› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Newly diagnosed
- This topic has 12 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 10 years, 10 months ago by
ltalley.
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- July 23, 2014 at 2:35 am
I just had a mole shaved from my leg last week and then I got an email from lab stating that I need to see a dermatologist ASAP that I have superficial spreading melanoma. I called my doctor and she referred me to a dermatologist but did not really give me much information. I called the dermatologist office and she said he would explain everything on Monday when I get there and to be sure to have all my questions ready. She said there was a chance I could need a plastic surgeon. I asked her if I should be worried and she said that not too many of their patients ever need chemo but some do. This is really all the information that I have received from the doctors or receptionist. I have now been reading on this website and have been worrying ever since. If anyone has any information that could help me until Monday, I would greatly appreciate.
Thank you.
Stampers
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- July 23, 2014 at 3:20 am
Hello Stampers,
Welcome to the board, and we're all sorry that it's because you just learned you have melanoma. We know how hard it is to learn this news, and how terrified you probably are.
People will give you much more information than I am about to give, but I'll start the ball rolling. I am recently diagnosed myself, and am currently at home recovering from surgery.
You don't mention your geographical location, but be sure your surgery is done by a melanoma expert. There is no need to rush. See your dermatologist on Monday, learn everything you can (do NOT leave that office without a hard copy of your path report) and then get ready to make your next move.
It's too early for any of us to tell you what your next move should be without knowing the size of your lesion, but there is a surgery in yoir future. It will be fine. It will. It's called a wide local excision, and you may or may not need a lymph node biopsy, depending on the specifics of your lesion.
Be very, very careful about reading the internet. Knowledge is power, but there is a lot of outdated info on the web, and you have to be careful about scaring yourself.
This is a warm, reassuring, and knowledgeable group. You will get good answers here.
Best,
Elaine
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- July 23, 2014 at 3:20 am
Hello Stampers,
Welcome to the board, and we're all sorry that it's because you just learned you have melanoma. We know how hard it is to learn this news, and how terrified you probably are.
People will give you much more information than I am about to give, but I'll start the ball rolling. I am recently diagnosed myself, and am currently at home recovering from surgery.
You don't mention your geographical location, but be sure your surgery is done by a melanoma expert. There is no need to rush. See your dermatologist on Monday, learn everything you can (do NOT leave that office without a hard copy of your path report) and then get ready to make your next move.
It's too early for any of us to tell you what your next move should be without knowing the size of your lesion, but there is a surgery in yoir future. It will be fine. It will. It's called a wide local excision, and you may or may not need a lymph node biopsy, depending on the specifics of your lesion.
Be very, very careful about reading the internet. Knowledge is power, but there is a lot of outdated info on the web, and you have to be careful about scaring yourself.
This is a warm, reassuring, and knowledgeable group. You will get good answers here.
Best,
Elaine
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- July 24, 2014 at 2:38 am
Elaine,
Thank you for your respones! It was removed from my right leg in the back. Right now it is about the size of a nickle where they shaved it off. I am trying not to get too nervous but the "not knowing" is what is driving me crazy right now. I guess I will know more Monday. Thanks and I will ask for the full report.
Stampers
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- July 24, 2014 at 2:38 am
Elaine,
Thank you for your respones! It was removed from my right leg in the back. Right now it is about the size of a nickle where they shaved it off. I am trying not to get too nervous but the "not knowing" is what is driving me crazy right now. I guess I will know more Monday. Thanks and I will ask for the full report.
Stampers
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- July 24, 2014 at 2:38 am
Elaine,
Thank you for your respones! It was removed from my right leg in the back. Right now it is about the size of a nickle where they shaved it off. I am trying not to get too nervous but the "not knowing" is what is driving me crazy right now. I guess I will know more Monday. Thanks and I will ask for the full report.
Stampers
-
- July 23, 2014 at 3:20 am
Hello Stampers,
Welcome to the board, and we're all sorry that it's because you just learned you have melanoma. We know how hard it is to learn this news, and how terrified you probably are.
People will give you much more information than I am about to give, but I'll start the ball rolling. I am recently diagnosed myself, and am currently at home recovering from surgery.
You don't mention your geographical location, but be sure your surgery is done by a melanoma expert. There is no need to rush. See your dermatologist on Monday, learn everything you can (do NOT leave that office without a hard copy of your path report) and then get ready to make your next move.
It's too early for any of us to tell you what your next move should be without knowing the size of your lesion, but there is a surgery in yoir future. It will be fine. It will. It's called a wide local excision, and you may or may not need a lymph node biopsy, depending on the specifics of your lesion.
Be very, very careful about reading the internet. Knowledge is power, but there is a lot of outdated info on the web, and you have to be careful about scaring yourself.
This is a warm, reassuring, and knowledgeable group. You will get good answers here.
Best,
Elaine
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- July 24, 2014 at 5:56 pm
Stampers,
I wish you the best my friend and try not too worry too much. Just have faith and keep your head up. Take someone with you so they can hear what the doctor is saying. Sometimes when you get the diagnosis of melanoma everything just goes blank after that. Then once you are clear on your diagnosis then get the best treatment and follow up care for YOU… Remember we are individuals what might be best for me might not be best for someone else.. Be sure to get a copy of your path report and if you post the details here then Janner or some of these that have been here for awhile can help intrepret. This way you can kind of expect what is next if your doctor doesn't explain things clearly. And believe sometimes they don't. Please keep us updated.. Either way stay strong and fight like soldier!! God Bless! 🙂
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- July 24, 2014 at 5:56 pm
Stampers,
I wish you the best my friend and try not too worry too much. Just have faith and keep your head up. Take someone with you so they can hear what the doctor is saying. Sometimes when you get the diagnosis of melanoma everything just goes blank after that. Then once you are clear on your diagnosis then get the best treatment and follow up care for YOU… Remember we are individuals what might be best for me might not be best for someone else.. Be sure to get a copy of your path report and if you post the details here then Janner or some of these that have been here for awhile can help intrepret. This way you can kind of expect what is next if your doctor doesn't explain things clearly. And believe sometimes they don't. Please keep us updated.. Either way stay strong and fight like soldier!! God Bless! 🙂
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- July 24, 2014 at 5:56 pm
Stampers,
I wish you the best my friend and try not too worry too much. Just have faith and keep your head up. Take someone with you so they can hear what the doctor is saying. Sometimes when you get the diagnosis of melanoma everything just goes blank after that. Then once you are clear on your diagnosis then get the best treatment and follow up care for YOU… Remember we are individuals what might be best for me might not be best for someone else.. Be sure to get a copy of your path report and if you post the details here then Janner or some of these that have been here for awhile can help intrepret. This way you can kind of expect what is next if your doctor doesn't explain things clearly. And believe sometimes they don't. Please keep us updated.. Either way stay strong and fight like soldier!! God Bless! 🙂
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Tagged: cutaneous melanoma
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