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Best day of my life
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Best day of my life

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Best day of my life

  • Post
    • October 21, 2016 at 10:59 pm
    Samroberts4
    Participant

      Hi all,

      I wanted to update you all on my condition since last week, when I was initially diagnosed with melanoma.  My dermatologist didn't give me a pathology report, so when I met with the surgeon and he informed me the lesion was 6 mm deep, had a mitotic rate of 10, contained wide margins, and I was in stage 2b, my mouth dropped open.  It's been the longest 10 days of my lfe, but I got the best call of my life today, informing me that my lymph nodes are clear.  The pathologist was amazed. 

      I know many of you are in different stages than me, but I just want you to know that there is always hope. I have been so low for the last week by the prognostications of the doctor and the pain from all the cutting and grafting that I felt as if I couldn't go on.  I know I'm not competely out of the clear and that I'll need to maintain regular checkups every few months, but I have regained my enthusiasm for life.  No matter what stage you're in, keep fighting, because there is no feeling in the word like getting past this awful disease.  I'm going to keep coming to this board for as long as it's around and spreading that message.  There's not enough hope given from our medical professionals, and we need it on this board so that people will perservere past all the negativity that surrounds us.  Dont succumb to these thoughts because it will just drag you down.  Positive emotions play a big part in recovery, so keep your head up.

      Thanks for all of your encouragement over the past week and a half, and I am so uplifted to be  part of this support group. 

      Best,

      Sam

    Viewing 2 reply threads
    • Replies
        • October 22, 2016 at 4:18 am
        snow white
        Participant

          Congrats to you.

            • October 23, 2016 at 2:47 pm
            Treadlightly
            Participant

              Sam,

              Congratulations!!!

              I remember getting the news that my lymph nodes were clear…such an emotional moment with a tremendous feeling of relief…coupled with the feeling that your long-term future has potentially been restored.

              Did your original melanoma have any ulceration? Also, where was your original site?

              My site was 3.8 mm deep on the heel of my foot. I suspect that the skin is much deeper on the sole of the foot than on the rest of the body…which I believe helped me to survive such a deep melanoma growth without having it spread into the bloodstream or lymph system.

              Here's to a long NED Life!!!

              Best regards,
              Mark (2A)

               

              • October 23, 2016 at 2:47 pm
              Treadlightly
              Participant

                Sam,

                Congratulations!!!

                I remember getting the news that my lymph nodes were clear…such an emotional moment with a tremendous feeling of relief…coupled with the feeling that your long-term future has potentially been restored.

                Did your original melanoma have any ulceration? Also, where was your original site?

                My site was 3.8 mm deep on the heel of my foot. I suspect that the skin is much deeper on the sole of the foot than on the rest of the body…which I believe helped me to survive such a deep melanoma growth without having it spread into the bloodstream or lymph system.

                Here's to a long NED Life!!!

                Best regards,
                Mark (2A)

                 

                • October 23, 2016 at 6:01 pm
                Samroberts4
                Participant

                  Thanks, Mark. To answer your question, my tumor was not ulcerated and was on the right  side of my arm where the bicep meets the tricep.  The doctor felt that the reason the tumor did not spread was due to the lack of ulceration.  I think you're right about the depth of skin in the heel aiding in the lack of spread, even if the tumor was not ulcerated, which was apprently the case with yours. 

                  I'm so happy that we were both able to get past this dreaded disease. Take care and stay NED forever!

                  Cheers,

                  Sam

                  • October 23, 2016 at 6:01 pm
                  Samroberts4
                  Participant

                    Thanks, Mark. To answer your question, my tumor was not ulcerated and was on the right  side of my arm where the bicep meets the tricep.  The doctor felt that the reason the tumor did not spread was due to the lack of ulceration.  I think you're right about the depth of skin in the heel aiding in the lack of spread, even if the tumor was not ulcerated, which was apprently the case with yours. 

                    I'm so happy that we were both able to get past this dreaded disease. Take care and stay NED forever!

                    Cheers,

                    Sam

                    • October 23, 2016 at 6:01 pm
                    Samroberts4
                    Participant

                      Thanks, Mark. To answer your question, my tumor was not ulcerated and was on the right  side of my arm where the bicep meets the tricep.  The doctor felt that the reason the tumor did not spread was due to the lack of ulceration.  I think you're right about the depth of skin in the heel aiding in the lack of spread, even if the tumor was not ulcerated, which was apprently the case with yours. 

                      I'm so happy that we were both able to get past this dreaded disease. Take care and stay NED forever!

                      Cheers,

                      Sam

                      • October 23, 2016 at 2:47 pm
                      Treadlightly
                      Participant

                        Sam,

                        Congratulations!!!

                        I remember getting the news that my lymph nodes were clear…such an emotional moment with a tremendous feeling of relief…coupled with the feeling that your long-term future has potentially been restored.

                        Did your original melanoma have any ulceration? Also, where was your original site?

                        My site was 3.8 mm deep on the heel of my foot. I suspect that the skin is much deeper on the sole of the foot than on the rest of the body…which I believe helped me to survive such a deep melanoma growth without having it spread into the bloodstream or lymph system.

                        Here's to a long NED Life!!!

                        Best regards,
                        Mark (2A)

                         

                      • October 22, 2016 at 4:18 am
                      snow white
                      Participant

                        Congrats to you.

                        • October 22, 2016 at 4:18 am
                        snow white
                        Participant

                          Congrats to you.

                      Viewing 2 reply threads
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