Newly diagnosed – terrified and confused
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Newly diagnosed – terrified and confused

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Newly diagnosed – terrified and confused

  • Post
    • October 26, 2016 at 9:27 pm
    imgonnabeatthis
    Participant

      I had a bump removed from my back in September 2016.  Shortly after I was told it was malignent, 1.2 mm thick, not ulcerated.  Last week I had surgery to test a lymph node and remove the skin around the cancer.  The lynph node came back clean.  They said the edges of the removed skin were also clean, but the thickness was adjusted to just over 5 mm.  I am meeting with my surgeon and oncologist next week.  They advised no additional surgery is needed, but more treatment is suggested.  The doctor said we would discuss more at my appointment, but said High Dose Interferon was likely indicated.  Any information about this treatment, experiences, options or the road ahead of me would be greatly appreciated.  I can't even think straight right now and articles on the internet tend to put me into panic mode.

      Thank you.

    Viewing 5 reply threads
    • Replies
        • October 26, 2016 at 9:39 pm
        ed williams
        Participant

          Hi imgonnabeatthis, some times it is good to listen to an expert give the big picture on Melanoma. I am going to give you a link to Dr.Jason Luke giving a presentation that is current and excellent in detail. The standard of care for most stage 3 patients is watch and wait, by using scans and follow up appointments with your Oncologist to monitor for any changes. Wishing you the best!!!Ed http://melanomainternational.org/webinar/2016/01/decision-making-for-melanoma-stage-iii-beyond/?done=1#.WBEhbfWcHIV

          • October 26, 2016 at 9:39 pm
          ed williams
          Participant

            Hi imgonnabeatthis, some times it is good to listen to an expert give the big picture on Melanoma. I am going to give you a link to Dr.Jason Luke giving a presentation that is current and excellent in detail. The standard of care for most stage 3 patients is watch and wait, by using scans and follow up appointments with your Oncologist to monitor for any changes. Wishing you the best!!!Ed http://melanomainternational.org/webinar/2016/01/decision-making-for-melanoma-stage-iii-beyond/?done=1#.WBEhbfWcHIV

              • October 26, 2016 at 9:53 pm
              imgonnabeatthis
              Participant

                Thank you Ed.  Im curious why you say Stage 3.  I thought with a thickness of 5mm, no ulceration, and negative lymph nodes, that would be IIB?

                • October 26, 2016 at 9:53 pm
                imgonnabeatthis
                Participant

                  Thank you Ed.  Im curious why you say Stage 3.  I thought with a thickness of 5mm, no ulceration, and negative lymph nodes, that would be IIB?

                  • October 26, 2016 at 10:50 pm
                  ed williams
                  Participant

                    Sorry about that, you are 100% right. I was trying to help with the stress level not increase it. Best Wishes!!!Ed

                    • October 26, 2016 at 10:50 pm
                    ed williams
                    Participant

                      Sorry about that, you are 100% right. I was trying to help with the stress level not increase it. Best Wishes!!!Ed

                      • October 26, 2016 at 11:25 pm
                      imgonnabeatthis
                      Participant

                        You didn't increase it at all.  The video is great, im about half way through it.  Thank you very very much!

                        • October 26, 2016 at 11:25 pm
                        imgonnabeatthis
                        Participant

                          You didn't increase it at all.  The video is great, im about half way through it.  Thank you very very much!

                          • October 26, 2016 at 11:25 pm
                          imgonnabeatthis
                          Participant

                            You didn't increase it at all.  The video is great, im about half way through it.  Thank you very very much!

                            • October 26, 2016 at 10:50 pm
                            ed williams
                            Participant

                              Sorry about that, you are 100% right. I was trying to help with the stress level not increase it. Best Wishes!!!Ed

                              • October 26, 2016 at 9:53 pm
                              imgonnabeatthis
                              Participant

                                Thank you Ed.  Im curious why you say Stage 3.  I thought with a thickness of 5mm, no ulceration, and negative lymph nodes, that would be IIB?

