New Guy …

This topic has 11 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 8 years, 1 month ago by MelOrama.

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- April 11, 2017 at 1:01 am
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Jeff_in_FL
Participant
Hi all,

Just wanted to introduce myself. Just informed this afternoon (4/10/17) in a quick phone call from the Dermatologist that my lesion is Melanoma. I don't remember the details, but I think it is a fairly deep Nodular. I was a little in shock from the diagnosis that I didn't really listen to what she said. I do know that they are going to schedule a Wide Excision, and a skin graft for it. They are also going to take some lymph nodes. That's about all I know at this point. Now I wait …VA Healthcare can be really slow.

i will be lurking around 🙂

(((Hugs)))

Jeff

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- - April 11, 2017 at 1:35 am
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  jennunicorn
  Participant
  SO so sorry you've joined our club, but welcome! When I got that phone call, after I heard the word melanoma, it was all "wah wah wah" after that and had no clue what the derm said. I had to email her to give me all the info so I could process it. This is the toughest time soaking in the knowledge of the diagnosis, waiting for surgery, then waiting for results from the sentinel lymph node biopsy after surgery. We are here for any questions you have, don't hesitate to ask.
  
  All the best,
  - April 11, 2017 at 1:43 am
    
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    Jeff_in_FL
    Participant
    
    Thank you very much. Yup, it was "wah , wah , wah ". I hate waiting for the VA, but I'll manage. I also have a spot on the retina of my left eye that needs to be checked ASAP. I am also wondering if a Meningioma (benign brain tumor) that I was diagnosed with could be related. I'm guessing that everyone starts thinking about these things.
    
    Thanks again!
  - April 11, 2017 at 2:23 am
    
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    jennunicorn
    Participant
    
    Ocular melanoma (mel in the eye) is completely unrelated to cutaneous melanoma (mel on the skin), so I wouldn't worry much about an eye freckle. But, of course, always good to get eyes checked out. This is definitely a time when your mind starts to wander to the "why, what, how" questions.
  - April 11, 2017 at 2:45 am
    
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    Jeff_in_FL
    Participant
    
    I only questioned it because the Dermatologist was concerned. Good to know that it's nothing to be worried about. Thanks 🙂
- - April 11, 2017 at 4:34 am
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  TexMelanomex
  Participant
  Hi Jeff, Not too long ago these amazing people welcomed me here after being diagnosed with a nodular melanoma on my scalp. Because of the size I had to do the WLE and skin graft along with sentinel lymph node biopsy. After waiting (a seemingly excruciatingly long time) I found out last week that the margins from the WLE were clear and the lymph nodes (4 of them removed) were also clear. So now, I am in the "surveillance" category with CTs every 3 months for a year. The time waiting for things to happen is rough, even rougher when dealing with the VA (I'm a Vet also but went outside the VA for this). Try to enjoy and live life for now…yes I definitely know, easier said than done but there really isn't much to do until you actually have the excision and biopsy and worrying does not change test results. Best wishes for you…this is an incredible place to check in and get information and support. Amazing warriors here that have seen all of this and many have been through the worst this bastard (my nickname for melanoma) can throw at someone. Keep us updated!
  
  Tex
  - April 11, 2017 at 11:30 am
    
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    Jeff_in_FL
    Participant
    
    Thank you, Tex. Yes, the waiting is maddening. I'm trying to work as many hours as possible to keep my mind off of it. Melanoma runs in my family …Father, and one sister, so I tend to think about it all more than I probably should.
    
    Yes, this group does seem like a great bunch of people!
    
    Thanks again,
    
    Jeff
- - April 11, 2017 at 12:48 pm
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  Hukill
  Participant
  I have been receiving my care through the VA. Even though I have many horror stories about the VA my cancer treatment has been excellent. Within 4 weeks of finding a knot in my neck I had PET scan, MRI, surgury and my first round of ipi/nivo combo. That included the cost of the drugs being approved by a finance board at the hospital, Audie Murphy in San Antonio.
  - April 11, 2017 at 1:11 pm
    
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    Jeff_in_FL
    Participant
    
    That's good news. I use the West Palm Beach, FL VAMC, and they too have been great!
- - April 13, 2017 at 5:01 pm
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  Jeff_in_FL
  Participant
  They did a shave biopsy a week ago, and I can clearly see remaining cells in the center. Why would they do a shave biopsy when Melanoma was suspected from the beginning? Everything I have read indicates that a shave biopsy is "not" recommended if Melanoma is suspected. Frustrating!
  - April 13, 2017 at 5:26 pm
    
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    jennunicorn
    Participant
    
    Some derms just do the easy quick thing.. a shave requires no stitches. I have had 2 shaves, both times were for suspeceted melanoma.. second time it was melanoma.. thankfully was fully removed, but still, I get your frustration. We don't learn these things until after we're diagnosed… then it's too late! Most skin cancer derms don't do shaves.. since they know better. But, regular derms that don't specialize in skin cancer, usually do shaves, in my experience anyway.
  - April 14, 2017 at 12:14 am
    
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    MelOrama
    Participant
    
    Hi Jeff, recently diagnosed as well. Biopsy On 3/30, phone call on 4/6.
    
    My shave biopsy left me with a pretty big crater in my back, and I saw what I thought was the remaining part of the mole/tumor. I was reassured by my dermatologist and then the first melanoma specialist I saw this week that what I saw is normal…it's blood vessels closing off. I'm not sure if that's the same thing you saw or not?