MRF-Logo2019-Horizontal-RGB
Recent diagnosis
REGISTER
The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Content within the patient forum is user-generated and has not been reviewed by medical professionals. Other sections of the Melanoma Research Foundation website include information that has been reviewed by medical professionals as appropriate. All medical decisions should be made in consultation with your doctor or other qualified medical professional.

Recent diagnosis

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Recent diagnosis

  • Post
    • April 20, 2014 at 8:00 pm
    Happy_girl
    Participant

      Hi! I have recently been diagnosed stage 1b melanoma. I'm a new mom a freaked out that I won't be around to see my baby grow up. Can stage 1b make it? Even if the primary is 1.8mm? 

    Viewing 5 reply threads
    • Replies
        • April 20, 2014 at 9:24 pm
        Janner
        Participant

          Stage IB still has a high survival rate.  No, not 100%.  But there are no guarantees with anything in life.  The first year is always a shock but things will get better with time and a little distance from diagnosis.  Be vigilant, not paranoid!  Even if you were to have a recurrence (still unlikely), that doesn't mean "death".  It means dealing with melanoma again.  And today, more than any time in the past, is when you want to deal with melanoma.  New treatments are cropping up – several within the last couple of years.  More in the pipeline.  It's definitely becoming a treatable disease!  So hang in there and try not to spend too much time worrying.  Pre-worry never helped anyone, and it just takes away from all the good stuff you have going in your life now!

          Best wishes,

          Janner

          Stage IB since 1992, 3 MM primaries

          • April 20, 2014 at 9:24 pm
          Janner
          Participant

            Stage IB still has a high survival rate.  No, not 100%.  But there are no guarantees with anything in life.  The first year is always a shock but things will get better with time and a little distance from diagnosis.  Be vigilant, not paranoid!  Even if you were to have a recurrence (still unlikely), that doesn't mean "death".  It means dealing with melanoma again.  And today, more than any time in the past, is when you want to deal with melanoma.  New treatments are cropping up – several within the last couple of years.  More in the pipeline.  It's definitely becoming a treatable disease!  So hang in there and try not to spend too much time worrying.  Pre-worry never helped anyone, and it just takes away from all the good stuff you have going in your life now!

            Best wishes,

            Janner

            Stage IB since 1992, 3 MM primaries

              • April 20, 2014 at 9:39 pm
              Happy_girl
              Participant

                Thank you for the encouragement. Its so hard not to think about it all the time. I have wonderful dr.s around me- I'm trying to be positive and just pray that this is behind me…. With vigilant watching of course. My husband alarms knows our child will not see sunlight! 

                • April 20, 2014 at 9:39 pm
                Happy_girl
                Participant

                  Thank you for the encouragement. Its so hard not to think about it all the time. I have wonderful dr.s around me- I'm trying to be positive and just pray that this is behind me…. With vigilant watching of course. My husband alarms knows our child will not see sunlight! 

                  • April 21, 2014 at 2:10 pm
                  Happy_girl
                  Participant

                    My husband * already knows…. Not alarms- dumb phone! :). 

                    • April 21, 2014 at 2:10 pm
                    Happy_girl
                    Participant

                      My husband * already knows…. Not alarms- dumb phone! :). 

                      • April 21, 2014 at 2:10 pm
                      Happy_girl
                      Participant

                        My husband * already knows…. Not alarms- dumb phone! :). 

                        • April 20, 2014 at 9:39 pm
                        Happy_girl
                        Participant

                          Thank you for the encouragement. Its so hard not to think about it all the time. I have wonderful dr.s around me- I'm trying to be positive and just pray that this is behind me…. With vigilant watching of course. My husband alarms knows our child will not see sunlight! 

                        • April 20, 2014 at 9:24 pm
                        Janner
                        Participant

                          Stage IB still has a high survival rate.  No, not 100%.  But there are no guarantees with anything in life.  The first year is always a shock but things will get better with time and a little distance from diagnosis.  Be vigilant, not paranoid!  Even if you were to have a recurrence (still unlikely), that doesn't mean "death".  It means dealing with melanoma again.  And today, more than any time in the past, is when you want to deal with melanoma.  New treatments are cropping up – several within the last couple of years.  More in the pipeline.  It's definitely becoming a treatable disease!  So hang in there and try not to spend too much time worrying.  Pre-worry never helped anyone, and it just takes away from all the good stuff you have going in your life now!

                          Best wishes,

                          Janner

                          Stage IB since 1992, 3 MM primaries

                          • April 23, 2014 at 1:29 pm
                          Kelly Smith
                          Participant

                            You have a good prognosis! Are they doing a sentinel lymph node biopsy? I am stage 3A, and I have a 6 week old, 3 year old, and 7 year old. I completely understand your fears! Try to stay off of google, and just come here for support, encouragement, and advice. <3

                            • April 23, 2014 at 1:29 pm
                            Kelly Smith
                            Participant

                              You have a good prognosis! Are they doing a sentinel lymph node biopsy? I am stage 3A, and I have a 6 week old, 3 year old, and 7 year old. I completely understand your fears! Try to stay off of google, and just come here for support, encouragement, and advice. <3

                                • April 23, 2014 at 1:53 pm
                                Happy_girl
                                Participant

                                  Thank you for the encouragement, Kelly! They did do a snb and it came back negative and margins were clear- thank you Jesus! Such an answer to prayer.  I know my post baby hormones are adding to the anxiety!  How are you soon and how do you stay positive?  What advice do you have for a newbie like me? 🙂

                                  Google has been my worst enemy- except for finding this site! 

                                  • April 23, 2014 at 1:53 pm
                                  Happy_girl
                                  Participant

                                    Thank you for the encouragement, Kelly! They did do a snb and it came back negative and margins were clear- thank you Jesus! Such an answer to prayer.  I know my post baby hormones are adding to the anxiety!  How are you soon and how do you stay positive?  What advice do you have for a newbie like me? 🙂

                                    Google has been my worst enemy- except for finding this site! 

                                    • April 23, 2014 at 1:53 pm
                                    Happy_girl
                                    Participant

                                      Thank you for the encouragement, Kelly! They did do a snb and it came back negative and margins were clear- thank you Jesus! Such an answer to prayer.  I know my post baby hormones are adding to the anxiety!  How are you soon and how do you stay positive?  What advice do you have for a newbie like me? 🙂

                                      Google has been my worst enemy- except for finding this site! 

                                    • April 23, 2014 at 1:29 pm
                                    Kelly Smith
                                    Participant

                                      You have a good prognosis! Are they doing a sentinel lymph node biopsy? I am stage 3A, and I have a 6 week old, 3 year old, and 7 year old. I completely understand your fears! Try to stay off of google, and just come here for support, encouragement, and advice. <3

                                  Viewing 5 reply threads
                                  • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
                                  About the MRF Patient Forum

                                  The MRF Patient Forum is the oldest and largest online community of people affected by melanoma. It is designed to provide peer support and information to caregivers, patients, family and friends. There is no better place to discuss different parts of your journey with this cancer and find the friends and support resources to make that journey more bearable.

                                  The information on the forum is open and accessible to everyone. To add a new topic or to post a reply, you must be a registered user. Please note that you will be able to post both topics and replies anonymously even though you are logged in. All posts must abide by MRF posting policies.

                                  Popular Topics