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Here we go again

Forums General Melanoma Community Here we go again

  • Post
    btcedarr
    Participant

      I had a Stage 1b melanoma removed in October followed by a WLE and negative SLNB. I have been going to my dermatologist every 3 months. Last week she noticed a mole on my back that looked a bit inflamed and removed it for biopsy. She thinks it's "nothing", I heard that before! Lol! But, with my history she removed it. I keep reading that inflammation is a sign of melanoma. Is this always the case? And if it wasn't pink around the border 3 months ago, shouldn't be anything too advanced if it is, correct?

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    • Replies
        Janner
        Participant

          It isn't melanoma until they say it is.  Don't jump to conclusions!

          Janner
          Participant

            It isn't melanoma until they say it is.  Don't jump to conclusions!

            Janner
            Participant

              It isn't melanoma until they say it is.  Don't jump to conclusions!

              stars
              Participant

                Look, I think your reaction is perfectly normal – once you've been through the whole circus of an excision, diagnosis, WLE and in your case SLNB; it's only natural to feel very nervous at every biopsy. I remember being terrifed after every subsequent biopsy I had after I was diagnosed with melanoma. It's kind of a perfect storm where

                a) you're still a bit traumatised by all the cutting and worry just a few months earlier… thinking 'here we go again', just as you named your post

                b) the doctor is far more likely to excise/threshold of doubt is much lower, creating many more many opportunities for anxiety

                c) you've lost confidence in your body and know now that things can go wrong… so you're no longer a Pollyanna about these things

                However, realistically, it's more than likely nothing, like your doctor says. And if it is something, it's only three months worth of something, so something very early and treatable. You must be just days away from getting your biopsy results, I'm sure you'll be sighing a huge sigh of relief. Until then, there's not much you can do except keep busy and try keep your mind off it.

                stars
                Participant

                  Look, I think your reaction is perfectly normal – once you've been through the whole circus of an excision, diagnosis, WLE and in your case SLNB; it's only natural to feel very nervous at every biopsy. I remember being terrifed after every subsequent biopsy I had after I was diagnosed with melanoma. It's kind of a perfect storm where

                  a) you're still a bit traumatised by all the cutting and worry just a few months earlier… thinking 'here we go again', just as you named your post

                  b) the doctor is far more likely to excise/threshold of doubt is much lower, creating many more many opportunities for anxiety

                  c) you've lost confidence in your body and know now that things can go wrong… so you're no longer a Pollyanna about these things

                  However, realistically, it's more than likely nothing, like your doctor says. And if it is something, it's only three months worth of something, so something very early and treatable. You must be just days away from getting your biopsy results, I'm sure you'll be sighing a huge sigh of relief. Until then, there's not much you can do except keep busy and try keep your mind off it.

                  stars
                  Participant

                    Look, I think your reaction is perfectly normal – once you've been through the whole circus of an excision, diagnosis, WLE and in your case SLNB; it's only natural to feel very nervous at every biopsy. I remember being terrifed after every subsequent biopsy I had after I was diagnosed with melanoma. It's kind of a perfect storm where

                    a) you're still a bit traumatised by all the cutting and worry just a few months earlier… thinking 'here we go again', just as you named your post

                    b) the doctor is far more likely to excise/threshold of doubt is much lower, creating many more many opportunities for anxiety

                    c) you've lost confidence in your body and know now that things can go wrong… so you're no longer a Pollyanna about these things

                    However, realistically, it's more than likely nothing, like your doctor says. And if it is something, it's only three months worth of something, so something very early and treatable. You must be just days away from getting your biopsy results, I'm sure you'll be sighing a huge sigh of relief. Until then, there's not much you can do except keep busy and try keep your mind off it.

                      btcedarr
                      Participant

                        Thank for the boost of confidence. I am hoping for the best and as you say, if anything, caught early….I called yesterday and they said the biopsy could take 3 weeks. I am trying not to think about it, but everytime my shirt brushes across that biopsy site, it is a reminder. ๐Ÿ™

                        btcedarr
                        Participant

                          Thank for the boost of confidence. I am hoping for the best and as you say, if anything, caught early….I called yesterday and they said the biopsy could take 3 weeks. I am trying not to think about it, but everytime my shirt brushes across that biopsy site, it is a reminder. ๐Ÿ™

                          btcedarr
                          Participant

                            Thank for the boost of confidence. I am hoping for the best and as you say, if anything, caught early….I called yesterday and they said the biopsy could take 3 weeks. I am trying not to think about it, but everytime my shirt brushes across that biopsy site, it is a reminder. ๐Ÿ™

                            btcedarr
                            Participant

                              Just heard from the dermatologist. Moderate to Severe Atypical Mole, but she got clear margins with the shave biopsy. Will go back for a punch to get 2mm margins just as a precaution.  Very relieved!!

                              keepthefaith11
                              Participant
                                So glad to hear this! Now go and enjoy your weekend!

                                Annie

                                btcedarr
                                Participant

                                  Thank you! You, too!

                                  btcedarr
                                  Participant

                                    Thank you! You, too!

                                    btcedarr
                                    Participant

                                      Thank you! You, too!

                                      stars
                                      Participant

                                        Excellent. It will get easier over time. It's always a nightmare getting biopsies then waiting. Go enjoy life!

                                        stars
                                        Participant

                                          Excellent. It will get easier over time. It's always a nightmare getting biopsies then waiting. Go enjoy life!

                                          stars
                                          Participant

                                            Excellent. It will get easier over time. It's always a nightmare getting biopsies then waiting. Go enjoy life!

                                            Mkelley1
                                            Participant

                                              You will be fine. I am also a stage 1b patient diagnosed last April.  If u ever want to discuss anything let me know, i think its good as patients to have pther people in your shoes going through the same thing.  My email is [email protected]

                                              Mkelley1
                                              Participant

                                                You will be fine. I am also a stage 1b patient diagnosed last April.  If u ever want to discuss anything let me know, i think its good as patients to have pther people in your shoes going through the same thing.  My email is [email protected]

                                                Mkelley1
                                                Participant

                                                  You will be fine. I am also a stage 1b patient diagnosed last April.  If u ever want to discuss anything let me know, i think its good as patients to have pther people in your shoes going through the same thing.  My email is [email protected]

                                                  keepthefaith11
                                                  Participant
                                                    So glad to hear this! Now go and enjoy your weekend!

                                                    Annie

                                                    keepthefaith11
                                                    Participant
                                                      So glad to hear this! Now go and enjoy your weekend!

                                                      Annie

                                                      btcedarr
                                                      Participant

                                                        Just heard from the dermatologist. Moderate to Severe Atypical Mole, but she got clear margins with the shave biopsy. Will go back for a punch to get 2mm margins just as a precaution.  Very relieved!!

                                                        btcedarr
                                                        Participant

                                                          Just heard from the dermatologist. Moderate to Severe Atypical Mole, but she got clear margins with the shave biopsy. Will go back for a punch to get 2mm margins just as a precaution.  Very relieved!!

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