› Forums › General Melanoma Community › New Diagnosis and desperate for help :(
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belloui.
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- March 25, 2013 at 3:09 am
Hi all, this is my first time on a forum, here is a little bit about me:
Hi all, this is my first time on a forum, here is a little bit about me:
I am a 41 yr wife and mother of 2 – daughter 16 & son 10, I thought I was healthy however it turns out not so much… I was recently (7 weeks ago) diagnosed with melanoma. My doctors haven’t actually labeled me with a stage yet, well I’m sure they have but they haven’t told me and I guess on some level perhaps I’ve been afraid to ask even though I’ve been at my plastic surgeons office at least once a week for the past 7 weeks.
I had a ‘suspicious’ mole on my back/right shoulder and knew I should have it looked at, I spotted it August 2012. It wasn’t until November that I decided to bite the bullet and make an appointment to have my skin checked, figured I probably should as I had NEVER had it done before, yes I know, 41 years old and clearly v. stupid! I couldn’t get an appointment until January and if I’m honest felt some relief, on some level I guess I knew there was something not right but never in a million years did I suspect it could be anything more than just having it cut out and that in itself was enough to scare me, how little I knew and still do…
Jan 15, 2013 I went to my first skin check appointment and the doctor confirmed it would need to be cut out, I had plans for that w/e (at the beach) so she told me to come in when I got back, I had it removed Jan 22. Received a phone call less than 24 hours later asking me to come back in to see the doctor, I was at the theatre with my son so made an appointment to go down first thing the next morning – still completely clueless… Thursday 24 Jan 2013 I walked into her office only to be told I had a level 4 melanoma. I had absolutely no idea what she was telling me, she did show me a diagram which made me realise this was pretty bad news as there were only 5 levels, thank goodness my husband isn’t as clueless as me and had cancelled his breakfast meeting to come along, he asked all the questions and I still have no idea what else was said, other than I needed to make an appointment asap with a plastic surgeon to have a WLE. Called the plastic surgeon’s office to make appointment and was a little surprised (and scared) at how quickly they could get me in – that afternoon!
The plasic surgeon explained how melanoma works and that she would need to take a v. large area from the site of the tumor and it would require a skin graft (taken from my leg), because of the position of the tumor she didn’t recommend a SNB, explaining it could go to either my neck or armpit so isn’t v. accurate, sent me for a PET & CT scan, the radiologist decided at the time they would also do a brain scan – can’t even begin to tell you how much that panicked me, I was convinced they had seen something in my brain and that is why they were now also doing this extra test my dr hadn’t ordered. I had the WLE done the next day and was sent home to wait…. 4 long days later (did include a w/e) my doctor called to tell me the pathology & scan results indicated the melanoma hadn’t spread yet but I should also remember the scans are not always accurate and can’t detect a tumor unless it is 5mm in size, so now I sit and wait like a ticking time bomb.
I have nearly recovered from the surgery, skin still hasn’t quit healed over yet but it’s not too far off. But what do I do now? I feel like I just don’t know enough about this dreadful disease. I’ve read all the pamphlets from the doctors and from ‘The Melanoma Patients Australia’. I’ve trolled the internet reading blogs and personally that is really where I’ve learnt the most – honest, heart breaking stories from real people. I’d love to hear from anyone that can direct me in the direction for more honest, real information.
‘Pale girl speaks’ has been recommended to me to read, but I have to order online as I can’t seem to get in here in Australia from a bookstore and it’s not available as an ebook. Any other recommendations would be greatly appreciated. And what I should do now… I feel like I need to get a second opinion, my doctors are both going to do skin checks and lymph node physical examinations every 12 weeks but I have no idea what my other options are, they just tell me not to stress… Really??? I feel like I am on an emotional rollercoaster and a bit of a drama queen when my thoughts turn dark. Like me so many of my friends and family had/have no idea about this horrible beast, they think you can cut it out and you’ll be ok. I know I am one of the lucky ones (if you can say that) because It hasn’t shown up in any tests anywhere else in my body but I feel like I need to do something to be more proactive. I had a clean diet before but I now have become quite extreme – no sugar, processed food or red meat at all! I’ve been given the all clear to go back to the gym (on restricted program until the skin heals) and both of these things do help but I need more… Any suggestions form others that know what I am going through would be more than welcome.
- Replies
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- March 25, 2013 at 5:04 am
Unfortunately, we don't have enough information to be of much help. Can you at least get a copy of your pathology report? We don't know the depth of the lesion. Level 4 (Clark's Level) is basically an obsolete method to classify a lesion. Breslow depth is much more telling. That would give us some basic information about where you stand. In addition, without doing the SNB (I do not understand the rationale you give — they inject a tracer and can follow the lesion to the sentinel node wherever it is), you lose staging info. Scans are not accurate for microscopic disease and that's why the SNB was developed. So basically, we know you started at either stage 1 or stage 2. Without the SNB, we can't determine if you are stage 3. The scans determine that you aren't stage 4. So even though you posted a lot of general info, we're a bit clueless to help because we are missing the most important details. Without your stage, it's hard to recommend anything. However, there really are no treatments for stage I and stage 2 past surgery. Stage 3 can sometimes qualify for clinical trials or adjuvant therapy. Not sure really how much that is done in Australia. But you don't know if you are stage 3 so will not be eligible for any therapies. The reality is visiting your doctors every 3 months is probably the best you can do. It's basically the same for any other stage I or 2 warrior. As for the extreme diets, some people go that way as a method to gain control over a situation where they have lost control. There is no proof that this helps anything, but if it makes you feel better, go for it. There's no proof that it doesn't work either. The emotional rollercoaster is pretty standard fare, and it does get better with time. Some people find talking with a counselor helps or a support group. Some take anti-depression medications to get them past the shock of diagnosis. A second opinion never hurts and may give you some additional perspective.
I don't mean to sound negative about your situation. You typed in a lot of info, unfortunately, it's just missing those important details that we look for when tossing out suggestions and ideas. So to follow up on your final questions – If you really want ideas for "complimentary" therapies, I'd post a separate thread with just that query. Those questions got a bit lost in the info with your history. There are plenty of people here who use supplements, different diets and complimentary medicine. You can do a search on supplements or diets and find a long history of discussions.
