pigmentation changes around scar
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pigmentation changes around scar

› Forums › Cutaneous Melanoma Community › pigmentation changes around scar

  • Post
    • March 25, 2017 at 8:23 pm
    Tnscin84
    Participant

      Hello all. I come here for support for multiple people I know that have been diagnosed with MM. I pray for all of you daily. 

      my Hx: 2009 Spitz nevus benign and removed completely and then some. 

      Then ive convinced myself (after multiple people have been diagnosed around me) that I'm going to get or already have it. Because I had a few blistering sunburns, I used the tanning bed intermittently in college and have lots of little moles–haven't been out in the sun but twice since 2009. 

      I had a moderately atypical one removed from my left shin almost a year ago and they got the lesion completely–and said if I wanted to have further margins I could for piece of mind but it wasn't necessary. So, with my anxiety–I had it removed which showed nothing in that skin.  Then a tailspin of anxiety (and hospitalization from panic) later–I have had multiple biopsies (15) that I have begged for–they have either come back "solar lentigo" or "nevus with architectural disorder with no significant cyrologic atypia).  I go to a derm who helps run the melanoma clinic.  I sent him this picture but it's the weekend and I'm having a panic attack. I'm not sure if this is normal pigmentation process around the scar or melanoma /cancerous. I can't remember if I noticed it last month. 

       

       

      We just went theough IVF and after reading all the stories about pregnant ladies on here–I don't even want to try to get pregnant now even though my derm said pregnancy does not cause melanoma–it just might bring it out faster if it's already there but since I do monthly skin checks, am about do not mole mapping, and I see them every 4 months (bc I am paranoid), he said I would likely catch if early/in Situ IF* that would happen. I am in therapy for OCD/catastrophic thinking  I'm hypervigilant because of the experience biased or knowing people with it.  I try to remind myself most everyone has gotten blistering sunburns and overexposed to the sun but not everyone gets it. But it's just exhausting and I'm just waiting for it to happen.  very unhealthy I know.  I like reading all the information posted on here that's educational for sure.

       

      Thoughts on this pigmentation at the bottom of my scar? Normal process 9-10 months out? I go Thursday to see him for a different issue but it's he weekend and I'm having a panic attack

       

      http://i1347.photobucket.com/albums/p710/Anna_Cousar_Mechem/IMG_7754_zpsqi3yble2.jpg

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        • March 25, 2017 at 9:00 pm
        jennunicorn
        Participant

          Definitely does not look like anything worrisome. Skin is annoying and when it's been messed with and heals it will change colors, spots might appear then disappear. All normal stuff. 

          As you are waiting over the weekend for your appointment, try and focus your attention to something positive. The most positive thing I can think of for you right now is you do NOT have melanoma. When your mind starts to go into catastrophic thinking, repeat that to yourself. "I do not have melanoma. I do not have cancer. I am healthy." Try and find an activity that takes up your attention, like baking, crossword puzzle, sudoku. Things that you need your mind to focus on in order to complete the task will help you get through at least a portion of the day. I'm sure your therapist as given you some other tips on ways to channel your energy elsewhere toward better thoughts. 

          Wishing all the best for you and hope you find peace within yourself soon. 

            • March 25, 2017 at 10:41 pm
            Tnscin84
            Participant

               Thank you for your very thoughtful and kind reply. It definitely gets the best of me.  If it's not melanoma, it's something else  that sends me into a tizzy. I am still just so skeptical of getting pregnant, even though everybody tells me that it's completely fine. Do you think with the monthly skin checks, visiting the dermatologist every four months for skin checks, and more mapping, that I would likely catch it early?  My dermatologist said that I'm ahead of the game at age 32 by doing this already. A lot of melanomas go over looked for years and years because people don't know how to do skin checks. 

              • March 25, 2017 at 11:34 pm
              jennunicorn
              Participant

                With that kind of vigilance I am sure that IF you were to ever get melanoma you would definitely find it early. I wish I had been more paranoid about my mole that kept growing.. but I took my general docs word for it that it was nothing. Stay vigilant, but don't let it take over your life negatively. Don't expect it to happen. Don't wait for it to happen. When we sit and wait for something bad to happen, then we are wasting precious time living life to the fullest. Don't let this fear of getting melanoma stop you from having a child. Don't read about stories of women who were diagnosed when pregnant. Or any negative stories at all. Don't google melanoma as it only increases anxiety over something you don't have and don't have control over. You are taking control of your body by being active in examining your skin for any new/changing moles. That's all you can do, outside of that, live life, have children, and be happy, you derserve it.

                • March 25, 2017 at 11:52 pm
                Tnscin84
                Participant

                  You are very right. It's definitely a psychological problem I have. Deep rooted. Was yours a new growth

                  or changing mole? It seems from your history that it was only there for 6 months and that seems like super fast growth.  What did the bruise end up being? Just out of curiosity. I'm so happy that you are doing well on your current regimen.

                  • March 26, 2017 at 5:37 am
                  jennunicorn
                  Participant

                    My mel was a new growth, I am not someone with many moles, I only have a handful of small moles on my body right now. The bruise on my toe was just a bruise. It grew out after a few months.. but I am grateful to that bruise for bringing me to the doc again and prompting the derm to biopsy the mole on my leg. 

                    • March 26, 2017 at 2:26 am
                    Nemesis
                    Participant

                      I am very surpised that they are seeing you that often. I had melanoma and my first dermatologist only wanted to see me every 6 months.

                       

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