changes in the body from melanoma
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changes in the body from melanoma

› Forums › Cutaneous Melanoma Community › changes in the body from melanoma

  • Post
    • May 7, 2013 at 6:19 pm
    flvermonter
    Participant

      Hello,

       

      My husband has been diagnosed with stage iii cutaneous melanoma and is having a ct tomorrow of his liver.  Then on Thursday he has a CT and biopsy on his right lung.  THe petscan taken a couple of weeks ago showed a spot on the liver and one on the lung.  I have put a bio out there of his history if that helps.

      Hello,

       

      My husband has been diagnosed with stage iii cutaneous melanoma and is having a ct tomorrow of his liver.  Then on Thursday he has a CT and biopsy on his right lung.  THe petscan taken a couple of weeks ago showed a spot on the liver and one on the lung.  I have put a bio out there of his history if that helps.

      We are in hopes it is only a spot and not more cancer.  I am curious about the lymph nodes and if that is what aided the cancer.  He has had cellulitis in his legs before from swelling, and a couple of colds back a few months.  I have read in the other emails that with weaker lymph nodes, cancer can spread quicker.  Albeit i am a novice here reading and learning what I can. 

       

      Also, he had a stomach flu or something last week and again last night/today.  He almost never gets a stomach flu, even when he is nervous.  I think 2 times in one week is more than a coninsidence.  COuld this be from the cancer?  Should I call his doctor at Moffit and let them know?  I ask, as he seems to feel better and no fever with it.  I know if he has a fever, they will cancel the Thursday biopsy and we will have to wait again. 

       

      Sorry for so many questions and such, but finding my way here.  Thanks in advance, Mary

    Viewing 2 reply threads
    • Replies
        • May 7, 2013 at 8:27 pm
        hbecker
        Participant

          Mary,

             The inclination in the beginning is to think that every odd thing that happens to the body is caused by melanoma. If the PET/CT scan didn't show anything in his stomach or intestines, then chances are that the upset stomach he's had is caused by a virus or something other than melanoma.

             I'm not sure I understand your question about the lymph nodes – if there was cancer in six of his nodes, yes it's possible that it has spread elsewhere in his body by traveling through the lymphatic system. But you don't yet know whether it has spread – that's why you're going to Moffitt Thursday. You want the information that they will gather the biopsy they're going to do, and since there's no indication that his upset stomach was caused by cancer, there's nothing to tell them at this point.

             In answer to your other post about waiting … you are in good company!! We all want to know why it takes so long – as a matter of fact, I wrote a blog post about that yesterday.

             I don't know how it works at Moffitt, but we are able to communicate with our doctors at Johns Hopkins between visits. Perhaps you can ask about the results before your appointment on May 20 – give them time to get the pathology report back, and then call or email to ask for a copy of it.

             We have already asked for results of the scans that were done last Tuesday and Thursday, and we've been told the doctor will send us the results and reports later in the week. Waiting is hard – but I'm not reading anything into the delay. Life's too short for that!

             Good luck – please keep in touch and let us know how it goes.

          Hazel

          • May 7, 2013 at 8:27 pm
          hbecker
          Participant

            Mary,

               The inclination in the beginning is to think that every odd thing that happens to the body is caused by melanoma. If the PET/CT scan didn't show anything in his stomach or intestines, then chances are that the upset stomach he's had is caused by a virus or something other than melanoma.

               I'm not sure I understand your question about the lymph nodes – if there was cancer in six of his nodes, yes it's possible that it has spread elsewhere in his body by traveling through the lymphatic system. But you don't yet know whether it has spread – that's why you're going to Moffitt Thursday. You want the information that they will gather the biopsy they're going to do, and since there's no indication that his upset stomach was caused by cancer, there's nothing to tell them at this point.

               In answer to your other post about waiting … you are in good company!! We all want to know why it takes so long – as a matter of fact, I wrote a blog post about that yesterday.

               I don't know how it works at Moffitt, but we are able to communicate with our doctors at Johns Hopkins between visits. Perhaps you can ask about the results before your appointment on May 20 – give them time to get the pathology report back, and then call or email to ask for a copy of it.

               We have already asked for results of the scans that were done last Tuesday and Thursday, and we've been told the doctor will send us the results and reports later in the week. Waiting is hard – but I'm not reading anything into the delay. Life's too short for that!

               Good luck – please keep in touch and let us know how it goes.

            Hazel

              • May 7, 2013 at 11:56 pm
              flvermonter
              Participant

                Hi Hazel,

                 

                Thanks for the note.  I am sure i am over analyzing things, and his stomach problems are just nerves and such.  I will go and read the blog about the wait.  Somehow it is a relief to know that it is not just you waiting.  Strange. 