Best wishes,
Janner
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- March 25, 2013 at 5:04 am
Unfortunately, we don't have enough information to be of much help. Can you at least get a copy of your pathology report? We don't know the depth of the lesion. Level 4 (Clark's Level) is basically an obsolete method to classify a lesion. Breslow depth is much more telling. That would give us some basic information about where you stand. In addition, without doing the SNB (I do not understand the rationale you give — they inject a tracer and can follow the lesion to the sentinel node wherever it is), you lose staging info. Scans are not accurate for microscopic disease and that's why the SNB was developed. So basically, we know you started at either stage 1 or stage 2. Without the SNB, we can't determine if you are stage 3. The scans determine that you aren't stage 4. So even though you posted a lot of general info, we're a bit clueless to help because we are missing the most important details. Without your stage, it's hard to recommend anything. However, there really are no treatments for stage I and stage 2 past surgery. Stage 3 can sometimes qualify for clinical trials or adjuvant therapy. Not sure really how much that is done in Australia. But you don't know if you are stage 3 so will not be eligible for any therapies. The reality is visiting your doctors every 3 months is probably the best you can do. It's basically the same for any other stage I or 2 warrior. As for the extreme diets, some people go that way as a method to gain control over a situation where they have lost control. There is no proof that this helps anything, but if it makes you feel better, go for it. There's no proof that it doesn't work either. The emotional rollercoaster is pretty standard fare, and it does get better with time. Some people find talking with a counselor helps or a support group. Some take anti-depression medications to get them past the shock of diagnosis. A second opinion never hurts and may give you some additional perspective.
I don't mean to sound negative about your situation. You typed in a lot of info, unfortunately, it's just missing those important details that we look for when tossing out suggestions and ideas. So to follow up on your final questions – If you really want ideas for "complimentary" therapies, I'd post a separate thread with just that query. Those questions got a bit lost in the info with your history. There are plenty of people here who use supplements, different diets and complimentary medicine. You can do a search on supplements or diets and find a long history of discussions.
Best wishes,
Janner
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- March 25, 2013 at 6:30 am
Thanks for replying Janner, I was also a bit confused by her reason not to do the SNB but placed trust in her decision and didn't think to question it at the time even though the first doctor recommended it. I'm now wondering why she didn't do it if the scans can be inaccurate and unable to pick up anything smaller than 5 mm.
I found a copy of the referral from the first doctor to the plastic surgeon, hope this information helps, I don't really understand most of it but have an appointment with the surgeon April 16 and will ask her to explain everything to me then, she always seems v. rushed and doesn't have a lot of time to answer my questions.Specimen: Skin lesion right shoulder (nick superior)
Clinical notes: Right shoulder atypical PSL, 6 month duration, growing, nick superior
Macroscopoic: (TB/DN), Skin ellipse 17 x 9 mm and cut to a depth of 4 mm. On the skin surface there is a mid tan papule measuring 6 x6 mm. There is a marking nick at one long margin. This has been placed in a 12 O'clock position to represent superior. The 12 o'clock margin is scored and sections are taken as per the diagram. 1LS from the 3 o'clock in block A, 2TS in block B, and 1Ls from the 9 o'clock in black C.
Microscopic: The sections show level 4 malignant melanoma.
Junctional component superficial spreading in type
Breslow thickness 1.85mmNo evidence of ulceration (although there had been some bleeding)
Dermal mitotic figures identified (greater than 1 per single square mm with up to six identified per single square mm)
No lymphovascular invasion.
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- March 25, 2013 at 6:30 am
Thanks for replying Janner, I was also a bit confused by her reason not to do the SNB but placed trust in her decision and didn't think to question it at the time even though the first doctor recommended it. I'm now wondering why she didn't do it if the scans can be inaccurate and unable to pick up anything smaller than 5 mm.
I found a copy of the referral from the first doctor to the plastic surgeon, hope this information helps, I don't really understand most of it but have an appointment with the surgeon April 16 and will ask her to explain everything to me then, she always seems v. rushed and doesn't have a lot of time to answer my questions.Specimen: Skin lesion right shoulder (nick superior)
Clinical notes: Right shoulder atypical PSL, 6 month duration, growing, nick superior
Macroscopoic: (TB/DN), Skin ellipse 17 x 9 mm and cut to a depth of 4 mm. On the skin surface there is a mid tan papule measuring 6 x6 mm. There is a marking nick at one long margin. This has been placed in a 12 O'clock position to represent superior. The 12 o'clock margin is scored and sections are taken as per the diagram. 1LS from the 3 o'clock in block A, 2TS in block B, and 1Ls from the 9 o'clock in black C.
Microscopic: The sections show level 4 malignant melanoma.
Junctional component superficial spreading in type
Breslow thickness 1.85mmNo evidence of ulceration (although there had been some bleeding)
Dermal mitotic figures identified (greater than 1 per single square mm with up to six identified per single square mm)
No lymphovascular invasion.
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- March 25, 2013 at 1:37 pm
This helps. Breslow depth is 1.85mm and no ulceration. I'm assuming you added the note that there had been some bleeding. Ulceration is viewed via microscopic analysis to determine if the epidermal layer is intact. While bleeding does occur in ulcerated lesions, bleeding by itself does not mean a lesion is ulcerated. This puts you at stage IB. In the US, a SNB is typically done for lesions over 1mm to determine if you are stage 3. But what is done is done and you just move on from here. Once you've had surgery, there really is no treatment for a stage I lesion. Just monitoring your lymph nodes and watching your skin for other moles that CHANGE. Learn your own body and do your own monthly checks. Have your doctor show YOU how to check your lymph nodes in the most likely basins. Again, It does take time to get over the shock of things but things will get better as more time passes.
Best wishes,
Janner
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- March 25, 2013 at 1:37 pm
This helps. Breslow depth is 1.85mm and no ulceration. I'm assuming you added the note that there had been some bleeding. Ulceration is viewed via microscopic analysis to determine if the epidermal layer is intact. While bleeding does occur in ulcerated lesions, bleeding by itself does not mean a lesion is ulcerated. This puts you at stage IB. In the US, a SNB is typically done for lesions over 1mm to determine if you are stage 3. But what is done is done and you just move on from here. Once you've had surgery, there really is no treatment for a stage I lesion. Just monitoring your lymph nodes and watching your skin for other moles that CHANGE. Learn your own body and do your own monthly checks. Have your doctor show YOU how to check your lymph nodes in the most likely basins. Again, It does take time to get over the shock of things but things will get better as more time passes.
