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Possible symptoms caused by melanoma

Forums General Melanoma Community Possible symptoms caused by melanoma

  • Post
    yunielth
    Participant

      My sister was diagnosed with stage 1A melanoma, 0.6mm clark III (3) mitosis <1mm2, her primary was located in the middle of es left clavicle. She had the WLE last november 2014 but was not done the SLNB. Every day I keep thinking about a possible recurrence, my fear is latent each day, and continue reading and instructing myself about this terrible disease. Every day I check this forum in search of stories, stories like my sister. Many people have told me it's unlikely the melanoma has metastasized to lymph nodes or other parts of her body, that she is low risk. I have lately seen some stories that even with stage 1a or a thin melanoma, have been found melanoma cells on the lymph nodes or after few years have passed from stage 1 to stage 3 or 4.
      I do not know what happen to me but every time my sister tells me that something hurts her or when she get sicks I always associate her sickness with melanoma.
      What could be the symptoms of a recurrence, either a local or distant recurrence? How could I know if we are present of a recurrence?
      Pardon my concern and I hope you can help me.
      Thank you and I pray for you all, and hoping a final cure could be found very soon!!!!
      Y.

    Viewing 2 reply threads
    • Replies
        RaquelP
        Participant

          First of all, let me tell you, you are not alone. Many on here have been the cancer patient, but for the rest of us, we are caregivers and loved ones of those with this horrible disease. It's not an easy burden to carry, and I can relate in so many ways to your post.

          The fear will never leave you. Never. But it DOES get better. I used to think…is it me who has cancer? It has taken so much from me. It has literally infiltrated my life. It has taken my time, my innocence, and sometimes my joy. I look at my children and fear they are next. I have this weight on me to "live EVERY DAY to it's fullest" and gosh do I get sick of that phrase. Anyone else? That's impossible, particularly when you have a loved one with a cancer diagnosis.

          Of course, the much needed reminder sets in, this isn't about me. This is about the cancer patient. And so I try to manage the stress as much as I can so I can be strong for them. For me, it's about researching and being an advocate (this may be you too since you have found this forum). For my brother, he would never join a forum, but rather manages his stress by working out, spending time outdoors. Combined, we are a great team.

          I can relate when you speak about worrying about health, but you will drive yourself CRAZY doing this. I know. I've been there. I spent years worrying. And guess what? more times than not, the times I spent worrying about the health of my loved one, it turned out to be exactly what it presented itself to be…a cold, a headache, tiredness etc…Nothing more sinister.

          Your sister has a WONDERFUL prognosis. Don't google, don't look for stories that negate her prognosis statistics. Spend time making your relationship even better and BE with her. Chances are, even at stage 1A, she is having some of the same fears you are. But most important, spend time making happy memories because on the slim, slim, slim (AND I MEAN SLIM) chance that she progresses, you will kick yourself for wasting such valuable time worrying instead of truly "enjoying" her. Trust me, this is from my own regrets. My loved one was originally staged at 3.  

           

            yunielth
            Participant
              Thank you very much for your comments I really appreciate it!!! I will take all of your advices. Sometimes I also think I am the one who has/had cancer and not my sister, I think she has not idea of the magnitud of it or perhaps she does not want to worry me. I sometimes think I am getting crazy…but she is my sister and I love her so much, I rather it happened to me and not her.
              Thanks again for your reply and for your words!!!
              Y.
              yunielth
              Participant
                Thank you very much for your comments I really appreciate it!!! I will take all of your advices. Sometimes I also think I am the one who has/had cancer and not my sister, I think she has not idea of the magnitud of it or perhaps she does not want to worry me. I sometimes think I am getting crazy…but she is my sister and I love her so much, I rather it happened to me and not her.
                Thanks again for your reply and for your words!!!
                Y.
                yunielth
                Participant
                  Thank you very much for your comments I really appreciate it!!! I will take all of your advices. Sometimes I also think I am the one who has/had cancer and not my sister, I think she has not idea of the magnitud of it or perhaps she does not want to worry me. I sometimes think I am getting crazy…but she is my sister and I love her so much, I rather it happened to me and not her.
                  Thanks again for your reply and for your words!!!
                  Y.
                RaquelP
                Participant

                  First of all, let me tell you, you are not alone. Many on here have been the cancer patient, but for the rest of us, we are caregivers and loved ones of those with this horrible disease. It's not an easy burden to carry, and I can relate in so many ways to your post.

                  The fear will never leave you. Never. But it DOES get better. I used to think…is it me who has cancer? It has taken so much from me. It has literally infiltrated my life. It has taken my time, my innocence, and sometimes my joy. I look at my children and fear they are next. I have this weight on me to "live EVERY DAY to it's fullest" and gosh do I get sick of that phrase. Anyone else? That's impossible, particularly when you have a loved one with a cancer diagnosis.

                  Of course, the much needed reminder sets in, this isn't about me. This is about the cancer patient. And so I try to manage the stress as much as I can so I can be strong for them. For me, it's about researching and being an advocate (this may be you too since you have found this forum). For my brother, he would never join a forum, but rather manages his stress by working out, spending time outdoors. Combined, we are a great team.

                  I can relate when you speak about worrying about health, but you will drive yourself CRAZY doing this. I know. I've been there. I spent years worrying. And guess what? more times than not, the times I spent worrying about the health of my loved one, it turned out to be exactly what it presented itself to be…a cold, a headache, tiredness etc…Nothing more sinister.

                  Your sister has a WONDERFUL prognosis. Don't google, don't look for stories that negate her prognosis statistics. Spend time making your relationship even better and BE with her. Chances are, even at stage 1A, she is having some of the same fears you are. But most important, spend time making happy memories because on the slim, slim, slim (AND I MEAN SLIM) chance that she progresses, you will kick yourself for wasting such valuable time worrying instead of truly "enjoying" her. Trust me, this is from my own regrets. My loved one was originally staged at 3.  

                   

                  RaquelP
                  Participant

                    First of all, let me tell you, you are not alone. Many on here have been the cancer patient, but for the rest of us, we are caregivers and loved ones of those with this horrible disease. It's not an easy burden to carry, and I can relate in so many ways to your post.

                    The fear will never leave you. Never. But it DOES get better. I used to think…is it me who has cancer? It has taken so much from me. It has literally infiltrated my life. It has taken my time, my innocence, and sometimes my joy. I look at my children and fear they are next. I have this weight on me to "live EVERY DAY to it's fullest" and gosh do I get sick of that phrase. Anyone else? That's impossible, particularly when you have a loved one with a cancer diagnosis.

                    Of course, the much needed reminder sets in, this isn't about me. This is about the cancer patient. And so I try to manage the stress as much as I can so I can be strong for them. For me, it's about researching and being an advocate (this may be you too since you have found this forum). For my brother, he would never join a forum, but rather manages his stress by working out, spending time outdoors. Combined, we are a great team.

                    I can relate when you speak about worrying about health, but you will drive yourself CRAZY doing this. I know. I've been there. I spent years worrying. And guess what? more times than not, the times I spent worrying about the health of my loved one, it turned out to be exactly what it presented itself to be…a cold, a headache, tiredness etc…Nothing more sinister.

                    Your sister has a WONDERFUL prognosis. Don't google, don't look for stories that negate her prognosis statistics. Spend time making your relationship even better and BE with her. Chances are, even at stage 1A, she is having some of the same fears you are. But most important, spend time making happy memories because on the slim, slim, slim (AND I MEAN SLIM) chance that she progresses, you will kick yourself for wasting such valuable time worrying instead of truly "enjoying" her. Trust me, this is from my own regrets. My loved one was originally staged at 3.  

                     

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