› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Scared out of my mind in Noblesville
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- September 16, 2012 at 6:36 pm
Hi I am new here. Any information you can give me would be so greatly appeciated. On Monday last week I was told I have malignant melanoma. Breslow dept .25mm, Clark level 3. Ulceration not identified and the volume of the dermal tumor was insufficient for mitotic index. After panicing for three days thinking that the clarks level was the same as the stage, I came across a post on here that explained it is not. That made me sleep a little better. Originally when my dermatologist gave me the news he wanted to send me to a plastic surgeon to have a la
Hi I am new here. Any information you can give me would be so greatly appeciated. On Monday last week I was told I have malignant melanoma. Breslow dept .25mm, Clark level 3. Ulceration not identified and the volume of the dermal tumor was insufficient for mitotic index. After panicing for three days thinking that the clarks level was the same as the stage, I came across a post on here that explained it is not. That made me sleep a little better. Originally when my dermatologist gave me the news he wanted to send me to a plastic surgeon to have a larger area removed. The spot is located on my right shoulder blade. The plastic surgeon could not get me in until the 24th, after showing up in the dermatologist office crying my eyes out he agreed to do the surgery himself this past Thursday. I am currently typing with a railroad track of stitches down my shoulder:) The original dermatopathology report was sent to my family doctor who has insisited that I see an oncologist. I will see the oncologist tomorrow at 8:15. I do not have the last results from Thursdays surgery back and probably will not until sometime next week. I have a million questions and if someone could please shed some light on the darkness I feel right now I would be so appreciative. The dermatologist seems to think this was found very early. He says that the next test should come back all margins clear and I will just need follow up appointments to monitor for any new spots that might appear. He thought originally that the family doctor would probably send me for a blood test and a chest x-ray. I smoked when I was a teenager and thought it was cool. I think the most I got to was a pack a week for several years. I am now of course convinced that this means the melanoma has spread to my lungs. I was not a sun worshipper. I tried laying out for a tan and attempted the tanning bed a few times but it never worked in my favor so I gave up. I have never been a huge fan of the sun because I burn. I am an only child but come from a large Irish family and am the first to be diagnosed with this. I have three children and currently am still nursing my nineteen month old daughter. Does anyone know of a doctor that specializes in melanoma in Indiana or Kentucky? I want to make sure I cover all angles in order to see my nineteen month old daughter grow up and go to college, get married, ect. Has anyone has a breslow thickness as small as mine and still had to have lymph nodes removed? Have they come back positive? Has anyone heard of Dr. Stephen Schultz in Indianapolis, IN? He is an oncologist with Community North Hospital but he does not have a website so I can not figure out how familiar he is with melanoma. What state would I need to look in to find the best doctors? Thank you for any help at all!
Beth Thompson
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- September 16, 2012 at 6:55 pm
THis is very EARLY. You don't really need an oncologist. They treat active disease and you don't have that. You don't need your lymph nodes tested either. It's too late for that anyway as that has to be done PRIOR to the second excision you had. Blood test and chest x-rays have minimal value – probably more to watch your lungs for lung cancer, not melanoma. The two are not related so smoking has no impact on your melanoma. A chest X-ray won't show melanoma in the lungs. It might show some junk there given your history. The lungs often have benign beasties. Some Irish have a higher predisposition to melanoma based on genetics. This is stage I. This is very low risk. The typical protocol would be seeing a dermatologist on a regular basis. Watch your moles for CHANGE. Practice sun safety for you and your kids. It's easy to get caught up in the anxiety of the "C" word. But this is early and has a very high survival rate. At this point, there is really nothing else to do – except periodic monitoring – then move on and live life!
Best wishes,
Janner
Stage I since 1992, 3 MM primaries
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- September 16, 2012 at 6:55 pm
THis is very EARLY. You don't really need an oncologist. They treat active disease and you don't have that. You don't need your lymph nodes tested either. It's too late for that anyway as that has to be done PRIOR to the second excision you had. Blood test and chest x-rays have minimal value – probably more to watch your lungs for lung cancer, not melanoma. The two are not related so smoking has no impact on your melanoma. A chest X-ray won't show melanoma in the lungs. It might show some junk there given your history. The lungs often have benign beasties. Some Irish have a higher predisposition to melanoma based on genetics. This is stage I. This is very low risk. The typical protocol would be seeing a dermatologist on a regular basis. Watch your moles for CHANGE. Practice sun safety for you and your kids. It's easy to get caught up in the anxiety of the "C" word. But this is early and has a very high survival rate. At this point, there is really nothing else to do – except periodic monitoring – then move on and live life!