Best wishes,
Janner
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- March 26, 2013 at 12:07 am
Tthanks again Janner for you time in replying, v. much apprecitated. You have given me more informaton than my doctors 🙁 I am finding there is so much to learn about this diasease and part of the problem I guess, is I don't understand enough to even know what to ask. I did write the part about the bleeding as I didn't tell the doctors about that, it was only after I had read info online I started to panic and wonder if it could have been missed. Stage 1 def. makes me feel better, I thought from my findings (online) I was at Stage 2 but super scared about it being stage 3 undiagnosed, given how aggressive the leason was and becasue they haven't done a SNB. I've read about so many cases with ppl given the same diagnoses as me initally only to find out it had spread but was early stages 🙁 anyway I know I have to stop the 'what if's' it's just really hard, I'm sure in time it will get easier…
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- March 26, 2013 at 12:07 am
Tthanks again Janner for you time in replying, v. much apprecitated. You have given me more informaton than my doctors 🙁 I am finding there is so much to learn about this diasease and part of the problem I guess, is I don't understand enough to even know what to ask. I did write the part about the bleeding as I didn't tell the doctors about that, it was only after I had read info online I started to panic and wonder if it could have been missed. Stage 1 def. makes me feel better, I thought from my findings (online) I was at Stage 2 but super scared about it being stage 3 undiagnosed, given how aggressive the leason was and becasue they haven't done a SNB. I've read about so many cases with ppl given the same diagnoses as me initally only to find out it had spread but was early stages 🙁 anyway I know I have to stop the 'what if's' it's just really hard, I'm sure in time it will get easier…
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- March 26, 2013 at 12:07 am
Tthanks again Janner for you time in replying, v. much apprecitated. You have given me more informaton than my doctors 🙁 I am finding there is so much to learn about this diasease and part of the problem I guess, is I don't understand enough to even know what to ask. I did write the part about the bleeding as I didn't tell the doctors about that, it was only after I had read info online I started to panic and wonder if it could have been missed. Stage 1 def. makes me feel better, I thought from my findings (online) I was at Stage 2 but super scared about it being stage 3 undiagnosed, given how aggressive the leason was and becasue they haven't done a SNB. I've read about so many cases with ppl given the same diagnoses as me initally only to find out it had spread but was early stages 🙁 anyway I know I have to stop the 'what if's' it's just really hard, I'm sure in time it will get easier…
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- March 25, 2013 at 1:37 pm
This helps. Breslow depth is 1.85mm and no ulceration. I'm assuming you added the note that there had been some bleeding. Ulceration is viewed via microscopic analysis to determine if the epidermal layer is intact. While bleeding does occur in ulcerated lesions, bleeding by itself does not mean a lesion is ulcerated. This puts you at stage IB. In the US, a SNB is typically done for lesions over 1mm to determine if you are stage 3. But what is done is done and you just move on from here. Once you've had surgery, there really is no treatment for a stage I lesion. Just monitoring your lymph nodes and watching your skin for other moles that CHANGE. Learn your own body and do your own monthly checks. Have your doctor show YOU how to check your lymph nodes in the most likely basins. Again, It does take time to get over the shock of things but things will get better as more time passes.
Best wishes,
Janner
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- March 25, 2013 at 1:55 pm
Janner and others have offered some good advice and insight. I believe, though, you need to ask some more questions about one aspect of the pathology report–the mitotic rate. Mitotic rate was added to staging criteria a couple of years ago. It measures how many cells in a square mm of tissue are actively dividing. The higher the number the more active the tumor and the higher the risk of metastasis. The mitotic rate is broken down into three categories: less than 1, between 1 and 4, and more than 4. Your report says they found greater than one, with up to six per square mm. I think you need to have a frank conversation with your doctor regarding what this means and, if possible, get a second opinion from someone who works a lot with melanoma. I don't mean to be alarmist, but this part of the report is not entirely clear and is, in my mind, somewhat worrisome.
Regarding SNL, some people don't see the value in doing this if you cannot likely remove the lymph system into which the tumor drains. This is all being debated, but more and more are coming down on the side of doing the biopsy. Good, reasonable doctors can still disagree on this one.
Tim–MRF
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- March 25, 2013 at 1:55 pm
Janner and others have offered some good advice and insight. I believe, though, you need to ask some more questions about one aspect of the pathology report–the mitotic rate. Mitotic rate was added to staging criteria a couple of years ago. It measures how many cells in a square mm of tissue are actively dividing. The higher the number the more active the tumor and the higher the risk of metastasis. The mitotic rate is broken down into three categories: less than 1, between 1 and 4, and more than 4. Your report says they found greater than one, with up to six per square mm. I think you need to have a frank conversation with your doctor regarding what this means and, if possible, get a second opinion from someone who works a lot with melanoma. I don't mean to be alarmist, but this part of the report is not entirely clear and is, in my mind, somewhat worrisome.
Regarding SNL, some people don't see the value in doing this if you cannot likely remove the lymph system into which the tumor drains. This is all being debated, but more and more are coming down on the side of doing the biopsy. Good, reasonable doctors can still disagree on this one.
Tim–MRF
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- March 26, 2013 at 12:19 am
Thanks Tim for taking the time to respond and thank you for being honest re the mitotic rate – I didn't understand at all what that meant, I will def. take that up with my surgeon at my next appointment. I'm wondering if I should seek a second opinon from another doctor, I think I might ring 'Melanoma Patients Australia' and ask them what they think and who they would recommend I see, given Queensland (where I live) has one of the highest rates of melanoma in the world, there has to be some really good doctors here that know what they are doing, not that I'm suggestion my current one doesn't but a second opinion would give me peace of mind.
I am really confused about the SNB, she didn't really explain anything to me about her discission not to do it. I asked about it, as my first doctor had it on the referral and suggested it to me. What do you mean by 'cannot likely remove the lymph system into which the tumor drains'?
Thanks again for your time 🙂
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- March 26, 2013 at 12:19 am
Thanks Tim for taking the time to respond and thank you for being honest re the mitotic rate – I didn't understand at all what that meant, I will def. take that up with my surgeon at my next appointment. I'm wondering if I should seek a second opinon from another doctor, I think I might ring 'Melanoma Patients Australia' and ask them what they think and who they would recommend I see, given Queensland (where I live) has one of the highest rates of melanoma in the world, there has to be some really good doctors here that know what they are doing, not that I'm suggestion my current one doesn't but a second opinion would give me peace of mind.
I am really confused about the SNB, she didn't really explain anything to me about her discission not to do it. I asked about it, as my first doctor had it on the referral and suggested it to me. What do you mean by 'cannot likely remove the lymph system into which the tumor drains'?
Thanks again for your time 🙂
-
- March 26, 2013 at 12:19 am
Thanks Tim for taking the time to respond and thank you for being honest re the mitotic rate – I didn't understand at all what that meant, I will def. take that up with my surgeon at my next appointment. I'm wondering if I should seek a second opinon from another doctor, I think I might ring 'Melanoma Patients Australia' and ask them what they think and who they would recommend I see, given Queensland (where I live) has one of the highest rates of melanoma in the world, there has to be some really good doctors here that know what they are doing, not that I'm suggestion my current one doesn't but a second opinion would give me peace of mind.
