Strange question- but concerned
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Strange question- but concerned

› Forums › Cutaneous Melanoma Community › Strange question- but concerned

  • Post
    • November 5, 2014 at 4:53 pm
    Kerrid74
    Participant

      So, I was diagnosed with stage 1 a invasive melanoma on my my right upper arm.  Diagnosis was made after WLE and sentinel node biopsy- which were negative for evidence of metastasis.  The surgery was approx. 6 weeks ago.  Life going on, yada yada yada.  Around the same time, my nerves were shot to say the least, I was having some pressure from a hemorhoid I have had.  Here's my crazy question…. I am completely and totally freaking out that it somehow could have spread and or I have anal melanoma.  Had anyone had cutaneous and non-cutaneous melanoma simultaneously or has anyone had cutaneous melanoma that spread to anal melanomA?  I see the gi doc in a week.  But I'm a nervous wreck.  I understand they are two different types if melanoma but they are still related.  Help!? 

       

       

    Viewing 5 reply threads
    • Replies
        • November 5, 2014 at 5:48 pm
        Janner
        Participant

          Look for the most likely explanation first, then look for zebras.  Melanoma, in your case, is the zebra.  Hemorrhoids are COMMON.  Melanoma spreading from an arm to the anus — NOT!  And the vast majority of people have only one type of melanoma.  My question here is, if you hadn't had a melanoma diagnosis, would you think this was anything but a common hemorrhoid?  NO.  And with a stage IA diagnosis, that should be your mindset.  Obviously, it is good to get things checked out, but don't let your mind go where it has no business going!

          • November 5, 2014 at 5:48 pm
          Janner
          Participant

            Look for the most likely explanation first, then look for zebras.  Melanoma, in your case, is the zebra.  Hemorrhoids are COMMON.  Melanoma spreading from an arm to the anus — NOT!  And the vast majority of people have only one type of melanoma.  My question here is, if you hadn't had a melanoma diagnosis, would you think this was anything but a common hemorrhoid?  NO.  And with a stage IA diagnosis, that should be your mindset.  Obviously, it is good to get things checked out, but don't let your mind go where it has no business going!

            • November 5, 2014 at 5:48 pm
            Janner
            Participant

              Look for the most likely explanation first, then look for zebras.  Melanoma, in your case, is the zebra.  Hemorrhoids are COMMON.  Melanoma spreading from an arm to the anus — NOT!  And the vast majority of people have only one type of melanoma.  My question here is, if you hadn't had a melanoma diagnosis, would you think this was anything but a common hemorrhoid?  NO.  And with a stage IA diagnosis, that should be your mindset.  Obviously, it is good to get things checked out, but don't let your mind go where it has no business going!

                • November 5, 2014 at 5:56 pm
                Kerrid74
                Participant

                  I love u Janner.  You have the wonderul talent of making things make more sense.  And your absolutely 100% right on, if i hadn't had melanoma last month I would not have thought of this scenario.  It's an major effort right now to be only vigilant but not paranoid:).  I will go to the GI appt. next week and try to calm down.  Thank you my friend.  I have had a run of major bad luck this entire year it's been one thing after another and I think I've just settled my mindset into " it must be the worst case scenario."

                  Janner- how are u doing?

                  • November 5, 2014 at 5:56 pm
                  Kerrid74
                  Participant

                    I love u Janner.  You have the wonderul talent of making things make more sense.  And your absolutely 100% right on, if i hadn't had melanoma last month I would not have thought of this scenario.  It's an major effort right now to be only vigilant but not paranoid:).  I will go to the GI appt. next week and try to calm down.  Thank you my friend.  I have had a run of major bad luck this entire year it's been one thing after another and I think I've just settled my mindset into " it must be the worst case scenario."

                    Janner- how are u doing?

                    • November 5, 2014 at 5:56 pm
                    Kerrid74
                    Participant

                      I love u Janner.  You have the wonderul talent of making things make more sense.  And your absolutely 100% right on, if i hadn't had melanoma last month I would not have thought of this scenario.  It's an major effort right now to be only vigilant but not paranoid:).  I will go to the GI appt. next week and try to calm down.  Thank you my friend.  I have had a run of major bad luck this entire year it's been one thing after another and I think I've just settled my mindset into " it must be the worst case scenario."