Best wishes,
Janner
Stage I since 1992, 3 MM primaries
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- September 16, 2012 at 6:55 pm
THis is very EARLY. You don't really need an oncologist. They treat active disease and you don't have that. You don't need your lymph nodes tested either. It's too late for that anyway as that has to be done PRIOR to the second excision you had. Blood test and chest x-rays have minimal value – probably more to watch your lungs for lung cancer, not melanoma. The two are not related so smoking has no impact on your melanoma. A chest X-ray won't show melanoma in the lungs. It might show some junk there given your history. The lungs often have benign beasties. Some Irish have a higher predisposition to melanoma based on genetics. This is stage I. This is very low risk. The typical protocol would be seeing a dermatologist on a regular basis. Watch your moles for CHANGE. Practice sun safety for you and your kids. It's easy to get caught up in the anxiety of the "C" word. But this is early and has a very high survival rate. At this point, there is really nothing else to do – except periodic monitoring – then move on and live life!
Best wishes,
Janner
Stage I since 1992, 3 MM primaries
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- September 16, 2012 at 11:15 pm
As usually every thing Janner has said is correct. She has a really great web site for early stage melanoma, that's the link she has at the bottom of her post. You might check it out.
It won't hurt to see a Melanoma specialist if it will calm your fears, I do not advise you see a general oncologist though. You did catch it early, your prognoses is good. I wouldn't even consider doing anything else except being vigilant about the sun and about follow-up care with a good dermatologist.
As time goes by you will realize how lucky you were to have caught it so soon. At stage 3 I feel like I am one of the luckiest people alive! People that haven't had this think I'm crazy but those on this board I am sure know what I mean. At 2 plus years and No Evidence of Disease, every time I go into the oncologist office I realize just how very lucky I am.
I hope it won't be long before you develop this attitude too.
Good Luck,
Mary
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- September 16, 2012 at 11:15 pm
As usually every thing Janner has said is correct. She has a really great web site for early stage melanoma, that's the link she has at the bottom of her post. You might check it out.
It won't hurt to see a Melanoma specialist if it will calm your fears, I do not advise you see a general oncologist though. You did catch it early, your prognoses is good. I wouldn't even consider doing anything else except being vigilant about the sun and about follow-up care with a good dermatologist.
As time goes by you will realize how lucky you were to have caught it so soon. At stage 3 I feel like I am one of the luckiest people alive! People that haven't had this think I'm crazy but those on this board I am sure know what I mean. At 2 plus years and No Evidence of Disease, every time I go into the oncologist office I realize just how very lucky I am.
I hope it won't be long before you develop this attitude too.
Good Luck,
Mary
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- September 16, 2012 at 11:15 pm
As usually every thing Janner has said is correct. She has a really great web site for early stage melanoma, that's the link she has at the bottom of her post. You might check it out.
It won't hurt to see a Melanoma specialist if it will calm your fears, I do not advise you see a general oncologist though. You did catch it early, your prognoses is good. I wouldn't even consider doing anything else except being vigilant about the sun and about follow-up care with a good dermatologist.
As time goes by you will realize how lucky you were to have caught it so soon. At stage 3 I feel like I am one of the luckiest people alive! People that haven't had this think I'm crazy but those on this board I am sure know what I mean. At 2 plus years and No Evidence of Disease, every time I go into the oncologist office I realize just how very lucky I am.
I hope it won't be long before you develop this attitude too.
Good Luck,
Mary
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- September 18, 2012 at 2:10 am
Beth,
So sorry you have joined the Melanoma club. I too live in Indiana and see the specialists at IU Simon Cancer center. They have a good Melanoma program and would recommend you at least contact them and maybe speak to one of the research nurses for doctor recommendations. I too was diagnosed with Stage I twelve years ago and then had a second primary in-situ this year.
I think a chest xray and baseline blood work is pretty standard for Stage I. Skin exams monthly at home and by your dermatologist every 3-6 months for a couple of years and then yearly.
I think at this time, the best thing you can do is be your own advocate. Do research and lots of it, insist that any spot that bothers you be removed. Both times the doctor didn't really think the spot was anything but I insisted and thank God I did. Life is changed as you know it, but Life is not over. Just be vigilent with sunscreen and sun protective clothing (hats, sunglasses) seek the shade. Do the things you enjoy but be smart about it.