I am really confused about the SNB, she didn't really explain anything to me about her discission not to do it. I asked about it, as my first doctor had it on the referral and suggested it to me. What do you mean by 'cannot likely remove the lymph system into which the tumor drains'?
Thanks again for your time 🙂
-
- March 25, 2013 at 1:55 pm
Janner and others have offered some good advice and insight. I believe, though, you need to ask some more questions about one aspect of the pathology report–the mitotic rate. Mitotic rate was added to staging criteria a couple of years ago. It measures how many cells in a square mm of tissue are actively dividing. The higher the number the more active the tumor and the higher the risk of metastasis. The mitotic rate is broken down into three categories: less than 1, between 1 and 4, and more than 4. Your report says they found greater than one, with up to six per square mm. I think you need to have a frank conversation with your doctor regarding what this means and, if possible, get a second opinion from someone who works a lot with melanoma. I don't mean to be alarmist, but this part of the report is not entirely clear and is, in my mind, somewhat worrisome.
Regarding SNL, some people don't see the value in doing this if you cannot likely remove the lymph system into which the tumor drains. This is all being debated, but more and more are coming down on the side of doing the biopsy. Good, reasonable doctors can still disagree on this one.
Tim–MRF
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- March 25, 2013 at 6:30 am
Thanks for replying Janner, I was also a bit confused by her reason not to do the SNB but placed trust in her decision and didn't think to question it at the time even though the first doctor recommended it. I'm now wondering why she didn't do it if the scans can be inaccurate and unable to pick up anything smaller than 5 mm.
I found a copy of the referral from the first doctor to the plastic surgeon, hope this information helps, I don't really understand most of it but have an appointment with the surgeon April 16 and will ask her to explain everything to me then, she always seems v. rushed and doesn't have a lot of time to answer my questions.Specimen: Skin lesion right shoulder (nick superior)
Clinical notes: Right shoulder atypical PSL, 6 month duration, growing, nick superior
Macroscopoic: (TB/DN), Skin ellipse 17 x 9 mm and cut to a depth of 4 mm. On the skin surface there is a mid tan papule measuring 6 x6 mm. There is a marking nick at one long margin. This has been placed in a 12 O'clock position to represent superior. The 12 o'clock margin is scored and sections are taken as per the diagram. 1LS from the 3 o'clock in block A, 2TS in block B, and 1Ls from the 9 o'clock in black C.
Microscopic: The sections show level 4 malignant melanoma.
Junctional component superficial spreading in type
Breslow thickness 1.85mmNo evidence of ulceration (although there had been some bleeding)
Dermal mitotic figures identified (greater than 1 per single square mm with up to six identified per single square mm)
No lymphovascular invasion.
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- March 25, 2013 at 6:31 am
Thanks for replying Janner, I was also a bit confused by her reason not to do the SNB but placed trust in her decision and didn't think to question it at the time even though the first doctor recommended it. I'm now wondering why she didn't do it if the scans can be inaccurate and unable to pick up anything smaller than 5 mm.
I found a copy of the referral from the first doctor to the plastic surgeon, hope this information helps, I don't really understand most of it but have an appointment with the surgeon April 16 and will ask her to explain everything to me then, she always seems v. rushed and doesn't have a lot of time to answer my questions.Specimen: Skin lesion right shoulder (nick superior)
Clinical notes: Right shoulder atypical PSL, 6 month duration, growing, nick superior
Macroscopoic: (TB/DN), Skin ellipse 17 x 9 mm and cut to a depth of 4 mm. On the skin surface there is a mid tan papule measuring 6 x6 mm. There is a marking nick at one long margin. This has been placed in a 12 O'clock position to represent superior. The 12 o'clock margin is scored and sections are taken as per the diagram. 1LS from the 3 o'clock in block A, 2TS in block B, and 1Ls from the 9 o'clock in black C.
Microscopic: The sections show level 4 malignant melanoma.
Junctional component superficial spreading in type
Breslow thickness 1.85mmNo evidence of ulceration (although there had been some bleeding)
Dermal mitotic figures identified (greater than 1 per single square mm with up to six identified per single square mm)
No lymphovascular invasion.
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- March 25, 2013 at 6:31 am
Thanks for replying Janner, I was also a bit confused by her reason not to do the SNB but placed trust in her decision and didn't think to question it at the time even though the first doctor recommended it. I'm now wondering why she didn't do it if the scans can be inaccurate and unable to pick up anything smaller than 5 mm.
I found a copy of the referral from the first doctor to the plastic surgeon, hope this information helps, I don't really understand most of it but have an appointment with the surgeon April 16 and will ask her to explain everything to me then, she always seems v. rushed and doesn't have a lot of time to answer my questions.Specimen: Skin lesion right shoulder (nick superior)
Clinical notes: Right shoulder atypical PSL, 6 month duration, growing, nick superior
Macroscopoic: (TB/DN), Skin ellipse 17 x 9 mm and cut to a depth of 4 mm. On the skin surface there is a mid tan papule measuring 6 x6 mm. There is a marking nick at one long margin. This has been placed in a 12 O'clock position to represent superior. The 12 o'clock margin is scored and sections are taken as per the diagram. 1LS from the 3 o'clock in block A, 2TS in block B, and 1Ls from the 9 o'clock in black C.
Microscopic: The sections show level 4 malignant melanoma.
Junctional component superficial spreading in type
Breslow thickness 1.85mmNo evidence of ulceration (although there had been some bleeding)
Dermal mitotic figures identified (greater than 1 per single square mm with up to six identified per single square mm)
No lymphovascular invasion.
-
- March 25, 2013 at 6:31 am
Thanks for replying Janner, I was also a bit confused by her reason not to do the SNB but placed trust in her decision and didn't think to question it at the time even though the first doctor recommended it. I'm now wondering why she didn't do it if the scans can be inaccurate and unable to pick up anything smaller than 5 mm.
I found a copy of the referral from the first doctor to the plastic surgeon, hope this information helps, I don't really understand most of it but have an appointment with the surgeon April 16 and will ask her to explain everything to me then, she always seems v. rushed and doesn't have a lot of time to answer my questions.Specimen: Skin lesion right shoulder (nick superior)
Clinical notes: Right shoulder atypical PSL, 6 month duration, growing, nick superior
Macroscopoic: (TB/DN), Skin ellipse 17 x 9 mm and cut to a depth of 4 mm. On the skin surface there is a mid tan papule measuring 6 x6 mm. There is a marking nick at one long margin. This has been placed in a 12 O'clock position to represent superior. The 12 o'clock margin is scored and sections are taken as per the diagram. 1LS from the 3 o'clock in block A, 2TS in block B, and 1Ls from the 9 o'clock in black C.
