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Please Help!

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    • July 8, 2018 at 8:00 pm
    upsidedown16
    Participant

      I was diagnosed with melanoma stage 2a in August of 2016. I have been folllowing up with Derm consistenly  since then and all has been well. This is where I need your advice/support. My husband is active duty military and there’s always the possibility that his next assignment could be overseas and that’s where my worry comes in. Should we simply request to stay in the states to play it safe due to how sneaky melanoma can be or should we take on overseas assignments? I would still be able to see dermatologist overseas but specialities are limited and biopsies could take anywhere from 3 – 6 weeks to return. I don’t want to live in fear of it returning my whole life but I also don’t want to be careless and take the decision lightly. Thoughts? 

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        • July 9, 2018 at 4:04 am
        Sharon93065
        Participant

          You need to have  physicals, and for sure a check xray as part of it.  I had full body checks yearly and had 7 tumors inside, lung, lymph nodes etc that he could not detect.  Stage 4 metastatic just like that.  Would not have caught it if it were not for lung mass showing up in chest xray, then other tests to follow. Cannot give you advise about medical in the military.  Take care, Sharon 

          • July 9, 2018 at 3:29 pm
          TexMelanomex
          Participant

            Hi Anon,

            As someone who spent most of my life in the military you could make a good argument for the EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program) due to the potential limitations of specialists needed for your diagnosis overseas. Ultimately, this will be up to the your branch (and more specifically both the medical team at your current station and at the gaining station). It could help to get some documentaiton from a melanoma specialist with all of the screening, follow-up, and treatment recommendations BEFORE entering into the EFMP consideration process. Best of luck.

            Tex

              • July 9, 2018 at 3:30 pm
              TexMelanomex
              Participant

                PS I really need to start using spell check on my posts!

                • July 9, 2018 at 4:18 pm
                upsidedown16
                Participant

                  Hi Tex! 

                  When I was first diagnosed, they did enroll me into the EFMP program. However, I am due for a re-evaluation within the next couple of months. I was seeing a melanoma specialist and he recently let me go. I don’t know how else to explain that lol but he said because of my stage and my Castle tests results, additional routine imaging is not needed unless symptoms/concerns arise. For now he said I simply keep up with my monthly self check, continue seeing my dermatologist, and my primary care doctor. I planned on getting his advice as well to see what his thoughts are on the subject but wanted to think and talk things through beforehand since he’s “discharged” me for lack of better words. 

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