                We can always call with questions and they will get back to us within 24 hours with time to talk with the Dr or PA.  I spoke with her today and their protocol is not to give results out over the phone and that it takes 10 days for the pathologist report, which would get us to the 20th.  Just seems like we hurry up for tests and then wait.  He has not started any treatment type due to waiting to see if it has progressed to his lung and/or liver.  The dr said they would not remove the cancer from his lung, but would do immunology therapy.  I always thought they would go in and remove the cancer, but melanoma appears to be a different animal.  We have a lsit of questions for when we meet with the Dr, but of course alot depends on what he tells us.

                Thanks for listening and emailing.  It does help.  My husband does not want to talk about it, or what options may be available.  He says well we don't know what the final verdict is yet, need more data to know. 

                 

                Thanks, Mary 

                • May 7, 2013 at 11:56 pm
                flvermonter
                Participant

                  Hi Hazel,

                   

                  Thanks for the note.  I am sure i am over analyzing things, and his stomach problems are just nerves and such.  I will go and read the blog about the wait.  Somehow it is a relief to know that it is not just you waiting.  Strange. 

                  We can always call with questions and they will get back to us within 24 hours with time to talk with the Dr or PA.  I spoke with her today and their protocol is not to give results out over the phone and that it takes 10 days for the pathologist report, which would get us to the 20th.  Just seems like we hurry up for tests and then wait.  He has not started any treatment type due to waiting to see if it has progressed to his lung and/or liver.  The dr said they would not remove the cancer from his lung, but would do immunology therapy.  I always thought they would go in and remove the cancer, but melanoma appears to be a different animal.  We have a lsit of questions for when we meet with the Dr, but of course alot depends on what he tells us.

                  Thanks for listening and emailing.  It does help.  My husband does not want to talk about it, or what options may be available.  He says well we don't know what the final verdict is yet, need more data to know. 

                   

                  Thanks, Mary 

                  • May 7, 2013 at 11:56 pm
                  flvermonter
                  Participant

                    Hi Hazel,

                     

                    Thanks for the note.  I am sure i am over analyzing things, and his stomach problems are just nerves and such.  I will go and read the blog about the wait.  Somehow it is a relief to know that it is not just you waiting.  Strange. 

                    We can always call with questions and they will get back to us within 24 hours with time to talk with the Dr or PA.  I spoke with her today and their protocol is not to give results out over the phone and that it takes 10 days for the pathologist report, which would get us to the 20th.  Just seems like we hurry up for tests and then wait.  He has not started any treatment type due to waiting to see if it has progressed to his lung and/or liver.  The dr said they would not remove the cancer from his lung, but would do immunology therapy.  I always thought they would go in and remove the cancer, but melanoma appears to be a different animal.  We have a lsit of questions for when we meet with the Dr, but of course alot depends on what he tells us.

                    Thanks for listening and emailing.  It does help.  My husband does not want to talk about it, or what options may be available.  He says well we don't know what the final verdict is yet, need more data to know. 

                     

                    Thanks, Mary 

                  • May 7, 2013 at 8:27 pm
                  hbecker
                  Participant

                    Mary,

                       The inclination in the beginning is to think that every odd thing that happens to the body is caused by melanoma. If the PET/CT scan didn't show anything in his stomach or intestines, then chances are that the upset stomach he's had is caused by a virus or something other than melanoma.

                       I'm not sure I understand your question about the lymph nodes – if there was cancer in six of his nodes, yes it's possible that it has spread elsewhere in his body by traveling through the lymphatic system. But you don't yet know whether it has spread – that's why you're going to Moffitt Thursday. You want the information that they will gather the biopsy they're going to do, and since there's no indication that his upset stomach was caused by cancer, there's nothing to tell them at this point.

                       In answer to your other post about waiting … you are in good company!! We all want to know why it takes so long – as a matter of fact, I wrote a blog post about that yesterday.

                       I don't know how it works at Moffitt, but we are able to communicate with our doctors at Johns Hopkins between visits. Perhaps you can ask about the results before your appointment on May 20 – give them time to get the pathology report back, and then call or email to ask for a copy of it.

                       We have already asked for results of the scans that were done last Tuesday and Thursday, and we've been told the doctor will send us the results and reports later in the week. Waiting is hard – but I'm not reading anything into the delay. Life's too short for that!

                       Good luck – please keep in touch and let us know how it goes.

                    Hazel

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