Microscopic: The sections show level 4 malignant melanoma.
Junctional component superficial spreading in type
Breslow thickness 1.85mmNo evidence of ulceration (although there had been some bleeding)
Dermal mitotic figures identified (greater than 1 per single square mm with up to six identified per single square mm)
No lymphovascular invasion.
-
- March 25, 2013 at 5:04 am
Unfortunately, we don't have enough information to be of much help. Can you at least get a copy of your pathology report? We don't know the depth of the lesion. Level 4 (Clark's Level) is basically an obsolete method to classify a lesion. Breslow depth is much more telling. That would give us some basic information about where you stand. In addition, without doing the SNB (I do not understand the rationale you give — they inject a tracer and can follow the lesion to the sentinel node wherever it is), you lose staging info. Scans are not accurate for microscopic disease and that's why the SNB was developed. So basically, we know you started at either stage 1 or stage 2. Without the SNB, we can't determine if you are stage 3. The scans determine that you aren't stage 4. So even though you posted a lot of general info, we're a bit clueless to help because we are missing the most important details. Without your stage, it's hard to recommend anything. However, there really are no treatments for stage I and stage 2 past surgery. Stage 3 can sometimes qualify for clinical trials or adjuvant therapy. Not sure really how much that is done in Australia. But you don't know if you are stage 3 so will not be eligible for any therapies. The reality is visiting your doctors every 3 months is probably the best you can do. It's basically the same for any other stage I or 2 warrior. As for the extreme diets, some people go that way as a method to gain control over a situation where they have lost control. There is no proof that this helps anything, but if it makes you feel better, go for it. There's no proof that it doesn't work either. The emotional rollercoaster is pretty standard fare, and it does get better with time. Some people find talking with a counselor helps or a support group. Some take anti-depression medications to get them past the shock of diagnosis. A second opinion never hurts and may give you some additional perspective.
I don't mean to sound negative about your situation. You typed in a lot of info, unfortunately, it's just missing those important details that we look for when tossing out suggestions and ideas. So to follow up on your final questions – If you really want ideas for "complimentary" therapies, I'd post a separate thread with just that query. Those questions got a bit lost in the info with your history. There are plenty of people here who use supplements, different diets and complimentary medicine. You can do a search on supplements or diets and find a long history of discussions.
Best wishes,
Janner
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- March 25, 2013 at 12:09 pm
There is a very good book called A Melanoma Patients Survival Guide. Lemons Really Do Make Lemonade by Sally Welsh. I downloaded it from Amazon. It’s a quick read. I found it very hopeful. I hope you do too. Melanoma sucks but I have found some joy along the way.
Holly -
- March 25, 2013 at 12:09 pm
There is a very good book called A Melanoma Patients Survival Guide. Lemons Really Do Make Lemonade by Sally Welsh. I downloaded it from Amazon. It’s a quick read. I found it very hopeful. I hope you do too. Melanoma sucks but I have found some joy along the way.
Holly -
- March 25, 2013 at 12:09 pm
There is a very good book called A Melanoma Patients Survival Guide. Lemons Really Do Make Lemonade by Sally Welsh. I downloaded it from Amazon. It’s a quick read. I found it very hopeful. I hope you do too. Melanoma sucks but I have found some joy along the way.
Holly -
- March 26, 2013 at 8:00 am
Belloui, sorry you are going through this.I have been in similar position, ignoring a suspicious mole for a while, it turned out to be 1.1mm thick. My initial treating doctors (plastic surgeon and general surgeon) were good with the cutting, but I did have to push for a referral to an oncologist. I had surgery to clear all the lymph nodes from my right armpit, and my surgeon didn’t think any further investigation was necessary, but my instinct said otherwise. When I first saw her though, she had me undergo CT and PET scans but after that, the opinion was watch, examine and wait just as you have been told.
The benefit for me is that my oncologist, even though not a specialised melanoma oncologist, has been right on the ball the whole way and has been able to connect me to a specialist melanoma team in
Sydney (I live in Darwin). That has seen me tested for the BRAF mutation at an early stage ( I am positive for the mutation), given access to great new drugs and great medical support over the last 12 months.So I would agree with Janner that as you have had CT and PET scans, most probably all you can reasonably do at this stage is regular self checking of your various lymph node basins (armpits and groin areas are the most obvious but get your doctor to show you), see your doctors regularly, and know your body. By all means talk to your GP about a referral to an oncologist, preferably one who knows about melanoma, there is no harm in having an appointment to discuss your concerns.
Best wishes, and feel free to private message me if you wish,
Ally -
- March 26, 2013 at 8:00 am
Belloui, sorry you are going through this.I have been in similar position, ignoring a suspicious mole for a while, it turned out to be 1.1mm thick. My initial treating doctors (plastic surgeon and general surgeon) were good with the cutting, but I did have to push for a referral to an oncologist. I had surgery to clear all the lymph nodes from my right armpit, and my surgeon didn’t think any further investigation was necessary, but my instinct said otherwise. When I first saw her though, she had me undergo CT and PET scans but after that, the opinion was watch, examine and wait just as you have been told.
The benefit for me is that my oncologist, even though not a specialised melanoma oncologist, has been right on the ball the whole way and has been able to connect me to a specialist melanoma team in
Sydney (I live in Darwin). That has seen me tested for the BRAF mutation at an early stage ( I am positive for the mutation), given access to great new drugs and great medical support over the last 12 months.So I would agree with Janner that as you have had CT and PET scans, most probably all you can reasonably do at this stage is regular self checking of your various lymph node basins (armpits and groin areas are the most obvious but get your doctor to show you), see your doctors regularly, and know your body. By all means talk to your GP about a referral to an oncologist, preferably one who knows about melanoma, there is no harm in having an appointment to discuss your concerns.
Best wishes, and feel free to private message me if you wish,
Ally -
- March 26, 2013 at 8:00 am
Belloui, sorry you are going through this.I have been in similar position, ignoring a suspicious mole for a while, it turned out to be 1.1mm thick. My initial treating doctors (plastic surgeon and general surgeon) were good with the cutting, but I did have to push for a referral to an oncologist. I had surgery to clear all the lymph nodes from my right armpit, and my surgeon didn’t think any further investigation was necessary, but my instinct said otherwise. When I first saw her though, she had me undergo CT and PET scans but after that, the opinion was watch, examine and wait just as you have been told.
