starting to hate weekends

Well, I'm certainly no expert and I'm new here too.  My husband was diagnosed in April of malignant melanoma of the nasal cavity and he, too, is awaiting treatment pending another biospy of a different lesion and more surgery after that.  But to answer your question, it MIGHT be inadequate lymph drainage or a serum build up that will resolve on it's own.  After having neck lymph nodes removed, my husband noticed a swelling above the incision area and we were very concerned.  It turned out to be serum and did resolve on its own in a week or so.  You should consult with your doctor as quickly as possible but try to stay hopeful until you find out what it is. 

Well, I'm certainly no expert and I'm new here too.  My husband was diagnosed in April of malignant melanoma of the nasal cavity and he, too, is awaiting treatment pending another biospy of a different lesion and more surgery after that.  But to answer your question, it MIGHT be inadequate lymph drainage or a serum build up that will resolve on it's own.  After having neck lymph nodes removed, my husband noticed a swelling above the incision area and we were very concerned.  It turned out to be serum and did resolve on its own in a week or so.  You should consult with your doctor as quickly as possible but try to stay hopeful until you find out what it is. 

Well, I'm certainly no expert and I'm new here too.  My husband was diagnosed in April of malignant melanoma of the nasal cavity and he, too, is awaiting treatment pending another biospy of a different lesion and more surgery after that.  But to answer your question, it MIGHT be inadequate lymph drainage or a serum build up that will resolve on it's own.  After having neck lymph nodes removed, my husband noticed a swelling above the incision area and we were very concerned.  It turned out to be serum and did resolve on its own in a week or so.  You should consult with your doctor as quickly as possible but try to stay hopeful until you find out what it is. 

I'm sorry that no one can give you a specific answer as to what that lump is near your scar from the dissection.   We get this diagnosis that has such fright attached to it.   It takes your mind wandering and worrying at such a rapid pace.  I'm sure your doctor will want to see you to address the issue of that lump and, hopefully, it will turn out to be something that is accumulating after the surgery.   Of course, if there is indication of any discharge, redness, or you feel like are getting sick (fever=infection), then you should contact someone.   It is not uncommon for any of us to have had immediate concerns after WLE's or LND's, happening at the most inconvenient time (weekends, holidays).   Try to take a deep breath.  You only have this day, and then you can talk to your doctor.

I am no expert by any means—-but I am concerned that there could be some confusion here with the nurse reading your scans.   Is this who told you that the chest CT showed "something" and did she really suggest that this "something" is the lump near your scar?    Generally speaking (again, no doctor here, just 7 years of reading and observing other mel situations), CT scan talk involves observations of your body internally.

What I DO know is that your lymph node dissection surgery was a big deal, takes a while to heal (I had that done, too, almost 7 years ago).   The swelling in your hand and arm is not abnormal for that surgery, but it is something that should be addressed (lymphedema).   I found a manual lymphatic drainage therapist in my area who helped me immensely.  (I found her by calling a breast cancer support group)    Hopefully, your doctor can direct you to someone or you can make some calls to find someone to help you with that.   At the least, your doctor could give you a script for a compression sleeve (like an elastic stocking) to wear to impede the progress of anymore swelling.   But this shouldn't be done on your own—let a medical prof direct you on this.  

I wish there was more I could do to ease your mind today.   Just know that many of us have travelled the road you are on at this moment.   Try, try to take it one day at a time.    Maybe allow yourself some panic time, but try hard not to let melanoma take over so completely to take away this SUnday from you.   Don't give it that much power.   Take on the fight tomorrow with your doctor at your side.   Turn your back on that melanoma bully today. 

CarolA

Orig dx March 2005 Stage III

Hanging on!!  (awaiting results of CT and MRI)

I'm sorry that no one can give you a specific answer as to what that lump is near your scar from the dissection.   We get this diagnosis that has such fright attached to it.   It takes your mind wandering and worrying at such a rapid pace.  I'm sure your doctor will want to see you to address the issue of that lump and, hopefully, it will turn out to be something that is accumulating after the surgery.   Of course, if there is indication of any discharge, redness, or you feel like are getting sick (fever=infection), then you should contact someone.   It is not uncommon for any of us to have had immediate concerns after WLE's or LND's, happening at the most inconvenient time (weekends, holidays).   Try to take a deep breath.  You only have this day, and then you can talk to your doctor.

I am no expert by any means—-but I am concerned that there could be some confusion here with the nurse reading your scans.   Is this who told you that the chest CT showed "something" and did she really suggest that this "something" is the lump near your scar?    Generally speaking (again, no doctor here, just 7 years of reading and observing other mel situations), CT scan talk involves observations of your body internally.

What I DO know is that your lymph node dissection surgery was a big deal, takes a while to heal (I had that done, too, almost 7 years ago).   The swelling in your hand and arm is not abnormal for that surgery, but it is something that should be addressed (lymphedema).   I found a manual lymphatic drainage therapist in my area who helped me immensely.  (I found her by calling a breast cancer support group)    Hopefully, your doctor can direct you to someone or you can make some calls to find someone to help you with that.   At the least, your doctor could give you a script for a compression sleeve (like an elastic stocking) to wear to impede the progress of anymore swelling.   But this shouldn't be done on your own—let a medical prof direct you on this.  

I wish there was more I could do to ease your mind today.   Just know that many of us have travelled the road you are on at this moment.   Try, try to take it one day at a time.    Maybe allow yourself some panic time, but try hard not to let melanoma take over so completely to take away this SUnday from you.   Don't give it that much power.   Take on the fight tomorrow with your doctor at your side.   Turn your back on that melanoma bully today. 