                              • October 26, 2016 at 9:39 pm
                              ed williams
                              Participant

                                Hi imgonnabeatthis, some times it is good to listen to an expert give the big picture on Melanoma. I am going to give you a link to Dr.Jason Luke giving a presentation that is current and excellent in detail. The standard of care for most stage 3 patients is watch and wait, by using scans and follow up appointments with your Oncologist to monitor for any changes. Wishing you the best!!!Ed http://melanomainternational.org/webinar/2016/01/decision-making-for-melanoma-stage-iii-beyond/?done=1#.WBEhbfWcHIV

                                • October 27, 2016 at 1:43 am
                                Fen
                                Participant

                                  Where are you being treated?  It is crucial to work with melanoma specialists, not just an oncologist who has some experience in the area.  Interferon is an outdated treatment with little impact on disease progression.  If you get a chance fill out your profile on the board.  

                                  Your anxiety and consternation are understandable – this is new and frightening.  As time goes on you will adapt to this awful event and you'll be able to make a plan.  There are amazing people on this board who will help you through.  In the meantime try to distract yourself – go outside, exercise, spend time with friends – do anything to pass the time until you assimilate the diagnosis.

                                   

                                  • October 27, 2016 at 1:43 am
                                  Fen
                                  Participant

                                    Where are you being treated?  It is crucial to work with melanoma specialists, not just an oncologist who has some experience in the area.  Interferon is an outdated treatment with little impact on disease progression.  If you get a chance fill out your profile on the board.  

                                    Your anxiety and consternation are understandable – this is new and frightening.  As time goes on you will adapt to this awful event and you'll be able to make a plan.  There are amazing people on this board who will help you through.  In the meantime try to distract yourself – go outside, exercise, spend time with friends – do anything to pass the time until you assimilate the diagnosis.

                                     

                                      • October 27, 2016 at 1:49 am
                                      imgonnabeatthis
                                      Participant

                                        Thanks.  I'm being treated at the Inova Melanoma and Skin Cancer Center located in Fairfax, Virginia, just outside Washington, DC.  My dermatologist, surgeon, and oncologist are all part of the center and working together.  My oncologist mentioned the high dose Interferon over the phone but said he was looking at getting me into a trial.  He said he would have more details next week when we meet.

                                        I will fill out the profile tomorrow.  And I will look to find distractions.  Thank you!

                                        • October 27, 2016 at 1:49 am
                                        imgonnabeatthis
                                        Participant

                                          Thanks.  I'm being treated at the Inova Melanoma and Skin Cancer Center located in Fairfax, Virginia, just outside Washington, DC.  My dermatologist, surgeon, and oncologist are all part of the center and working together.  My oncologist mentioned the high dose Interferon over the phone but said he was looking at getting me into a trial.  He said he would have more details next week when we meet.

                                          I will fill out the profile tomorrow.  And I will look to find distractions.  Thank you!

                                          • October 27, 2016 at 1:49 am
                                          imgonnabeatthis
                                          Participant

                                            Thanks.  I'm being treated at the Inova Melanoma and Skin Cancer Center located in Fairfax, Virginia, just outside Washington, DC.  My dermatologist, surgeon, and oncologist are all part of the center and working together.  My oncologist mentioned the high dose Interferon over the phone but said he was looking at getting me into a trial.  He said he would have more details next week when we meet.

                                            I will fill out the profile tomorrow.  And I will look to find distractions.  Thank you!

                                          • October 27, 2016 at 1:43 am
                                          Fen
                                          Participant

                                            Where are you being treated?  It is crucial to work with melanoma specialists, not just an oncologist who has some experience in the area.  Interferon is an outdated treatment with little impact on disease progression.  If you get a chance fill out your profile on the board.  

                                            Your anxiety and consternation are understandable – this is new and frightening.  As time goes on you will adapt to this awful event and you'll be able to make a plan.  There are amazing people on this board who will help you through.  In the meantime try to distract yourself – go outside, exercise, spend time with friends – do anything to pass the time until you assimilate the diagnosis.

                                             

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