The benefit for me is that my oncologist, even though not a specialised melanoma oncologist, has been right on the ball the whole way and has been able to connect me to a specialist melanoma team in
Sydney (I live in Darwin). That has seen me tested for the BRAF mutation at an early stage ( I am positive for the mutation), given access to great new drugs and great medical support over the last 12 months.So I would agree with Janner that as you have had CT and PET scans, most probably all you can reasonably do at this stage is regular self checking of your various lymph node basins (armpits and groin areas are the most obvious but get your doctor to show you), see your doctors regularly, and know your body. By all means talk to your GP about a referral to an oncologist, preferably one who knows about melanoma, there is no harm in having an appointment to discuss your concerns.
Best wishes, and feel free to private message me if you wish,
Ally -
- March 26, 2013 at 4:28 pm
Hi, Just curious if you used a lot of sunscreen as I have read that your country is pushing for it.
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- March 26, 2013 at 8:18 pm
Hi Gene, yes I would say I have used a lot of sunscreen and our children are taught about sun safely at a very younge age. Our schools are all very diligent when it comes to educating on the dangers of the sun and in my experience, won’t let the children out to play unless they are wearing a hat – v strong ‘no hat- no play’ policy., also the playgrounds are cover with shade. Sunscreen is also applied to the children from their first year of school, however they are expected to apply it themselves once they get a littl older but IMHO not ‘encouraged’ enough. My children wear it to school every day (especially now).I have been a runner for quite a few years now and also very diligent when it comes to wearing sunscreen and a hat. BUT as a child I had many serious sunburns because I never listened to my mother who was very much ahead of her time when it came to sun safety, I was a teenager and knew better. My father is Irish and I have inherited his skin, our Queensland sun is very harsh and while I use sunscreen everyday (it’s also in our skin care & make-up) I still burn very easily. The sun here is very different here.
We took a trip last year to the states and all of us couldn’t believe how different the sun was there (California & NYC), we went horse riding for hours in LA (with sunscreen) and none of us burnt even tho it was very hot, here I start to burn within 30 mins (with sunscreen). I’ve found the same thing in Europe, I can walk around in the sun all day (always covered from head to toe in sunscreen) and not even go pink. Hope this answers your question. -
- March 26, 2013 at 8:18 pm
Hi Gene, yes I would say I have used a lot of sunscreen and our children are taught about sun safely at a very younge age. Our schools are all very diligent when it comes to educating on the dangers of the sun and in my experience, won’t let the children out to play unless they are wearing a hat – v strong ‘no hat- no play’ policy., also the playgrounds are cover with shade. Sunscreen is also applied to the children from their first year of school, however they are expected to apply it themselves once they get a littl older but IMHO not ‘encouraged’ enough. My children wear it to school every day (especially now).I have been a runner for quite a few years now and also very diligent when it comes to wearing sunscreen and a hat. BUT as a child I had many serious sunburns because I never listened to my mother who was very much ahead of her time when it came to sun safety, I was a teenager and knew better. My father is Irish and I have inherited his skin, our Queensland sun is very harsh and while I use sunscreen everyday (it’s also in our skin care & make-up) I still burn very easily. The sun here is very different here.
We took a trip last year to the states and all of us couldn’t believe how different the sun was there (California & NYC), we went horse riding for hours in LA (with sunscreen) and none of us burnt even tho it was very hot, here I start to burn within 30 mins (with sunscreen). I’ve found the same thing in Europe, I can walk around in the sun all day (always covered from head to toe in sunscreen) and not even go pink. Hope this answers your question. -
- March 27, 2013 at 5:01 pm
Thanks for the reply. As you know your government is pushing for more use of sunscreen and melanoma rates are increasing, not decreasing! Just wondering what the consensus of the people are saying about using more sunscreen. The ozone is different is why the sun feels different in the USA. I would strongly suggest that you have your vitamin D-3 levels checked asap as all that sunscreen is blocking it from the best source, the sun. There is allot of evidence that a vitamin d-3 deficiency is the cause of almost all cancers. Please check out the following website for information on natural health info for you and your family… see http://www.naturalnews.com Also sign up for their free daily email. Another supplement that you may want to research is Astaxanthin as it protects your skin from the inside outwards. Drinking good water is also necessary. Spring water with a little lemon or lime is one of the best. Soda/pop and energy drinks should be avoided.
Best wishes to you and your family,
Gene
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- March 27, 2013 at 5:01 pm
Thanks for the reply. As you know your government is pushing for more use of sunscreen and melanoma rates are increasing, not decreasing! Just wondering what the consensus of the people are saying about using more sunscreen. The ozone is different is why the sun feels different in the USA. I would strongly suggest that you have your vitamin D-3 levels checked asap as all that sunscreen is blocking it from the best source, the sun. There is allot of evidence that a vitamin d-3 deficiency is the cause of almost all cancers. Please check out the following website for information on natural health info for you and your family… see http://www.naturalnews.com Also sign up for their free daily email. Another supplement that you may want to research is Astaxanthin as it protects your skin from the inside outwards. Drinking good water is also necessary. Spring water with a little lemon or lime is one of the best. Soda/pop and energy drinks should be avoided.
Best wishes to you and your family,
Gene
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- March 28, 2013 at 1:34 pm
thanks for that v. interesting information gene. I will definetely check out the link you sent me. I do drink a lot of (filtered) water, coconut water & green smoothies and enjoy a slice of lemon in warm water, soda/pop is and always has been a big no-no! I'm v. curious to read more about ways to help my body fight off this desease, so v. grateful for your tips. thanks
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- March 28, 2013 at 1:34 pm
thanks for that v. interesting information gene. I will definetely check out the link you sent me. I do drink a lot of (filtered) water, coconut water & green smoothies and enjoy a slice of lemon in warm water, soda/pop is and always has been a big no-no! I'm v. curious to read more about ways to help my body fight off this desease, so v. grateful for your tips. thanks
-
- March 28, 2013 at 1:34 pm
thanks for that v. interesting information gene. I will definetely check out the link you sent me. I do drink a lot of (filtered) water, coconut water & green smoothies and enjoy a slice of lemon in warm water, soda/pop is and always has been a big no-no! I'm v. curious to read more about ways to help my body fight off this desease, so v. grateful for your tips. thanks
-
- March 27, 2013 at 5:01 pm
Thanks for the reply. As you know your government is pushing for more use of sunscreen and melanoma rates are increasing, not decreasing! Just wondering what the consensus of the people are saying about using more sunscreen. The ozone is different is why the sun feels different in the USA. I would strongly suggest that you have your vitamin D-3 levels checked asap as all that sunscreen is blocking it from the best source, the sun. There is allot of evidence that a vitamin d-3 deficiency is the cause of almost all cancers. Please check out the following website for information on natural health info for you and your family… see http://www.naturalnews.com Also sign up for their free daily email. Another supplement that you may want to research is Astaxanthin as it protects your skin from the inside outwards. Drinking good water is also necessary. Spring water with a little lemon or lime is one of the best. Soda/pop and energy drinks should be avoided.