CarolA

Orig dx March 2005 Stage III

Hanging on!!  (awaiting results of CT and MRI)

I'm sorry that no one can give you a specific answer as to what that lump is near your scar from the dissection.   We get this diagnosis that has such fright attached to it.   It takes your mind wandering and worrying at such a rapid pace.  I'm sure your doctor will want to see you to address the issue of that lump and, hopefully, it will turn out to be something that is accumulating after the surgery.   Of course, if there is indication of any discharge, redness, or you feel like are getting sick (fever=infection), then you should contact someone.   It is not uncommon for any of us to have had immediate concerns after WLE's or LND's, happening at the most inconvenient time (weekends, holidays).   Try to take a deep breath.  You only have this day, and then you can talk to your doctor.

I am no expert by any means—-but I am concerned that there could be some confusion here with the nurse reading your scans.   Is this who told you that the chest CT showed "something" and did she really suggest that this "something" is the lump near your scar?    Generally speaking (again, no doctor here, just 7 years of reading and observing other mel situations), CT scan talk involves observations of your body internally.

What I DO know is that your lymph node dissection surgery was a big deal, takes a while to heal (I had that done, too, almost 7 years ago).   The swelling in your hand and arm is not abnormal for that surgery, but it is something that should be addressed (lymphedema).   I found a manual lymphatic drainage therapist in my area who helped me immensely.  (I found her by calling a breast cancer support group)    Hopefully, your doctor can direct you to someone or you can make some calls to find someone to help you with that.   At the least, your doctor could give you a script for a compression sleeve (like an elastic stocking) to wear to impede the progress of anymore swelling.   But this shouldn't be done on your own—let a medical prof direct you on this.  

I wish there was more I could do to ease your mind today.   Just know that many of us have travelled the road you are on at this moment.   Try, try to take it one day at a time.    Maybe allow yourself some panic time, but try hard not to let melanoma take over so completely to take away this SUnday from you.   Don't give it that much power.   Take on the fight tomorrow with your doctor at your side.   Turn your back on that melanoma bully today. 

CarolA

Orig dx March 2005 Stage III

Hanging on!!  (awaiting results of CT and MRI)

can you post a link to a picture of it, so as we can get a better idea of what you are describing?

my best!

can you post a link to a picture of it, so as we can get a better idea of what you are describing?

my best!

can you post a link to a picture of it, so as we can get a better idea of what you are describing?

my best!

I guess sitting through the weekend wondering what it could be is one way of approaching things, but why not assume it is and plan ahead for the next treatment.  What if it is? What are you going to do next? do you have any treatment plans in mind? trials you have investigated? Planning for the worst is the way to manage this disease the best.  Looking at a bump and wondering isn't going to change things by a phone call to your doctor on monday,nor is posting a picture of it here.  It needs a biopsy and to be looked at under a microscope to confirm it.  Even your doctor won't know just by looking at it.  When are you going to schedule an appointment to have it biopsied?  How long will it take to get results? How will you change your schedule around-to minimize time spent in the hospital?   I would be on clinicaltrials.gov  looking into trials based on changes in stage right now if it were me, then just enjoy the rest of your Sunday.  When you get into see your oncologist/surgeon, you can get them going looking into these treatments for you.  You are paying their salary, they should be working for you.  

Or you can sit and wonder throughout the weekend.

I guess sitting through the weekend wondering what it could be is one way of approaching things, but why not assume it is and plan ahead for the next treatment.  What if it is? What are you going to do next? do you have any treatment plans in mind? trials you have investigated? Planning for the worst is the way to manage this disease the best.  Looking at a bump and wondering isn't going to change things by a phone call to your doctor on monday,nor is posting a picture of it here.  It needs a biopsy and to be looked at under a microscope to confirm it.  Even your doctor won't know just by looking at it.  When are you going to schedule an appointment to have it biopsied?  How long will it take to get results? How will you change your schedule around-to minimize time spent in the hospital?   I would be on clinicaltrials.gov  looking into trials based on changes in stage right now if it were me, then just enjoy the rest of your Sunday.  When you get into see your oncologist/surgeon, you can get them going looking into these treatments for you.  You are paying their salary, they should be working for you.  

Or you can sit and wonder throughout the weekend.

I guess sitting through the weekend wondering what it could be is one way of approaching things, but why not assume it is and plan ahead for the next treatment.  What if it is? What are you going to do next? do you have any treatment plans in mind? trials you have investigated? Planning for the worst is the way to manage this disease the best.  Looking at a bump and wondering isn't going to change things by a phone call to your doctor on monday,nor is posting a picture of it here.  It needs a biopsy and to be looked at under a microscope to confirm it.  Even your doctor won't know just by looking at it.  When are you going to schedule an appointment to have it biopsied?  How long will it take to get results? How will you change your schedule around-to minimize time spent in the hospital?   I would be on clinicaltrials.gov  looking into trials based on changes in stage right now if it were me, then just enjoy the rest of your Sunday.  When you get into see your oncologist/surgeon, you can get them going looking into these treatments for you.  You are paying their salary, they should be working for you.  

Or you can sit and wonder throughout the weekend.

Would one recommend even taking it so far as to have a plan for the next treatment if currently stage I, but plan as if there will be a recurrence/metastasis? 

Would one recommend even taking it so far as to have a plan for the next treatment if currently stage I, but plan as if there will be a recurrence/metastasis? 

Would one recommend even taking it so far as to have a plan for the next treatment if currently stage I, but plan as if there will be a recurrence/metastasis?