You will find a lot of good information on this site.
Lori
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- September 18, 2012 at 2:10 am
Beth,
So sorry you have joined the Melanoma club. I too live in Indiana and see the specialists at IU Simon Cancer center. They have a good Melanoma program and would recommend you at least contact them and maybe speak to one of the research nurses for doctor recommendations. I too was diagnosed with Stage I twelve years ago and then had a second primary in-situ this year.
I think a chest xray and baseline blood work is pretty standard for Stage I. Skin exams monthly at home and by your dermatologist every 3-6 months for a couple of years and then yearly.
I think at this time, the best thing you can do is be your own advocate. Do research and lots of it, insist that any spot that bothers you be removed. Both times the doctor didn't really think the spot was anything but I insisted and thank God I did. Life is changed as you know it, but Life is not over. Just be vigilent with sunscreen and sun protective clothing (hats, sunglasses) seek the shade. Do the things you enjoy but be smart about it.
You will find a lot of good information on this site.
Lori
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- September 18, 2012 at 2:10 am
Beth,
So sorry you have joined the Melanoma club. I too live in Indiana and see the specialists at IU Simon Cancer center. They have a good Melanoma program and would recommend you at least contact them and maybe speak to one of the research nurses for doctor recommendations. I too was diagnosed with Stage I twelve years ago and then had a second primary in-situ this year.
I think a chest xray and baseline blood work is pretty standard for Stage I. Skin exams monthly at home and by your dermatologist every 3-6 months for a couple of years and then yearly.
I think at this time, the best thing you can do is be your own advocate. Do research and lots of it, insist that any spot that bothers you be removed. Both times the doctor didn't really think the spot was anything but I insisted and thank God I did. Life is changed as you know it, but Life is not over. Just be vigilent with sunscreen and sun protective clothing (hats, sunglasses) seek the shade. Do the things you enjoy but be smart about it.
You will find a lot of good information on this site.
Lori
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- September 19, 2012 at 1:39 pm
I live in Noblesville too.
I used Stephen Schultz and was great I recommend him.
Siebe in Noblesville is a great dermatologist and he would be the person to do the 6 month followups with. You will be followed every 3 months for a while then every 6 for a couple years and then yearly forever not too bad.
Good luck if you have questions email at [email protected]
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- September 19, 2012 at 1:39 pm
I live in Noblesville too.
I used Stephen Schultz and was great I recommend him.
Siebe in Noblesville is a great dermatologist and he would be the person to do the 6 month followups with. You will be followed every 3 months for a while then every 6 for a couple years and then yearly forever not too bad.
Good luck if you have questions email at [email protected]
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- September 19, 2012 at 1:39 pm
I live in Noblesville too.
I used Stephen Schultz and was great I recommend him.
Siebe in Noblesville is a great dermatologist and he would be the person to do the 6 month followups with. You will be followed every 3 months for a while then every 6 for a couple years and then yearly forever not too bad.
Good luck if you have questions email at [email protected]
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- September 20, 2012 at 2:06 am
I can not say thank you enough to everyone that replied to my post! I went to see Dr. Stephen Schultz on Monday and he ordered a CBC blood test and chest X-ray. Both of which turned out to be fine. Dr. Siebe's office caqlled me yesterday with the results from the wide incision and they came back all margins clear!!! I am still an emotional mess. The sky is bluer and the grass is greener and I realize just how precious life is.
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- September 20, 2012 at 2:06 am
I can not say thank you enough to everyone that replied to my post! I went to see Dr. Stephen Schultz on Monday and he ordered a CBC blood test and chest X-ray. Both of which turned out to be fine. Dr. Siebe's office caqlled me yesterday with the results from the wide incision and they came back all margins clear!!! I am still an emotional mess. The sky is bluer and the grass is greener and I realize just how precious life is.
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- September 20, 2012 at 2:06 am
I can not say thank you enough to everyone that replied to my post! I went to see Dr. Stephen Schultz on Monday and he ordered a CBC blood test and chest X-ray. Both of which turned out to be fine. Dr. Siebe's office caqlled me yesterday with the results from the wide incision and they came back all margins clear!!! I am still an emotional mess. The sky is bluer and the grass is greener and I realize just how precious life is.
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