.  Many people change their diet because it gives them a sense of control over a disease where we have no control.  If it makes you feel more empowered, certainly diet change is something you can do.  But I wouldn't expect a vegan diet to change your ultimate outcome.  

Good luck on your surgeries!

Janner

You get an initial staging based on the depth and other aspects of the lesion.  Then you may be restaged if the SNB is positive.  The second staging is for indication of spread.  You don't say if your lesion was ulcerated.  Basically, in order for a 1mm lesion to be stage II, it would have to be ulcerated.  This is a pathological description.  If it is not ulcerated, this is a stage I lesion.  If it has ulceration, it is stage IIA.  Getting a copy of your pathology report can give you all the information you need, and it's a good thing to have for your own files.

You should be seeing a surgical oncologist to do the SNB.  There may be some plastic surgeons trained in doing the SNB, but you want someone who knows their stuff.  If your SNB is negative, there's not a whole lot an oncologist can do for you.  If it is positive, you definitely want to be working with a melanoma specialist if at all possible.

As for diet, I've seen all extremes on this site over the years.  I've never seen any indication that diet alone can cure/prevent cancer.  Many people change their diet because it gives them a sense of control over a disease where we have no control.  If it makes you feel more empowered, certainly diet change is something you can do.  But I wouldn't expect a vegan diet to change your ultimate outcome.  

Good luck on your surgeries!

Janner

Hi, I am so sorry you're going through this, especially with a little baby to take care of! Hopefully your lymph node biopsy will come back negative, and this will be the last you have to deal with, aside from frequent check ups. I just wanted to share a little bit about my personal experience, just in case you unfortunately encounter the same thing I did. My SNB came back negative in July 2011, and I continued with my 3 month dermatologist checkups, but no one really told me I needed to have follow up tests done or see an oncologist until one year later, when my derm felt a mass in my lymph nodes. After scans and a biopsy, it was discovered that the melanoma had spread, and I had my lymph nodes under my left arm removed in August 2012. I don't say that to scare you or make you more anxious than you already are, but I can't help but wonder if she would have told me I needed any of these scans or appointments with oncologists if she hadn't felt that mass (I changed dermatologists after that, because that was the final straw of a long line of issues I'd had with that practice). I had asked my surgeon about follow ups, and he seemed unconcerned, but I never did ask the dermatologist, and although I feel like it was their responsbility to tell me what my follow up care was, I still should have asked, and the outcome probably wouldn't have changed, but at least I would have been informed and more prepared. I really thought I was in the clear as long as no new primary melanomas showed up (I didn't do much research until after my lymph nodes were removed). So don't be afraid to ask questions and push for answers!!

Also, on the diet part, I believe that the healthier your body is, the better able you will be to fight off any disease. It's no guarantee, just like drug treatment, but it most certainly can't hurt to add more fruits & veggies to your diet! I actually just got a blendtec blender so I can juice greens, to add a little more nutrients to my diet. But I also just ate some halloween candy, so you know, it's all about balance 🙂

You are probably having surgery or you're recovering right now, so best wishes for a speedy recovery and some good results! Take advantage of having your husband and family/friends taking care of you!

Melissa

Hi, I am so sorry you're going through this, especially with a little baby to take care of! Hopefully your lymph node biopsy will come back negative, and this will be the last you have to deal with, aside from frequent check ups. I just wanted to share a little bit about my personal experience, just in case you unfortunately encounter the same thing I did. My SNB came back negative in July 2011, and I continued with my 3 month dermatologist checkups, but no one really told me I needed to have follow up tests done or see an oncologist until one year later, when my derm felt a mass in my lymph nodes. After scans and a biopsy, it was discovered that the melanoma had spread, and I had my lymph nodes under my left arm removed in August 2012. I don't say that to scare you or make you more anxious than you already are, but I can't help but wonder if she would have told me I needed any of these scans or appointments with oncologists if she hadn't felt that mass (I changed dermatologists after that, because that was the final straw of a long line of issues I'd had with that practice). I had asked my surgeon about follow ups, and he seemed unconcerned, but I never did ask the dermatologist, and although I feel like it was their responsbility to tell me what my follow up care was, I still should have asked, and the outcome probably wouldn't have changed, but at least I would have been informed and more prepared. I really thought I was in the clear as long as no new primary melanomas showed up (I didn't do much research until after my lymph nodes were removed). So don't be afraid to ask questions and push for answers!!

Also, on the diet part, I believe that the healthier your body is, the better able you will be to fight off any disease. It's no guarantee, just like drug treatment, but it most certainly can't hurt to add more fruits & veggies to your diet! I actually just got a blendtec blender so I can juice greens, to add a little more nutrients to my diet. But I also just ate some halloween candy, so you know, it's all about balance 🙂

You are probably having surgery or you're recovering right now, so best wishes for a speedy recovery and some good results! Take advantage of having your husband and family/friends taking care of you!

Melissa

Hi, I am so sorry you're going through this, especially with a little baby to take care of! Hopefully your lymph node biopsy will come back negative, and this will be the last you have to deal with, aside from frequent check ups. I just wanted to share a little bit about my personal experience, just in case you unfortunately encounter the same thing I did. My SNB came back negative in July 2011, and I continued with my 3 month dermatologist checkups, but no one really told me I needed to have follow up tests done or see an oncologist until one year later, when my derm felt a mass in my lymph nodes. After scans and a biopsy, it was discovered that the melanoma had spread, and I had my lymph nodes under my left arm removed in August 2012. I don't say that to scare you or make you more anxious than you already are, but I can't help but wonder if she would have told me I needed any of these scans or appointments with oncologists if she hadn't felt that mass (I changed dermatologists after that, because that was the final straw of a long line of issues I'd had with that practice). I had asked my surgeon about follow ups, and he seemed unconcerned, but I never did ask the dermatologist, and although I feel like it was their responsbility to tell me what my follow up care was, I still should have asked, and the outcome probably wouldn't have changed, but at least I would have been informed and more prepared. I really thought I was in the clear as long as no new primary melanomas showed up (I didn't do much research until after my lymph nodes were removed). So don't be afraid to ask questions and push for answers!!

Also, on the diet part, I believe that the healthier your body is, the better able you will be to fight off any disease. It's no guarantee, just like drug treatment, but it most certainly can't hurt to add more fruits & veggies to your diet! I actually just got a blendtec blender so I can juice greens, to add a little more nutrients to my diet. But I also just ate some halloween candy, so you know, it's all about balance 🙂

You are probably having surgery or you're recovering right now, so best wishes for a speedy recovery and some good results! Take advantage of having your husband and family/friends taking care of you!

Melissa

If Stage I, they usually don't do scans unless there are symptoms, etc… 

If Stage I, they usually don't do scans unless there are symptoms, etc… 

If Stage I, they usually don't do scans unless there are symptoms, etc…