Best wishes to you and your family,
Gene
-
- March 30, 2013 at 3:44 pm
Here is info from Australian govt about the ozone hole:
http://www.environment.gov.au/atmosphere/ozone/ozone.html
Read elsewhere that the hole is expected to close in 2060, due to efforts with reducing use of chemicals that cause this ozone depletion. And did you know they have even found skin cancer in reef fish in Australia!
-
- March 30, 2013 at 3:44 pm
Here is info from Australian govt about the ozone hole:
http://www.environment.gov.au/atmosphere/ozone/ozone.html
Read elsewhere that the hole is expected to close in 2060, due to efforts with reducing use of chemicals that cause this ozone depletion. And did you know they have even found skin cancer in reef fish in Australia!
-
- March 30, 2013 at 3:44 pm
Here is info from Australian govt about the ozone hole:
http://www.environment.gov.au/atmosphere/ozone/ozone.html
Read elsewhere that the hole is expected to close in 2060, due to efforts with reducing use of chemicals that cause this ozone depletion. And did you know they have even found skin cancer in reef fish in Australia!
-
- March 26, 2013 at 8:18 pm
Hi Gene, yes I would say I have used a lot of sunscreen and our children are taught about sun safely at a very younge age. Our schools are all very diligent when it comes to educating on the dangers of the sun and in my experience, won’t let the children out to play unless they are wearing a hat – v strong ‘no hat- no play’ policy., also the playgrounds are cover with shade. Sunscreen is also applied to the children from their first year of school, however they are expected to apply it themselves once they get a littl older but IMHO not ‘encouraged’ enough. My children wear it to school every day (especially now).I have been a runner for quite a few years now and also very diligent when it comes to wearing sunscreen and a hat. BUT as a child I had many serious sunburns because I never listened to my mother who was very much ahead of her time when it came to sun safety, I was a teenager and knew better. My father is Irish and I have inherited his skin, our Queensland sun is very harsh and while I use sunscreen everyday (it’s also in our skin care & make-up) I still burn very easily. The sun here is very different here.
We took a trip last year to the states and all of us couldn’t believe how different the sun was there (California & NYC), we went horse riding for hours in LA (with sunscreen) and none of us burnt even tho it was very hot, here I start to burn within 30 mins (with sunscreen). I’ve found the same thing in Europe, I can walk around in the sun all day (always covered from head to toe in sunscreen) and not even go pink. Hope this answers your question.
-
- March 28, 2013 at 5:31 am
Janner and Tim have given you very good information.
I don't understand why your doctors didn't inject the dye to determine which was the primary Sentintental Lymph node. It is to late to do this once the WLE has been done and possibly changed the lymph flow patterns.
On the diet side of things there are several things I now do that some work is being done about. A couplee of locations are working on an extract of ingredients in Broccolli (and other dark green leafy vegetables) that they believe has cancer fighting properties.
Below is an article about work done at then MD Anderson Cancer Center (One of the top centers in the world) regarding curcumin. The study demonstrates how curcumin stops laboratory strains of melanoma from proliferating and pushes the cancer cells to commit suicide.
I also take a 325 grain aspirin a day (both because of family circulatory problems and to counter inflamation caused be my tumors). There has been many more articles published about the effects of aspirin on tumor inflamation the past year.
The oral targeted chemo that I take is a cytostatic drug (it slows/stops certain cells reproduction), it is not always an apopotsis drug (that causes cancer cells to commit sucide). I have been taking the c-kit targeted drug and curcumin for four years now and my numerous lung tumors have been fairly stable with a slight reduction in numbers.
I would like to see more work in these areas, but to actually conductexpensive large scale clinical trials for items that Pharmacutical companies cannot make bundles off of cannot be expected.
-
- March 28, 2013 at 5:31 am
Janner and Tim have given you very good information.
I don't understand why your doctors didn't inject the dye to determine which was the primary Sentintental Lymph node. It is to late to do this once the WLE has been done and possibly changed the lymph flow patterns.
On the diet side of things there are several things I now do that some work is being done about. A couplee of locations are working on an extract of ingredients in Broccolli (and other dark green leafy vegetables) that they believe has cancer fighting properties.
Below is an article about work done at then MD Anderson Cancer Center (One of the top centers in the world) regarding curcumin. The study demonstrates how curcumin stops laboratory strains of melanoma from proliferating and pushes the cancer cells to commit suicide.
I also take a 325 grain aspirin a day (both because of family circulatory problems and to counter inflamation caused be my tumors). There has been many more articles published about the effects of aspirin on tumor inflamation the past year.
The oral targeted chemo that I take is a cytostatic drug (it slows/stops certain cells reproduction), it is not always an apopotsis drug (that causes cancer cells to commit sucide). I have been taking the c-kit targeted drug and curcumin for four years now and my numerous lung tumors have been fairly stable with a slight reduction in numbers.
I would like to see more work in these areas, but to actually conductexpensive large scale clinical trials for items that Pharmacutical companies cannot make bundles off of cannot be expected.
-
- March 28, 2013 at 5:31 am
Janner and Tim have given you very good information.
I don't understand why your doctors didn't inject the dye to determine which was the primary Sentintental Lymph node. It is to late to do this once the WLE has been done and possibly changed the lymph flow patterns.
On the diet side of things there are several things I now do that some work is being done about. A couplee of locations are working on an extract of ingredients in Broccolli (and other dark green leafy vegetables) that they believe has cancer fighting properties.
Below is an article about work done at then MD Anderson Cancer Center (One of the top centers in the world) regarding curcumin. The study demonstrates how curcumin stops laboratory strains of melanoma from proliferating and pushes the cancer cells to commit suicide.
I also take a 325 grain aspirin a day (both because of family circulatory problems and to counter inflamation caused be my tumors). There has been many more articles published about the effects of aspirin on tumor inflamation the past year.
The oral targeted chemo that I take is a cytostatic drug (it slows/stops certain cells reproduction), it is not always an apopotsis drug (that causes cancer cells to commit sucide). I have been taking the c-kit targeted drug and curcumin for four years now and my numerous lung tumors have been fairly stable with a slight reduction in numbers.