                      Janner- how are u doing?

                    • November 5, 2014 at 6:35 pm
                    ed williams
                    Participant

                      Janner you lost me at the Zebra part!!!! Now, I was thinking that a monkey would have been a better choice of animals. Thanks for making me laugh on Wednesday, which are lab and Onc visit days for me. Ed

                        • November 5, 2014 at 6:44 pm
                        JC
                        Participant

                          it definitely has a way of messing with your mind, doesn't it?  i've been there too.  every headache must be a brain metastasis.  every back pain must be a spinal tumor.  every unexplained ache or pain must be melanoma spreading.  it's hard to not let the mind wander there first

                          • November 5, 2014 at 6:44 pm
                          JC
                          Participant

                            it definitely has a way of messing with your mind, doesn't it?  i've been there too.  every headache must be a brain metastasis.  every back pain must be a spinal tumor.  every unexplained ache or pain must be melanoma spreading.  it's hard to not let the mind wander there first

                            • November 5, 2014 at 6:44 pm
                            JC
                            Participant

                              it definitely has a way of messing with your mind, doesn't it?  i've been there too.  every headache must be a brain metastasis.  every back pain must be a spinal tumor.  every unexplained ache or pain must be melanoma spreading.  it's hard to not let the mind wander there first

                              • November 5, 2014 at 6:58 pm
                              Janner
                              Participant

                                That paraphase of the zebra term came from Dr. Casey who used to post here.  That is what he would tell the residents who worked with him.  Basically, look for the most likely explanation first.  If you rule that out, look harder and only when you've exhausted that, look for the zebras.  I think it is such a perfect example to use especially for the early stagers.

                                • November 5, 2014 at 6:58 pm
                                Janner
                                Participant

                                  That paraphase of the zebra term came from Dr. Casey who used to post here.  That is what he would tell the residents who worked with him.  Basically, look for the most likely explanation first.  If you rule that out, look harder and only when you've exhausted that, look for the zebras.  I think it is such a perfect example to use especially for the early stagers.

                                  • November 5, 2014 at 6:58 pm
                                  Janner
                                  Participant

                                    That paraphase of the zebra term came from Dr. Casey who used to post here.  That is what he would tell the residents who worked with him.  Basically, look for the most likely explanation first.  If you rule that out, look harder and only when you've exhausted that, look for the zebras.  I think it is such a perfect example to use especially for the early stagers.

                                    • November 6, 2014 at 4:07 am
                                    casagrayson
                                    Participant

                                      Med school students are often told "when you hear hoofbeats, think horses, not zebras"!  If a patient comes in with a cough, think bronchitis, not lung cancer.  🙂  

                                      I, however, am a zebra, as I have a rare disease (Cushing's).  So while we really are out there, we aren't very common.  

                                       

                                      • November 6, 2014 at 4:07 am
                                      casagrayson
                                      Participant

                                        Med school students are often told "when you hear hoofbeats, think horses, not zebras"!  If a patient comes in with a cough, think bronchitis, not lung cancer.  🙂  

                                        I, however, am a zebra, as I have a rare disease (Cushing's).  So while we really are out there, we aren't very common.  

                                         

                                        • November 6, 2014 at 4:07 am
                                        casagrayson
                                        Participant

                                          Med school students are often told "when you hear hoofbeats, think horses, not zebras"!  If a patient comes in with a cough, think bronchitis, not lung cancer.  🙂  

                                          I, however, am a zebra, as I have a rare disease (Cushing's).  So while we really are out there, we aren't very common.  

                                           

                                        • November 5, 2014 at 6:35 pm
                                        ed williams
                                        Participant

                                          Janner you lost me at the Zebra part!!!! Now, I was thinking that a monkey would have been a better choice of animals. Thanks for making me laugh on Wednesday, which are lab and Onc visit days for me. Ed

                                          • November 5, 2014 at 6:35 pm
                                          ed williams
                                          Participant

                                            Janner you lost me at the Zebra part!!!! Now, I was thinking that a monkey would have been a better choice of animals. Thanks for making me laugh on Wednesday, which are lab and Onc visit days for me. Ed

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