I would like to see more work in these areas, but to actually conductexpensive large scale clinical trials for items that Pharmacutical companies cannot make bundles off of cannot be expected.
-
- March 28, 2013 at 1:40 pm
I don't understand by my dr didn't do the SNB either, I wish I had known more before all these decisions were made but it all happened so quickly. Even though there isn't anything I can do about it now, I still would like some clearer answers. Thanks for the links and advice, very interesting and I agree with you re the pharmacutical companies not making money in certain areas of research so it's not done, sad but true 🙁
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- March 28, 2013 at 1:40 pm
I don't understand by my dr didn't do the SNB either, I wish I had known more before all these decisions were made but it all happened so quickly. Even though there isn't anything I can do about it now, I still would like some clearer answers. Thanks for the links and advice, very interesting and I agree with you re the pharmacutical companies not making money in certain areas of research so it's not done, sad but true 🙁
-
- March 28, 2013 at 1:40 pm
I don't understand by my dr didn't do the SNB either, I wish I had known more before all these decisions were made but it all happened so quickly. Even though there isn't anything I can do about it now, I still would like some clearer answers. Thanks for the links and advice, very interesting and I agree with you re the pharmacutical companies not making money in certain areas of research so it's not done, sad but true 🙁
-
- March 28, 2013 at 2:33 pm
Hi, I am new here too. Was diagnosed last November with stage 2. Had a fairly large mole in center of back for years but did not go to derm for awhile and after it started itching and bled raced to the doctor. I had surgery which had clear margins and snb in both underarms that came back clear. Now 4 months later I have had pain under my arm that is not the same kind of pain from biopsy. That was more of a nerve pain and numbness. Went to onc yesterday and am having an ultrasound of my arm on Monday and a mammo today. My insurance denied my PET scan, saying I don't present any symptoms so they denied!!! My dr said if anything changes we will push to get it done, or a CT scan. So like you I sit and wait and feel like a ticking time bomb. Have been to derm to have 5 other things removed since the melanoma surgery. 3 dysplastic nevi, 1 squamous, and 1 basal. I am going back in April for my next 3 month check. My incision from surgery has been bothering me, as I have had a problem in the past of my body rejecting disolvable stitches. Great…. Hopefully it resolves itself. I worry about every pain and bump on my body. What a way to live my life in paranoia. Well, we are all in this together. Best of luck to you. I also think you should have a snb as soon as possible.
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- March 31, 2013 at 8:07 am
Hi luckydog, I'm so sorry to hear about your diagnosis, it really does sux doesn't it! I hope all your test results come back clear and it's not more melanoma showing it's ugly face again 🙁 I know exactly how you feel re the paranoia, it's just awful! It consumes my every thought, in fact I realized just how bad it was the other night when my daughter had her school formal (prom), I was focused on her for the entire day and then we had the pre-formal drinks and went out for dinner with some other parents to celebrate and it was the first time in 2 months that i actually felt 'normal'. The physical pain is much better but the emotional side of things is actually getting worse 🙁 good luck!
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- March 31, 2013 at 8:07 am
Hi luckydog, I'm so sorry to hear about your diagnosis, it really does sux doesn't it! I hope all your test results come back clear and it's not more melanoma showing it's ugly face again 🙁 I know exactly how you feel re the paranoia, it's just awful! It consumes my every thought, in fact I realized just how bad it was the other night when my daughter had her school formal (prom), I was focused on her for the entire day and then we had the pre-formal drinks and went out for dinner with some other parents to celebrate and it was the first time in 2 months that i actually felt 'normal'. The physical pain is much better but the emotional side of things is actually getting worse 🙁 good luck!
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- March 31, 2013 at 8:07 am
Hi luckydog, I'm so sorry to hear about your diagnosis, it really does sux doesn't it! I hope all your test results come back clear and it's not more melanoma showing it's ugly face again 🙁 I know exactly how you feel re the paranoia, it's just awful! It consumes my every thought, in fact I realized just how bad it was the other night when my daughter had her school formal (prom), I was focused on her for the entire day and then we had the pre-formal drinks and went out for dinner with some other parents to celebrate and it was the first time in 2 months that i actually felt 'normal'. The physical pain is much better but the emotional side of things is actually getting worse 🙁 good luck!
-
- March 28, 2013 at 2:33 pm
Hi, I am new here too. Was diagnosed last November with stage 2. Had a fairly large mole in center of back for years but did not go to derm for awhile and after it started itching and bled raced to the doctor. I had surgery which had clear margins and snb in both underarms that came back clear. Now 4 months later I have had pain under my arm that is not the same kind of pain from biopsy. That was more of a nerve pain and numbness. Went to onc yesterday and am having an ultrasound of my arm on Monday and a mammo today. My insurance denied my PET scan, saying I don't present any symptoms so they denied!!! My dr said if anything changes we will push to get it done, or a CT scan. So like you I sit and wait and feel like a ticking time bomb. Have been to derm to have 5 other things removed since the melanoma surgery. 3 dysplastic nevi, 1 squamous, and 1 basal. I am going back in April for my next 3 month check. My incision from surgery has been bothering me, as I have had a problem in the past of my body rejecting disolvable stitches. Great…. Hopefully it resolves itself. I worry about every pain and bump on my body. What a way to live my life in paranoia. Well, we are all in this together. Best of luck to you. I also think you should have a snb as soon as possible.
-
- March 28, 2013 at 2:33 pm
Hi, I am new here too. Was diagnosed last November with stage 2. Had a fairly large mole in center of back for years but did not go to derm for awhile and after it started itching and bled raced to the doctor. I had surgery which had clear margins and snb in both underarms that came back clear. Now 4 months later I have had pain under my arm that is not the same kind of pain from biopsy. That was more of a nerve pain and numbness. Went to onc yesterday and am having an ultrasound of my arm on Monday and a mammo today. My insurance denied my PET scan, saying I don't present any symptoms so they denied!!! My dr said if anything changes we will push to get it done, or a CT scan. So like you I sit and wait and feel like a ticking time bomb. Have been to derm to have 5 other things removed since the melanoma surgery. 3 dysplastic nevi, 1 squamous, and 1 basal. I am going back in April for my next 3 month check. My incision from surgery has been bothering me, as I have had a problem in the past of my body rejecting disolvable stitches. Great…. Hopefully it resolves itself. I worry about every pain and bump on my body. What a way to live my life in paranoia. Well, we are all in this together. Best of luck to you. I also think you should have a snb as soon as possible.
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Tagged: cutaneous melanoma
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